Biblical proof of symbolism?

[Elzee]

I was thinking the other day…for some of the issues Catholics and non-Catholics disagree with - salvation, OSAS, confession of sins - non-Catholics can find isolated bible verses, when taken by themselves and out of context, to support their position. They can be quite persuasive in proving their point because on the surface a verse exists that appears to directly support their belief.

But, I can’t think of any bible verse that supports the non-Catholic view of the Eucharist. Jesus plainly said ‘this is my body’. Is there any bible verse that says this was meant as a symbolic gesture? If not, what bible passages do non-Catholics use to support their position?

 

[Righteousone]

:coffeeread:

 

[lizaanne]

:juggle:

~Liza

 

[Righteousone]

 

[FaithofAbraham]

But, I can’t think of any bible verse that supports the non-Catholic view of the Eucharist. Jesus plainly said ‘this is my body’. Is there any bible verse that says this was meant as a symbolic gesture? If not, what bible passages do non-Catholics use to support their position?

1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Yes, here Paul is speaking symbolically. Paul is saying we are, in one sense, Christ’s body in this world. We are joined to Him and to each other.

But the question was about Jesus saying to eat His body and drink His blood. The quotes you posted have nothing to do with this.

 

[FaithofAbraham]

Yes, here Paul is speaking symbolically. Paul is saying we are, in one sense, Christ’s body in this world. We are joined to Him and to each other.

But the question was about Jesus saying to eat His body and drink His blood. The quotes you posted have nothing to do with this.

When you accept Jesus as the bread of life which is the Word of God and what he commands you to do, you become part of the body of Christ and also have the Word of God. You don’t start literally eating yourself and your church fellows too.

When you drink his blood of the New Covenant, you drink in the life of the Holy Spirit which is the thing that allows you to have the Word of God, divine inspiration, power to fight sin, and all the gifts that go along with it.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

When you accept Jesus as the bread of life which is the Word of God and what he commands you to do, you become part of the body of Christ and also have the Word of God. You don’t start literally eating yourself and your church fellows too.

When you drink his blood of the New Covenant, you drink in the life of the Holy Spirit which is the thing that allows you to have the Word of God, divine inspiration, power to fight sin, and all the gifts that go along with it.

But even symbolically, accepting Jesus as the Word of God and following his commands, cannot be called ‘eating His body’. In the original language this is a very physical word. And drinking blood, even when speaking about sacrifices, was totally forbidden. Jesus was not telling a parable there. He was saying something He knew would shock his listeners.

You really should look at how the early church understood this verse. They celebrated the ‘breaking of the bread’ as the way to follow this command of Jesus. This is mentioned in Acts of the Apostles and some of the epistles.

 

[Valke2]

Yes, here Paul is speaking symbolically. Paul is saying we are, in one sense, Christ’s body in this world. We are joined to Him and to each other.

But the question was about Jesus saying to eat His body and drink His blood. The quotes you posted have nothing to do with this.

Is there anything in the Christian scriputre that says this act is to be repeated by everyone at mass? Or, if read literally, do we see this only applying to those he was speaking to?

 

[Elzee]

Is there anything in the Christian scriputre that says this act is to be repeated by everyone at mass? Or, if read literally, do we see this only applying to those he was speaking to?

That’s not my question…it’s a good one, but I’d like to keep this thread on topic. I’m really interested in the answer.

 

[bpbasilphx]

1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

It can be argued that St. Paul was writing to Catholics, however.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

But even symbolically, accepting Jesus as the Word of God and following his commands, cannot be called ‘eating His body’. In the original language this is a very physical word. And drinking blood, even when speaking about sacrifices, was totally forbidden. Jesus was not telling a parable there. He was saying something He knew would shock his listeners.

You really should look at how the early church understood this verse. They celebrated the ‘breaking of the bread’ as the way to follow this command of Jesus. This is mentioned in Acts of the Apostles and some of the epistles.

I have been told that the word here for ‘eat’ has the connotation to gnaw on or munch, a very graphic word. And the word for ‘body’ meant ‘flesh’. Can anyone confirm this? Hebrew and Greek are, like, Greek, to me.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

Is there anything in the Christian scriputre that says this act is to be repeated by everyone at mass? Or, if read literally, do we see this only applying to those he was speaking to?

The apostles continued to repeat the act and assigned presbyters (priests) to do so in their place when they were not present. This is in Christian scripture. The apostles were taught by Jesus and knew what he intended.