Is the Communion Host always the body and blood of Christ your Lord?

Answer 1

ANSWER:

Yes, the body and blood of Christ are all that is symbolized in Communion.

ANSWER:

No. Among religions there are variations between what is called Transubstantiation (the physical conversion of the host and wine to the physical body and blood of Christ), and Consubstantiation, which postulates that the nature of the Christian Eucharist, in concrete metaphysical terms, that the fundamental "substance" of the body and blood of Christ are present alongside the substance of the bread and wine, which remain present.

In the 14th century, a religious movement known as Lollardy, who affirmed a form of consubstantiation, believed that the Eucharist remains physically bread and wine, yet spiritually the body and blood of Christ. This changed following the Reformation.

Eastern Catholic, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox Churches, and the Assyrian Church of the East, all agree that in a 'valid' Divine Liturgy, the bread and wine truly and actually become the body and blood of Christ. They've refrained from any philosophical speculation, and usually rely on the status of the doctrine as a "Mystery," something known by divine revelation that could not have been arrived at by reason without revelation.

In the Anglican Church (Church of England), during the reign of King Henry VIII, the official teaching was identical with the Roman Catholic Church's doctrine. As early as 1707, the Church of England began to accept some aspects of Protestant theology and rejected transubstantiation.

HM, Queen Elizabeth I, as part of the Elizabethan Religious Settlement, gave royal assent to the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, which sought to distinguish Anglican from Roman Church doctrine. The Articles declared that "Transubstantiation (or the change of the substance of Bread and Wine) in the Supper of the Lord, cannot be proved by holy Writ; but is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture, overthroweth the nature of a Sacrament, and hath given occasion to many superstitions." Therefore, according to the Articles, "What cannot be found in Holy Scripture or proved thereby", and are not unanimous in the interpretation of such passages as John, Chapter 6, and 1 Corinthians 11 are not valid.

Consequently, some Anglicans, particularly Anglo-Catholics and High Church Anglicans, accept transubstantiation. Most Anglicans, however, do not. Today, Church of England clergy are only required to assent that the 39 Articles have borne witness to the Christian faith.

Protestant denominations have not generally subscribed to belief in transubstantiation or consubstantiation. Many of the Protestant denominations believe that the Lord's Supper is a merely symbolic act done in remembrance of what Christ has done for them on the cross.

The Assemblies of God - an Evangelical Protestant church - Holy Communion, or "The Lord's Supper, consisting of the elements--bread and the fruit of the vine--is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4), a memorial of His suffering and death, and a prophecy of His suffering and death (1 Corinthians 11:26).

Protestant denominations, such as Methodists and Presbyterians, profess belief in the Real Presence, but offer explanations other than transubstantiation.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, (Mormons), does not believe in literal transubstantiation, but rather that the bread and wine (or bread and water, as is used in the LDS church) are simply symbolic of Jesus Christ's sacrificial Atonement for mankind.