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Melchizedek to Jesus: The Divine Thread of Bread and Wine

...on of the Eucharist. This connection underscores a sacred continuity that we, as Christians, continue to partake in today until Jesus returns. Melchizedek: Priest and King Melchizedek appears in Genesis 14:18–20, where he is described as the king of Salem and a priest of the Most High God. His encounter with Abram (Abraham) is brief but significant. He brings out bread and wine and blesses Abraham. He then responds by giving Melchizedek a tenth of everything. Both of these acts point to aspects of the Law, tithes and sacrifices, which at this point in time had not yet been given, which leaves us with more unanswered questions regarding what this priesthood...

Lent Day 33: Cyril of Jerusalem: Catechetical Lectures: Lecture XXII

...about the Eucharist and it goes into some details about what happens spiritually during it, which will probably offend certain Protestant ears. Cyril explains how this bread and this wine are no longer merely just bread or wine any longer despite appearances. It seems as though some doubted this or perhaps were a little sceptical, because Cyril goes on to explain that since Jesus himself declared the bread to be his body, and the wine to be his blood, “who shall dare to doubt any longer … who shall ever hesitate, saying, that it is not His blood?”. This view was not uncommon amongst early church writers, and even today in certain branches and denominat...

Lent Day 36: Ambrose of Milan: Concerning the Mysteries: 5-9

...Day Thirty-six: St. Ambrose of Milan: Concerning the Mysteries: 5-9 Who: Bishop of Milan from 374 to 397; born probably 340, at Trier, Arles, or Lyons; died 4 April, 397. He was one of the most illustrious Fathers and Doctors of the Church. What: The treatise was composed for use during the latter part of Lent, for the benefit of those about to be baptised, the rites and meaning of that Sacrament, as well as of Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist. For all these matters were treated with the greatest reserve in the Early Church, for fear of being misused by unbelievers. Why: Ambrose states that after the explanations he has already given of holy living (in pre...

Francis Chan turns towards a more historical and ancient view of Communion

...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.”— Ignatius Of Antioch: Letter To The Smyrnaeans (c.108 AD) At first reading I was stuck by the literal nature in which Ignatius spoke of the Eucharist (communion), and as I read more of the Early Church Fathers, that same, common thread kept appearing: they all held to a view of Communion which was definitely more than simply a symbol or memorial (you can read some more quotes on the topic here). Chan later talks about unity in the early church and how h...

Jesus, Mithras and Ancient Roman Cults: Separating Fact from Fiction

...Christian Eucharist (the ritual involving bread and wine representing the body and blood of Jesus Christ) by using bread and a cup of water in their initiation rites. It’s debated whether the cult did get inspiration from Christian practice, or if Justin is vilifying the similar practices as a way to defend and promote Christianity. Though there is some evidence to suggest much of the Mithraic practices we do know about come from post-New Testament times. Nonetheless, these quotes provide insight into how early Christians viewed the Mithras cult and its perceived similarities with Christianity. It is entirely possible the Mithras cult did incorporate similar...

The Author of Life Knew Death For Our Sake!

...nt of the Eucharist. The sacraments themselves are all centred around blood and water which point back to the cross which that in itself points to the forgiveness of sin and new birth. Through “the water of rebirth” we receive the “renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5) that gives new life, and, as Peter says, “as an appeal to God for a good conscience” (1 Peter 3:21). Baptism brings about forgiveness and displays our repentance over our former life. Similarly, it is through the partaking of the Eucharist that we take on the eternal life that Jesus gives, to become a “partaker of the Lord’s immortality” as Clement of Alexandria wrote, and...