Heidelberg Catechism

Question 78. Are the bread and wine, then, changed into the actual body and blood of Christ?

Answer: No. Just as the water of baptism is not changed into the blood of Christ, nor is it the washing away of sin itself, but is simply God’s sign and confirmation, (a) so too the bread in the Lord’s supper is not changed into the actual body of Christ, (b) although it is called the body of Christ Jesus (c) in keeping with the nature and language of sacraments. (d) 

(Scriptural proofs after the fold.)

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Heidelberg Catechism

Question 77. Where has Christ promised that he will feed and nourish believers with his body and blood as surely as they eat this broken bread and drink this cup?

Answer: In the institution of the supper:

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26 ESV)

This promise is repeated by Paul when he writes:

The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. (1 Corinthians 10:16-17 ESV)

Heidelberg Catechism

Question 76. What does it mean to eat the crucified body of Christ and drink the his shed blood?

Answer: It means to accept with a believing heart the entire suffering and death of Christ and by believing to receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life (a). But it means more. Through the Holy Spirit , who lives both in Christ and in us, we are united more and more to Christ’s blessed body. (b) And so, although he is (c) in heaven and we are on earth, we are flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone. (d) And we forever live on and are governed by one Spirit, as member of our body are by one soul. (e) 

(Scriptural proofs after the fold.)

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