[HiTech RedNeck]

The early Church took John 6 literally. In fact, there is no record from the early centuries that implies Christians doubted the constant Catholic interpretation. There exists no document in which the literal interpretation is opposed and only the metaphorical accepted.

With all due respect, Crazy Evangelicals disagree for good reason: the very early Jewish nature of the church which quickly switched over to a Gentile nature as the Jewish community officially soured on Christianity. Pressure from Pharisees was heavy and weak Jewish Christians really didn't like being split off from their families. The major power passed to Gentiles who had no such traditional bonds to overcome. However... PASSOVER customs from back then CLEARLY treat all elements as metaphorical. And, the symbolic communion WORKS... spiritual renewal rededicating them to the exaltation of Jesus Christ can be sensed by sincere participants. Unless Christ is so flexible that He will transsubstantiate into skeptical Baptists' bread and grape juice, something else is happening here.

[SoothingDave]

However... PASSOVER customs from back then CLEARLY treat all elements as metaphorical. And, the symbolic communion WORKS... spiritual renewal rededicating them to the exaltation of Jesus Christ can be sensed by sincere participants. Unless Christ is so flexible that He will transsubstantiate into skeptical Baptists' bread and grape juice, something else is happening here.

The Passover was metaphor. It was foreshadowing. It is realized on the Cross and at the Altar.

Baptists and Protestants obviously gain some blessing by being sincere and by being gathered in His Name.

But no, there is no transsubstantiation going on and there is no ordinary, sacramental transmission of grace.