02 Aug 04
I was thinking this evening about the lord's supper (the Eucharist as Paul calls it). I was wondering how it could have been instituted by jesus (which really would be starting a new religion) and accepted by the apostles since BLOOD is taboo at meals to a Jewish person along with other difficulties. As I was thinking I figured I better look at a new testament online and I came across a passage in First Corinthians
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 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. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.Here in the very first verse quoted Paul is claiming he is the one who received and instituted this based on a revelation from jesus himself. Considering that this epistle was written before the gospels (and the gospel accounts of the last supper), it is kind of strange that IF the event happened as Paul claims, how could he have the audacity to claim he had the first revalation (especially if the church was practicing it already)? Not only that but it is incredible to even think that he needed emind the apostles that were present at the last supper. If Paul is the originator of the Eucharist, it is clear that he and not jesus was the founder of a new religion. One thing that must also cause questions to be asked is why Paul chose to use the Greek phrase kuriakon deipon. This is the exact same expression used by the mystery religions for meals that were dedicated to their savior-god.
1 Corinthians 11:23-30
Feivel
02 Aug 04
Originally posted by rapalla7Actually he was "persecuting" christians or rather believers. Christian was NOT used till Antioch. I wouldn't say Paul orginized anything. The body of believers was organized and there was a church in Jerusalem. You can say that christians were christians (without pagan rituals) before Paul but what exactly does that mean they are now?
Christians were largly un organized before paul. He was hunting them.
He organized the religion. Christians were Christians before paul.
Feivel