No. Transubstantiation is unbiblical and unreasonable. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the doctrine states that the bread and wine’s substance changes, but their appearance remains the same. Very few doctrines so strongly separate Catholics and other Christians as this one. It was not part of Christian dogma until adopted in 1215 at the Fourth Lateran Council. It is unbiblical because the emblems of the Lord’s Supper are symbolic. Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of Me.” It’s a metaphorical remembrance, not the literal body and blood of our Lord. Transubstantiation requires ignoring this clear teaching for the harmony of Scripture.
The proofs for this teaching depend on a literal interpretation of John 6:48-66. This dogma creates biblical contradictions: 1) invalidating God’s law in drinking blood (Leviticus 3:17; 17:14; Deuteronomy 12:23); 2) ignoring salvation by grace with faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 9:11; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5); and 3) ignoring the once-for-all-time sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:28; 1 Peter 3:18).
In the first contradiction, those defending transubstantiation explain it as a mystery of God. But God does not contradict His own law. God cannot sin, and sin is transgression of the law. In other words, God will not do those things that defy Himself.
In the second contradiction, those defending the doctrine explain the necessity of consuming Jesus Christ for life, but they fail to embrace the truth that consuming Christ results in living forever. Instead, according to devotees to transubstantiation, some may eat and still reach hell.
The third contradiction disavows the biblical precept of the once-for-all-time sacrifice of Jesus Christ and requires the repeated sacrifice of His body each time communion is taken.
At least annually, every member in the Church of God (Seventh Day) should commemorate Jesus’ death in remembrance, not crucify Him afresh.
The Church of God’s position on this is stated in This We Believe (p. 83):
The significance of the Lord’s Supper memorial is found in the meaning assigned to its emblems. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Paul all agree that the bread is a symbol of Jesus’ body and that the cup is a symbol of His blood (see John 6:53-58). “Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup,” Jesus instructed them, “you will proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. Do this in remembrance of Me” (paraphrase of Luke 22:19, 20 and 1 Corinthians 11:24-26).
Obedience to symbolic ordinances pleases God. Among those are the Lord’s Supper and baptism. Does it seem consistent with Holy Writ to exhort that one’s salvation is secured by water baptism or taking communion with the bread and fruit of the vine? Some teach it is, but we think such teaching is inconsistent with Scripture.
In the context of the passage that some believe teaches transubstantiation, Jesus says, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). Jesus’ words are not literal, nor is our eating of His flesh material. Both are to be spiritually understood.
— Elder Chip Hinds
