Premium Only Content

Eucharist Pre-Constantine Era III
IV Ignatius of Antioch c. 35-107
Wrote 7 letters en route to martyrdom in ROME during reign of Trajan
Rome is undisputed center of Christianity, martyrdom of Peter & Paul. Alexandria, Antioch, and Constantinople were the other prominent communities.
Desire “bread of God, flesh of JC, seed of David and for drink His blood which is imperishable love”
- One Eucharist, one cup, one altar. Altar had a sacrificial meaning. (Philadelphians 4.1; also Ephesians 20.2).35 The repeated mention of an altar (θυσιαστήριον; Ephesians 5.2; Trallians 7.2; Magnesians 7.2) indicates a sacrificial understanding
- An event to be offered only in communion with the bishop and not a common meal. Note hierarchy already in place.
“Let that eucharist be considered valid that occurs under the bishop or the one to whom he entrusts it” (Smyrneans 8.1; also Ephesians 5.2-3; Trallians 7.2).”
Uncommon sacred meal, medicine brings immortality
Ignatius describes the Eucharist as “a medicine that brings immortality, an antidote that allows us not to die but to live at all times in Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 20); being “the flesh of our savior Jesus Christ, which suffered on behalf of our sins” (Smyrneans 7.1; cf. John 6:53-69).
Unites believers by their partaking (Smyrneans 8.1; Ephesians 20.2)
Earthy language of altar, moderns unbloody sacrifice, places of great beauty, profound beauty
Ignatius’ time understood bloody sacrifice. Understood cost. Different view of altar stone. Brethren turned to food in coliseum.
Far removed from act, and less thankful.
IV Didache (100) "The teaching of the Lord to the Gentiles (or Nations) by the twelve apostles".
, esp Chap 9, 10, 14 and 1 Cor connection, these 3 chapters may be older than document itself
- sacred ritual and meal
- benediction before bread and wine
- self-examination (confession of sins)
- need for baptism
- while it may be coupled to a meal, it is NOT open to all
- ecclesial unity
- thanksgiving to God through Jesus Christ
- Sacrificial character Chap 14
Naive concept not have formalized structure. Pagan world had rituals, Jewish religion highly ritualistic. Jesus & apostles had this education under Jewish patrimony. Foreign to Jewish or pagan mind to not have ritual.
-
11:35
Fides et Ratio
1 year agoIgnatius’ Rules for Discernment Journey to God III
46 -
UPCOMING
vivafrei
2 hours agoTHE NEW POPE HAS BEEN NAMED! Bernie Sander is a HYPOCRITE! Nova Scotia Trafficking Epidemic & MORE!
3.55K1 -
LIVE
Redacted News
15 minutes agoBREAKING! CIA behind terror attack in Kashmir, provoking War between India and Pakistan | Redacted
2,526 watching -
UPCOMING
Kimberly Guilfoyle
1 hour agoBreaking News: There's a New Pope, Plus Trump Trade Deal | Ep220
496 -
LIVE
The Quartering
4 hours agoFBI Charges For Letitia James, New Pope, Diddy Trial Bombshell, Update On The Race Wars & More
21,412 watching -
LIVE
New York Post
5 hours agoNew pope elected: Watch live from St. Peter's Square
16,500 watching -
DVR
Darkhorse Podcast
2 hours agoThe 275th Evolutionary Lens with Bret Weinstein and Heather Heying
7.69K8 -
1:00:58
Stephen Gardner
1 hour ago🔥THIS 9/11 Evidence Puts My Life At Risk - New Investigation Needed NOW!
18.2K3 -
LIVE
Jeff Ahern
1 hour agoThursday thrash with Jeff Ahern
121 watching -
LIVE
StoneMountain64
2 hours agoKar98k Optic IS BACK after HDR Nerf 😭
160 watching