Journal: Conservative Theological Journal
Volume: CTJ 05:14 (Mar 2001)
Article: The Catholic View Of The Eucharist
Author: Mal Couch

CTJ 5:14 (March 2001) p. 63

The Catholic View Of The Eucharist

Mal Couch

President & Professor of Theology & Languages
Tyndale Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth, TX

Below is the third article in a ten-part series on Catholic Theology and Dogma. Almost all of the material quoted comes from books and articles approved by the Catholic Church. The first article in the March 2000 JOURNAL dealt with the Catholic view of the Church. It is hoped that many Catholics will read these articles and arrive at a conviction of the unbiblical nature of Catholic Theology. It is also hoped that Evangelicals reading this material will understand why it’s impossible for Catholics and Evangelicals to join hands in spiritual endeavors.

What The Bible Teaches About The Lord’s Supper

Before looking at the Roman Catholic view of the Eucharist (“Communion”), it is important to look first at what the Bible teaches on what it calls the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:20). It is so named because it comes from the Passover celebration held by Jesus and His disciples just before His arrest and crucifixion. At the Passover meal, the Lord made it known that His coming death and sacrifice as the Lamb of God (Isa. 53:7; John 1:29) would confirm, launch and initiate the New Covenant. Taking the cup of redemption at the Passover table He said, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood” (Luke 22:20).

The book of Hebrews adds that Christ’s sacrifice was far more important than the animal sacrifices begun with the first sacrificial memorial offering made by Abel: “to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel” (Heb. 12:24). The writer of the book of Hebrews is

CTJ 5:14 (March 2001) p. 64

emphatic that the work of Christ on the cross is a finished work of redemption. There will never be another offering, by Christ or by any other means, to expiate for sins. The work of redemption is complete! Note the finality given by the author of Hebrews. (Boldness mine.)

“Nor was it that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Holy place year by year with blood not his own. Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (9:25–26).

• “So Christ also, ha...
  
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