INTRODUCTION
A. Perhaps, only a handful know the word " transubstantiation " and its meaning.
1.Many are NOT aware that believing a LIE will spell their eternal and spiritual destiny.
2. What does the Bible say about this strange word and dogma? Let us know the truth, John 8:32.
B. This lesson will be treated as follows:
1. Transubstantiation Defined
2. Source of Transubstantiation Dogma
3.Results of Believing A False Dogma
4. Christian Duty to the Deceived and the Lost
DISCUSSION
A.Transubstantiation Defined.
1. Literal meaning " change of a substance from one form to another."
2." Conversion of the substance of the eucharistic elements into the literal body and blood of Christ at the consecration and blessing of the priest," affirmed during the Fourth Lateran Council, 1215
3. Transubstantiation is from the Latin " transubstantiatio,"and from the Greek " metousiosis."
4. Teaches " the change of the whole substance of bread into the substance of the Body of Christ and the whole substance of wine into the substance of the Blood of Christ."
5. This change is brought about in the eucharistic prayer through the efficacy of the word of Christ and by the action of the Holy Spirit.
6. The manner in which the change occurs is a MYSTERY : the signs of the change of the bread and the wine surpass understanding.
7. The dogma, in effect aims at
- safeguarding the literal truth of Christ's presence while
- emphasizing the fact that there is NO change in the empirical appearances of the bread and wine
B. Source of Transubstantiation Dogma
1. Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper or the Communion, on the night before His crucifixion.
2. Physically alive, Jesus used metaphor ( figurative language ) when He spoke of the Bread as His body and the Wine as His blood
3. The Catholic church relied on Ignatius of Antioch of Syria, 2nd Century AD who wrote " I want the Bread of God which is the Flesh of Christ..and for the drink, I want His blood," ( Letter to the Romans, Chapter 7 )
4. The Catholic Church teaches that the bread literally and physically becomes the Body of Christ to be eaten as a " sacrament of grace."
5. John Calvin believed that " there is a literal and spiritual reality of Christ's presence in the Supper, and not only a physical reality."
6. But Martin Luther, a priest and professor turned Protestant Reformer later wrote " Christ's human body is itself present in the Supper and in the Eucharist ( giving of thanks )
7. It is OBVIOUS that the source of the Transubstantiation Dogma is NOT the Bible but the IDEAS of men.
C.Results Of Believing A False Dogma
1. Believing a false doctrine is believing Satan, the father of lies, John 8:44
2. Transubstantiation is clearly a human dogma, a lie which can be traced to its real author Satan, himself.
3. It is twisting, misapplying or misunderstanding Jesus' words in John 6:53-56
" ...Except you eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh, and drinks My blood, has eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, dwells in Me and I in Him."
4. The real meaning of Jesus' words is " that the consequences of putting one's faiith in Jesus- believing in Him- are the same as " eating His flesh and drinking His blood."
- This is a strong, even extreme metaphor for faith.
- FF Bruce said " To believe in Christ is not only to give credence to what He says, but to be united to Him by faith, to participate in His life."
5. Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 " ...God sends them a powerful delusion that they will believe the LIE and so that ALL will be condemned who have NOT believed the TRUTH but have delighted in wickedness."
6. In Revelation 22:15, we read " outside are dogs, sorcerers, sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and whoever loves and practices falsehood.
7." The righteous have access to the Tree of Life and may go through the gates of the city," Rev.22:14
D. Christian Duty to the Deceived and the Lost
1. Jesus Christ as the " Son of Man came to seek and save the lost, " Luke 19:10
2.And He gave His life as a RANSOM for many, Matthew 20:28; John 3:16
4. Before His ascension to heaven, Jesus gave the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20
5. We must not be " ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes," Romans 1:16
6. Winning souls to Christ is fulfilling the Great Commission and is a sign of love, John 14:15
7. Those who will not believe the gospel will be punished when Jesus returns, 2 Thessalonians 1:18
8. " When I say to the wicked, ' you will surely die and you give him not warning..to save his life, the same wicked man shall die in his sin: but his blood will I require at your hand," Ezekiel 3:18
CONCLUSION
A. If you are ONE among many who have been deceived about the dogma on " transubstantiation," now is the time to believe the truth.
1. John 17:17 " Sanctify them in Your Truth, Your word is Truth."
2. Jesus invites you to come to Him for spiritual rest, Matthew 11:28-30
3. Believe and be baptized to be saved, Mark 16:16
4. Repent and be baptized to be forgiven of your sins and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:38
5. Now is the time, today is the Day of Salvation, 2 Corinthians 6:2