Article VI The Sacrament of the Altar

[1] Of the Sacrament of the Altar, we hold that the bread and wine in the Supper are Christ’s true body and blood. These are given and received not only by the godly but also by wicked Christians [1 Corinthians 11:29–30].

[2] We do not hold that only one kind of the Sacrament is to be given (e.g., the bread alone). We do not need that “high reasoning” that teaches there is as much under the one kind as under both, as the sophists and the Council of Constance teach. [3] Even if that were true, giving the one kind only is not the entire ordinance and institution commanded by Christ [Galatians 1:9]. [4] We especially condemn and in God’s name curse those who not only refuse to give both kinds but also quite tyrannically prohibit, condemn, and blaspheme giving both kinds as heresy. In doing so, they exalt themselves against and above Christ, our Lord and God.

[5] As for transubstantiation, we care nothing about the sophistic cunning by which they teach that bread and wine leave or lose their own natural substance so that only the appearance and color of bread remain, and not true bread. For it is in perfect agreement with Holy Scriptures that there is, and remains, bread, as Paul himself calls it, “The bread that we break” [1 Corinthians 10:16] and “Let a person … so eat of the bread” [1 Corinthians 11:28].