Q. Did the historic Church believe that Christ was still physically present on earth?
Origen, of Alexandria (c. 184 - 253 A.D.): More Here
“Take and eat”; and He shows when He nurtures them with this bread, that it is His own body, since He is the Word, which we have necessary both now, and when it shall be fulfilled in the kingdom of God: but now, indeed, it is not yet fulfilled, but then it is fulfilled, when we shall be prepared to receive the full Passover, which He came to fulfill, Who did not come to destroy the Law, but to fulfill it. And now indeed he fulfills it as by a glass in an allegory of fulfillment: but then face to face, when that shall come which is perfect.
(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1862], Patrologiæ Græcæ, Tomus XIII, Origenis in Matthæum Commentariorum Series, § 86, Col. 1736). Here Trans. (J. H. Treat, The Catholic Faith; Or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome Contrary to Scripture and the Teaching of the Primitive Church, [1888], pp. 206-207). Here
Ammonius, of Alexandria (c. 3rd Century A.D.): More Here
As an unjust person, who does not believe on the just One, Who, on account of His righteousness, ascended into heaven, and became invisible to men.
(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1860], Patrologiæ Græcæ, Tomus LXXXV, Amonii Alexandrini, Fragmenta In S. Joannem, Cap. XVI, Vers. 8, Col. 1497). Here Trans. (J. H. Treat, The Catholic Faith; Or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome Contrary to Scripture and the Teaching of the Primitive Church, [1888], p. 212). Here
Basil the Great, Bishop of Cæsarea Mazaca (c. 329/30 - 379 A.D.): More Here
Of what advantage, therefore, are these words? That both eating and drinking we may be mindful of His death and resurrection for us. …For who eats and drinks, forsooth, to the indelible remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, Who died and rose again for our sakes, etc.
(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1857], Patrologiæ Græcæ, Tomus XXXI, Basilii Magni, De Baptismo, Liber I, Caput III, § 2, Col. 1576). Here Trans. (J. H. Treat, The Catholic Faith; Or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome Contrary to Scripture and the Teaching of the Primitive Church, [1888], p. 207). Here
Gregory Nazianzen, Archbishop of Constantinople (c. 329 - 390 A.D.): More Here
Will they keep us from the altars? But I know of another altar, of which those things which now are seen are the types, to which no axe or hand went up, on which no iron was heard, nor any work of the craftsmen or men of skill, but all is accomplished by the mind, and the ascent is by means of contemplation. At this will I stand, at this will I offer acceptable gifts, sacrifice, and offering, and burnt offerings, better than those which are now offered, as the reality is better than the shadow.
(Orat. xxvi.16) see (J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1886], Patrologiæ Græcæ, Tomus XXXV, S. Gregorii Theologi, Oratio XXVI, § XVI, Col. 1248, 1249). Here Trans. (Darwell Stone, A History of the Doctrine of the Holy Eucharist, [1909], Volume I, p. 116). Here
Ambrose, Bishop of Milan (c. 340 - 397 A.D.): More Here
Therefore, not upon earth, nor in the earth, nor after the flesh ought we to seek Thee, if we would find Thee: for now we know Christ no longer after the flesh.
(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1845], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus XV, Exposito Evangelii Secundum Lucam, Lib. X, § 160, Col. 1843). Here Trans. (J. H. Treat, The Catholic Faith; Or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome Contrary to Scripture and the Teaching of the Primitive Church, [1888], p. 208). Here See also: (J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1887], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus XV, Exposito Evangelii Secundum Lucam, Lib. X, § 160, Col. 1937). Here
First, therefore, the shadow preceded, the image followed, the truth will be. The shadow in the Law, the image in the Gospel, the truth in heaven. —And He indeed assists us before the Father as our Advocate: but now we see Him not; then we shall see Him, when the image shall pass away, when the truth shall come.
(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1882], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus XIV, S. Ambrosii, Enarratio In Psalmum XXXVIII, § 25, Col. 1101). Here Trans. (J. H. Treat, The Catholic Faith; Or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome Contrary to Scripture and the Teaching of the Primitive Church, [1888], p. 216). Here
John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople (c. 349 - 407 A.D.): More Here
The plain falleth not on thy sight, thou seest not tree, nor fountain, but straightway thou takest into thee the Lord Himself, thou art mingled with His Body, thou art intermixed with that Body that lieth above, whither the devil cannot approach.
(Philip Schaff, NPNF1, Vol. XIII, Homilies on Colossians, Homily VI [Colossians ii. 16–19]) Here
Gaudentius, Bishop of Brescia (c. ? - 410 A.D.): More Here
For He wished His benefits to remain with us; Hewished our souls to be ever sanctified by His precious blood, through the image of His own Passion, and on this account He commands the faithful disciples, whom He ordained the first priests over His Church, that without ceasing they should perform these mysteries of eternal life, which it is necessary that all priests throughout all the churches of the whole earth, should celebrate, until Christ comes again from heaven, in order that both the priests themselves, and the whole multitude of the faithful people elsewhere, having an example of Christ's Passion before their eyes daily, and bearing it in their hands, and receiving it also in their mouths and breasts, may be possessed with an indelible memory of our redemption , and obtain a sweet medicine for an everlasting safeguard against the venom of the devil.
(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1845], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus XX, Sermo II. De Exodi Lectione Secundus, Col. 860). Here Trans. (J. H. Treat, The Catholic Faith; Or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome Contrary to Scripture and the Teaching of the Primitive Church, [1888], pp. 211). Here
Augustine, Bishop of Hippo (c. 354 - 430 A.D.): More Here
It may be also understood in this way: “The poor ye will have always with you, but me ye will not have always.” The good may take it also as addressed to themselves, but not so as to be any source of anxiety; for He was speaking of His bodily presence.
(Philip Schaff, NPNF1, Vol. VII, Lectures or Tractates on the Gospel According to St. John., Tractate L.13). Here
The Lord Jesus, in the discourse which He addressed to His disciples after the supper, when Himself in immediate proximity to His passion, and, as it were, on the eve of depriving them of His bodily presence while continuing His spiritual presence to all His disciples till the very end of the world,
(Philip Schaff, NPNF1, Vol. VII, Lectures or Tractates on the Gospel According to St. John., Tractate XCII.1). Here
Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria (c. 378 - 444 A.D.): More Here
For although He is absent in the flesh, after having shown Himself to the Father for our sakes, and having sat down at the right hand of the Father, yet He dwells in those who are worthy, by the Spirit, and is ever present with the saints: for He promised that He would not leave us orphans.
(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1859], Patrologiæ Græcæ, Tomus LXXIV, S. Cyrilli Alexandrini Archiep., In Joannis Evangelium, Lib XI, xvi,16, Col. 453, 456). Here Trans. (J. H. Treat, The Catholic Faith; Or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome Contrary to Scripture and the Teaching of the Primitive Church, [1888], pp. 211-212). Here
The blessed disciples thought the absence of our Saviour would be a great Ioss to them, forsooth in the flesh (for nothing prevents Him from being present as God to whom He will): but they thought that no one could save them after that Christ was taken up into heaven, etc. …But although they were wise and fathers, and the lights of the world, we have no scruple in saying that they ought not only to look to the carnal presence of our Saviour Christ, but to understand that though He be separated from their presence according to the flesh, and though He be not seen by bodily eyes; yet that He is ever present and always assistant by the power of His Divinity, they ought by all means to understand. …Wherefore, since Christ is at the same time God and man, the disciples ought by all means to understand that, although He be absent bodily, He has not wholly deserted them, but is always present by the ineffable reason of His divine power.
(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1859], Patrologiæ Græcæ, Tomus LXXIV, S. Cyrilli Alexandrini Archiep., In Joannis Evangelium, Lib XI, xvii.12,13., Col. 517). Here Trans. (J. H. Treat, The Catholic Faith; Or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome Contrary to Scripture and the Teaching of the Primitive Church, [1888], p. 212). Here
Gelasius, Of Cyzicus (c. 5th Century A.D.): More Here
Here likewise let us not look humbly upon the bread and cup set before us upon the holy table, but lifting up our minds, let us understand by faith that the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, lies upon that table, immolated in a bloodless manner by the priests; and receiving His precious body and blood, believed them to be the symbols of our resurrection.
(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1860], Patrologiæ Græcæ, Tomus LXXXV, Gelasii Cyziceni, Historia Concilii Nicæni, Lib. II, Cap. XXX, Col. 1317). Here Trans. (J. H. Treat, The Catholic Faith; Or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome Contrary to Scripture and the Teaching of the Primitive Church, [1888], p. 213). Here
Fulgentius, Bishop of Ruspe (c. 462/67 - 527/33 A.D.): More Here
One and the self-same Christ of mankind was made a man, compassed in a place, who of his father is God, without measure or place. One and the self-same person, as concerning his man's substance, was not in heaven when he was in earth, and forsook the earth when he ascended into heaven; but, as concerning his godly substance (which is above all measure), he neither left heaven when he came from heaven, nor he left not the earth, when he ascended into heaven; which may be known by the most certain word of Christ himself, who to shew the placing of his humanity, said to his disciples: ‘I ascend up to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ Also, when he had said of Lazarus that he was dead, he added, saying: ‘I am glad for your sakes, that you may believe. For I was not there.’ But to shew the unmeasurable compass of his divinity, he said to his disciples: ‘Behold, I am with you always unto the world's end. Now, how did he go up into heaven, but because he is a very man, contained within a place? Or how is he present with faithful people, but because he is very God, being without measure?
(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1847], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus LXV, S. Fulgentii Episcopi Ruspensis, Ad Trasimundum, Lib. II, Cap. XVII, Col. 265). Here Trans. (Thomas Becon, The Catechism of Thomas Becon, S.t.p. Chaplain to Archbishop Cranmer, Prebendary of Canterbury, &c., Ed. John Ayre, [Cambridge University Press, 1844], p. 278). Here
Cæsarius, Bishop of Arles (c. 468/70 - 542 A.D.): More Here
And on this account, because He was about to bear away the body which He had assumed from our eyes, and convey it to the stars, it was necessary for Him to consecrate for us upon this day the Sacrament of His body, that that might be continually honored by a mystery, which was once offered for a price; that, because redemption ran daily and without wearying for the salvation of men, the oblation also of redemption might be perpetual, and that the victim might live ever in memory, and might be always present in grace; truly a unique and perfect victim, to be estimated by faith, not by outward appearance; to be valued not by exterior sight, but by interior aspect.
(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1862], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus LXXXIII, Ad S. Isidori Hispalensis Opera Appendices, Append. XII, Sermones, Sermo IV, De Corpore Et Sanguine Domini In Pascha, § 2, Col. 1225). Here Trans. (J. H. Treat, The Catholic Faith; Or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome Contrary to Scripture and the Teaching of the Primitive Church, [1888], p. 213). Here See Also: (Corpus Christianorum: Series Latina, Volume 101, [Typographi Brepols, 1953], p. 196). Here
Primasius, Bishop of Hadrumetum (c. 6th Century A.D.): More Here
Our Saviour God gave us an example, that as often we do this, we may have in mind that Christ died for us all. Therefore we call it the body of Christ, that when we remember this, we may not be ungrateful for His grace; just as if any one dying should leave to him whom he loves some pledge, which as often as he shall after his death, can he restrain his tears, if he perfectly loves him?
(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1847], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus LXVIII, Primasii Adrumetani Episc., In Epistolam I Ad Corinthios Commentaria, Cap. XI, Col. 534). Here Trans. (J. H. Treat, The Catholic Faith; Or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome Contrary to Scripture and the Teaching of the Primitive Church, [1888], p. 214). Here
Gregory I [Gregory the Great], Bishop of Rome (c. 540 - 604 A.D.): More Here
Christ is not here by the presence of his flesh, and yet is he absent nowhere by the presence of his majesty.
(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1857], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus LXXVI, Sancti Gregorii Magni, Homiliarum In Evangelia, Lib. II, Homilia XXI, [Habita ad populum in basilica beatæ Mariæ virginis, die sancto Paschæ], § 4, Col. 1171). Here Trans. (Thomas Becon, The Catechism of Thomas Becon, S.t.p. Chaplain to Archbishop Cranmer, Prebendary of Canterbury, &c., Ed. John Ayre, [Cambridge University Press, 1844], p. 274). Here
Bede, the Venerable (c. 672/73 - 735 A.D.): More Here
He, after his resurrection going up into heaven, forsook them corporally, which notwithstanding never failed them concerning the presence of his divine majesty.
(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1850], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus XCIV, Bedæ Venerabilis, Sect. I, Homiliæ, Lib. II, Hom. Genuinæ, Homilia XI (In Vigilia Pentecostes), Col. 190). Here Trans. (Thomas Becon, The Catechism of Thomas Becon, S.t.p. Chaplain to Archbishop Cranmer, Prebendary of Canterbury, &c., Ed. John Ayre, [Cambridge University Press, 1844], p. 275). Here
But the man who, having set out on a journey, left his house, is doubtless Christ, Who, ascending to the Father after the resurrection a victor, left the Church bodily, which yet he never left destitute of the protection of His Divine presence, remaining in it all days, even unto the end of the world.
(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1850], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus XCIV (Tomus Quintus), Bedæ Venerabilis, Sect. I, Homiliæ, Lib. III, Hom. Subdititiæ, Homilia LXXX (In Festo Confessorum Quarta), Col. 470). Here Trans. (J. H. Treat, The Catholic Faith; Or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome Contrary to Scripture and the Teaching of the Primitive Church, [1888], pp. 214-215). Here
Alcuin, of York [Flaccus Albinus Alcuinus], Abbot of Marmoutier Abbey (c. 735 - 804 A.D.): More Here
But God did not leave those whom man abandoned; and the same Christ is both God and man. Therefore He departed by that which was human, and remained by that which was Divine; He departed by that which was in one place, and remained by that which was divine.
(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1863], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus C, B.F. Albini Seu Alcuini, Exegetica. Comment. In Joan., Lib. VI, Cap. XXXV, Col. 939). Here Trans. (J. H. Treat, The Catholic Faith; Or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome Contrary to Scripture and the Teaching of the Primitive Church, [1888], p. 215). Here
Rabanus Maurus, Archbishop Of Mainz (c. 780 - 856 A.D.): More Here
But after that time is fulfilled, when Christ, going to the heavens, departed by His bodily presence,
(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1864], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus CVII, B. Rabani Mauri Archiep. Mogunt., De Clericorum Institutione, Lib. II, Caput XXI, Col. 336). Here Trans. (J. H. Treat, The Catholic Faith; Or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome Contrary to Scripture and the Teaching of the Primitive Church, [1888], p. 215). Here
Sedulius Scottus [Sedulius the Younger] (c. 9th Century A.D.): More Here
'Do this in remembrance of Me.' He left to us His remembrance; just as if any one, setting out on a journey, leaves to him whom he loves some pledge, that as often as he sees it he may call to mind his kindnesses and friendship, since he, if he perfectly love him, cannot behold it without great grief and weeping.
(J. P. Minge, Patrologiæ Cursus Completus, [1851], Patrologiæ Latinæ, Tomus CIII, Sedulii Scoti, Collect. In Epist. I Ad Cor., Cap. XI, Col. 151). Here Trans. (J. H. Treat, The Catholic Faith; Or, Doctrines of the Church of Rome Contrary to Scripture and the Teaching of the Primitive Church, [1888], p. 215). Here
~ Soli Deo Gloria
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