D W Supporter

Some folks object to drinking fermented wine, others have allergies to grape juice. The wine might be fermented, or it might be just juice. One could conduct a survey of the churches in a city, of course.

October 20 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Ezekiel Kimosop

Nowhere in scripture have we been commanded to drink blood in the celebration of the Lord's Table.

Jesus commanded his followers to celebrate the Supper in commemoration of his atoning death and resurrection. The Table is one of the only two divine sacraments that Jesus left for us, the other being baptism of disciples.

The use of wine or bread is merely symbolic and does not in any way amount to a physical act of eating Jesus' body or drinking His blood. I am aware that some churches teach unscriptural doctrines on this sacrament so that much confusion has arisen as to its object and meaning.

No amount of prayers can turn wine into the actual blood of Christ or the bread into his actual body because the blood was shed once and for all and the body was crucified once at Calvary. 

The correct biblical position is to treat the elements as symbols of His divine grace. This does not suggest that the occasion is not to be a solemn one. Indeed it must be because Paul proclaims in 1 Corinthians 11:23-27 (KJV):

"For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. {in...: or, for a remembrance} After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. {ye do...: or, shew ye} Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord."

There is no magic surrounding the Table but we must honor it in the same way that we revere His presence because He is spiritually present with us as we celebrate.

Therefore, whether we use wine or juices, bread or corn meal, these are all symbols or elements. The Table exclusively belongs to believers who have a saving faith in Christ and are partakers of His heavenly communion. 

It must never be celebrated by other people or for other purposes than to glorify His name in this manner. The Table also demonstrates our unity in the Lord as His redeemed as we look forward to our eternal union with Him in the presence of God.

July 31 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report