Why Do Jehovah's Witnesses Observe the Lord's Supper Differently From the Way Other Religions Do?

 Emblems, not literal flesh and blood

The unleavened bread and red wine served at the Memorial are emblems, or symbols of Christ's flesh and blood.  They are not miraculously changed into or mixed with  his literal flesh and blood as some may feel.  Consider the Scriptural basis for this understanding. 

* If Jesus had commanded his disciples to drink his blood, he would have been telling them to break God's law against consuming blood.  (Genesis 9:4; Acts 15:28, 29)  Yet this could not be, for Jesus would never instruct others to violate God's law regarding the sacredmess of blood. - JOHN 8:28, 29.

If the apostles had been literally drinking Jesus' blood, he would no have said that his blood "is to be poured out," indicating that his sacrifice was yet to occur. -MATTHEW 26:28. 

* Jesus' sacrifice took place "once for all time." ( Hebrews 9:25, 26)  However, if the bread and wine were changed into his flesh and blood during the Lord's Evening Meal, then thsoe partaking wouldl be repeating that sacrifice. 

* Jeus said:  "Keep doing this in remembrance of me," 

not "in sacrifice of me." - 1 CORINTHIANS 11:24. 

Those who believe in transsubstantiation, that the bread and wine become Jesus' literal body and blood, base his doctrine on the wording of certain Bible verses.  For example, in many Bible translations, Jesus is recorded as saying of the wine: "This is my blood."  (Matthew 26:28) However, Jesus' words can also be translated as: "This is my blood."  As he had often done, Jesus was teaching by using a metaphor. - MATTHEW 13:34, 35. 

Next time: Why Do Jehovah's Witnesses Observe the Lord's Supper Differently From the Way Other Religions Do? - Who partake? 

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