Who are "they" that Ignatius is railing against?
Answer: The Gnostics.
Hello Candidus,
Gnostics, Docetists, any number of other heretics.. Does it matter? These were not members of the apostolic community, or if they were, they had to leave it to continue in their error..
John says of them:
They went out from us, but they were not really of our number; if they had been, they would have remained with us. Their desertion shows that none of them was of our number.
Ignatius words are clear, as are Jesus' in John 6.
The Church has for 2000 years believed and taught that the Eucharist is truly the flesh and blood of Christ.
Now the truth is established on the testimony of 2 (or 3) witnesses.
The Church in Rome and the Church in Alexandria are 2, 2000 year old witnesses to the Truth.
Where are the 2000 year old Gnostic, Docetist or other Christian community that says otherwise?
The gospel really is this simple: believe, and be united with Jesus.
Did God really say eat and drink and live? Yes He really did...
Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.
This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever."
Peace be with you!