Communion has been the subject of much debate throughout church history. It was one of the most contentious subjects addressed by Luther and Zwingli when they met at Marburg to hash out their differences. Luther, like the Roman Catholics, was "literal" when it came to some things. It is reported that when Zwingli said the elements only represent the body and blood, Luther, as he was wont to do, kept pounding his fist and defiantly reaffirmed, "This is my body, this is my blood" Unlike the Roman Catholics, however, Luther maintained this presence was spiritual. To this end, Luther also believed that Christ being at the right hand of God meant everywhere, and is not a literal localized presence. Calvin, on the other hand, would later attempt to bridge the two traditions. He maintained that while communion is sacramental as a ceremony, Christ is indeed locally at the right hand of the Father. This too would obviously have implications for communion and those who would follow his lead.To what extent are any of these views correct? What exactly did Christ teach his disciples during that infamous Passover meal? Is communion sacramental? How is it to be observed? What does Paul teach us in connection with the events of the last supper? What is our relationship to Israel's new covenant? What is the significance of the "mystery of godliness" to this discussion? What role, if any, does dispensationalism have in answering these questions? These are the issues we will explore in this study. In doing so, we will see that communion is no small matter. It is at the heart of a "shew" we are currently a part of which is being SEEN OF ANGELS. David Winston Busch is an author and ambassador for the "mystery of Christ" (Rom. 16:25; Eph. 3:4; 6:20). His ministry mission is the edification of the saints according to the Pauline curriculum. He labors to bring saints to a knowledge of their sonship identity "in Christ" and the training their Father desires to work in them by his Spirit in preparation for the glory to come."
