Explain how Luther's understanding of the Eucharist differed from that of the Catholic Church.

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Explain how Luther’s understanding of the Eucharist differed from that of the Catholic Church (10 marks)

The dictionary definition of Eucharist is that it is “a sacrament and the central act of worship in many Christian churches, instituted at the Last Supper and in which bread & wine are consecrated and consumed in remembrance of Jesus’ death.” ()

Luther believed that a person could be justified by faith and this led him to reject the Lord’s Supper as a sacrifice. He thought that refusing to offer the chalice to the congregation denied them from what the wine signified as he stated that Christ’s blood is given so that everyone’s sins may be forgiven, Luther wanted the laity to receive both the bread and the wine. He rejected the Lord’s Supper as a sacrifice.  Luther believed in consubstantiation, which is that the substance of the body and blood of Jesus coexist with the substance of the bread and wine in the Eucharist. Luther saw the mass as a sacrifice of thanksgiving.  

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In the Catholic Church the Eucharist is celebrated regularly (each Sunday). The service will include hymns, readings and prayers. The Catholic services focuses upon the act of Communion. Catholics continue to use the bread and wine in remembrance of Jesus. The wine is usually mixed with water that could symbolise the mingling of Jesus Christ and his people. The only people who are allowed to have both the bread and the wine are the priests. Within the Church, the Eucharist has many different names including Mass, Holy Communion and Lord’s Supper. Catholics believe in transubstantiation; this is the belief ...

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