Eucharist
Origins and History
The Eucharist, also known as Holy Communion, is a Christian rite that is considered a sacrament in most churches, and as an ordinance in others. According to the New Testament, the rite was instituted by Jesus Christ during the Last Supper; giving his disciples bread and wine during the Passover meal, Jesus commanded his followers to "do this in memory of me" while referring to the bread as "my body" and the wine as "my blood".
Theological Interpretations
The Eucharist is a complex topic with a variety of theological interpretations across different Christian denominations. These interpretations can be broadly categorized into three views: the memorial view, the real presence view, and the spiritual presence view.
Memorial View
The memorial view, also known as the symbolic view, is held by many Protestant denominations, such as Baptists and Anabaptists. Adherents of this view see the Eucharist as a symbolic reminder of Christ's death and resurrection.
Real Presence View
The real presence view is held by the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Church, and some Anglican and Lutheran churches. This view holds that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist, but the manner of his presence varies. The Roman Catholic Church teaches the doctrine of transubstantiation, that the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. The Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Church, and some Anglican and Lutheran churches affirm the real presence of Christ, but do not define how this happens.
Spiritual Presence View
The spiritual presence view is held by most Reformed Protestants, who believe that the Eucharist is a means of grace through which the believer partakes spiritually in the body and blood of Christ.
Liturgical Practice
The liturgical practice of the Eucharist varies widely among Christian denominations. The Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church celebrate the Eucharist in the context of the Mass or Divine Liturgy. In Protestant churches, the Eucharist may be celebrated within a variety of liturgical contexts, from highly formal services to informal gatherings.
Eucharist in the Early Church
The practice of the Eucharist in the early Christian Church is a matter of scholarly debate. It is generally agreed that the practice of the Eucharist evolved from the Jewish tradition of the Passover meal, which Jesus and his disciples would have been celebrating at the Last Supper.