365. Does everyone who eats and drinks the Sacrament also receive forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation?
No. All who eat and drink in the Sacrament receive Christ's body and blood and so are offered the benefits He has promised. But it is only through faith in Christ's words that we receive the benefits offered in our Lord's testament.
Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."
John 20:29 Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Note: In the Sacrament, Jesus joins bodily eating and drinking to faith in His promise. This connection between bodily action and faith can also be seen in Jesus' healing miracles, where there is blessing in touching Jesus or being touched by Him and faith receiving the blessing (see Matthew 9:20-22, 27-29).
Eventual commentary
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