6:56John 6:56

To eat Christ's flesh and drink His blood is to truly receive Christ Himself by living faith as personal Saviour, coming to Him and living in fellowship with Him.8T 169.2–3+2 It is to receive His words and the Word of God inwardly into mind and heart, believing, meditating and assimilating them until they become part of the being and are brought into practical life by obeying them.8T 169.2–3+2 The language is spiritual and figurative, not a literal eating of flesh or drinking of blood, for the flesh by itself profits nothing and His words are spirit and life.Lt 82, 1895, par. 18+2 Those who so receive Him dwell in Him and He dwells in them in continuing mutual union, sharing His life and nourishment as a branch joined to the vine.Ms 102, 1893, par. 11–12+4 This union must be individual and daily, as no one can live by food another eats, and it gives eternal life now with resurrection to life forever at the last day.8T 169.2–3+4

The words were spoken in the synagogue at Capernaum as the sermon on the bread of life, after the feeding of five thousand men besides women and children with five barley loaves and two small fishes and the gathering of the fragments, and after walking on the water.Ms 95, 1898, par. 17–22+2 There He identified Himself as the living bread from heaven come down to give life to the world, whose flesh is given for the life of the world, and set out the conditions of eternal life and entrance into God's kingdom.Lt 9, 1902, par. 1–7+2 The miracle taught care that nothing be lost and that the same compassionate hand still provides food in different places, yet its spiritual lesson was that temporal food for bodily need is of far less consequence than spiritual food.Lt 9, 1902, par. 1–7+1 Chief labor and anxiety must be not for meat which perishes but for the meat which endures unto everlasting life which the Son of man sealed by God the Father gives, the work of God being to believe on Him whom God sent, with true bread from heaven obtained through no human agent but by the gift of Christ by which God gives life to the world, and with the price of heaven the only begotten Son received by faith unto belief and then work.Lt 9, 1902, par. 1–7+2

It was given after refusal to be made an earthly king, when popularity began to wane and He gave Himself more earnestly to instructing the disciples in the mysteries and truths of His work as the time of separation neared.Ms 9, 1898, par. 31–32 The saying clearly defined His spiritual kingdom and discouraged hope of a temporal reign and of national reception by the Jews, laying out in clear lines the truth concerning Himself against prejudice and the open hostility and hypocrisy of the Pharisees.Ms 9, 1898, par. 31–32 The chapter concerns the conditions of eternal life, so that understanding and living by its directions leads to a life that measures with the life of God.Ms 54, 1898, par. 1–2 Its instruction in John 5 and 6 is the mystery of godliness, meaning much to every soul, to be studied, meditated on, kept in memory, made part of life and brought into daily experience by taking in Christ's life-giving truth and fully receiving His words which are spirit and life, which alone gives knowledge to distinguish true from false in days of peril and would have brought believers to a higher standing.Lt 343, 1905, par. 9+3

Hearers hoping for an earthly kingdom did not understand spiritually, and the Jews with scornful unbelief quarreled over how He could give His flesh to eat.Ms 41a, 1896, par. 26–28+2 Many called it a hard saying, murmured, stumbled, and turned away rather than reform and accept self-denial, including worldly-minded people among the crowd and professed disciples who sought temporal benefits and whose faith proved only pretentious, forsaking Him and walking no more with Him because limited comprehension and lack of depth of faith and spiritual perception could not discern that the flesh profits nothing and that His words are spirit and life.Ms 41a, 1896, par. 26–28+4 Proud, self-righteous, unbelieving and selfish minds cannot grasp that eating and drinking means meekly and lowly receiving the truths He presented and inwardly receiving the Word into the soul, while those who so eat dwell in Him and He in them with healthy development of spiritual powers, sanctified strength, wisdom, integrity and moral power.Ms 41a, 1896, par. 26–28+2 Peter confessed He had the words of eternal life and was the Son of God, the twelve did not show themselves unfaithful, and even faithful disciples who stayed because they desired to be with Him rather than return to formalists and human commandments wondered why such offending decided words were used when softer words might have held the disaffected.ST Jul 15, 1897

Its full meaning was not grasped at the time.ST Jul 15, 1897+1 It would be understood after the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, when the Holy Spirit would bring the words to remembrance.ST Jul 15, 1897+1

Eating His flesh and drinking His blood means truly receiving Christ Himself by living, earnest, constant faith as personal Saviour, the living bread from heaven and Son of God.Lt 208, 1906, par. 17–27+4 It is taking Him into mind and heart so that the believer dwells in Him and He dwells in the believer, coming to Him, following Him, holding fast to Him, and living in fellowship with Him.8T 169.2–3+3 Those who so receive Him believe He forgives sins, are sanctified unto eternal life, never hunger and never thirst for higher or more satisfying food, grow up into full stature in Christ, study His life and character, seek His will and become like Him.Lt 208, 1906, par. 17–27+2 Mere outward connection with a church does not save; only this personal inward union saves, continuing day by day unto resurrection at the last day.Lt 140, 1897, par. 9–10+1

It means receiving, studying, feeding on and living by His words and the Word of God and Bible truth.FE 455.3–456.1+4 It is taking them inwardly into mind and heart, seeking to understand, believing with wholehearted faith, meditating and assimilating until they become part of the being and the motive power of life.8T 169.2–3+2 It is bringing them into practical life by obeying, doing, practicing and keeping them, making personal application to one's own soul which cannot be done for another.Ms 29, 1896, par. 9+2 Each person must come with his own soul hunger, convictions and sense of need, learn of Christ for himself, desire the sincere milk of the word as newborn babes, search Scripture for comfort, hope and encouragement, and share the Word with others from an enlarged mind.Ms 29, 1896, par. 9+3 His words are spirit and life, and this inward receiving secures healthy development of all spiritual powers with sanctified strength, wisdom, integrity, moral power, life, comfort, sobriety and joy.FE 455.3–456.1+1

The flesh given for the life of the world is His sinless human life, sacrificial death as priest and victim and ransom and atonement and shed blood for sins, and resurrection.Ms 92, 1899, par. 13–16+2 Through that life and death He offers Himself for sinners, bearing their guilt that believers may receive the merits of His righteousness.Ms 92, 1899, par. 13–16+1 As the tree of life sustained Adam and Eve before the Fall and disobedience deprived them of its fruit and everlasting life, so He is the true living bread from heaven and Lifegiver to all who eat of Him, and the price of heaven is the only begotten Son received by faith.Ms 92, 1899, par. 13–16+1 His words are spiritual, not a call to eat literal flesh, and they give life.Ms 92, 1899, par. 13–16+1

His flesh and blood are the living oracles.21MR 44.1–2+1 His work as substitute was the only hope of ancient Israel, even before He had been crucified.21MR 44.1–2+1 The directions given as Israel's invisible Leader in the Old Testament Scriptures are full of marrow and fatness and all-sufficient truth to enter practical life, and no soul hungers spiritually who takes those words and eats them in obedience with the Word abiding in the heart.21MR 44.1–2+1 The New Testament Scriptures given after His death do not cast aside the Old but reflect light back and give significance to the whole Jewish economy, so both Testaments are to be cherished and lived, with every ray of truth abiding within.21MR 44.1–2+2

The Passover lamb and its blood pointed to His sacrifice for the world's sins.4RED 91.1–2 Eating the lamb remembered the Lamb of God and protection when Egypt's firstborn were slain, with blood on doorposts as safety signifying His blood.4RED 91.1–2 Sharing in Christ by faith in this way gives sure hope He will raise believers from the dead to immortal life in God's kingdom.4RED 91.1–2

Believers live by Him as He lives by the living Father who sent Him, joined to Him as a branch to the vine, which is the same lesson as the vine and branches.Lt 67, 1900, par. 7–9+4 As food strengthens and builds the body, feeding on Christ by thinking of Him and obeying His words builds up spiritual life and leads to growth in grace and knowledge of the truth.Ms 102, 1893, par. 11–12+1 As Jesus lived by faith in the Father and surrendered fully to God's will, believers are to live by faith in Him rather than relying on one's own wisdom or ability, taking hold of Christ, absorbing His spirit and mind, representing His character, and discerning Satan's deceptions through the Word.Ms 67, 1897, par. 13–17+2 In this way they may overcome as He overcame, receiving life from Him now and resurrection at the last day.Lt 191, 1900, par. 3–5+1

Drinking His blood is appropriating the Word so it is absorbed and permeates the whole life through meditation and practice, coming as a vital current into the heart and coursing through spiritual life as blood courses through the body.Ms 182, 1898, par. 44+1 His flesh and blood represent His spiritual qualities and attributes which nourish and continually develop the soul.Lt 42, 1897, par. 5+1 Understandingly believing and taking in His Word makes it life and salvation, and His teachings must be practiced, for doing so has eternal consequence and gives strength to resist temptation.Ms 182, 1898, par. 44+1

The language is spiritual, symbolic and figurative, not a literal or bodily eating of flesh or drinking of blood, and not a temporal eating and drinking, for the flesh by itself profits nothing, it is the Spirit that gives life, and His words are spirit and life.Lt 82, 1895, par. 18+4 Eating His flesh and drinking His blood means keeping His Word and its truth continually before the mind, looking to Jesus, studying and practicing the Word, and living by faith as the living bread come down from heaven given for the life of the world.Lt 82, 1895, par. 18+2 It is a bringing of God's Word home to the understanding until mind and soul are filled with its greatness and power, believing on Him as Redeemer and personally receiving His words in faith and obedience, with obedience sanctifying the life so that it represents His character.Ms 57, 1898, par. 22–25+2 As food nourishes the body, so His words nourish and strengthen spiritual life, causing the soul to draw nourishment from Christ, to grow up into the full stature of men and women in Christ, and finally to partake of the divine nature.Lt 8, 1891, par. 7–9+2

This indwelling is spiritual, not fleshly, with His Holy Spirit becoming an abiding principle in the soul, and it is revealed by works of righteousness, by displaying the same spirit of goodness and love and excellence of character that was in Christ, by adorning His doctrine and doing what He says, while those who do not obey give evidence that He is not abiding in the soul.Lt 8, 1891, par. 7–9+1 Without this eating there is no life in a person, and those who claim to believe the truth comprehend this little.Lt 214, 1903, par. 12–13+1 Immortality is obtained only in this way, joining believer and Christ in mutual dwelling with eternal life and raising up at the last day, which just before the close of this earth's history requires clinging to the Lord Jesus Christ as earnest, spiritual-minded men of principle with a clear understanding of truth, with those needing conversion diligently seeking truth lest they seek Christ and not find Him where He is.Lt 214, 1903, par. 12–13 The figure also embodies the sacramental service, which when celebrated in spirit and truth keeps His crucifixion before the mind, with faith and the Holy Spirit enabling believers to grasp its meaning.ST Apr 9, 1912

Only those who receive and obey through the teaching of the Holy Spirit become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust, and only they can discern spiritual things, understand the things of God, become truly wise, and fulfill God's purpose for them, so that without this, however great other advantages may be, people remain ignorant and unable to discern spiritual things.Lt 162, 1903, par. 9+2 Through this union the disciples received a saving understanding, and Scripture became to them spirit and life like living bread from heaven, for partaking of this bread intelligently means practicing His teachings and receiving the spirit that inspired His words.Ms 32, 1900, par. 26–27+1 Those who believe the Scriptures are inspired receive the Spirit who inspired them, and practicing the truth and obeying the Word even at the cost of self-denial and sacrifice brings growing knowledge of God, spiritual insight, and deep assurance and confidence in Him.Ms 32, 1900, par. 26–27+1 A humble, teachable heart, with heaven's light, makes Scripture clear and guides the seeker in the path to life.Ms 32, 1900, par. 26–27

Eating in this sense is doing His Word and weaving His spirit and works into life and character, not only knowing the truth but practicing the truth as it is in Jesus, so that those who eat and drink are one with Christ as Christ was one with the Father.Lt 20a, 1888, par. 20+1 It is eating His words by taking them into soul and life and obeying them, and no one has the key except by becoming one with Him in perfect unity with His Spirit in perfect obedience, so that He dwells in them and they in Him.Ms 32, 1900, par. 26–27+1 Doing His words gives eternal life to the soul, kills pride and selfishness, brings soul, body and spirit into subjection to Jesus Christ, and purifies the once-polluted habitation cleansed by His blood, while if they do not care enough for His words to obey them, all pretension to faith is only pretension, good for nothing.Ms 72, 1895, par. 13–15 Refusing His words and correct principles and rejecting the testimonies God sends is refusing Christ and the life He offers, and character reveals the result of that refusal, with truth losing its place to ambition.Ms 5, 1904, par. 16–17+2

Those who eat His flesh and drink His blood dwell in Him and He dwells in them in a continuing, saving, mutual and dependent union, receiving life and nourishment from Him and sharing His life.Ms 30, 1904, par. 11+2 That eating and drinking is receiving and living by Him and by His Word, which is spirit and life, depending wholly on Him in faith as a branch receives nourishment from the vine.Ms 30, 1904, par. 11+1 It is receiving God's promises by faith and making them one's own, claiming them and living in Him, and those who do so have eternal life with the path brightened by clear light and heavenly anointing that keeps from grave mistakes.Lt 123, 1895, par. 12–14+2 It is conversion of the soul through faith, truly receiving Him as Redeemer so that life becomes one with His life, making believers partakers of His life and nature, born again not of flesh but of the Spirit.ST Jan 20, 1909 Beholding Him in study of His Word teaches love for His virtues and practice of them, so His righteous character is revealed in believers and they are changed into the same divine image, day by day revealing more fully the sacred principles marking sons and daughters of God and reproducing the characteristics that made His life like no other life.ST Jan 20, 1909 Received into the heart, this truth regulates desires, purifies thoughts, sweetens disposition, quickens faculties of mind and energies of soul, and enlarges capacity for feeling and loving, permeating great and little things of life, while this abiding experience roots believers in the Word and helps them discern deceptions.Lt 68, 1894, par. 12–13+1

Through this reception He becomes the vital source of spiritual health, strength and righteousness imparted to the life and shown in daily conduct.ST Aug 29, 1895 This mutual indwelling means He rules in the heart, His love is in the soul and His Spirit abides within, crucifying pride, envy, evil-surmising and the haughty self-sufficient spirit that leads to self-exaltation.7MR 262.2–264.1 Its evidence is seen in spirit and word and act, in a heavenly atmosphere surrounding the soul, in having His mind, and in revealing the graces of His character and the fruits of the Spirit, giving the pure holy character that makes acceptable and fit for heaven and prepares for translation.7MR 262.2–264.1 The privileges offered must be availed of, for those who truly receive them will practice the truth and testify with authoritative power to truth that sanctifies, while those who do not will live a half-hearted religious life, misrepresent Him, set an unsafe example before youth, and bear condemnation for unchristlikeness.7MR 262.2–264.1 Eating His flesh and drinking His blood means having Him as the circulating current of life in the soul, and this union is connected with eternal life.Lt 354, 1905, par. 27 As blood circulates through the body, His life is to circulate through the spiritual life, through which eternal life is obtained.Ms 45, 1902, par. 5 Those who receive Him and depend on Him share His life, bear witness through love for one another, become like Him in character and conduct, and draw power for service from Him, so that His life becomes theirs and confidence in His power brings steady trust amid daily troubles.18MR 97.3–4 He is the spiritual food sustaining heavenly life, blended with the existence of His followers as they eat His flesh and drink His blood, so they live in Him and He lives in their lives and acts, and this abiding union is the basis for holy fellowship.Lt 180, 1898, par. 11–13 The bread of life is also found in making sacrifices, as when the rich young man was tested by being told to sell possessions, give to the suffering poor, and follow.Lt 354, 1905, par. 27

The union means living by Him, as He lives by the Father who sent Him, rather than relying on one's own wisdom or ability, and it would lead to a life directed by the Holy Spirit.Lt 124, 1896, par. 6–7 It means relying on Him rather than on human beings, for He is sufficiency and strength, and becomes sanctification and righteousness.Ms 42, 1902, par. 6–9 It means depending on Him and receiving His life-giving words rather than relying on human influence or assertions, bringing into abiding fellowship with Him.Ms 134a, 1897, par. 8 It means eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God rather than looking to any human being as perfect to surround the soul with a saving influence.Ms 13, 1897, par. 27 Eating and drinking keeps the mind refined and purified and ennobled, making the principles of the Word circulate through every vein of religious experience.Ms 13, 1897, par. 27 The eating and drinking is spiritual, not bodily, because flesh profits nothing, and it means receiving His words, which are spirit and life, trusting not in men nor making human flesh one's strength.Lt 139, 1903, par. 3–4 It brings mutual indwelling with Him, giving eternal life and resurrection at the last day and salvation at last.Lt 139, 1903, par. 3–4 It is cooperating with God and the Comforter in the painful purifying and refining that cuts away rough edges and fashions character for a place in God's temple.Lt 139, 1903, par. 3–4

This living union is expressed in unity and love with one another.21MR 346.1–3 Eating His flesh and drinking His blood means becoming one with Him, and this union is marked by unity of purpose and harmony in action.4MR 412.1 It is oneness with Father and Son, one body worked by the same Spirit, living and working in harmony, with faith working by love and purifying from evil suspicion and false accusation.Lt 92, 1900, par. 13–14+1 Tearing down one another's work in dissension, envy, jealousy and strife shows failure to feed and abide.Lt 92, 1900, par. 13–14+1 Those who live this way reveal His attributes in words, actions and treatment of others, showing they are doers of the Word and can be trusted.Lt 92, 1900, par. 13–14 His holy life is the model, and when people are shaped by His Spirit they put His words into practice and reveal Him in service.RH Feb 24, 1903 Eating His flesh and drinking His blood means feeding on the Son of God by searching the Word of divine wisdom and putting it into practice, and through this companionship believers dwell in Him and grow in spiritual knowledge.Ms 54, 1898, par. 4–5 This dependence is not independent self-sufficiency, for believers with different strengths are to help one another and become complete together in Him.Ms 54, 1898, par. 4–5 Living His prayer brings unity with Him and with one another, a strength that withstands opposition.Lt 131, 1900, par. 1–3

Dwelling in Him and His dwelling in them is oneness with Him through obedience to His Word, by receiving and obeying His Word, for His words are spirit and life.Ms 47, 1886, par. 3–4+1 Those who keep His commandments and sayings dwell in Him and abide in His love, showing harmony with Redeemer and with God.Ms 47, 1886, par. 3–4+1 To dwell and abide in Him is to dwell and abide in His Word, bringing heart and character into conformity with His commands, and this living connection gives spiritual life.SW 68.2+1 Those who enter that oneness are loved by the Father even as the Son is loved.ST Mar 25, 1889 Eating His flesh and drinking His blood is eating God's Word as the bread of life, heeding requirements and obeying laws and commandments and refusing to eat of the forbidden tree of knowledge, and this eating and drinking is the tree of life to the believer.Ms 30, 1898, par. 23–24 Those who do so escape the control of hereditary and cultivated tendencies, pride, vanity, self-esteem, worldliness and every sin, reveal Him in life, cooperate with God, and become thoroughly aroused to work out salvation with fear and trembling while God works in them both to will and to do of good pleasure.Ms 30, 1898, par. 23–24 He can dwell only in a heart cleansed from sin, for tares and wheat cannot grow together with one as the controlling element.Ms 30, 1898, par. 23–24 It must be a personal appropriation, for no one can be nourished by believing others may be blessed or by watching others eat, but each must partake for himself just as physical life requires eating physical food, and failure to feed in this way causes loss of spiritual strength and vitality.ST Mar 25, 1889

Those who eat His flesh and drink His blood dwell in Him and He in them in a continuing union, and that union is eternal life now, life through Him and by Him.Lt 140, 1897, par. 9–10+4 Those who so receive Him will be raised up at the last day at the resurrection of the just to live forever, so that even though the believer may die Christ will raise him.8T 169.2–3+3 This is because His words are spirit and life, found in Scripture and received by searching it for comfort, hope and encouragement.Ms 92, 1899, par. 13–16+2

As physical food builds the body, this nourishment shapes spiritual character and gives the soul spiritual life, strength and nourishment sufficient for all its needs.8T 169.2–3+2 Those who feed in this daily, hourly exercise of faith working by love and purifying the soul receive forgiveness of sins, are sanctified unto eternal life, and have life, comfort, sobriety and joy with Christ abiding in the soul.FE 455.3–456.1+2 They never hunger or thirst for higher food, are filled with His fullness, cease to hunger and thirst for fame or human esteem, and grow up into the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus, into Christ their living head.8T 169.2–3+2

This feeding on pure truth taken from the Word into the heart and carried into practical life in obedience to all its precepts gives life to the soul and produces healthful, orderly spiritual growth, first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn.Lt 82, 1907, par. 10–17+2 It brings fruit in differing measures in heart, speech and character, some thirty, some sixty and some a hundredfold, as the natural person formed by heredity, nationality, education and circumstances is changed by grace into a new person with new heart, purposes and impulses.Lt 202, 1900, par. 5–6+2 So received, it refines the taste, sanctifies the judgment, purifies and ennobles the mind, makes the receiver modest, meek and lowly rather than uncouth, rough or sensational, forms a character like Christ's fitted for heaven, and sustains the soul with the pledge of resurrection because Christ was raised.Lt 82, 1907, par. 10–17+2

It is eating the bread that comes down from heaven and eating the leaves of the tree of life now, without waiting until translation, laying hold upon truth itself and appropriating it in the fellowship of the Spirit by believing and practicing the words of Christ.Ms 103, 1902, par. 1–3+2 Those who do this enter into the life of Christ and are made one with Him, appreciate the great sacrifice made for the sinful race, have the current of spiritual life thrill the soul, gain development of understanding through truth capable of constant expansion, and come into closer communion with the divine Originator of truth.Ms 103, 1902, par. 1–3+1 The Word so received is the tree of life unto eternal life forming a perfect character, and its effect on the person determines eternal destiny.Ms 103, 1902, par. 1–3+1

These are the terms of life made by the Redeemer before the foundations of the earth were laid, to be given in schools as the bread of life that sustains spiritual life, for other food God does not require will not sustain it but will cause those who partake of it to die.FE 470.3+1 Continual receiving is necessary for everlasting life and cannot be treated as unimportant or traded away by surrendering vital truth, since sharing in the divine nature depends on it.ST Apr 8, 1897+1 He is the Sun of Righteousness and source of all light, and without His light and life abiding within there is no connection with that source and no salvation.ST Apr 8, 1897+1

All who bear His name and claim to be His followers must eat His flesh and drink His blood, or they can have no part with Him.16MR 274.2+1 A name, a call, a lamp, a claim of doing God service and apparent watching for His appearing are not enough.16MR 274.2 Taking God's promises for granted without living as enjoined, including denying self, taking up the cross daily and following Him, leaves one like the foolish virgins wanting, surprised and dismayed without oil outside the shut wedding banquet, and like the guest without a wedding garment who claims the privileges of the banquet of truth and even teaches the Word while working unrighteousness.Ms 13, 1899, par. 1–2+3 That righteousness received by dwelling in Christ and Christ in the believer is the wedding garment, without which none is fit for the wedding.Ms 13, 1899, par. 1–2+1

To eat and drink in this way is to receive Christ as personal Saviour and look constantly to Him, taking His words as spiritual food and drink for the soul through daily, hourly faith which works by love and purifies the soul.Ms 12a, 1901, par. 1–2+1 It is to receive His character and life and His Word in faith into heart and life as counsel, believing its teachings and practicing them, so that truth nourishes spiritual life, forgives sins, and sanctifies unto eternal life.Ms 77, 1906, par. 1–5+3 Those who so receive dwell in Christ and Christ dwells in them in saving union, growing up into the full stature of men and women in Christ, enlarged in mind to share the Word, keeping His commandments as known through the Spirit given.Ms 12a, 1901, par. 1–2+3 This reception transforms, refines and purifies the whole person, making believers partakers of the divine nature and of His experience, changed in heart, speech and character into the likeness of the Word, reflecting divine attributes and revealing God's character with an experience like the divine.Ms 63, 1903, par. 7–9+2

It brings forgiveness, sanctification, perfection and righteousness, for He becomes the believer's sanctification and righteousness.Ms 12a, 1901, par. 1–2+2 The righteousness so received is the wedding garment, and without accepting it no one is fit for the wedding.Ms 13, 1899, par. 1–2 Those who take His Word into life and practice it receive the holy character of God, have eternal life, live in Christ as Christ lives in them, and become holy temples where God can live and walk and work, standing through His combined humanity and divinity on vantage ground with God.Ms 43d, 1901, par. 21

It is shown by keeping His commandments, doing righteousness, loving one another, and preserving Christlike character through sanctified obedience to all Scripture words which are spirit and life, as a wise steward.Ms 77, 1906, par. 1–5+2 This is faithful obedience to God's commandments sharing His life and fellowship through what He accomplished by the atonement at Calvary, belonging to a life yielded from the heart.Ms 161, 1903, par. 3+1 It is the proof of heart-love, combining the inward working of the Holy Spirit by faith with outward practical godliness by works, communing with Christ in sweet fellowship that brings consolation, holy joy and heaven's atmosphere.Ms 63, 1899, par. 35–36+1 Only those who obey have right to appropriate the conditional promises, which are known by viewing them closely, estimating their richness, pondering their meaning, considering the Speaker, and trusting His unsearchable riches and unspeakable love as continual illumination and not momentary flashes.Ms 33, 1887, par. 20–22

Inward reception refines, purifies and ennobles the whole person.RH Aug 20, 1903+1 Received into the heart, the truth regulates desires, purifies thoughts, sweetens disposition, quickens faculties of mind and energies of soul, enlarges capacity for feeling and loving, and permeates the great and little things of life.ST Jan 20, 1909 It refines taste, sanctifies judgment, purifies mind, makes modest, meek and lowly, and surrounds the soul with heaven's pure atmosphere so it can reflect light and reveal His righteous character in the divine image, reproducing the characteristics that made His life like no other and marking sons and daughters of God more fully day by day.RH Aug 20, 1903+2

It creates unity of purpose and mutual love that convicts the world, giving assurance, moral power to stand in trial, willingness to share His trials, firm faith unto the end, and health of soul from receiving and following pure principles in works of righteousness under the Holy Spirit's guidance.Lt 63, 1904, par. 21–23+1 It produces sound piety and Christlike conduct that meets others' needs, touches hearts with human suffering and woe in unselfish devotion to saving souls, and remains faithful in contact with error without withdrawing from ordinary dealings, influencing the world like leaven.Lt 63, 1904, par. 21–23+1 Those who learn thus have the elements of eternal life, are yoked with Christ and part of Him bringing abilities to honor Him in obedience and union in this life and the next, and through grace can recognize true greatness, goodness and hopefulness in fellow workers.Ms 179, 1898, par. 15–16

Separation from Him leaves inability to bear good fruit, while union enables holiness and fruitfulness.Lt 31, 1891, par. 31–34 The branch grafted into the living vine flourishes because vital forces flow from Christ to the branch, becoming healthy fruit-bearing branches of the living vine.Ms 52, 1896, par. 9–11+1 Receiving His words, letting His Word abide within, and dwelling on God's Word as doers who live through Him brings living union like branches in a vine, renewed and quickened by the Holy Spirit, purified by grace, made alive, enabled to do His works, and revealing God's character.Lt 31, 1891, par. 31–34+2 This reception transforms the entire character, makes His presence blessed companionship by faith, enables bearing fruit and working with Him to the glory of God, becomes refreshment to others, and is revealed in a transformed spiritual life, pure holy words and zeal for good works.ST Oct 3, 1900+3 It requires refusing theories as tares among wheat and specious arguments pressed on the mind, and following on to know more of walking in the light as He is in the light even when the end cannot be seen.Lt 224, 1906, par. 29

Those who eat lay aside malice, guile, hypocrisy, envy, evil speaking, jealousy, rivalry and every product of the carnal unsanctified mind, uproot natural depravity, correct errors, obey truth and love fervently.Ms 47, 1896, par. 3–4+2 They escape control of hereditary and cultivated tendencies, pride, vanity, self-esteem, worldliness and every sin, with thoughts and imagination purified and brought into captivity to Christ by transforming grace taking possession of the heart, refusing to let unsanctified impulses and self control mind and judgment.Lt 23, 1896, par. 1+1 Those who open the Word to others must first eat and digest it for themselves, practice what they teach, watch over self and weed the heart, for without this labor costs money, anxiety and hard work yet brings little result.Ms 47, 1896, par. 3–4+2 Where workers fail, self mingles with nearly everything, with rivalry, selfishness, covetousness, vanity, hastiness of temper and evil thinking and speaking, marring representation of Christ, breaking union, exerting far-reaching wrong influence from beneath, and leaving them unprepared to do God's work acceptably.Ms 47, 1896, par. 3–4+3

Receiving and assimilating the Word until it becomes part of the being and the motive power of life and action, interwoven with living character and changing believers into the Word's likeness by Christ's power, is the only vital faith.5T 575.2 Without it there is no life in a person, including those laboring in word and doctrine.5T 575.2 Mere theoretical knowledge, hearing, criticizing, agreeing or claiming to believe and teach while practicing unrighteousness has no value and is not truly receiving inwardly and living in union.Ms 74, 1897, par. 25+2 Feeding is more than knowing truth, for knowers can still fail to feed, and truth must be made one's own to have sanctifying power seen in changed, sanctified speech with no careless or idle words, revealing whether one truly feeds and can communicate it.Ms 74, 1897, par. 25+2 As they look to Jesus, receive His Word which is spirit and life, and have Christ dwell within revealed in character, the spirit and work of Christ become the spirit and work of His disciples.5T 575.2+1

Eating and drinking is personal appropriation for oneself, as physical life requires each person to eat physical food for himself.Ms 121, 1899, par. 41–43+4 No one can be nourished by food another eats, by believing others may be blessed, or by watching others eat, and mere outward connection with a church does not save.Ms 121, 1899, par. 41–43+4 Each must come with his own soul hunger, his own convictions and sense of need, learn of Christ for himself, and make practical application of the Word to his own soul, which cannot be done for another.Ms 29, 1896, par. 9+2 This individual experience of every truly converted soul brings spiritual union in which the believer lives in Christ and Christ lives in the believer, becoming partaker of the divine nature and one with Christ in spiritual life as the body is built up from food eaten.Ms 121, 1899, par. 41–43+4 It is entered through faith in Christ's crucifixion, embodied and remembered in the sacramental service, with the Holy Spirit preparing the mind and quickening perception to grasp the truths conveyed.Ms 25, 1897, par. 13–16 The word so believed is the free gift of grace, not deserved by merit and not bought with money, to be freely received and freely given.FE 456.4–457.1

Feeding is daily, hourly, continual contact with truth of heavenly origin by faith which works by love and purifies the soul, through earnest prayer, meditation, eating the words of Christ, breathing His Spirit, doing His will, and depending on Christ alone by creation and redemption.Ms 12a, 1901, par. 1–2+4 Occasional worship, a single day of service, or weekly seasons of prayer cannot meet the soul's need, and only continual partaking meets it, gives tone and vitality to the whole religious experience, and keeps religion from being cheapened.Ms 12a, 1901, par. 1–2+2 Those who so eat and drink look constantly to Him, receive Him as personal Saviour, dwell in Him and He in them in union with Him, receive nourishment sufficient for all needs of the soul, grow up into the full stature of men and women in Christ, receive forgiveness of sins, are sanctified unto eternal life, become Christlike in spirit and character, and live by Him.Ms 12a, 1901, par. 1–2+3 The church's spiritual dearth comes from allowing the mind to be drawn away from the Word to human writings and worldly entertainments, which weaken hunger for God and leave the heart divided, while reading the chapter on the bread from heaven helps satisfy hunger for God.11MR 340.3+2 Dwelling thus surrounds the soul with heaven's pure atmosphere, making it possible to reflect light to those in darkness, and requires studying the Word to feed hunger and sitting at His feet learning meekness and lowliness of heart.Ms 50, 1901, par. 14–16

Mutual dwelling comes by encouraging appetite of the soul, praying for enlightenment on the Word, constantly meditating on it, praying over it, digesting it, and by practice assimilating it into the life current.20MR 105.2–106.1+3 Feeding on Christ daily in this way turns anxiety away from what to eat and drink to gratify fleshly appetite toward food from heaven for the soul, and is joined to fasting and prayer to cleanse the heart, humble the soul, overcome lust for flesh meats and stimulating food, and live by wholesome simple food and self-denial.20MR 105.2–106.1 On the Sabbath this feeding calls for a very simple diet, keeping the mind free from care about food and in a quiet waiting state to receive the blessing the Lord of the Sabbath waits to bestow.Ms 21, 1897, par. 24–25 Those who receive truth from their own shepherds, practice it, let it enter heart and mind, and continually come to Christ in communion depending on what He gives rather than on outside help or human plans, grow in faith and intelligent knowledge and have health of body and soul.Ms 60, 1898, par. 63+2

It means closely searching, studying, eating and digesting the Word, digging deep for hidden treasures with earnest purpose as a hungry man eats, not merely reading or going through the form of teaching.Ms 60, 1898, par. 63+4 Searching brings the Holy Spirit to open understanding to see wonderful things, and as soon as will and way are surrendered the Spirit molds the person as a vessel unto honor, and when emptied of self the vacuum is supplied by the Spirit's power.Lt 165, 1899, par. 2–3 Received into the heart the truth changes the heart, gives light and understanding to humble doers, inspires faith working by love and purifies the soul, and the written Word is the sure unfailing authority above popes, ministers, synods or eloquent assertions, as shown by Have ye not read, Search the Scriptures, and It is written.Lt 165, 1899, par. 2–3+2 The Word is to guide each person rather than leaving experience to minister or physician, and earnest thought on His instruction with treasuring of every ray of light is set against letting the mind be absorbed by speculative mysteries and conjecture.Ms 32, 1896, par. 42–46+2

Men and women are built up spiritually by the food given the mind, so those ministering in word and doctrine must not be dull of understanding and God's people must not spend time on books, magazines, novels, romances and cheap reading that lead the mind astray and hinder growth.Lt 43, 1905, par. 4+4 Turning to them instead of drawing from Christ in earnest prayer and feeding on the Word separates from God, harms the soul, fills the mind with worthless material, taints the soul, corrupts thought, and cripples spiritual life and clear judgment.Lt 43, 1905, par. 4+2 Wisdom chooses God's Word hungering above morning papers and an overwhelming mass of books, comparing scripture with scripture, continually increasing in knowledge rather than wedding to certain authors, customs, maxims and tradition.7T 205.2+2 The Holy Spirit guides into truth and makes the Word effective, so that through knowing Christ believers learn His meekness and lowliness, are changed into His likeness, and have eternal life, and this nourishment received and digested can be shared with others.Ms 96, 1898, par. 11–14+1

The Word must be received not with intellect alone as mathematics but with heart, moral nature and will, taking possession of the will, casting down imaginations, bringing every thought into obedience, and centering the whole being in Christ by faith.Lt 5, 1898, par. 13–15+2 It is learned only by submissive students emptied of pride and self, with heart open and taught by God, putting truth into practice, so the soul-temple becomes the abiding place of the Most High impressing His image and dwelling within.Lt 5, 1898, par. 13–15+2 Hearing alone is not enough, for without this reception the Word is misunderstood or misapplied and does not save, and refusal comes from unwillingness rather than God's unwillingness to teach.Ms 67, 1897, par. 52 So received it brings full assurance and abiding deep conviction, not attained without humility and emptying of self, with the Holy Spirit bearing witness and impressing divine thoughts on memory and soul, and only doers who take eyes from self to behold Jesus, examine self to cut away all unlike Him, and diligently peruse the Word, live.Lt 98a, 1897, par. 48–51+3 Only those obeying God's commandments have right to appropriate the conditional promises, which are to be viewed closely, estimated, pondered, and trusted as continual illumination rather than momentary flashes.Ms 33, 1887, par. 20–22

When eaten and drunk the Word sinks deep into the soul, fastens on memory, directs actions, inspires motives, controls judgment, fills the heart with love to God and men, and governs every action by what the Lord says.Lt 12, 1907, par. 8–9+2 Truth so taken becomes part of the person with sanctifying power seen in changed sanctified speech with no careless idle words, and eyes anointed to see lessons hidden from uncleansed surface readers.Lt 50, 1897, par. 24–26+1 Through obedience His life becomes the believer's life, including raising from the dead at the last day, as the branch receives nourishment from the vine.Ms 131, 1897, par. 6–7+2 Abiding through the Word with sound solid rooted understanding and obedience, rather than feeding on feeling and craving what is new, strange, sensational and startling, makes life and action sound and solid, roots in the Word, brings God's wisdom and power for salvation into daily experience with clear understanding of oneness, and gives discernment of Satan's deceptions and delusions so believers will not be carried away when Satan works masterfully with miracles claiming to be Christ.Lt 68, 1894, par. 14–16+3

Faith in the crucifixion is embodied and remembered in the sacramental service of bread and wine as symbols of broken body and spilled blood, and though the ordinance is not named in the words it is embodied in the figures.Ms 25, 1897, par. 13–16+2 It takes place by faith when celebrated in spirit and truth with the crucifixion kept before the mind, the Holy Spirit preparing the mind and quickening perception to grasp the truths conveyed, and all who so come are received.Ms 25, 1897, par. 13–16+2 This mutual dwelling comes by eating the words and obeying them, becoming partakers of the divine nature as food becomes part of the body and becoming one with Christ in spiritual life, and it must be individual since no one is nourished by food another eats.Ms 25, 1897, par. 13–16+2 Taking the symbols without a heart in harmony with God gives no spiritual life, for death for humanity does not by itself give life to the soul unless received and assimilated as food must be eaten to strengthen the body.Ms 25, 1897, par. 13–16+1

Receiving the bread and wine joins the believer to Christ in the upper chamber, in passing through the garden consecrated by the agony of Him who bore the sins of the world, and in witnessing the struggle by which reconciliation with God was obtained, with Christ set forth crucified.DA 661.1–3+2 Looking upon the crucified Redeemer gives fuller comprehension of the magnitude and meaning of the sacrifice of heaven's Majesty, glorifies the plan of salvation, awakens living sacred emotions at Calvary, and puts praise to God and the Lamb in heart and lips.DA 661.1–3+1 Fresh memory of Calvary keeps pride and self-worship from flourishing, while beholding matchless love elevates thought, purifies the heart, transforms character, and sends forth as a light reflecting that love, glorying only in the cross by which the world is crucified to the believer and the believer to the world.DA 661.1–3 Every faithful partaking gives spiritual strength and forms a living connection binding the believer to Christ and thus to the Father, joining dependent humanity to God, yet earthly preoccupations can make people forget Him and lose the life-giving power, peace and joy He offers.DA 660.4+1

Those who open the Word to others must first eat and digest it themselves, practicing what they teach, watching self and weeding out malice, guile, hypocrisy, envy, evil speaking and rivalry.Lt 29, 1896, par. 21–23+2 Without this, labor costs money, anxiety and hard work yet brings little result, while fed workers feed the flock with manna supplied by His hand, gain fresh perception of truth, work as Christ worked, satisfy hunger and speak to needs.Lt 29, 1896, par. 21–23+2 The bread from heaven showed the disciples their work as representatives to give the bread of life to the hungry, for without receiving spiritual food they would have nothing to give.RH Aug 11, 1910+1 Those who receive light upon the Word and eat and digest it gain precious victories, repress uprisings of self so self does not appear, and with hearts worked by the Spirit impart what was received, receiving wisdom to nourish others.Lt 15, 1896, par. 11+1 Daily feeding gives experimental knowledge of the Saviour and makes fruitful, binding souls to Christ and gathering with Him, while men in responsible places who do not so feed stay fruitless like sapless branches, cause separation from Christ, scatter abroad, and show by fruits they are not true servants.Lt 29, 1896, par. 21–23+2

Feeding on Him keeps workers from mistakes, for those who do not feed will err by reasoning from human standpoint and policy principles, whereas He never errs.Lt 48, 1899, par. 31–33+1 It means coming to Him for counsel, receiving His ways and thoughts in place of human reasoning, and having the Holy Spirit work in and through the life.Lt 48, 1899, par. 31–33+1 Those who labor for others must do this before those labored for can be reached and impressed, making religious experience healthy and taking away unrest, dissatisfaction and restlessness of spirit so that admonition is heeded.Lt 48, 1899, par. 31–33+1 Without it workers treat God's work as common, draw away in heart, and sow seeds in connected minds leading into false paths, disaffection and uneasiness.Lt 2, 1898, par. 6–7

The Holy Spirit is in the Word, which is verity and truth, spirit and life, a living undying element giving spiritual strength, and in this feeding eternal life is received with life and immortality brought to light through the gospel so that Christ lives in believers and they live in Christ.21MR 131.3–4+2 It is the privilege of all who believe as personal Saviour to feed on the Word, and the Spirit's influence makes the Bible immortal truth to the prayerful searcher.21MR 131.3–4+1 Those who love God and attend obediently to revealed word receive the Spirit's light and grace, recover truths faded from memory, and discover truths not previously understood.21MR 131.3–4+1 This enables drawing Spirit-inspired truth from Daniel and Revelation to proclaim mysteries hidden from human understanding, starting forces that cannot be repressed and even opening children's lips to proclaim them.FE 473.2+1

Feeding on the words as very flesh and blood is education of highest importance for children and youth, teaching the law of Jehovah and the penalty for transgressing it, and teaching that God accepts the ransom made by the Saviour in their behalf when obedient to the law.Ms 202, 1898, par. 2+1 In schools minds are to be turned to the Bible to live by the words as food for character and spiritual life.Ms 202, 1898, par. 2+1 In sanitariums many are to be taught to understand eating and drinking as receiving life-giving words which are spirit and life, taught together with learning to care for the body so physical care and spiritual life advance together toward becoming sound in faith and obedient to present truth.PMMEP 25.3+3 In this way souls in highways and byways are reached.PMMEP 25.3+1

Receiving Him as living spiritual reality and dwelling in Him makes believers His witnesses whether or not ordained by human hands, the Holy Spirit empowering them to share truth simply and bring conviction changing heart and will.6T 444.2–3+2 Those who daily receive grace feed others rather than hoard, imparting life through words and actions, and those who feed impart that life to others.6T 444.2–3+1 Receiving and believing, seeking saving grace, and uniting with Him in works of mercy including teaching sinners and backsliders the way of life belongs to this eating, for the Bread of life alone satisfies the hungry soul while worldly good and human wisdom cannot meet spiritual need.Ms 81, 1906, par. 13–15+1 Receiving the words and repeating them as His words not one's own lets them flow to those thirsting for righteousness as powers are devoted to redeeming purpose, and those who eat belong to Him as laborers together with God revealing what people become under His direction in meekness and lowliness.Lt 48, 1907, par. 14–17+2

Eating and drinking gives life to men and women now perishing in error by receiving intelligent knowledge of the Word as bread of life feeding hungry souls.Lt 69, 1897, par. 23–25+2 In new territories in darkness of error this brings conversion and organizes believers into churches as truth extends worldwide.Ms 23, 1887, par. 11–12+1 Practicing the words brings Spirit and love into life as vitalizing current transforming character, while neglecting to practice even while professing to preach causes loss of His Spirit and loss of Christ as vital essence of the message.Lt 69, 1897, par. 23–25+1 Actions not growing from that spiritual feeding are not the result of partaking of Christ.Lt 69, 1897, par. 23–25+1

Knowing this nourishment by experience is more essential than perplexity over temporal questions such as what food to cook for the Sabbath, and the lesson was repeated because spiritual life depended on it, requiring study, meditation, memory and daily experience to distinguish true from false in perilous days.Ms 21, 1897, par. 4–6
Spiritual life depends on what the mind takes in and assimilates; dwelling on others' faults feeds harm, while receiving the Bible as food purifies and strengthens the mind to understand and live truth, and what fills heart and mind with God's love becomes evident in speech making it natural to share and help others.12MR 7.2–3+4
Taking in God's Word so it becomes part of every action and attribute gives strength in God's strength with heavenly faith consistent before angels and men, not wandering into strange paths nor turning to sentimental excitement-based religion that injures those thinking they must feel ecstasy and are depressed without it; studying with faith not feeling, temporary elevation, enthusiasm, excitement or fanaticism strengthens by teaching Scriptures as Christ taught.Lt 152, 1903, par. 16
It means comprehending truth as in Jesus with continual growth in the school of Christ, praying for blessing as daily bread, accepting sufficient grace for each day's duties and trials rather than living to amuse self, keeping truth in ascendancy including health reform, giving power to conquer invisible foes and meet temptation, for His flesh is food indeed and blood drink indeed.Lt 93, 1901, par. 11+2
It means taking truths individually, learning what He is to each person, realizing He is the great center of life holding most precious lessons for education enduring through time and eternity yet faintly understood; making Scriptures personally one's own forms character able to receive blessings and work successfully, giving an unfailing source of power not dependent on human wisdom.Ms 68, 1897, par. 9+2

Receiving and assimilating His words brings deep piety leaving less room for selfishness, molding life and shown in self-denying useful service; those who live by teaching become meek, lowly, self-denying, self-sacrificing, walk the narrow path to receive life and glory, and show attributes including patience, mercy, long-suffering and love restoring the erring.Lt 270, 1903, par. 28–30+4
The experience belongs with conversion and new birth, knowing the Lord is gracious, desiring sincere milk, tasting graciousness, opening mind and choosing to practice bringing light and growth; it brings the new birth and an entirely different spirit required for men in trust making them partakers of nature asking what He would have them do, without which there is no hope for right leadership.FE 458.2–459.2+2
When the soul hungers and receives it is filled with fullness, but worldly entertainments can weaken hunger and leave no relish for heaven's bread; living by faith therefore requires putting away frivolity and love of amusement, belonging with disciplined purposeful life, and beholding Him and the Father's love in calling sinners sons stays affections on the Eternal and separates from world's extremes, practices and customs.Lt 58a, 1898, par. 17–20+2
Drawing continually binds life up with Christ sustained by His life and makes words a source of freshness and power in ministry; receiving with deep hunger and full acknowledgment of instruction and promises as bread of heaven conforms life to principles and revives the soul, bringing strong consolation and valuable experience.RH Aug 27, 1901+4
Receiving God's words requires fully acknowledging their power and authority and living by them as bread of heaven taken into daily life to receive eternal life.Ms 104, 1905, par. 11
The truth works by love, purifies the soul and shows how eternal life is gained; receiving principles with open heart while the Spirit witnesses and impresses thoughts on memory, and receiving promises by faith making them one's own, brings mutual dwelling.Lt 95, 1901, par. 18–19+3

It means having living experience and abiding union rather than theories without life; those in oneness seek His will, study His life, cooperate, turn from selfish motives and become like Him, centering the whole being in Him.Ms 171, 1905, par. 4–5+1
Beholding, dwelling on and taking in His love until partaking His nature happens by beholding; as food must become part of body, He must be received into heart so His life, love and grace become part of life, healing sin's sting as looking to Sin-bearer, and beholding changes into His image.DA 389.3+1
Bringing heart and character into conformity with commands is how believers abide; to dwell in Him is to dwell in His Word, living in perfect conformity, overcoming every evil propensity through truth, sanctified in body, soul and spirit.Ms 91, 1899, par. 42–43+1
Becoming one through faith and diligent service making words part of daily life requires purest integrity, distinct representation, central spiritual-mindedness and closer conformity, putting joy and praise on lips, turning uncertainty to radiance, eclipsing the world by contemplating heavenly things and calling for deeper experience and determined Bible reading.Lt 161, 1905, par. 12–13
Individually taking truth inside so it becomes sinews and muscle, desires, appetites, passions and habits implants a new nature renewing after His perfect humanity with greater meekness identifying seekers of glory, honor, immortality and eternal life; high ambition, plans and desire for show prove failure to eat and drink.Ms 31, 1897, par. 15–17+1

It means loving Him continually, taking Him as personal Saviour and chief Good, relying for counsel and living by every word to hold fast and live by Him; through Him believers return to loyalty, draw near the Father, receive fresh grace and power, and only thus can win heaven.Lt 81, 1901, par. 13–15
Those who live the Word are consecrated burden-bearing workers and lights amid moral darkness though few live so; dwelling therefore requires standing steadfast never surrendering least vital point keeping truth pure amid false theories bringing honor to Christ.Ms 57, 1898, par. 10+1
It is a living experience teachers must possess; being one by faith fills heart with love for unseen Redeemer drawn in appreciation of heavenly gift, loving supremely so nothing too costly as shown in Mary's devotion, and training to behold, study His life and practice virtues frees from defects such as niggardly narrow self-serving mind.Lt 85, 1899, par. 17+2
Receiving the word of infinite power brings God's power and gives voice special power; received into heart it communicates divine attributes through the Spirit so believers may overcome, sanctifies intellectual abilities to convict and convert beyond human learning, and sanctifies heart, soul and character.5MR 347.3–348.1+2
The Bible purifies and strengthens the mind, helps understand and live truth, and through the Holy Spirit sanctifies heart, soul and character, and workers feed through diligent study allowing it to convert and sanctify for cooperation with God rather than self-directed desires.Lt 67, 1894, par. 31–32+1

Receiving the Son so as to have His life requires understanding and living by God's Word whose pure principles lead to crucifixion of self, becoming spirit and life when practiced; receiving life from Him means He is eternal life, and receiving flesh and blood as Word which is His life brings His life into heart and divine power giving speech special power.Lt 266, 1903, par. 6–8+1
Following God's Word and receiving salvation is receiving the Word as tree of life unto eternal life forming perfect character; eating God's Word as bread of life and tree of life means heeding requirements, obeying laws and refusing the forbidden tree of knowledge.Ms 161, 1903, par. 2+1
The nourishment is to be received comprehensively and enjoyed shaping a practical holy life shining as heaven's light; loving Christ as Bread and feeding as meat and drink makes one with Him representing character, remaining fresh with unwithering foliage, prospering, laboring for eternal reward and receiving blessed eternity.Ms 63, 1890, par. 5–7+1
A soul nourished by eternal life is sanctified, strengthened and made fit to understand and practice truth, like Daniel growing as hearer and doer; neglecting for misleading amusements weakens character and mental power in both spiritual life and learning.FE 379.1–2
It means living by every word from God's mouth instead of separated through careless indifference neglecting salvation; accepting the enmity placed between man and serpent belongs to it, while refusing is becoming earthly eating serpent's meat of selfishness, hypocrisy, evil-surmising, envy and covetousness, yet those who eat may claim to be conquerors in His strength not overcome by devices.2MR 345.3+2

His flesh and blood are Bible truth; spiritual strength depends on receiving and practicing, filling soul with health, growth and soundness to which the Spirit sets seal, and partaking spiritually brings union by which alienated humanity is reconciled to God, possible only by so partaking and living near Jesus as source of life.2SP 288.1+2
As part of the lesson giving terms to be read and understood, it means clinging to Word truth, believing and practicing in association with the faithful; studying living Scriptures with obedience binding to Christ and uniting with one another is its meaning.Ms 90, 1897, par. 17+1
Those who learn thus have elements of eternal life, recognize true greatness in fellow workers, are yoked with Christ bringing abilities to honor Him, linked to obedience and union in this life and the next; those who receive light and digest it gain victories, serve successfully, repress self and impart what was received by Spirit-worked hearts.Ms 179, 1898, par. 15–16+1
Receiving and living by truth not merely knowing theory is necessary for sanctification to make and keep pure, calling for fighting wrong in self as well as denouncing in others, making whole-souled Christians with living energy.Ms 61, 1897, par. 11–13
In Bible study the converted soul takes in words made stronger to resist evil, and His Word dwells in those receiving holy precepts; partaking means receiving Him as source preserving Christlike character through sanctified obedience.FE 378.1

Being united by accepting and living by every word leads to resist sin and every approach, grow like shining light and gain victory day by day; receiving spiritual attributes includes receiving and living by God's Word with Him abiding within.6T 51.5–52.1+1
Eating and drinking is spiritual walking with Jesus, exercising faith to grasp the unseen and lay hold constantly of strength, keeping conscience in touch with God's life, partaking divine nature overcoming corruption through lust, and cultivating every gift of mind, intellect, affection, conscience, knowledge and virtue in service.Lt 195, 1899, par. 4–5
The verse means taking truth from where God placed it and eating as bread instead of merely receiving theory; it plants truth in teachers and students, controls mind, regulates affections, stamps character, its deep meaning must be searched, and power is seen when every jot and tittle is brought into daily practice.Ms 83, 1898, par. 7
Eating the Word means bringing into daily life instead of cherishing hereditary traits, and so eaten it is bread from heaven giving life with power to accomplish work in His name with His life within.2MR 93.2
As food must be eaten daily, the Word must be received continually; through its light Christ is formed within, mind renewed, believer grows, receiving heavenly bread is receiving Christ Himself, joining as branch to vine so obedience makes partaker of divine nature.Ms 66, 1897, par. 18–21

Eating and drinking means looking constantly to Him, drawing near to God and walking in light in close union with hearts and minds under supervision; receiving as soul food living dependently through studying words which are spirit and life brings spiritual health.Lt 34, 1896, par. 6+2
Making God's words daily food means truly understanding instead of skimming, receiving light as it shines and living by it in words and works with reference to the great day while plagues are just upon the world; this prepares to teach as never before, sinking deeper into the mine and treating eternal things as great.Ms 41a, 1896, par. 35–36
Christ is the spiritual food sustaining heavenly life blended with existence; followers receive as they eat and drink, live in Him and He in lives and acts, and this is the basis for holy fellowship.Ms 12, 1899, par. 8–9
Eating and drinking means studying and receiving God's Word as Bible religion, without which godliness cannot be revealed to the world.Ms 12, 1899, par. 8–9
Eating and drinking means coming to Christ in His Word, continuing in faith and being obedient doers; severed there is no moral power but united there is all power, wisdom and sufficiency overcoming the world by faith, while union through finite man leaves weakness because no virtue passes man to man.Lt 50, 1897, par. 24–26

Feeding means studying and practicing, drawing into fellowship and shaping life by His attributes; taking in living Word by studying is nourishment from the Son, and obeying binds hearts together in Christ.13MR 191.1+1
Eating and drinking means looking to Jesus and receiving so He is revealed in character, and as He abides His power sanctifies work and trust is treated as sacred.Lt 151, 1897, par. 12
The true believer continually receives, daily feeding and thereby renewed in mental and physical powers, connected with words which are spirit and life.Ms 34, 1894, par. 21
Eating and drinking means receiving Christ so He is formed within and abides inside, and as blood sustains bodily life His presence is the soul's life and supply through accepting Word into practical life.Lt 4, 1902, par. 5
Receiving flesh and blood means taking in Word of life, for physical flesh gives no profit but Spirit must shape life; as influence appears it is shared, preparing for eternal life and equipping for consecrated service.Ms 186, 1905, par. 4

Believers receive strength expressing sustaining close union; Christians need to partake for life and advancement, losing sight brings insensibility, but as He draws to follow footsteps truth abiding sanctifies and strengthens, life hidden with Christ, title to imperishable inheritance and sufficient grace.Ms 77, 1902, par. 59–60+1
Dwelling means all who abide reveal same Spirit, do same works, lose identity and become one; eating is partaking through faith of His Spirit and love by receiving, eating and digesting the Word found by diligently searching as leaves of tree of life with appetite created in newborn soul, giving knowledge of salvation so those who eat shall never die.Ms 129, 1901, par. 5–6
Receiving words as spiritual food is necessary for life in Christ, and the eternal Word must be lived on and searched with revealed truth moving conscience and cleansing soul.Lt 62, 1896, par. 2
Having part requires daily receiving by grace His divine attributes; eating is receiving, living and practicing Word and gospel as living connection, and feeding through His Word brings His presence into believer and believer into Him, quickening, renewing, producing fruit, letting see power of world to come and creating anew.Lt 74, 1897, par. 3+1
Eating the bread of life and drinking water of salvation by making Bible food, meat and drink and principles elements of character through receiving and practicing brings mutual indwelling, eternal life abiding within and holiness filling life; through Christ joining divinity with humanity as steppingstone the believer stands on vantage ground, for apart from Him everything is worthless.Ms 43c, 1901, par. 8–9+2
This nourishment taken deeply becomes part of life drawing daily power, giving eternal life and enabling reflection of holiness.Lt 153, 1902, par. 28+1

Eating and drinking brings eternal life and means studying Bible as God's word, receiving just as it reads then obeying as daily food and strength; it is receiving every word from God's mouth feeding another life beyond temporal bread, guarding and feeding the soul lest lost, with religious experience after divine similitude.Ms 121, 1899, par. 27–30+1
Daily living upon flesh and blood is necessary for godly element to overcome selfishness and covetousness, and those sharing self-denial and sacrifice will share glory.Lt 20a, 1893, par. 39–42
Earnestly studying to enter understanding and practically applying to character-building, not merely knowing, is eating and digesting bread of life and drinking water of salvation, receiving teachings as leaves of tree of life; what mind eats composes character, so doers grow up into Christ, become partakers and holy temples revealed by healthiness, symmetry, living interpretation, meekness, unity, esteeming others better and entire service with self hid and Christ exalted.Lt 64, 1900, par. 5–7
Sharing in Christ is the way to receive eternal life in God's kingdom, bound to infinite sacrifice calling receivers to fulfill duty to God.Lt 98, 1896, par. 61–64
Receiving His words means sharing love He gives followers enabling love one another as He loved; drinking blood is joined with heart overflowing with holy love for God and those He died for, not selfish or changeable nor dependent on praise or appreciation, loving because they are His purchased heritage.Ms 97, 1906, par. 13–18+2

Taking the Lord's side means receiving heavenly principles transforming into likeness, and partakers share the living fountain that flowed from Him the living rock during Israel's wilderness journey.Ms 110, 1904, par. 19–21
Eating is eating the Word from a banquet spread before all; promises belong personally to every child, and feeding strengthens spiritual muscle and sinew.21MR 133.5
Those who truly receive the gospel gain its saving, uplifting, sanctifying power, daily gaining knowledge, experience and skill as they cooperate with Christ.18MR 191.2–4+1
Receiving principles with humble heart and practicing in obedience, striving to excel in doing what is said as the only lawful strife, makes strong in His strength, conforms life, spirit, inclinations and habits to His will, transforms to resist evil and shows character in self-denial, patience, mercy and restoring the erring, while profession without practice is empty and continues in sin.STE 222.1–223.1+4
Obeying the Word transforms and strengthens the soul to resist evil and brings immortality, brings fellowship shaping life by principles and promises, and requires taking words and works into life so love transforms character and life-giving power flows as from vine to branch.STE 222.1–223.1+4

Eating takes place in spiritual communication giving help and efficiency, requiring close investigation of mental food and refusal of gossip, malice, guile, hypocrisy, envy, evil speaking, nonsense, folly, backbiting, tattling, talebearing, false witness, trifling conversation, jesting, joking and idle words, since partaking them is eating the accuser's spirit, while speaking only select edifying words rightly represents religion.FE 457.2–458.1
It is the same vital union as abiding with Christ abiding in the follower through the word, His words abiding giving the vine's life; living by every word puts His life inside producing same fruits without laboring to bear fruit, by living in, clinging to, being supported by and drawing nourishment bearing fruit after His likeness.DA 677.1
Eating and drinking means studying God's word and working in His lines with increasing knowledge rather than wedding to authors, customs, maxims and tradition or laboring for food not strengthening spirituality; it is meat enduring to everlasting life alone giving wisdom, higher education, vigor and moral strength vitalizing every faculty.Ms 37, 1899, par. 13–14
Receiving Christ's followers eat flesh and drink blood by receiving God's word, and this truth about them is what opponents repeat in false statements.Ms 52, 1900, par. 28–29
Receiving the Son is essential to a life shaped by Him; neglecting leaves selfishness and sharpness, while receiving enables the Spirit to transform and reveal Christ in words and actions, and teachers must first let it shape their lives lest carnal traits weaken work.Lt 84, 1899, par. 6–8+1

Receiving and assimilating so Christ lives within shapes life in His likeness, seen in a true missionary's humble grateful service and praise.ST Aug 21, 1901
Eating and drinking means receiving powers of the world to come and being joined to Christ, and sharers are claimed and commissioned as witnesses to use gifts, shine through good works and save souls.Ms 116, 1894, par. 7–9
Those who daily receive, believe and live His words have eternal life and live in Christ because words are spirit and life; they live by every word, believe He will soon return and devote themselves to preparing, first taking heed to self then teaching the world, so serving and waiting become natural and they work earnestly for conversion.Ms 82, 1903, par. 9–10
Feeding on Christ must be done with contrite heart because of sin and with leaven of sin put away.PP 278.1
Making the Bible food, meat and drink means making principles elements of character, laying human sayings aside, refusing indifference contrary to light, finding what the Lord commands and doing it, thereby knowing better how to receive counsel.5MR 141.1

Fascination with unrevealed mysteries can absorb attention and turn away from this central essential life.17MR 20.2–21.4
Eating this bread means receiving Christ through experiential knowledge including knowing His incarnation, essential both to redemption and daily sanctification; Christ in combined humanity and divinity is a steppingstone putting man on vantage ground with God.Ms 43a, 1901, par. 23+1
What is taken in shapes spiritual life; feeding on Christ is more than knowing truth, for knowers can still fail to feed, and labor on such unfruitful believers would be better spent carrying truth to ignorant sinners in unworked cities who would repent.Ms 45, 1895, par. 1–2
The flesh and blood are contrasted with ordinary food as what the mind must receive as directed toward divine things, emphasizing knowing God and Jesus Christ and cultivating mind for character and useful work; the Word feeds the spiritual mind like living pasture and becomes life to the converted heart.Ms 67, 1890, par. 4+1
Those who eat walk with Him and reveal glory in straightforward action and cannot practice selfish characteristics; when God's people walk apart or disregard spiritual practices their actions testify they are not eating and drinking.Lt 5, 1897, par. 26–29

The flesh and blood are true meat and drink meaning sweet communion with gospel truth producing genuine holiness; feeding instead on strife and falsehood loses communion and follows false standard even after abundant light, with light going out and truth perverted.Lt 224, 1906, par. 24–26
Receiving Christ into spiritual life is like feeding upon Him; the Jews refused by standing apart criticizing words and works, and feeding on doubt likewise turns from Christ and leads others astray.Ms 3, 1895, par. 8–11
Those who feed most are ready to serve; feeding means reading and studying, drinking inspiration and receiving grace not to be hoarded but given, with teachers first learners.Lt 24a, 1896, par. 28
It is proof of heart-love shown by obedience, combining inward working of the Spirit by faith with outward practical godliness by works.Ms 63, 1899, par. 35–36
Failure to feed causes loss of strength and vitality; neglecting nourishment by giving business, worldly cares and pursuits priority displaces truth, harms life, prevents representing Christ, while this feeding supplies nourishment needed for eternal life.ST Mar 25, 1889+3

God's words are spiritual food and drink to be taken into daily lives in order to have eternal life; applying the Word to the soul is represented by eating and drinking, bringing fellowship and making partakers of divine nature, which reception is eternal life.MOPP 3.3–4.2+1
Continually partaking is necessary for spiritual life and becoming partaker of divine nature, and neglecting allows wicked thoughts to strengthen and prevail; day by day eating is receiving the Word and becoming partaker, while rejecting the Word and refusing correction is refusing food, letting wicked thoughts prevail, hatred rise, self control, truth devalued and evil thoughts defile.STMW11 6.2–7.1+2
Eating and drinking means truly receiving Christ and truth inwardly so life is changed to righteousness; receiving instruction and becoming partakers means dependents dwelling in Him and He in them, cleansed by blood becoming living branches in close union according to God's law.14MR 196.1–2+2
Eating and drinking means receiving God's promises by faith making them one's own; the verse promises mutual dwelling which means feeding on the banquet of God's Word and believing large promises instead of passing them by to seek comfort from human beings, giving strong consolation and highest value showing man's word as chaff to wheat.21MR 133.2–4
Believers in sanitariums are to be taught to understand eating flesh and drinking blood concerning receiving life-giving words which are spirit and life as part of becoming sound in faith.9T 168.2+2

Receiving Him as bread of heaven means taking God's word so deeply it becomes part of life, drawing daily life-giving power; this gives eternal life, enables reflection of holiness, and partaking of God's Word gives an experience like the divine with Christ dwelling by faith as temple receptive to heaven sanctified by obedience representing righteousness.Lt 139, 1900, par. 20
Eating and drinking makes strong by daily receiving grace and power, feeding as daily bread and gaining deeper knowledge of God, so believers grow up as living head, have Word abiding, overcome the wicked one, replace superficial with solid experience, become reliable and gain sinew to brace mind against hereditary tendencies.Lt 174, 1899, par. 17–19
Eating and drinking means receiving Christ's words and repeating them as His own not one's own, so words flow to those thirsting for righteousness as powers are devoted to redeeming purpose.Ms 46, 1902, par. 8
Receiving Christ as spiritual food means being led steadily to Him living in close union with Him not human ideas remaining focus, because He takes away sin and gives bread of life; believers receive strength by partaking connected with studying God's word as source of true knowledge.Ms 101, 1901, par. 11–15+1
His words are food for those entering service, and as eaten food builds body eating gives nourishment; principles nourish soul, He Himself is life, and dwelling means having Him abide as teacher and counselor so life meets requirements, wisdom is revealed in gifts, and He is made wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption.Ms 153, 1901, par. 15–16

To feed is to have rich blessing and Him dwell within; those who live by faith are described as eating and drinking, belonging with disciplined purposeful life.Ms 21, 1897, par. 24–25
The flesh and blood is God's word, and eating and drinking it is becoming acquainted with it, which every individual must do to win eternal life; new converts need training and labor to receive its light without separating medical missionary work from the church.21MR 57.3
Feeding upon Him and His Word enables development fitted for heaven and reception of eternal life with sustaining prospect; it must not be displaced by commercial work, gain or work for physical food crowding out prayer, the Word and sharing life-words, and this nourishment can be received, digested and shared.17MR 300.1–4+1
Eating and drinking means marking words, studying Scriptures and treasuring every ray to know the only true God and Jesus Christ sent; receiving the Son keeps mind pure and free to do will, requiring guarding appetites and living in obedience to healthful living light.Lt 103, 1896, par. 23–25+3
Those who do this have path brightened by clear light, with anointing keeping from grave mistakes, and have bright experience; those who open promises must know them, view closely, estimate richness, ponder meaning, consider the Speaker and trust riches and love as continual illumination, with only the obedient having right to conditional promises.Lt 37, 1899, par. 18–19+2

It requires putting away fanciful theories, weighing every human proposition, receiving God's message, letting truth stand in original power, and not letting mind be absorbed by speculative mysteries and conjecture about unrevealed things.14MR 311.2+2
Those who refuse this reception fail to live by teaching and do not represent His meek lowly character.Lt 303, 1903, par. 19–21
Partaking points to sacred living relationship and understanding, not merely literal act or passing sentiment, but living faith in a personal Saviour who can and will ransom from sin.ST Jul 15, 1897+1
Partaking belongs to a life yielded from the heart obeying commandments; partaking means living in close communion as constant learner drawing daily life and grace from God's Word, growing in goodness, gaining experience for service and becoming spiritually minded able to discern.ST Apr 9, 1912+2
Feeding on the Word fulfills His purpose and brings higher enjoyment and power from above humanity that man cannot create.14MR 311.2

Receiving flesh and blood means taking in the Word which is Christ's life, and this living active faith brings His life into heart.Ms 93a, 1899, par. 20–22
God's Word is represented as flesh and blood, spirit and life, a rich banquet in studying it; partaking increases strength, growth in grace and knowledge, forms self-control and character, removing childish fretfulness, wilfulness, selfishness, hasty words and passionate acts and developing manhood and womanhood.CT 206.3–207.1+1
Making the Bible the groundwork of education esteemed first and last and best rather than mixed with infidelity produces true growth and healthy character; soul health decays unless watched by keeping in light, studying and faithful service which God blesses with special tokens of love.HCSSP 21.2+1
Diligently studying and taking truths as spiritual food builds life, and the Word is to guide each person rather than leaving experience to minister or physician; workers are to feed through diligent study letting Word convert and sanctify to serve in cooperation with God rather than self-directed desires.Ms 3, 1906, par. 7+1
Feeding to preserve spirituality means feasting on eternal life for sustenance and inspiration for health, representing the Lord and being the world's light, giving first attention to eternal interests and taking time to pray instead of letting cares, business, enrichment and flattering associates supplant truth, because every moment is charged with eternal responsibility.1MR 218.2–219.2

Whether the Word is eaten makes every difference to understanding; eaten it gives sinew and is practiced, with eyes anointed to see lessons hidden from uncleansed readers, conscience recognizing high standard shaming low ideas, and those denying self and sacrificing able to teach with precept and example harmonized.2MR 94.3
It means believing the Bible for oneself with individual undoubting faith, giving heed, being worked by the Spirit, searching by patient study and sincere prayer, which gives light to the simple and brings conversion enabling leading others to do the same.Lt 104, 1898, par. 5–6
The bread of heaven must become part of life by reading and studying with earnest desire for power, heart emptied of wrong and working with God; this union produces conformity to image and holiness reflecting glory, gives eternal life and answers the prayer to sanctify through truth.4MR 352.4
Taking in flesh and blood means being united, giving saving understanding so Scripture is received as living bread becoming spirit and life rather than understood merely as other books are.12MR 257.1–258.2
Eating means taking in God's Word personally so Christ dwells in believer and believer in Him, putting truth into practice so light is shown in speech and influence, and teachers need personal lived experience before rightly teaching others.Ms 74, 1897, par. 27

Eating the bread means taking in the Word rather than merely contemplating, necessary to bring soul powers into healthful action, like the tree of life bringing healing.Lt 22, 1900, par. 17–18
Obeying truths when made part of life gives spiritual life and strength whose living influence is eternal life, building spiritual and mental health and bringing whole being into harmony with God with resulting spiritual, mental and physical health.Ms 3, 1906, par. 4+2
Fellowship in this way is needed now, giving safety as stronghold and refuge when temptation comes.Lt 153, 1901, par. 9
Through grace this reception changes the natural person formed by heredity, nationality, education and circumstances into a new person with new heart, purposes and impulses, bearing fruit in heart, lips and character.2MR 92.4
Eating His words by taking into soul and obeying is the only key to oneness, forming perfect unity with His Spirit and perfect obedience so He dwells in them; doing words gives eternal life, kills pride and selfishness, brings soul, body and spirit into subjection, purifies the habitation cleansed by blood, while lack of care makes profession worthless pretension.Ms 72, 1895, par. 13–15

Feeding on Christ means receiving Him as living bread by closely studying words and practicing truths daily; because the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, taking heed is eating flesh, His words are spirit and life, and those living by truths reveal they are feeding and drinking waters of salvation.Lt 2, 1895, par. 19–21+1
Becoming one means life not bound, controlled and molded by worldly influences; drinking blood means God's Spirit rules, becoming partaker with soul as temple of the Holy Ghost, bearing fruit not vain ambition, removing strife for supremacy, envy, hatred and evil thoughts, giving kindly affection with perfect love to God supremely and neighbor as self.Lt 28, 1888, par. 36

Eating flesh and drinking blood means carefully studying the Word, eating it, digesting it, taking it in and making it a part of the being and of the life, and living it instead of keeping it apart from life.Ms 32a, 1896, par. 18–20+1 This earnest feeding is self-examination and cherishing faith before God during the little remaining period of probation.Ms 32a, 1896, par. 18–20 As believers do this, the heart is transformed and renewed until the character of Christ becomes the individual character.Ms 32a, 1896, par. 18–20+1

It brings oneness with Christ as Christ is one with the Father, working in co-partnership with Christ as heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.Ms 32a, 1896, par. 18–20 It is hiding in the only Refuge on the Rock of ages.Ms 32a, 1896, par. 18–20 It is the only safety against the coming relentless storm and the last great battle after the sealing, so that nothing can prevail to separate the living Christian from God.Ms 32a, 1896, par. 18–20+1