Catholics believe that during the Mass, when the priest speaks the words of consecration, the bread and wine truly become the body and blood of Jesus, even though they still look and taste like bread and wine. This is called transubstantiation, meaning “change of substance.” Catholics see communion, which they call the Eucharist, as a sacrament that conveys grace. Many Protestants instead see it as a memorial and ordinance that celebrates grace received by faith.
What Is Transubstantiation?
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the substance, or underlying reality, of the bread and wine changes into the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus. What Catholics call the “accidents,” like appearance, texture, and taste, remain the same. This is why Catholics speak of the “Real Presence” of Christ in the Eucharist and why they treat the consecrated bread with deep reverence.
Catholics point to Jesus’ words at the Last Supper, “This is my body,” and to his teaching in John 6, where he spoke about eating his flesh and drinking his blood.
John 6:53-55 Jesus said to them, “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.”
Catholics read this passage literally. Many Protestants note that Jesus often used vivid metaphors, calling himself the door, the vine, and the light, and that later in the same chapter he said “the Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing” (John 6:63). They read “eating” and “drinking” as a picture of believing in Jesus and depending on him completely. Either way, it’s worth respecting that Catholics hold this belief out of a sincere desire to honor Jesus’ words.
It’s also fair to clarify what Catholics don’t believe. Official Catholic teaching doesn’t say Jesus is sacrificed again at each Mass. It describes the Mass as making present the one sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Understanding that helps keep conversations charitable and accurate. For a broader look, read What’s the Difference Between Catholics and Protestants?
The Memorial View of Communion
Protestants hold several views on communion. Lutherans believe Christ is truly present “in, with, and under” the bread and wine, and many Reformed Christians believe Christ is spiritually present as believers receive by faith. Many evangelical churches, including PursueGOD, hold what’s often called the memorial view. In this view, communion is about remembering Christ’s sacrifice for our sins.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Notice the repeated phrase “in remembrance of me.” Communion is a powerful act of remembering. As we eat and drink, we look back to the cross, we look inward as we examine our hearts, and we look forward to Jesus’ return as we “proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” Remembering isn’t a weak or empty thing. It’s a Spirit-led moment to honor Jesus and ask how we can follow him more closely every day. For more on this, check out What Is Communion?
Sacrament or Ordinance?
Underneath the debate about what happens to the bread and wine is a bigger question about how God’s grace reaches us. In Catholic teaching, communion is a sacrament, a sacred rite through which God gives grace, administered through the church. Catholics often point to Jesus’ words to Peter about building his church and giving him the keys of the kingdom (Matthew 16:18-19) as the basis for the church’s authority.
Many Protestants describe communion as an ordinance, something Jesus commanded his followers to practice, which celebrates grace rather than dispensing it. The concern is that if grace flows mainly through church rites, then a church or priest stands between a person and God’s grace. The Bible teaches that grace is a gift we receive by faith.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.
Paul is clear that salvation is “not by works” but by grace through faith. Communion is a meaningful act of obedience and worship, but it doesn’t earn God’s favor or make us right with him. Jesus has already done that work completely.
Jesus Is Our Only Mediator
This is ultimately why the conversation matters. The New Testament presents Jesus as our great high priest who offered himself once for all and now intercedes for us personally.
Hebrews 7:24-25 …but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Because Jesus lives forever and intercedes for us, we don’t need a person, church, or ritual to mediate on our behalf. We can approach God directly through Christ. That’s a beautiful freedom. When you take communion, you aren’t trying to receive grace you lack. You’re celebrating the grace Jesus has already given, and remembering the one who gave his body and blood for you.
The Takeaway
Catholics believe about communion that the bread and wine become Jesus’ actual body and blood, a sacrament that conveys grace. Many Protestants see communion as a memorial and ordinance. Either way, the Bible is clear that we’re saved by grace alone through faith in Jesus, our one and only mediator.
