The words written by the Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and St. Paul:
"Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread: and when He had given thanks, He brake it, and gave it to His disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Take, drink ye all of it. This cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the remission of sins. This do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me."
Since you quoted Scripture but did not explain your application of it, I suppose I will have to guess at what you meant. And my guess is that you believe these are "words of institution" that must be repeated whenever the Lord's Supper is practiced. But Paul never said that was the case, and it should not be made into some kind of incantation, although it certainly would not be wrong to repeat the words for instructional purposes since this is exactly what Paul was doing in repeating the words of Christ.
Stuart DiNenno said:
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It seems to me that this doctrine makes the New Testament "minister" into a mediatorial priest.
speratus said:
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I think you may be referring to "Apostolic Succession". This human tradition had a worthy origin but it has been completely subverted by the Papist and Orthodox Churches into a mediatorial class of priests, bishops and popes holding divine offices nowhere described in scripture. However, the office of minister is described in scripture and its qualifications and functions (steward of the mysteries) are clearly defined.
No, I was not referring to the doctrine of Apostolic Succession. I was referring to the notion that the sacraments become efficacious or only have validity when "administered" by an ordained elder. It seems to me that this doctrine effectively makes New Testament church officers into priestly mediators between God and men and I do not believe that it can be biblically supported. The elders are to oversee these functions but I believe it is an error to think of them as conduits through whom God's sacramental blessings must exclusively flow.
