whoa....... now were getting somewhere...... Pastor Hughes aka..talking ass www.eastmesabaptist.com ----- Original Message ----- From: <shieldwolf@...> To: <pastorsforum@...> Sent: Monday, June 09, 2008 12:20 PM Subject: Re: [PastorsForum] Is comunion a means of grace? > Here is our perspective taken from the Small Catechism. It's a little > long, but I hope helpful. It is shown not to convince, but to explain our > position and the historic position of the church as is seen from the > earliest church fathers. I realize many disagree, and I do wish them > well. Many disagree with Jerry concerning "sign gifts" and I wish both > sides of that controversy well, too. > > Blessings, > Randy > > http://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/LCMS/explanation.pdf > > > 296. What is the benefit offered in this sacrament? > A. The chief blessing of the Sacrament is the forgiveness of sins which > Christ's body and blood have won for us on the cross. (The Lord's Supper > is a means of grace.) > 945 Matt. 26:28 This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for > many for the forgiveness of sins. > > 3. The Power of the Sacrament of the Altar > How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things? > Certainly not just eating and drinking do these things, but the words > written here: > "Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins." These words, along > with the bodily eating and drinking, are the main thing in the Sacrament. > Whoever believes these words has exactly what they say: "forgiveness of > sins." > 297. How can forgiveness, life, and salvation be obtained through bodily > eating and drinking? > Not simply the eating and drinking, but the words of Christ together with > His body and blood under the bread and wine are the way through which > these blessings are given. > "We do not claim this of bread and wine-since in itself bread is bread-but > of that bread and wine which are Christ's body and blood and with which > the words are coupled. These and no other, we say, are the treasure > through which forgiveness is obtained" (Large Catechism V 28). > Christ's words of promise have put these gifts into the Sacrament, and the > believer receives them there through faith. > 298. Does everyone who eats and drinks the Sacrament also receive > forgiveness, life, and salvation? > Forgiveness, life, and salvation are truly offered to all who eat the > Lord's body and blood in the Sacrament, but only through faith can we > receive the blessings offered there. > 955 Luke 1:45 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said > to her will be accomplished. > > --------------------------------------------------------- > > To subscribe, send a message to: pastorsforum-join@... > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: pastorsforum-unsubscribe@... > >