What is transubstantiation?

Answer

Transubstantiation is a doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines this doctrine in section 1376:

“The Council of Trent summarizes the Catholic faith by declaring: ‘Because Christ our Redeemer said that it was truly his body that he was offering under the species of bread, it has always been the conviction of the Church of God, and this holy Council now declares again, that by the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord and of the whole substance of the wine into the substance of his blood. This change the holy Catholic Church has fittingly and properly called transubstantiation.’”

In other words, the Roman Catholic Church teaches that once an ordained priest blesses the bread of the Lord’s Supper, it is transformed into the actual flesh of Christ (though it retains the appearance, odor, and taste of bread); and when he blesses the wine, it is transformed into the actual blood of Christ (though it retains the appearance, odor, and taste of wine). Is such a concept biblical? There are some Scriptures that, if interpreted strictly literally, would lead to the “real presence” of Christ in the bread and wine. Examples are John 6:32-58; Matthew 26:26; Luke 22:17-23; and 1 Corinthians 11:24-25. The passage pointed to most frequently is John 6:32-58 and especially verses 53-57, “Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the truth, 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 … 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 him … so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.’”

Roman Catholics interpret this passage literally and apply its message to the Lord’s Supper, which they call

It is known as the “Eucharist” or “Mass.” Those who deny the concept of transubstantiation interpret Jesus’ words in John 6:53-57 figuratively or symbolically. How can we determine which interpretation is accurate? Fortunately, Jesus made it abundantly clear what He meant. John 6:63 states, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” Jesus explicitly stated that His words are “spirit.” Jesus used physical concepts, such as eating and drinking, to convey spiritual truth. Just as consuming physical food and drink sustains our physical bodies, our spiritual lives are saved and nourished by spiritually accepting Him, through grace by faith. Eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking His blood symbolize fully and completely receiving Him in our lives.

The Scriptures affirm that the Lord’s Supper is a commemoration of the body and blood of Christ (Luke 22:19;1 Corinthians 11:24-25), not the literal consumption of His physical body and blood. When Jesus spoke in John chapter 6, He had not yet celebrated the Last Supper with His disciples, during which He established the Lord’s Supper. To impose the Lord’s Supper / Christian Communion onto John chapter 6 is unjustified. For a more thorough discussion of these matters, please refer to our article on the Holy Eucharist.

The primary reason transubstantiation should be dismissed is that the Roman Catholic Church regards it as a “re-sacrifice” of Jesus Christ for our sins, or as a “re-offering / re-presentation” of His sacrifice. This directly contradicts Scripture, which states that Jesus died “once for all” and does not require to be sacrificed again (Hebrews 10:10;1 Peter 3:18). Hebrews 7:27 proclaims, “Unlike the other high priests, He (Jesus) does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when He offered Himself.”

“And then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins ONCE for all when He offered Himself.”