[Question]

John 6:53–56
Matthew 26:17

These are verses related to the Passover. Can you provide a rebuttal to the doctrine based on these passages?

[Answer]

The passages mentioned in John 6:53 and Matthew 26:17 are spiritual (figurative) messages, but the World Mission Society Church of God interprets them literally.

1. Understanding John 6:53

In John 6:31, the Jews demanded that Jesus provide "manna" as heavenly food, just as God provided manna to the Israelites during their 40 years in the wilderness. The manna in the wilderness was a physical sustenance, but Jesus declared that He is the true bread from heaven, which provides eternal life.

Jesus further stated that eating His flesh and drinking His blood leads to eternal life, signifying that believers must be united with Him spiritually. This message is spiritual, not literal.

[John 6:63]
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life."

Thus, John 6 is a spiritual (figurative) teaching. Understanding its spiritual meaning leads to the true answer.

2. Understanding Matthew 26:17 and the Last Supper

The Last Supper described in Matthew 26 is also spiritual (figurative). Jesus gave bread and wine to His disciples, symbolizing His body and blood.

The Last Supper is recorded not only in Matthew but also in Mark, Luke, and John. In John, the Last Supper is presented figuratively.

[John 16:25]
"I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father."

The spiritual meaning of Jesus' body and blood as true food and drink can also be found in the Last Supper:

3. The Spiritual Meaning of Jesus' Body and Blood

In the Gospel of John, Jesus said that after He leaves, the Holy Spirit of truth will come. This Holy Spirit, sent in Jesus' name, will dwell within believers.

[John 14:17, 26]
"The Spirit of truth... dwells with you and will be in you... the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name."

Therefore, as John 6:56 states, to become one with Jesus, His Spirit—the Holy Spirit—must dwell within believers. This is the true mystery (spiritual teaching). When the Holy Spirit comes, He conveys God's words, which are often described as true food and drink.

[Isaiah 55:1–3; Amos 8:11]
"Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters... Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live."

The secret of the Bible is realizing that Christ exists spiritually within believers.

[Colossians 1:27]
"Christ in you, the hope of glory."

[Luke 17:20–21]
"The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed... for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you."

By understanding the spiritual teachings of these passages, we can discern the true meaning of Jesus' words about His body and blood, which point to the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit rather than a literal observance of physical rituals.