Section 35. Absurdity of the adoration of sacramental symbols.
This consideration will easily dissuade us from that carnal adoration which some men have, with perverse temerity, introduced into the sacrament, reasoning thus with themselves: If it is body, then it is also soul and divinity which go along with the body, and cannot be separated from it; and, therefore, Christ must there be adored. First, if we deny their pretended concomitance, what will they do? For, as they chiefly insist on the absurdity of separating the body of Christ from his soul and divinity, what sane and sober man can persuade himself that the body of Christ is Christ? They think that they completely establish this by their syllogisms. But since Christ speaks separately of his body and blood, without describing the mode of his presence, how can they in a doubtful matter arrive at the certainty which they wish? What then? Should their consciences be at any time exercised with some more grievous apprehension, will they forthwith set them free, and dissolve the apprehensions by their syllogisms? In other words, when they see that no certainty is to be obtained from the word of God, in which alone our minds can rest, and without which they go astray the very first moment when they begin to reason, when they see themselves opposed by the doctrine and practice of the apostles, and that they are supported by no authority but their own, how will they feel? To such feelings other sharp stings will be added. What? Was it a matter of little moment to worship God under this form without any express injunction? In a matter relating to the true worship of God, were we thus lightly to act without one word of Scripture? Had all their thoughts been kept in due subjection to the word of God, they certainly would have listened to what he himself has said, “Take, eat, and drink,” and obeyed the command by which he enjoins us to receive the sacrament, not worship it. Q35 Those who receive, without adoration, as commanded by God, are secure that they deviate not from the command. In commencing any work, nothing is better than this security. They have the example of the apostles, of whom we read not that they prostrated themselves and worshipped, but that they sat down, took and ate. They have the practice of the apostolic Church, where, as Luke relates, believers communicated not in adoration, but in the breaking of bread (Acts 2:42). They have the doctrine of the apostles as taught to the Corinthian Church by Paul, who declares that what he delivered he had received of the Lord (1 Cor. 11:23).
(Q351. In the communion taking and eating, there is the command that takes precedence to 'love one another as I have loved you' John 15:9-14,17. 2. Although Calvin throughout the many passages, especially section 38, presents a depth of understanding, unfortunately Calvin's writings here speaks of a rote completion of communion with the act of taking, eating and drinking, which precludes the worship in Spirit and Truth of the God of Love. I would contend that with the communal unity of hearts within the congregation that, this is the beginning time for worship of God in Spirit and Truth, "for the Father seeks such to worship Him". John 4:22-24. Communion is not the end, but a means to the fulfillment to the end. In the freedom of such worship, God freely gives to the Body of Christ, so that each member may walk out their daily lives as a living sacrifice, wholly and acceptable to God. Calvin partially concurs as he writes in Section 1: "Moreover, Christ is the only food of our soul, and, therefore, our heavenly Father invites us to him, that, refreshed by communion with him, we may ever and anon gather new vigor until we reach the heavenly immortality". I would add that Jesus was sent by His Father and has come to us so as to lead us into the Holy of Holies and to present us to His Holy Father in the only form that is acceptable to Holy God. That is to say, with membership identifying within the unleavened Body of Jesus Christ and having our flesh cleansed though the Blood poured out for our confessed sin.)
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36.
for the next Section: This adoration condemned.
I. By Christ
himself. II. By the Council of Nice.
III. By ancient custom. IV. By Scripture.
This adoration is mere idolatry.
Communion