Changes

In John 6, Jesus promises to His followers the Bread of Life, His flesh. (John 6:51)  When the Jews began to argue over how Jesus could give them His flesh, He responded by repeating the necessity of doing so: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, you have no life within you” (John 6:53).  When His disciples said “This is a hard teaching; who can follow it?” (John 6:60), Jesus allowed them to go and even asked His 12 apostles if they too would leave.  Catholics note that Jesus did not claim to be speaking symbolically or metaphorically when His disciples left, even though they seemed to take Him literally.  Thus, it is concluded, Jesus was speaking literally. Then, at the Last Supper when He said “This is my body” and “This is my blood,” He was fulfilling His literal promise made in John 6:51, according to Catholics, to give His followers His body and blood.

In John 6, Jesus promises to His followers the Bread of Life, His flesh. (John 6:51)  When the Jews began to argue over how Jesus could give them His flesh, He responded by repeating the necessity of doing so: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, you have no life within you” (John 6:53).  When His disciples said “This is a hard teaching; who can follow it?” (John 6:60), Jesus allowed them to go and even asked His 12 apostles if they too would leave.  Catholics note that Jesus did not claim to be speaking symbolically or metaphorically when His disciples left, even though they seemed to take Him literally.  Thus, it is concluded, Jesus was speaking literally. Then, at the Last Supper when He said “This is my body” and “This is my blood,” He was fulfilling His literal promise made in John 6:51, according to Catholics, to give His followers His body and blood.

As noted above, most Protestants do not dispute the fact that Jesus intended to give his body and blood to his followers. That is not the issue involved in the doctrine called "Transubstantation."

As noted above, most Protestants do not dispute the fact that Jesus intended to give His body and blood to His followers. Protestants maintain that Jesus' statements at the Last Supper were symbolic of His death to come, and were not meant to be taken literally. Therefore, they maintain that the Lord's Supper <ref>The term preferred by most Protestants, believing "Eucharist" and "Communion" to be Roman Catholic terms.</ref> is symbolic only and there is no actual change in the elements.

 

As to whether or not the Communion bread and wine cease to be bread and wine (i.e. Transubstantiation, a change-over of substance into another substance) while taking on the presence of Christ, Protestants maintain that there is no Biblical evidence which supports that speculation.

==In Roman Catholic theology==

==In Roman Catholic theology==