Denial of real presence and judgment
Are people who don't believe in the real presence in Communion condemned to hell? It is hard for me to believe that my very devout daughter-in-law who is Methodist is going to hell because the church that she is a member of doesn't believe in the real presence. I have always felt that it is your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior that is your way to heaven.
The King James Version translated 1 Corinthians 11:29 this way: “For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” “Damnation” was the translation of a Greek word that can mean “judgment” or “condemnation,” depending on the context. The “condemnation” can also be eternal, if the context speaks of God sentencing people to hell.
The context of 1 Corinthians 11:29 does not speak of eternal consequences, so the “damnation” of the King James Version spoke too strongly and led to confusion over the years.
It is certainly wrong and sinful when people “eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ,” but it is not a sin that automatically and instantly condemns people to hell. People who “eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ” can bring judgment or condemnation of another kind into their lives. 1 Corinthians 11:30 lists some temporal judgments of God that the Christians in Corinth brought on themselves by “eating and drinking without discerning the body of Christ.”
The Bible teaches that Jesus’ body and blood are present in, with and under the bread and wine in Holy Communion. The earthly elements do not symbolize Jesus’ body and blood. The earthly elements do not turn into Jesus’ body and blood, so that the earthly elements disappear. No matter what the subject matter might be, it is sinful to change or deny what God says in his word. Any sin is serious and needs our attention by way of confessing sins to God and then receiving his forgiveness in faith.
As you noted, faith in Jesus Christ saves (Mark 16:16). Only Jesus is Savior (John 14:6).