…Continued from part 1

Quote from Catholic apologist John Martignoni:

In the New Testament, Paul also very clearly describes the Mass as being a sacrifice when he links the “bread” and the “cup of blessing” to the sacrifices of Israel and to the practice of the Israelites eating the sacrifice that has been offered (1 Cor 10:16-18). Again, this is a description of the Mass where we participate in the body and blood of the sacrifice – Jesus Christ – by eating what has been sacrificed – Jesus Christ.

Mr. Martignoni states that Paul, in 1 Corinthians 10:16-18, speaks of the sacrifice of the mass by linking the “bread” and “cup of blessing” to the sacrifices of Israel and to the practice of the Israelites eating the sacrifice that has been offered.

First, notice that 1 Cor. 10 Paul never refers to the bread as the “body of Christ” or the cup as the “blood of Christ,” but rather he says it “is the communion of the body and blood of Christ.” “For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.” (v17)

Paul is explicit in stating that the bread is symbolic in his reference the church being “one bread” by virtue of “partaking of that one bread;” “For we are members of His body” (Eph. 5:30); this makes no sense when put into the context of the RCC’s sacrifice of the mass. It would be impossible for that one bread to be both Christ’s literal body and His body the church.

Verse 18: “Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?”

“Observe Israel after the flesh” is stated in contrast to our spiritual communion; “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing” (Jhn 6:63).

“Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?” That is, are they not in communion with God to whom the sacrifice was offered? Paul is teaching about fellowship with God not literally eating His flesh and drinking His blood. Paul continues by contrasting fellowship with God in partaking of His table with that of devils in partaking of the devil’s table.

Clearly this is about communion with God not “proof” for the so-called sacrifice of the Catholic mass.