TSW ~ E.W. King: The Shepherds Way and the Eucharist

1 Corinthians 11:29 New International Version (NIV)

^“For those who eat and drink without discerning

the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.”

The Shepherds Way & the Eucharist

I will now try and answer the question about “The Lord’s Supper” (Holy Communion) and how this ministry (TSW) understands this commandment given to us by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This will be explained under the title we give to pure doctrine (Sola Scriptura) which comes from the true Ancient Antiochene Christian church.

It is extremely important to truly understand Christian history along with contextual and proper grammar studies of God’s word. The earliest title given to what most churches practice as “communion” or “the Lord’s supper” is the title “Eucharist” which simply means “thanksgiving” (Greek word eucharistia).

First off let me say that the argument in question has to do with the proper understanding of if the actual presence of our Lord is supernaturally, without full explanation, present physically (body & blood) in the bread and wine (drink) of Holy Communion. Looking at the proper grammar of Scripture is important and knowing both the “near” and “far” contextual elements of our subject is extremely important. Let me add that another hermeneutic rule is to understand the author’s intent along with the earliest Christian documentation on the subject (important).

So without getting over elaborate (we will have other studies on this very important issue) we reject the Roman Catholic “clear cut doctrine” called “transubstantiation”. This was an attempt by the fallen church to try and fully explain what true Christianity refers to as a mystery. Just as true Christians can never fully understand or explain the Holy Trinity (our monotheistic God) so the true Christian cannot fully explain the presence of the Lord at His Holy Table. Both the subject of Holy Trinity and Eucharist are in this sense, “Apophatic” theological topics.

Martin Luther seems to have one of the closest descriptions of what this mystery is about in his writings and in “The Book of Concordia” but even then it is not fully discerned. Like St. Theophilus of Antioch we deny that we are eating “actual human flesh” but we are eating the body and blood of Christ in mystery.
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We accept this explanation found in “The Formula of Concord” (VIII. The Person of Christ: 17) ;

"…this presence of Christ in the Holy Supper is not physical or earthy, nor Capernaitic; yet it is true and substantial, as the words of His testament read, “This is, is, is My Body,” and so on.

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There is an actual presence that should be discerned. Apostle Paul states this:

1 Corinthians 11:29 New International Version (NIV)

^“For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.”

So what does Apostle Paul mean? The context states that wrongfully eating it can get a person sick. So there are physical aspects to this mystery that we cannot fully comprehend or understand. Only 15 years after Apostle John died and went to be with our Lord one of his students, St. Ignatius of Antioch, wrote:

“Bread of God is what I desire; that is, the Flesh of Jesus Christ, who was of the seed of David; and for my drink I desire His Blood, that is; incorruptible love.”

This shows that we are to discern the regal blood-line of Christ, He now becomes our King (King of kings and Lord of lords). Also, we are told to discern Christ’s “incorruptible love”. We take Holly Communion in remembrance of the life that Jesus Christ led for us. Jesus commands us: “Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19)

The elements of food (bread/wine, water or grape juice) when taking communion are prayed over and thus sanctified for Holy Food because of WHO they represent. They spiritually touch our human flesh. It has been stated that at the Lord’s Table our physical bodies are touched in a special way by His presence.

Through prayer to God our spirits are touched by Him, through living a Christ-like life our souls are touched by Him and through the Eucharist our physical life is touched by Him. This is how we at “The Shepherds Way” understand these things. We certainly remember how He touches us every day through His life, death and resurrection. The Eucharist is the most powerful way to remember what Jesus Christ has done, is doing and will yet do for all the saints who truly trust in Him.

May you truly observe Him your next communion.

Resting in the finished work of my Lord Jesus Christ,