We believe this communication to be (a) mystical, and incomprehensible to human reason, and (b) spiritual, since it is effected by the Holy Spirit; to whom, since he is the virtue of the living God, proceeding from the Father and the Son, we ascribe omnipotence, by which he joins us to Christ our Head, not in an imaginary way, but most powerfully and truly, [color:"FF0000"]so that we become flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone[/color] and from his vivifying flesh he transfuses eternal life into us.
WOW!
This is EXACTLY the principle of the Eucharist. I cannot understand how Calvin could not see this in reality, except that his hatred for the Catholic Faith so blinded him to any reality which is contained in it.
Look, this is one of the most important points of our salvation. We came to our state of ruin precisely because we are "flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone" of ADAM OUR FATHER. This is the principle of organic unity found in Romans 5:12 and Hebrews 7:9:
[color:"0000FF"]Hebrews 7:9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.[/color]
Just as our organic unity through the flesh condemned us in Adam, just as the organic unity of the flesh between Levi and his grandfather Abraham gave him credit for tithes paid to Melchisedec, so now our organic unity with Jesus the Christ, through the Flesh which He gives to us in the Eucharist, provides us with eternal life:
[color:"0000FF"]John 6:50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.[/color]
I realize that Reformed people, especially Baptists, state that the verses in John 6 do not refer to Jesus' Flesh and Blood, but rather to "faith in Him". But according to the above verse, the Bread of Life came down from Heaven. You cannot say that about faith, but you can say that, in context of His speaking, about Jesus Himself.
[color:"0000FF"]John 6:51 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 life of the world.[/color]
He shall live forever.
Why?
Because we truly, as Calvin said, become "flesh of His Flesh and bone of His bone."
Don't you also think it odd that Calvin appeals to the omnipotence of God and then denies that very omnipotence by stating that Jesus cannot both be in Heaven and yet, in a way not understood by human rationalitiy, give us His Flesh to eat?
Isn't that what the unbelieveing Jews said also "How shall this man give us His Flesh to eat?"
Cordially in Christ,
Brother Ed
