The Swiss Reformer Ulrich Zwingli maintained that the Lord's words, “This is My body” and “this is My blood,” were figurative. At an early stage in his Christian life, Zwingli had noticed the simple account of the Lord's table given in the Scriptures. He realized, however, that such a view would not be easily received by the superstitious people of his time. Therefore, he was careful not to declare this truth openly at first. Instead, he wrote privately to many of the influential people of Europe to spread the truth he saw in the Word. Then in 1525 he published his understanding of the Lord's table in a pamphlet, Concerning the True and False Religion, in which he pointed out the errors of the Roman Catholic Church on the subject. Soon afterward an opposing pamphlet was released, probably by one of Luther's followers, Against the New Error of the Sacramentaries. This led to a long debate of printed words between the Germans and the Swiss. During this time Oecolampadius, an intimate friend of Zwingli, also published a book on the Lord's table. He wrote in a proper Christian spirit and drew good arguments both from the Word itself and from the early church fathers. His book was very effective. It nearly convinced Erasmus, who wrote the following:

A new dogma has arisen that there is nothing in the Eucharist but bread and wine. To confute this is now a very difficult matter; for John Oecolampadius has fortified it by so many evidences and arguments, that the very elect might almost be seduced by it. [44]

An abusive reply to Oecolampadius's book was signed by fourteen German theologians, and the preface was written by Luther. Zwingli was deeply offended by the insults they offered to their brother Oecolampadius. From 1524 through 1529 Luther wrote so violently against the Swiss and so little against the Roman Catholics that Erasmus commented sarcastically, “The Lutherans are eagerly returning to the bosom of the church.” [45]