Q. 76. What is it to eat the crucified body, and drink the shed blood of Christ?

Question. What is it to eat the crucified body, and drink the shed blood of Christ?

Answer. It is not only to embrace with a believing heart, all the sufferings and death of Christ, and thereby to obtain the pardon of sin and life eternal (John 6;50, 35, 54, 47): but also, besides that, to become more and more united to his sacred body, by the Holy Ghost, who dwells both in Christ and in us (John 6;56); so that we, although Christ is in heaven, and we on earth, are, notwithstanding, “flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bone” (Eph. 5;30); and that we live and are governed for ever by one Spirit, as members of the same body are by one soul (John 6;57, 58).

Proofs.

• [proof-1] John 6;50, 35, 54, 47.—This is the bread which cometh from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die......He that cometh to me shall never thirst......Whosoever eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life......He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
• [proof-2] John 6;56.—He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.— John 6;63.—1 Cor. 12;13.—1 Cor. 10;16.
• [proof-3] Eph. 5;30.—For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.—1 Cor. 12;27.
• [proof-4] John 6;57, 58.—He that eateth me, even he shall live by me......He that eateth of this bread, shall live forever.— Rom. 8;9-11.—1 Cor. 6;17.—Eph. 4;15, 16.