Fragments from the Lost Writings of Irenæus

Those who are familiar with the secondary constitutions of the apostles under Christ know that the Lord established a new offering in the new covenant, as declared by Malachi the prophet. For, “from the rising of the sun to its setting, my name is glorified among the Gentiles, and in every place, incense is offered to my name, and a pure sacrifice;” as John also states in Revelation: “The incense is the prayers of the saints.” Furthermore, Paul urges us “to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” And again, “Let us offer the sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of our lips.” These offerings are not according to the law, which the Lord removed by canceling it, but are according to the Spirit, for we must worship God “in spirit and in truth.” Therefore, the offering of the Eucharist is not physical but spiritual, and in this respect, it is pure.

For we offer to God the bread and the cup of blessing, thanking Him for commanding the earth to produce these fruits for our nourishment.

Then, after perfecting the offering, we invoke the Holy Spirit, so that He may make this sacrifice—both the bread as the body of Christ and the cup as the blood of Christ—so that those who receive these symbols may obtain forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Those who perform these offerings in remembrance of the Lord do not align with Jewish practices, but by performing the service in a spiritual manner, they are called sons of wisdom.