Response to Previous Post Comments

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We believe that Christ is truly present in with and under the bread and the wine. Most reformed church members just feel the bread and grape juice are a "memorial" and they are only the bread and the juice.

My question is this. Do they get the same forgiveness of sins from this observance of the Lord's Supper as Catholics, Lutherans, Orthodox, etc. who discern the true body and blood?

Allow me to ask the question from a slightly different perspective. What is it that makes communion work? Is it the belief of the one who distributes or receives the bread and wine, or is it the words of Jesus (given for you...shed for you for the forgiveness of sins)? 

It is quite simply the words of Jesus. For in the sacraments, God is the one who is at work. God is the main actor and the effectiveness of the sacraments are not dependant upon those who receive it. Nor is the effectiveness of the sacrament dependant upon the one who distributes it. 

In other words, it is the word of Jesus together with the eating of the bread and the drinking of the wine which are the essential thing. In fact, Luther points out in the Small Catechism, that the one who believes these words of Jesus, has what they promise. 

It is really a cool kind of a thing. We see here yet another way that our God so lavishly pours out his grace into our lives. We really do not earn it or deserve it, but we have it because of who God is and the wonderful ways that he works in our lives. It is a blessings that we should hold near and dear. Because in this simple meal, God works in some pretty profound ways. 

Blessings to you this week. 

Sincerely,

Pastor CJ