The Meaning of Bread and Wine in Communion — A Christian Explanation
- Elisabeth H. Drew
- Dec 31, 2025
- 10 min read
Updated: Jan 8
Communion remains one of the most meaningful yet sometimes confusing practices in Christianity. Many believers wonder what the bread and wine truly represent, especially when different churches explain Communion in different ways. Some teach that the elements are symbolic, others speak of a spiritual presence, and some believe the bread and wine become Christ’s body and blood.
When these views are mixed together without explanation, confusion follows. This post explains Communion clearly by separating Evangelical Christianity, Protestant denominations, and Catholic and Orthodox traditions, while also addressing why Christianity may appear confusing from the outside and why it is not actually divided.
In this post, The Meaning of Bread and Wine in Communion — A Christian Explanation, readers will discover the biblical foundation of Communion, the different ways Christians understand the bread and the wine, and why these differences do not divide Christianity but reflect distinct theological traditions centered on Christ.
The Biblical Foundation of Communion
Communion, also called the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist, originates from Jesus’ final meal with His disciples before His crucifixion. During this meal, Jesus took bread and wine and instructed His followers to remember Him through this act.
Luke 22:19–20 He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.”Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
Across all Christian traditions, Communion points to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, His death for sins, and the new covenant established through His blood. While interpretations differ, the foundation remains Christ and the cross.
Evangelical Christian Understanding — Symbolic Remembrance
Evangelical Christianity emphasizes a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ, the authority of the Bible as God’s Word, and salvation by grace through faith alone. Evangelicals focus on the gospel message, repentance, new life in Christ, and living out faith through obedience to Scripture rather than church tradition or ritual systems.
Evangelical Christians understand Communion as a symbolic act of remembrance. The bread and the wine do not change in substance. They serve as visible reminders of Christ’s body and blood given for salvation.
1 Corinthians 11:26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
In Evangelical theology, Communion does not convey grace through the elements themselves. Salvation and forgiveness come through faith in Christ alone. Communion is an act of obedience that proclaims His finished work on the cross and strengthens faith.
Why Protestantism Must Be Explained Carefully
Evangelicals are part of Protestantism, but Protestantism is not a single belief system. All Protestant denominations share a common foundation: trust in God’s Word as the highest authority, rather than church tradition or human doctrine.
Mark 7:8 “For you set aside the commandment of God, and hold tightly to the tradition of men.”
All Protestants reject the idea that the bread and wine physically become Christ’s body and blood. Where they differ is in how they understand Christ’s presence during Communion. These differences are theological distinctions, not divisions in faith, and they exist within a shared commitment to Scripture as the final authority.
Protestant Communion View — Memorial / Symbolic
This view teaches that the bread and wine are symbols used to remember Christ’s death and resurrection.
Hebrews 10:12 But he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God.
John 6:63 It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life.
The emphasis is on remembrance, proclamation, and obedience rather than Christ being present in the elements.
Baptist Churches
Baptist churches are Christian churches that emphasize the authority of the Bible, personal faith in Jesus Christ, and individual responsibility before God. A defining belief of Baptist theology is that faith must be a personal decision, which is why Baptists practice believer’s baptism rather than infant baptism. Baptists place Scripture as the final authority for belief and practice rather than church hierarchy or ritual systems.
Baptist churches hold a memorial understanding of Communion. The bread and the cup symbolize Christ’s body and blood and remain unchanged.
1 Corinthians 11:24–25 He gave thanks and broke it, and said, “Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me.”In the same way he also took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.”
Communion is practiced as an act of remembrance, self-examination, and faith.
Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches
Pentecostal and Charismatic churches emphasize a vibrant, experiential Christian faith centered on the active work of the Holy Spirit. They believe the Holy Spirit is still at work today in powerful ways, including spiritual gifts such as prayer for healing, speaking in tongues, prophecy, and expressive worship.
These churches place strong emphasis on personal faith in Jesus Christ, transformation through the Holy Spirit, and living out the Christian life with boldness and dependence on God, while holding Scripture as the ultimate authority for belief and practice.
Pentecostal churches generally hold a symbolic understanding of Communion. While Pentecostal worship emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit, Communion itself is not believed to involve a physical or mystical transformation of the elements.
John 6:35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will not be hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”
Communion is viewed as a moment of reflection, thanksgiving, and renewed faith.
Non-Denominational Churches
Non-denominational churches are Christian churches that are not formally tied to a specific denomination such as Baptist, Methodist, or Presbyterian. Their goal is often to focus on the Bible itself rather than denominational traditions, emphasizing a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
These churches typically place strong emphasis on Scripture as the final authority, salvation by grace through faith, personal discipleship, and living out the teachings of Christ in everyday life. Worship style and church structure may vary, but the theological foundation is rooted in the authority of God’s Word rather than church hierarchy or historical ritual systems.
When it comes to Communion, many non-denominational churches follow a memorial or symbolic view, often influenced by Evangelical theology. The bread and the cup are understood as symbols that point believers to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Communion is practiced as a time of gratitude for salvation, personal reflection, and unity among believers, rather than as a sacrament that conveys grace through the elements themselves.
Protestant Communion View — Spiritual Presence (Not Physical Change)
Some Protestant traditions teach that Christ is spiritually present during Communion while the bread and wine remain physically unchanged.
1 Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, isn’t it a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, isn’t it a sharing in the body of Christ?
This view is commonly found in Reformed, Presbyterian, some Anglican traditions, and Lutheran churches, though Lutherans express this belief with unique theological language. Christ is understood to be present by the Holy Spirit, nourishing believers spiritually.
Catholic Understanding — Transubstantiation
The Catholic Church teaches that during the Mass, the bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ, even though they continue to appear as bread and wine. This teaching is called transubstantiation.
John 6:53 Jesus therefore said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you don’t have life in yourselves.”
Catholic theology emphasizes sacramental grace and includes structured rituals, priesthood, and traditions that developed over time. While Catholics believe in Christ as Savior, their practice places strong emphasis on church authority and sacramental systems.
Orthodox Understanding — Mystical Real Presence
The Eastern Orthodox Church teaches that the bread and wine truly become Christ’s body and blood through the work of the Holy Spirit, without defining how this transformation occurs.
1 Corinthians 11:29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he doesn’t discern the Lord’s body.
Orthodox theology emphasizes mystery, reverence, ancient liturgy, and continuity with early Church traditions.
Why This Matters
Understanding the meaning of Communion matters because it shapes how Christians relate to God, Scripture, and one another. When beliefs about the bread and the wine are misunderstood or mixed together, confusion can replace confidence, and tradition can unintentionally overshadow faith.
For Christians, clarity helps ensure that Communion always points back to Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross, rather than to the elements themselves or to human explanations. While traditions differ, Scripture consistently teaches that salvation and forgiveness come through faith in Christ, not through rituals.
Romans 10:17 So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
For those outside Christianity, differences in Communion practices can make the faith appear divided or overly complicated. In reality, Christians are united in their belief in Jesus’ death and resurrection. The differences lie in how remembrance and worship are practiced, not in who Christ is.
1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beg you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
When Communion is understood biblically, it becomes what Jesus intended: a reminder of His sacrifice, a proclamation of hope, and a moment of gratitude rooted in faith rather than confusion.
Why Some Christians Choose Not to Use Alcohol in Communion
Some Christians choose not to drink alcohol at all, including during Communion. This choice is rooted in biblical wisdom, personal conviction, and concern for spiritual clarity rather than legalism.
While the Bible does mention wine, it also contains many warnings about its misuse and its impact on judgment and self-control.
Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
Proverbs 31:4–5 It is not for kings, Lemuel; it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, “Where is strong drink?” lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
Scripture repeatedly shows that alcohol can impair discernment and decision-making. In the Old Testament, there are even accounts where wine led to serious moral failure.
Genesis 19:32–35 Come, let’s make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve our father’s family line… They made their father drink wine that night…
Because of passages like these, many Christians believe abstaining from alcohol is a wise and faithful choice.
Some people argue that because Jesus Christ turned water into wine, drinking alcohol must be acceptable. However, wine in biblical times was very different from modern alcoholic beverages. It was often diluted, unprocessed, and did not contain modern additives such as sulfites or the high alcohol levels common today.
More importantly, Communion is not about what is in the cup itself. It is about remembering Christ’s sacrifice.
Matthew 26:27–28 He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, “All of you drink it, for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.”
For this reason, many Evangelical and Protestant churches use grape juice or even water for Communion. This avoids alcohol altogether and removes barriers for those who struggle with addiction, health concerns, or personal conviction.
Communion is not a blood ritual, nor is it dependent on wine. It is a spiritual act of remembrance. Even without bread or juice, a believer can still honor Christ in faith.
John 4:24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
Communion ultimately points to Christ, not to the elements themselves. The power is not in the cup, but in what it represents.
Why Christianity Can Look Confusing from the Outside — And Why It Is Not
From the outside, atheists or followers of other religions may view Christianity as divided or overly complex. Multiple denominations, rituals, and theological terms can appear contradictory. In reality, Christianity is unified in its core beliefs.
All Christian traditions affirm:
Jesus Christ as Lord
His death and resurrection
Forgiveness of sins through Him
The differences lie in how worship and remembrance are practiced, not in who Christ is.
Catholic and Orthodox traditions emphasize structured rituals and traditions that developed historically, which can appear similar to Judaism in their focus on priesthood, liturgy, and sacred rites, though centered on Christ. Protestant Christianity emerged in response to these developments, emphasizing the authority of Scripture alone rather than man-made traditions.
Mark 7:8 “For you set aside the commandment of God, and hold tightly to the tradition of men.”
2 Timothy 3:16 Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness.
This distinction is about authority and practice, not division in faith.
Practical Ways to Practice Communion as Christians
Regardless of church tradition, Communion should always point believers back to Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
Christians can approach Communion by:
Reflecting on Christ’s sacrifice
Examining their heart and faith
Giving thanks for forgiveness and grace
Participating with reverence and humility
Remembering that salvation rests in Christ, not in the ritual itself
Communion is meant to strengthen faith, deepen gratitude, and remind believers of the hope found in Jesus.
Final Thoughts about The Meaning of Bread and Wine in Communion — A Christian Explanation
Christianity is not divided in its foundation. It is united in Christ. Differences in how Communion is understood reflect historical development, theological emphasis, and worship practice rather than disagreement about who Jesus is or what He accomplished on the cross.
Scripture reminds believers that unity is essential for all Christians, even when traditions differ.
Ephesians 4:3–6 being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all.
When these distinctions are clearly explained, confusion gives way to understanding. Communion then becomes what Jesus intended it to be: a remembrance of His sacrifice, a proclamation of the hope found in Him alone, and a shared moment of faith that points believers back to Christ rather than dividing them.
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