Man does not live by bread alone. That goes without saying. But there are many people who do not even have that. And then there are those who possess so much that a piece of bread means little to them. In the Bible, bread symbolises life.
In the Bible, bread symbolises more than natural food. In fact, it is a means to salvation. When Jesus Christ says that He is the bread of life, He is pointing in two directions: He is the Saviour, the Redeemer of mankind; and He is our companion, who reveals Himself in bread and wine, in the body and blood at Holy Communion. Holy Communion is the sacrament of fellowship with Jesus Christ in His church. Christians everywhere celebrate it in their church. It is an integral part of Christian teaching. “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 10: 16)
For New Apostolic Christians it is clear that the worthy partaking of Holy Communion guarantees fellowship of life with Jesus Christ. But what exactly does that mean?
Different levels in the sacrament
The Master celebrated Holy Communion in the circle of His Apostles. He commissioned and authorised them to continue with His teaching in His spirit. In this way, Holy Communion is a meal of remembrance of the Lord’s testimony. In addition, it commemorates His death, His resurrection, and His return. The sacramental celebration illustrates: “Surely, I am coming quickly.”
The aspect of the presence of Jesus Christ is also very important. This is the point where the views of Christian denominations diverge. The New Apostolic belief says that if bread and wine are consecrated properly that the substance of the body and blood of Jesus Christ are joined to it. This makes Holy Communion a mystery: the miracle of His presence occurs and is conveyed to every participant who partakes of Holy Communion worthily.
True fellowship with the Lord
The Catechism (CNAC 8.2.12) says regarding this: “The elements of bread and wine are not transformed in their substance through the consecration and pronouncement of the words of institution. Rather, the substance of Christ’s body and blood is joined to them (consubstantiation). There is thus no transformation of the substances (transubstantiation).” There is a close connection between Holy Communion and the dual nature of Jesus Christ, who has both a human and a divine nature, both of which exist unadulterated and indivisible in Him. In Holy Communion bread and wine correspond to the human nature of Christ, while the body and blood correspond to the divine nature of Christ.
Important is: bread and wine are not merely metaphors or symbols for the body and blood of Christ. Rather, the body and blood of Christ are truly present. In theology this is called the real presence of Christ: the substance of the body and blood of Christ is joined to the substance of the bread and wine through the words of consecration spoken by an Apostle or a priestly minister commissioned by him.
Food for life
Even today, the following applies to Christians. In the same way that God miraculously provided food for the people of Israel on their journey through the desert to Canaan—He had manna rain from heaven—He provides nourishment today that serves for eternal life. Through His body and blood Christ makes it possible for His followers to participate in His nature, which is characterised by meekness, humility, and love for God and the neighbour. Such nourishment strengthens and helps in fighting against evil and despondency, and in being consistent in following Christ.
Photo: Marcel Felde