Mr Coon,
One of the every thing I enjoy is to share Scripture and discussion with other Christians and your statement on this matter is spot on "You need both faith and works. One without the other doesn't work." James 2: 14-26
Faith Without Works Is Dead14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Isn't wonderful when we read it in its entirety, one must admit it gives a much better understanding.
John 20: 19-23
The Apostles Commissioned
19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
As you can clearly see, these are powers that were directly given from Jesus to the apostles, and it does not say anything that about powers Jesus gave to the apostles would be extended to anyone in succession. There were other powers given to the apostles, even to bring back the dead and other restorative powers, but again none of us do possess them.
John 6: 47-51
47 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50 This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.”
As we read this, we can clearly see that Jesus is making a comparison, even to the manna, which the Father Himself gave to the Hebrews. God Himself condemned the eating of many different types of flesh, especially to of one that He created in His own image, and drinking of blood was forbidden by God in any form.
Here is what Luke 22 : 15-20
15 And He said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
16 for I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17 And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
18 for I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
19 And He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, Ex. 24.6-8 which is shed for you.
Matthew 26: 26-28
26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
This are the words, which the Living God who gave His life for us all, has commended us to do as we replicate these commandments. You can clearly see that in any of these commandments, Jesus the Christ sent by God, does not say anything about angels to take the bread and wine to the altar on High before the Father that they may become the actual flesh and blood of Christ.