Episode Details

Episode 13 of the Christ for Us Bible Study Podcast is part two of three episodes on the Sacrament of the Altar. What benefits does Baptism give? You can follow along to the Bible Study at Christforus.org. 

#Theology #Lord's Supper #Lutheran

The Sacrament of the Altar Part 2

 What is the benefit of this eating and drinking?   

These words, “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins,” show us that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life and Salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation. 

How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things?   

Certainly not just eating and drinking do these things, but the words written here: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” These words, along with the bodily eating and drinking, are the main thing in the Sacrament. Whoever believes these words has exactly what they say: “forgiveness of sins.”

1. What is the chief benefit or blessing of the Sacrament of the Altar?
   The forgiveness of sins.
   “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:28
   “Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” 1 Peter 1:18-19
   “The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7
   
   
2. What further blessings accompany the forgiveness of sins?
   Life and salvation.
   “But in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back.” Isaiah 38:17
   “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins,” Luke 1:76-77
   “Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake!” Psalm 79:9
   “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
   “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us.” Ephesians 1:7
   “For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.” (Martin Luther)
   
   
3. The forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are eternal benefits (meaning they last forever in heaven). But what effect does receiving the Sacrament in faith have on your daily life?
   Because Jesus lives in me, I have the Spirit of life, who gives me power to fight sin and live a righteous life.
   “If Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” Romans 8:10
   “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24
   
   
4. What does the Roman Catholic Church teach about the benefits of the Sacrament of the Altar? Why is this wrong?
   “At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet ‘in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given.” 1323 Catechism of the Catholic Church.
   “Thjs sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrif