Question For Christians who do not believe in the Real Presence

[akasseb]

Please respond to these words of St. Ignatius of Antioch (writing c. 100 A.D.), who was a disciple of the Apostle John:

“They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, because they confess not the Eucharist to be the flesh of our Saviour Jesus Christ, which suffered for our sins, and which the Father, of His goodness, raised up again. Those, therefore, who speak against this gift of God, incur death in the midst of their disputes.” - Epistle of Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans, chapter 7

The Church has believed in the Real Presence since Christ instituted the Eucharist in the Last Supper.

 

[ChristiAmor]

They are at spiritual risk. If the Church believes it, who am I to dispute it. They know more than we do. Until the day comes that they see reason to doubt, I will honor our Lord the way we were taught.:compcoff:

 

[philial]

The day the Church denies the Real Presence it will cease to be the Church! Happily, the Church cannot be anything but the Church, so that won’t happen

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

“Those, therefore, who speak against this gift of God, incur death in the midst of their disputes.” - Epistle of Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans, chapter 7

I have read this quote many of times, and this part of St.Ignatius apologia on the Eucharist just revealed to me a death sentence was placed on those “heretics” who “confess” that the Eucharist is not the flesh of our dear Lord Jesus Christ and who abstain from Mass = Eucharist and Prayer. Thank God for the ministry of reconciliation, should I ever miss a Mass.

St. Paul earlier also placed a death sentence on those who did not discern the True body and blood of Jesus in the bread and cup (wine) of blessing see 1Corinthians 11:21-27

Placing a death sentence this early on reveals an incredible belief of the True presence of Jesus body and blood in the Eucharist.

St.Ignatius is also the one who records the Church during his era has already commonly known as “The Catholic Church” (not Orthodox), that Jesus founded upon Peter and the apostles, But that is for another thread.