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The Catechism of the New Apostolic Church
- Contents
- 8.2.1 Designations for the sacrament
- 8.2.2 Old Testament references to Holy Communion
- 8.2.3 Jesus' miracles of feeding and Holy Communion
- 8.2.4 The Passover meal
- 8.2.5 The institution of Holy Communion by Jesus Christ
- 8.2.6 Holy Communion in the first epistle to the Corinthians
- 8.2.7 The significance of bread and wine
- 8.2.8 Holy Communion as a meal of remembrance
- 8.2.9 Holy Communion as a meal of profession
- 8.2.10 Holy Communion as a meal of fellowship
- 8.2.11 Holy Communion as an eschatological meal
- 8.2.12 The real presence of the body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion
- 8.2.13 The real presence of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in Holy Communion
- 8.2.14 The relationship between forgiveness of sins and Holy Communion
- 8.2.15 Holy Communion and the Apostle ministry
- 8.2.16 The words of consecration in Holy Communion
- 8.2.17 The celebration and receiving of Holy Communion
- 8.2.18 The prerequisites for partaking in Holy Communion
- 8.2.19 The manner in which Holy Communion is received
- 8.2.20 The effects of Holy Communion
- 8.2.21 Eligibility for partaking in Holy Communion
- 8.2.22 Communion celebrations of the churches
8.2.3 Jesus' miracles of feeding and Holy Communion
The gospels attest that Jesus Christ ate and drank with sinners. In contrast to the Pharisees and scribes, He had table fellowship with those who, in accordance with the Mosaic Law, were considered unclean and who were therefore excluded from association with the righteous (Mark 2: 13-17).
Not only did Jesus eat with others, the gospels also relate that He provided food for them. His miracles of feeding–for example, the feeding of the five thousand (John 6: 1-15), the feeding of the four thousand (Matthew 15: 32-38), but also the miracle of transforming water into wine at the wedding in Cana (John 2: 1-11)–are all signs of the kingdom of God which has drawn near to mankind in Jesus Christ. Beyond the satisfaction of physical hunger, these earthly meals are also a reference to salvation in Christ. This becomes clear in the words of the Lord when He linked the feeding of the five thousand with the statement: "I am the bread of life" (John 6: 26-51).