Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: wagner@karazm.math.uh.edu (David Wagner) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Importance of sacrifice Message-ID: Date: 16 Jul 90 06:44:49 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: University of Houston -- Department of Mathematics Lines: 55 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu Joe Buehler described the importance of the priest's offering of the mass as a sacrifice, in Roman Catholic worship. He also showed that he understood that Protestants can not reconcile this with Christ's once-for- all sacrifice. I would like to know how Joe makes this reconciliation, and how he views the teachings of Scripture regarding the priesthood of all believers: "As you come to him, the living Stone -- rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 2:4,5. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9 On Jesus' high priesthood: "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. LET US THEN APPROACH THE THRONE OF GRACE WITH CONFIDENCE, SO THAT WE MAY RECEIVE MERCY AND FIND GRACE TO HELP US IN OUR TIME OF NEED." Hebrews 4:14-16. See also Hebrews 7, particularly v.26-28: "Such a high priest meets our need--one who is holy, blameless,pure,set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. HE SACRIFICED FOR THEIR SINS ONCE FOR ALL WHEN HE OFFERED HIMSELF. For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever. ['the oath' refers to Psalm 110:4, "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek" , see Hebrews 7:17-22] What is the purpose of making the Lord's Supper into a sacrifice? Why is a sacrifice needed or useful? Enquiring minds want to know! David H. Wagner A confessional Lutheran 'Christ says: "Come, all ye that labor, And receive my grace and favor' They who feel no want nor ill Need no physician's help nor skill. "Useless were for thee My Passion If thy works thy weal could fashion. This feast is not spread for thee If thine own savior thou wilt be." ' --Iesus Christus, nostra salus --ascribed to John Huss, 1415. My opinions and beliefs are not likely to coincide with any held by The University of Houston.