Theological Glossary
Six Christian traditions define Eucharist below — each in its own words, paraphrased from its official documents. These are attributed positions, not assertions of fact.
The Catholic Church teaches that in the Eucharist, Christ is truly, really, and substantially present — body, blood, soul, and divinity — under the appearances of bread and wine, which are changed by transubstantiation. It holds that the Mass is a true sacrifice, the re-presentation of Calvary, and the 'source and summit' of Christian life.
Source: CCC 1324, 1362–1381 ↗
The Orthodox Church teaches that in the Divine Liturgy the bread and wine truly become the body and blood of Christ — a holy mystery beyond full explanation, which it does not define by philosophical terms like transubstantiation. It holds that communicants partake of Christ himself for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
Lutherans confess that in the Lord's Supper the true body and blood of Christ are really present 'in, with, and under' the bread and wine, distributed and received by all communicants. They hold that this sacramental union is a mystery of faith, rejecting both transubstantiation and a merely symbolic interpretation.
Source: Augsburg Confession, Art. X; Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Art. VII ↗
The Reformed tradition teaches that in the Lord's Supper believers truly feed on Christ by faith, but spiritually — Christ's body remains in heaven while the Spirit lifts believers to commune with him. It holds that the sacrament is a memorial and seal of Christ's death, rejecting both transubstantiation and a bare-symbol view.
Baptists teach that the Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience in which members, partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate his second coming. They hold that it is a memorial ordinance — understood by Baptists as symbolic rather than as a sacrifice or a means of conveying grace.
Source: BFM 2000, VII ↗
Methodists teach that in Holy Communion Christ is spiritually present, and that the sacrament is a means of grace through which believers are strengthened and renewed. They hold an open table — all who seek to respond to Christ's love are welcome — and affirm the real, spiritual presence of Christ received by faith.
Source: Articles of Religion, Art. XVIII; UMC What We Believe ↗
See how the traditions compare on related topics: