10-22-2004, 02:31 PM
Hey umm_Zachariah,
I'm not sure I understand your question, but I'll try to give you some sort of reply. If I've simply misunderstood you somewhere, please let me know.
Jesus' death, as we believe, redeemed us from the <b>penalty</b> of our sins, which is eternal separation from God. We are now free from condemnation. Because no human being can ever be good or perfect enough for an infinitely holy and pure God. Every person on earth sins or has sinned. The only person who never sinned was Jesus.
When you use the word Eucharist, I assume that's referencing Catholics. Well.... this is one reason I'm not Catholic. I don't understand their belief that the bread and wine actually become Jesus' blood and flesh. I don't believe that His spirit, grace, presence, flesh, blood, etc. are IN the bread and wine. (All the churches I've been to just use grape juice, not wine). Communion for Protestants is symbolic only.
But this "Comforter" is more than a consoler. The Greek word means helper, advocate, one who pleads the case of, etc. It doesn't do away with Jesus' sacrifice. The Holy Spirit dwells within all believers continually and serves many different functions. So in no way does the Spirit negate the sacrifice of Jesus at all.