Eating the Lord's Flesh and Drinking His Blood VS Believing in and Accepting the Lord

 

Eating the Lord's Flesh and Drinking His Blood VS Believing in and Accepting the Lord

John 6:53-58 - "Jesus said to them, 'Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.'"

Hebrews 9:22 - "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."

Aspect	Eating the Lord's Flesh and Drinking His Blood	Believing in and Accepting the Lord
Definition	1. The separation of blood and flesh indicates death 2. Clearly points to the Lord's death and sacrifice 3. Eating His flesh: Accepting by faith all that the Lord accomplished by giving His body for us 4. Drinking His blood: Accepting by faith all that the Lord completed by shedding His blood for us	Accepting Jesus Christ  as personal Savior and  life through faith
Relationship	Essentially the same. Comparison of John 6:53 and 6:47 shows that eating the Lord's flesh and drinking His blood is equivalent to believing in Him
Explanation	1. The Lord gave His body and shed His blood so that we might have eternal life 2. By eating His flesh and drinking His blood, we accept the Lord's redemption on the cross and receive life and life supply 3. The Lord's flesh is true food and His blood is true drink (John 6:55)	Believing is receiving  (John 1:12) To believe or believe into is to receive the Lord  as life and salvation
Application	1. Remembering the Lord's death in the communion 2. Continually relying on the Lord's redemption in daily life 3. "Eating and drinking" the Lord through meditation on His word and prayer	1. Acknowledging oneself as a sinner in need of a Savior 2. Accepting Jesus Christ as personal Savior 3. Trusting in the Lord and following His teachings in daily life
Relevant Scriptures	Matthew 26:26-28 - "While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is my body.' Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'" 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - "For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night 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, after supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.'"	John 1:12 - "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." Romans 10:9-10 - "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." John 6:47 - "Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life."

 

This table provides a comprehensive comparison between the concepts of "Eating the Lord's Flesh and Drinking His Blood" and "Believing in and Accepting the Lord." 

Key points from this analysis: 

l   Both concepts essentially refer to the same spiritual reality: accepting Jesus Christ's redemption and life through faith.

l   "Eating and drinking" uses more figurative language, emphasizing the reality of Christ's sacrifice and our union with His life.

l   "Believing and accepting" uses more direct language, emphasizing our faith response to Christ.

l   The scriptures, particularly John 6:47 and 6:53-58, show that these concepts are equivalent in terms of resulting in eternal life.

l   Both concepts involve a deep, ongoing life relationship with Christ, not just intellectual assent.

l   The practical application involves remembering Christ's death, continually relying on His redemption, and living out our faith daily. 

*Referencing the 2024 Summer Training on "Experiencing, Enjoying, and Expressing Christ (1) - Chapter Seven: The Bread of Life