We believe that in the Lord’s Supper the bread and wine are Jesus Christ’s true, substantial body and blood, the same body and blood born of Mary, that suffered and died on the cross, was raised from the dead in glory and ascended into heaven. By feeding us with Christ’s body and blood, God grants us the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation and unites us to Himself. (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
Our churches teach that the body and blood of Christ are truly present and distributed to those who eat the Lord’s Supper. They reject those who teach otherwise (Augsburg Confession, article 10)
For this reason, we go to the Sacrament: there we receive such a treasure by and in which we gain forgiveness of sins. Why so? Because the words stand here and give us this. Therefore, Christ asks me to eat and drink, so that this treasure may be my own and may benefit me as a sure pledge and token. In fact, it is the very same treasure that is appointed for me against my sins, death, and every disaster. (Large Catechism: Part 5, paragraph 22)