Memorialism
Theological position of certain Christian denominations / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Memorialism is the belief held by some Christian denominations that the elements of bread and wine (or juice) in the Eucharist (more often referred to as "the Lord's Supper" by memorialists) are purely symbolic representations of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, the feast being established only or primarily as a commemorative ceremony. The term comes from the Gospel of Luke 22:19: "Do this in remembrance of me", and the attendant interpretation that the Lord's Supper's chief purpose is to help the participant remember Jesus and his sacrifice on the Cross.
This viewpoint is commonly held by General Baptists,[1][2] Anabaptists,[3] the Plymouth Brethren,[3] many Restorationist[3] denominations (such as Jehovah's Witnesses),[4][5][6] and some Non-denominational Churches,[7] as well as those identifying with liberal Christianity.
It is rejected by other branches of Christianity, including the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Oriental Orthodox Church, the Church of the East, the Methodist Churches, the Lutheran Churches, the Independent Catholic Churches, and the Reformed Churches (inclusive of the Continental Reformed, Anglican, Presbyterian, and Congregationalist traditions),[8][9][10] all of which variously affirm the doctrine of the real presence.[11][12]