Corpus-Paul

["RUSSELL BOOTH" <russbooth281 AT msn.com>]

Blood is prohibited to those under the Noahide Covenant (Gen 9:4) and to 
those under the Mosaic Covenant (Lev 3:17, 7:26-27, 17:10-14, Deut 
12:16,12:23-27,15:22-23). Saul acted to prevent people from having to suffer 
the penalty for having violated this law (1 Sam 14:33-35 ). Did Paul do 
something similar?

Paul reported that he was informed of the body and blood elements of the 
commemorative meal by a vision of the risen Christ (1 Cor 11:23). He stated 
that he did not receive this information from any eye-witness (Gal 1:15-23). 
Barring supernatural causes, Paul's testimony allows body and blood elements 
of the commemorative meal to be traced to Paul but not to the historical 
Jesus.

The author of Luke/Acts depicted Peter, post-crucifixion, as claiming not to 
have ever eaten anything unclean (Acts 10:14). Blood is unclean for all 
humans according to the customs of Moses. Peter claimed not to have 
participated in a meal that included blood.

The Pillars - James, Peter and John - and the elders issued a decree 
prohibiting blood to those under the Noahide Covenant (Acts 15:19-20, 
21:25). This would prohibit to them the commemorative meal that Paul was 
teaching.

After the crucifixion, blood continued to be prohibited to those under both 
the Noahide and Mosaic Covenants according to Jesus' direct successor, to 
disciples who were with Jesus during his ministry and to their assembly.

Body and blood symbolism associated with the Eucharist cannot be traced to 
the historical Jesus through Paul or through the disciples of Jesus using 
commonly accepted historical-critical methods. Therefore, body and blood 
symbolism associated with the Eucharist originated with Paul.

Theological refutation of this assertion would require simply an apologetic 
affirmation of creed.

Setting faith aside, how would one falsify this proposition?

Respectfully,

Russ Booth
russbooth281 AT msn.com
Minneapolis, Minnesota