Question 78: Are the bread and wine changed into the real body and blood of Christ?
Question 78: Are the bread and wine changed into the
real body and blood of Christ?
Answer: No. Just as the water of baptism is not
changed into the blood of Christ and does not itself wash away sins, but is
merely a symbol and assurance given by God, so the bread of the Lord's Supper,
although it is called the body of Christ in the nature and terminology of the
sacrament, is not changed into the real body of Christ.
The bread symbolizes the body of Jesus
Christ. Breaking the bread represents his death on the cross, and eating the
bread symbolizes receiving the resurrected body.
The wine symbolizes Jesus' blood and the
water of life. The pouring of the cup symbolizes Jesus' shed atoning blood, and
the lifting of the cup symbolizes the cup of blessing, symbolizing the unity of
the bride and groom. Therefore, this cup becomes the water of eternal life that
enters the kingdom of God. Matthew 26:29, "But I tell you, I will not
drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it
new with you in my Father's kingdom."
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