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Stump, Joseph

"An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism"


Paul.
THE EARTHLY ELEMENTS. The Lord TOOK BREAD, AND WHEN HE HAD GIVEN THANKS,
HE BROKE IT AND GAVE IT TO HIS DISCIPLES. AFTER THE SAME MANNER ALSO HE
TOOK THE CUP containing the wine, WHEN HE HAD SUPPED, GAVE THANKS, AND
GAVE IT TO THEM. The earthly elements used in this sacrament are,
therefore, bread and wine. The wafers which are generally used in
Lutheran Churches are unleavened bread--the kind which Christ
used--because at the time of the Passover no other but unleavened bread
dared be used by the Jews. The wine which Christ used was real wine, not
unfermented grape juice. We are not permitted to substitute anything
else in place of the earthly elements used by Christ in instituting this
sacrament.
THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST. When Christ gave His disciples the bread,
HE SAID, TAKE, EAT; THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH IS GIVEN FOR YOU. When He
gave them the wine, HE SAID, DRINK YE ALL OF IT; THIS CUP IS THE NEW
TESTAMENT IN MY BLOOD, WHICH IS SHED FOR YOU FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS.
Consequently, when we receive the bread in this sacrament, we receive
also the body of Christ; and when we receive the wine, we receive also
the blood of Christ.


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