Ambrose of Milan
Fourth-century Latin bishop whose teaching on the Holy Spirit and instruction on baptism and the Eucharist influenced Western Christian theology and worship.
Historical context
On the Mysteries explains initiation to newly baptized Christians in its late fourth-century setting; it should not be treated as an unchanged script for every later church.
Key points
- Read On the Holy Spirit in the setting of fourth-century Trinitarian debate.
- Read On the Mysteries as early pastoral teaching on Christian initiation and worship.
Scripture
- Matthew 26:26 — Jesus identifies the bread with his body; Ambrose appeals to Christ's words in his Eucharistic instruction.
- 1 Corinthians 10:16 — Paul calls the cup and bread a participation in Christ's blood and body.
Primary sources
Ambrose teaches the newly baptized:
Ambrose attributes the sacrament's identity to Christ's effective word.
For that sacrament which you receive is made what it is by the word of Christ.
Passage context and translation
Ambrose is explaining Eucharistic consecration to the newly initiated. He compares divine action in Scripture with Christ's words over the elements.
Before the excerpt
what are we to say of that divine consecration where the very words of the Lord and Saviour operate?
After the excerpt
shall not the word of Christ have power to change the nature of the elements?