Exploring Catholicism: Transubstantiation of the Eucharist

 

Aannnd....were back at is again. Transubstantiation of the Eucharist is a topic that can provoke a disagreement even among Protestants. There is some among us who cling to a representative approach of the Eucharistic elements, and others who hold that transubstantiation actually happens.

Transubstantiation? What's that? 

This is mostly for newer Christians, but Transubstantiation is the belief/ knowledge that when the Priest/Pastor blesses the Eucharistic elements, the bread and the wine actually becomes the body and blood of Christ. 

The divide is primarily among Protestants, which certain sects have disagreements of whether or not the Eucharist becomes/transforms into the actual body and blood of Christ. 

What's the source of this disagreement? 

It is the repulsion to the idea that Christ is being sacrificed repeatedly, each time the Eucharistic blessing is done. If this is the case, we have an instance where we make a complete mockery of Christs' work on the cross - that His singular death wasn't good enough, and we must re-sacrifice Him repeatedly over and over again. 

This is problematic when you look at it this way...or is it? 

Not really - Let's compare scripture on this matter. Consider this:

‘The one who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink' John 6:54-55, NASB

And also this:

'And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' Luke 22:19, NASB 1995

It is in these two passages that show us the following:

1. Jesus Himself saying that His flesh and blood are true food and drink 
2. Jesus Himself saying that we should do communion in remembrance of Him.
3. That, Not only in John 6:54-55, but in several other places we can see that one needs to eat the flesh and blood of Jesus to have eternal life - and this is done through communion.

Therefore, it is logical to show from this that the Eucharistic bread and wine must actually transform (or transubstantiate) into the flesh and blood of Jesus. Interesting, isn't it?

This doesn't answer the question above though - Are we re-sacrificing Christ each and every time that communion is held? As a Protestant, I can see how this would be problematic - and I hope that you can to!

The answer to this question is relatively simple - We are not re-sacrificing Christ with every communion!

"but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD," Hebrews 10:12, NASB

One sacrifice, for all time. The Church can never legitimately claim a re-sacrifice. So what really happens then?

It is through the Eucharist the a Christian can participate in the original sacrifice of Jesus. In a sense, one is not 're-sacrificing' Christ, so much as the Eucharist is 'becoming' a part of Christs original sacrifice, which happens when the Eucharistic bread and wine is blessed and transubstantiated.

Quite amazing - that Christians can participate in the same practice that has been done for millennia, and by extension participate in the literal same communion!

What do you think? Do you hold that transubstantiation really happens? Comment below!

This a post in a series, Exploring Catholicism. Previous posts include Apostolic Succession, and Praying to saints?

Interested in Christianity? The Gospel in a Nutshell can be a good place to start! And Church of course : )