Why Believe in Real Presence in the Eucharist?

In this video I offer three reasons in about 5 minutes to accept the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, or the Lord's Supper.

Truth Unites is a mixture of apologetics and theology, with an irenic focus.

Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) serves as senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Ojai.

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00:00 - Introduction
02:07 - 1) Scripture
03:58 - 2) Church History
05:31 - 3) Fittingness

[NomosCharis]

This has opened up a whole new appreciation for the eucharist for me. Never knew how prevalent real presence was historically among Protestants before I watched that Gospel Simplicity discussion. Had been contemplating it for years, but your video really confirmed what I’d been suspecting—that evangelicals today have downplayed what is really happening in the sacraments.

Thank God for your ministry Gavin. Reading Theological Retrieval right now.

[ContriteCatholic]

What a blessing to see a protestant brother believe in the Source and Summit of our faith. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

[a.h.patnaik]

Fascinating to hear about a historic teaching of the Baptist tradition. The Eucharist was what compelled me to be baptized; I hope all the Traditions become united under Christ.

[grills]

Hey Gavin! Just popping in to remind you that you are Catholics favorite Protestant theologian! :) nice work as always. God bless brother.

[realDonaldMcElvy]

TRANSUBSTANTIATION was my baby girl's very first word.

[Steve]

Thank you for this, it's very interesting for me as an Anglo-Catholic priest to see a Baptist view of the Real Presence as you understand it. I do believe it's scriptural and can be found in Patristic writings. You present a very engaging and interesting view of each topic you speak on. I have enjoyed your content.

[nateg]

Dr. Ortland, anglican Catholic here. Thank you so much for this message, I tune into your videos, so that I can understand the reformed view well without straw-manning the theology behind it. Please continue to speak on this!

[jonathangermain]

I am currently in the Baptist Church and cannot tell you how long I have waited for someone to say this. The real presence is so essential for the life of the church. Thank you.

[deepvoodoo]

As a cradle Catholic who’s had questions about the faith, I think we’re told from an early age that Protestants believe that it nearly represents Christ’s body & blood. Lately, I’ve been learning more and I am grateful to see videos like this.

[notavailable]

Whoa I did not see this coming. At first I was like, "how does this not inevitably lead you to be Catholic?" But as I thought about that question it gave me a new appreciation for your beliefs and commitment to historical accuracy. This is really intriguing.

[williamrobertson]

I'm praying for you Gavin, I was born and raised Baptist but thankfully the Lord brought me out of the desert of protestantism and into the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
The Lord is here waiting for you brother!
God bless you!

[mj]

I agree that your dialogue with Dr. Brett Salkeld was one of the best! What a pleasure it was to watch the conversation between two knowledgeable scholars who share the same irenic approach yet maintain their respective traditions faithfully. A great example for us all.

[CascadianExplorer]

I'm Eastern Orthodox but I'm glad to know that there are Baptist traditions that recognize the real presence as well, albeit for different reasons. I was previously unaware of that. To my way of thinking all denominations should regard the Eucharist (Lord's Supper) as not only the central aspect of liturgy but the paramount sacrement of Christian life.

[Sheepish-Shepherd]

Thanks for this. I always thought communion was taken more symbolically. I like the idea of the spiritual presence instead of transubstantiation.

[HumanDignity]

"Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist " by Brant Pitre is a great book on this topic. I got chills several times while reading it.

[djpentz]

Hi Gavin, thank you so much for this video. It is incredibly liberating to hear that somebody like yourself believes in the Eucherist. I've personally been compelled towards this of late, but have been uncertain how to proceed. I've seen Francis Chan come to this position recently but it felt to me that it then became a fait accompli that one must then look to Orthodoxy, as per Hank Hanegraaff, as Protestantism seemed to me to be irreconcilable with the Eucharist in the form you've referred to. I grew up in the Baptist church, and a lot in the Orthodox church is difficult to accept, such as veneration of icons, so hearing this from somebody like yourself, is really powerful. This, and my recent move to Partial Preterist, both affirmed by you, carry a lot of weight. God bless you for sharing your knowledge. 🙏

[mac]

Grateful you hold a high view of the body and blood of our blessed Lord. I wish more Protestants did.

[JoeThePresbapterian]

Thanks for this video, Dr. Ortlund. We can't thank God enough for using you to remind us of His grace and truth in every video. God bless you and your family abundantly, exceedingly.

[jonathanvickers]

I really want a conversation between you and Jordan Cooper on the differences between the Lutheran and Reformed view of real presence in the supper.

[sherkachinwolf]

I love you, man! You're doing a fantastic job.
I have quarreled with a baptist exorcist, who said I could not be freed from the demons until I disbelieve that Christ is the really present in the Eucharist. That thing hit me to the core. When I listened to him, and avoided the Catholic church, I felt worse than any before. Each time I asked for God's guidance, he would always lead me back to the Eucharist for healing(and what is the most important- developping a personal relationship with him through it)