CANNIBALS AND THE MASS
Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life . . . -- John 6:54
The word "cannibal" comes from two words, KHAN or PRIEST and BAAL In other words, priests of Baal engage in human sacrifice and eat the human flesh of that sacrifice. Neither the O.T. nor the N.T. sanctions the eating of human flesh nor the drinking of blood. Granted, if this verse were to be taken out of its context (John 6), untold mischief could be done to and with it, but we will not allow that to happen.
Perishable or Imperishable Bread?
. . .Ye seek me . . . because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat that perisheth (physical food), but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life (spiritual food), which the Son of man shall GIVE unto you . . . --John 6:26,27
Some would force the MASS or the Lord’s Table into John 6:54 (varying from the transubstantiation of the Papists to the consubstantiation of certain Protestants) BEFORE the Lord's table was ever even instituted and wine and wafers never being mentioned in this context. Still, the context (John 6) shows us that perishable bread, even that, which the Lord had already given them, is not in view (nor the O.T. perishable manna from heaven). Only imperishable bread RESULTS in everlasting life, which is in view here. Perishable bread, resident in the mass or even the communion table, does not come down from heaven; it comes from the grocery store.
What Kind of Work for Eternal Life?
Jesus answered . . . This is the WORK OF GOD, that ye BELIEVE on him whom he hath sent. -- John 6:28,29
The work, which is involved in the MASS or communion, which claims to obtain grace or eternal life, is NOT the work of God. The work of God that guarantees everlasting life is the belief on and in the Lord Jesus Christ. If the bread and wine of the mass or even the Lord's Table could impart eternal life, how many suppers or masses would be required to secure that eternal life? One? Two? A dozen? The partaking of Jesus' flesh and blood (in John 6:54) need only be done ONCE. How many religious cannibals can be satisfied with but one mass or one communion experience to acquire grace or eternal life?
Miracle Mass or Miracle Son
They said . . . Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that COMETH TO ME shall never hunger; and he that BELIEVETH ON ME shall never thirst. -- John 6:30-35
Jesus informed them that there would not be any sign or miracle, such as the manna that Moses gave them from heaven. Neither was there to be a magic trick initiated by some spoken magic words (Hoc est corpus meum), which are supposed to change the elements of the mass into the actual flesh and blood of Jesus Christ, while still tasting like booze and wafers. This Hocus Pocus bread eventually deposits into the dung bucket. The true bread or manna from heaven, the Bread of God/Life, the Lord Jesus Christ, in the fulfillment of these types, GAVE life to and for the world . . . eternal life.
Cannibalism or Belief?
And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that COMETH TO ME shall never hunger; and he that BELIEVETH ON ME shall never thirst. -- John 6:35
And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and BELIEVETH ON HIM, may have EVERLASTING LIFE . . . -- John 6:39-40
. . .He that believeth on me HATH (present tense) everlasting life. -- John 6:47
Jesus Christ, Himself, is clear about how to obtain eternal life. Believe on Him and receive eternal life, before and without the benefit of the Mass or communion cup or wafer or cracker. When one partakes of ordinary bread and wine in the Mass or communion, one thirsts and hungers again both physically and spiritually. Still, the Bread of life and His body and blood were sacrificed for the life of the world but once, leaving a man without further need to partake again to satisfy spiritual hunger or thirst. To receive and to partake of His flesh and blood is to COME to him and to BELIEVE on him.
Cannibalism or Spiritual Food?
I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I WILL GIVE IS MY FLESH, which I WILL GIVE FOR THE WORLD. -- John 6:48-51
. . . Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life . . . For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him . . . This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. -- John 6:53-58
Aside from not being impressed with cannibalism, what Jew with all his feasts and sacrifices would ever be impressed with another feast or supper, which involved works? Nevertheless, in Christ, both Jew and Gentile are able to spiritually feast on non-perishable bread, which is not obtained in the grocery store. Nonperishable bread, which transcends even the miraculous, perishable, wilderness manna. This bread is the true living bread, the actual person of Jesus Christ, not eaten in the way, which their fathers ate manna but assimilated spiritually nevertheless.
A person receives eternal life by spiritually receiving and appropriating Jesus Christ's flesh and the blood, which He gave for the life of the world (apart from the mass or ceremonial table). This is not physical nor cannibal ground but spiritual ground. Man must spiritually partake or receive or assimilate Jesus Christ by believing on Him to receive eternal life. The wine and bread are simply symbols or representations or types of His shed blood and broken flesh. They are also a remembrance, showing the Lord's death until He comes again (1 Cor. 11:26).
Cannibalism or Spiritual Words?
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the WORDS that I speak unto you, they ARE SPIRIT, and THEY ARE LIFE. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. -- John 6:63-65
Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the WORDS of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. -- John 6:67-69
When asked about the meaning of His statements, the Lord Jesus plainly and clearly assures his disciples that he is speaking spiritually and not physically. Wonderful words, beautiful words, wonderful words of life! He identified those, who believed not, who did not partake of his flesh and blood, who did not receive His spiritual words of life. Peter well understood that eternal life resided in our Lord's words of life.
Not everyone will "swallow" (assimilate) that which is offered in John 6. Yet only they, who believe and have received Him or have partaken of Him, possess the promise that Jesus dwells "in them" and that they also dwell "in Him," without ever eating a communion wafer or drinking the communion cup. All without the Mass! All without physically eating another! All without being cannibals!
-- by Herb Evans, Flaming Torch - April/may/ June 1994, p. 12; April/May/ June 2001 p. 7
ARoman Catholic Miracle?
A pretty maid, a Protestant, was to a Catholic wed;to love all Bible truths and tales, quite early she'd been bread.
It sorely grieved her husband's heart that she would not comply. And join the Mother Church of Rome and heretics deny
So day by day he flattered her, but still she saw no good. Would ever come from bowing down to idols made of wood;
The mass, the host, the miracles, were made but to deceive;And transubstantiation, too, she'd never dare believe.
He went to see his clergyman and told him his sad tale."My wife s an unbeliever, sir, you can perhaps prevail'
For all your Romish miracles my wife has strong aversion. To really work a miracle may lead to her conversion.
The priest went with the gentleman--he thought to gain a prize,he said, "I will convert her, sir, and open both her eyes."
So when they came into the house, the husband loudly cried,"The priest has come to dine with us!" "He s welcome," she replied.
And when, at last, the meal was o'er, the priest at once beganto teach his hostess all about the sinful state of man;
The greatness of our Saviour's love, which Christians can't denyto give Himself a sacrifice and for our sins to die.
"I will return tomorrow, lass, prepare some bread and wine;The sacramental miracle will stop your soul's decline."
"I'll bake the bread," the lady said, "You may," he did reply,"And when you've seen this miracle, convinced you'll be, say I."
The priest did come accordingly, the bread and wine did bless.The lady asked, "Sir, is it changed?" The priest answered, "Yes,
It's truly changed from common bread and wine to truly flesh and blood;Begorra, lass, this power of mine has changed it into God!"
So having blessed the bread and wine, to eat they did prepare;The lady said unto the priest, "I warn you to take care,
For half an ounce of arsenic was mixed right in the batter,But since you have its nature changed, it cannot really matter."The priest was struck real dumb--he looked as pale as death.The bread and wine fell from his hands and he did gasp for breath.
"Bring me my horse!" the priest cried, "This is a cursed home!"The lady replied, "Begone; 'tis you who shares the curse of Rome."
The husband, too, he sat surprised, and not a word did say.At length he spoke, "My dear," said he, "The priest has run away;
To gulp such mummery and tripe, I'm not, for sure, quite able:I'll go with you and will renounce this Catholic Fable."
– copied from The Crusader