This is a very old question that Christians continue to debate to this day. In fact, different views on the eucharist—or communion—are often a hallmark of doctrinal difference among Christian denominations.
Catholics believe in transubstantiation—that the bread and wine literally transform into Jesus’ body during communion. Denominations such as Lutherans and Eastern Orthodox believe in consubstantiation—that Christ’s real body and blood are present alongside the bread and wine. Most other Protestant denominations believe that the eucharist is primarily symbolic and a sacrament that serves to remind us of Christ’s sacrifice and atonement for our sins.
It’s also interesting to note that, after feeding the 5,000, Jesus made the claim, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them” (John 6:53-56).
Also noteworthy, after Jesus makes these statements, the Scripture tells us, “On hearing it, many of his disciples said, ‘This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?’”
Whatever your or your church’s view on whether Jesus meant for us to literally or symbolically eat his flesh and drink his blood, there is undoubtedly an element of holy mystery in the sacrament of the eucharist.
What is your view? Read more and join the discussion HERE.
These are 10 much-debated topics among Christians from all walks of life today. We’d love to hear from you on these issues. Please join us on Crosswalk Forums for a discussion of these topics and many others relevant to the Body of Christ.
Photo credit: Unsplash/JamesColeman
Veronica Olson Neffinger is a Content Editor for Salem Web Network. When she is not writing or editing articles, you can find her listening to baseball games, enjoying the outdoors, reading, or engaged in some form of home or garden care. She lives in Richmond, VA with her husband and two young sons.
