Re: Response to Communion Posts
epiphany wrote:To Life Immortal
Hello thanks for the responses; I shall answer them one at a time.
newseed wrote:
Why must one must be a member? If I confess my sins and accept Jesus Christ as my Savior, the only way I can receive communion is to be a member of the Orthodox church?
The Orthodox Church has a closed communion. You have to be Orthodox to receive communion in an Orthodox church. Before you receive, you should go to confession so you don't partake unworthily. There are warnings in the bible about this. The Orthodox church is a community of like believers. Partaking in the Mystery of Communion affirms the common beliefs we share as Orthodox Christians. We believe in the Real Presence and I know that not all Christians share this belief.
During the Communion service, after you receive, there is a bowl that has pieces of blessed bread in it. You take pieces of the bread and you can give it to people who didn't receive. In that way, we can share blessed bread with others.
whosurdaddy wrote:
Were you born this faith? (Orthodox)
No. I became a Christian after converting from Asatru(Germanic Paganism) and Egyptian Paganism.
whosurdaddy wrote:
How could Jesus say..." this is my body, broken for you" in a literal sense? Surely this is symbolic. His body was broken on the cross, which was the next day. How could the disciples eat the literal body of Jesus when he was sitting there next to them. It doesn't make any logical sense.
I believe in the Real Presense because of what Lord Jesus said ....this is my body, this is my blood. Orthodox do not teach Transubstantiation (sp?), but we believe the Holy Spirit changes the bread and wine accordingly. I'm still learning the bible, but I remember a passage about partaking when you're not worthy. Some people got sick; others died. I believe this happened because they did not respect/believe the Holy Spirit.
If it was only symbolic, why did they get sick and die? Holy things should be given due respect and reverence.
whosurdaddy wrote:
But the power of brainwashing can cause people to believe the illogical. Kevin
I wasn't brainwashed, I just read the bible and that's how I see it. Different Christians see it differently. In things essential, unity; in doubtful, liberty; in all things, charity. I understand that some people see Communion only as symbolic, some people that the Holy Spirit is within the Elements, and others believe it is literally the Body and Blood of Lord Jesus. I believe that Communion is a sacrament; it's my favourite one. I know the Holy Spirit is within the bread and wine. I have been healed after receiving and I feel the Lord's Presense.
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Luke:22 " I will not drink of the fruit of the vine... Surely, this is not blood or changed to blood, which would be cannibalism. Also, its not a miracle unless the physical changes. GOD has not dealt with man on that level. For example: What if Jesus said "Larazus come forth" only to remain in the grave?.
"This is my body, given for you" When was his body given? The next day, when he died on the cross. So, you see, this was an illustration, or figurative speech, of actual events the next day. "Do this in rememberence of me" If it was actually him, why would he say "in rememberence of me?" He would have said... Do this, because it is me.
Those that were weak or sick were doing so in an unworthy manner. They were going to the LORD'S Supper in other to stuff themselves with food, to cut in line ahead of others, etc. It had nothing to do with believing in the real presence.