Expert: Dr. Ronald E. Shultz - 5/4/2009

Question
Hello Dr. Bateman,
I have a complex question and not sure there is an easy answer.  I grew up Episcopal and faithfully have attended service most of my life.  For years I have taken my Mom to church whereas she cannot drive and of course to spend a few minutes with her to talk.  Anyhow, my girlfriend is a Sunday school teacher and active member of the Baptist church.  So, I have been alternating between my parish and hers for a year or so.  My sister is a convert to Catholicism and I think has convinced my Mom to stay out of the Baptist church whereas the Lords Supper is not "the true body, blood and divinity of Jesus".  I guess....I always thought communion was a symbol so I saw little difference between Baptist and Episcopal with exception to the manner in which we receive. Now it seems, that my Mother is torn between following the rules my Sister believes (in the same church that won't let my Episcopal Mother receive) and my more open and "Christ Like" beliefs that we are all the same and all are welcome in the kingdom of Heaven.  So, my question is, as a Baptist....what is your feeling on the Breaking of the bread and such, is there any biblical reference that would defend the position of the Baptist church?? I personally....like Christ, will worship where I see fit and bow to no rule of man but I am concerned my ageing mother is confused now and I want to help her see the light.  Any help would be great!!
Thanks
Joe
PS: My GF has On SSG in the 143rd USAF RI and another going to boot in a month or so.


Answer
Joe, I can understand the confusion with three variations available from three people you love. That is never easy.  If plain English means anything we see both Christ and Paul saying that it is a memorial without any mention of either transubtantiation or consubstantiantion.

Luke 22:15-20

15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. KJV

It is clearly symbolic unless Christ was tearing pieces of his flesh off and cut His flesh to give them His blood.  He said He was a door as well but not a literal door as we think.  He used simile, metaphor and parables to teach spiritual truth.  That is the sign of a grand teacher who can take what is known to teach what is unknown and He is the ultimate teacher. The cup already had wine in it and the bread was available.  You have to really strive hard here to find anything else other than symbolism or metaphor.  

1 Cor 11:23-26

23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in REMBERENCE of me.
26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do SHEW the Lord's death till he come. KJV

See, remembrance or memorial and he word shew means to proclaim or preach His return.  We are telling the world that Jesus is God and Christ and coming again each time we do this act in remembrance of what He did and promised.  That's it.  Nothing mystical or miraculous in the practice.

Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. KJV

Think about this.  If the elements are actually transformed into the body and blood of Christ would this not in essence be a reliving of the crucifixion or crucifying Him again and again as if to say there was not enough blood shed or the one time act of dying for us was not enough?  That would be to put Him to open shame and the Catholics shame Him thousands of times a day.

Heb 10:9-19

9 ->Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.<-
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14 ->For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.<-
15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
18 Now where remission of these is, ->there is no more offering for sin.<-
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, KJV

I am afraid that the error that the Catholics and their offspring have made is that they have tried to mix both covenants and cannot separate the Old from the New.  A constant offering of Christ's body and blood would make it just a shade better than bulls and sheep whereas as the Bible says He did it once and since the blood was shed no more blood offerings needed, especially His!!! He did away with the first and established the second not merged them.

You have a tough decision to make here.  If you confront you mother and sister with these passages, chances are they are going to believe priest and tradition instead.  That will put a strain on your relationship with them and they may not be happy with you GF either as she will be the one they may blame for your heresy.  At that point, you will have to decide to stand for the truth, drop the subject and if things get really hot drop your GF as well.  Pray for wisdom and discretion but I pray you will stand for the truth and seek to lead your mother and sister into it.

Get into the Word and study.  It will shed a lot of light on traditions and doctrines.  Blessings to you as you seek Him through His Word!!

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