I’m a little confused and wondered if you guys can help. Clerics gain the spell ‘Inflict Wounds’ at L1.
The spell states ‘Make a melee spell attack against a creature you can reach.’ 

Does this mean that an opposing creature takes the melee weapon damage plus the necrotic damage as it says ‘melee spell attack’? 

Thanks Jim

You aren’t hitting them with a weapon, melee just means it’s close range.

You make a melee spell attack (using your wisdom+proficiency) to land the touch, which makes them take the necrotic damage.

Ah brilliant, thank you for clarifying this. I wasn’t sure. 

thanks again