 by Gary Gilley, 5/4/19
During the formative days of the Reformation, when Martin Luther and Huldrych Zwingli were at the height of their influence, they came together to discuss some of the theological differences that had surfaced between the various leaders of the movement. As they sat down to hammer out these matters they would check off doctrine after doctrine in which they were in basic accord. The two men were in agreement concerning salvation by God's grace through faith alone, that the Scriptures were the only authoritative revelation from God, and the issues of eternal life. As a matter of fact, they could join hands over virtually all the essential beliefs - what have been termed the non-negotiables of the faith. The discussion came down to one final issue that of the Lord's Table. Zwingli went first, laying out a very detailed formation of his understanding of this particular doctrine. In the meanwhile Luther sat at the other end of the table in silence, seemingly doodling on the table. When Zwingli was done, Luther pulled back the tablecloth to reveal a simple statement which he had written. It simply read, "This is My body." In Luther's mind, this quote from Jesus disproved everything Zwingli had said. As a result, the Reformation was splintered. | 
