Question:  In John chapter 6 Jesus says, “If you do not eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.  He who feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life…” Then, at the Last Supper, he introduces the Eucharistic sacrifice which is practiced today.  Is the taking of the Eucharist the only way to “feed on the flesh and drink the blood” of Jesus?  Might not the acceptance of the sacrifice made by Jesus on the cross, by faith, be equivalent to “feeding and drinking” of Jesus?  If the Eucharist is the only way to feed and drink of Jesus, how often is it required to remain in union with Jesus (John 6:56)?

            Don

Answer:  Dear Don,

            Of course the reality of Christ does not require a physical symbol or liturgy.  We do not need rituals, but as humans, rituals, ceremonies and symbols help us to understand the heavenly.  The book of Hebrews discusses this a great deal.

            Of course, the ultimate act of communion is acceptance of Christ, his body and blood, the perfect and complete atonement in his blood he accomplished on the cross, and his body, both broken for us and risen to give us hope and new life.  But Jesus does say that we should partake of him.  In fact, communion and baptism are the two “sacraments” (not always labeled as such by every church) that the vast majority of denominations agree upon.

            How often should the communion be given, and what is the mode and best age for baptism—now that is where denominations begin to differ.  The Bible does not stipulate a “minimal dosage” of the Eucharist, communion, Lord’s Supper, that if not taken results in the believer no longer being one with Christ.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht