Jesus as Bread from Heaven: Who is to Partake?

Ding

In John 6:30-35, Jesus compared himself to the manna that God provided in the OT:

"So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" 32 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34 "Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread." 35 Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."

Because Jesus made this comparison, it seems reasonable to ask if the OT manna was given only to feed a small anointed group of Israelites or all of them. The answer is... all of them. There was no distinction. So why would the bread that represents Christ's body and the wine that represents his blood be only for some anointed group?

In John 6:48-53, Jesus went on to say: "I am the bread of life. 49 Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. 50 But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." 52 Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" 53 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you."

Doesn't sound like something only for 144,000, does it?

By not partaking, aren't the vast majority of JWs unwittingly testifying against themselves, symbolically saying that they have no part in the bread from heaven and the life it provides? Aren't they saying that the spiritual life within that Christ offers is not within them?

mP

Go look at the Dionysius cult. The wine and bread is copied from that greek religion. Much of this stuff was copied word for word from them and given the gospels were written in Greek it would of course be appropriate to one up the Greek Dionysuius.

tec

Well said, Ding.

His invitation is open, and not just a chosen few. So anyone who wishes to partake; anyone who wants to belong to Him and accept the life that he offers... is to partake of the body and blood of Christ.

peace to you,

tammy

Deputy Dog

51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."

The funny thing about this passage is that JWs don't believe what Jesus said anyway. I've asked countless JWs "what exactly came down from heaven?" The only answer they can give is "nothing actualy came down".

justmom

Dear ding

you nailed it...right on the head...

They ARE denying life within themselves that CHRIST offers to them all. Why do they slave for life to an organization that clearly denies them access to a covenant that will save them?

Just another evil lie ???

justmom

slimboyfat

Good scripture. The 144,000 doctrine makes no sense.

mP

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_similarities_between_the_Greek-Roman_god_Dionysus_and_Jesus

extractor

Who should partake?

John 6:35 "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry."

Clearly, anyone who chooses to "come to him".

Thanks Ding.

villagegirl

Ephesians 2: 12- !9

12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ,

excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the

covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near

by the blood of Christ.

14For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke

down the barrier of the dividing wall,

15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments

contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man,

thus establishing peace,

16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross,

by it having put to death the enmity.

17 And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near;

18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow

citizens with the saints, and are of God's household,

This is the fundamental truth of the gospel, the good news of the Christ, the unity, the oneness in the body of Christ

This is what the good news IS that there is no separation, no classes, but that we are all ONE in Christ.

GLTirebiter

Go look at the Dionysius cult. The wine and bread is copied from that greek religion.

Go look at Genesis 14. Bread and wine was offered by Melchizadech. Who copied whom?

Jesus as Bread from Heaven: Who is to Partake?

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