A saint recently had a question about wine in the Lords supper and to edify the body; you can see my email below with **** by my answer.
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The other question I had was to do with the Lord's Supper. I have been wondering why the word "wine" is never used in scripture in relation to the supper (but used freely elsewhere) but always fruit of the vine and cup. Maybe I'm going too far in that in just how scriptural our speech should be?
******* you are correct the word wine is not there in Matt 26 but we have the fruit of the vine used by Jesus right there in verse 29. and that is indeed wine or at least pre wine grape juice. It is stated in scripture that wine was often drank at meals and events even in the OT regarding sacrifices example : Exodus 29:40. Knowing God used wine in sacrifices and that they often drank wine at meals and Jesus uses the term fruit of the wine... I believe it is accurate to say the word wine regarding the Lords supper. Also later in 1 Cor 11 we see people getting drunk.... at the Lords supper so we know they used wine then as well.
Remember Jesus turned water into wine at his first miracle in John 2 and verse 10 talks of those who... have well drunk. They used alcohol wine back then, they did.
To be honest, my family is the total non alcoholic people
******* That is their liberty but they cannot prove this in scripture at all. I would never serve regular wine to a person who does not want it... to be clear.
and so I admit to being hard to separate the shame that comes with drunkenness and the partying lifestyle to say it could be had. I agree with you in the article you wrote that it cannot be said that alcohol is sinful in itself for believers from scripture and it certainly was around in Bible times...though surely in primitive methods. But that isn't my point, I wonder why scripture does not use the word wine ever in relation to the Lord's Supper and should we use the word when speaking of it?
***** Again, Jesus term...the fruit of the vine.... is wine.... I cant see anyway around that? Since wine was used in sacrifices doesn't it make sense Jesus brings it into the Lords Supper?
And we see the NT saints all drinking alcoholic wine in 1 Cor 11 as Paul warns about do not get drunk or be of too much wine in Titus.
Certainly I wouldn't be stumbled if you wanted to use some kind of alcohol in the Lord's Supper if we ever get to have it together but I don't want to myself or need to...only really because to me it has such a dark connection these days in our culture and so it might make me feel sinful I feel...though I'm sure it wouldn't be sin necessarily.
**** Amen and you have liberty to drink just grape juice ... that is the fruit of the vine as well of course. Just remember we are not defiled by things near us or around us or even in us ... lest they be used in extreme ways or wrongly. Would not the internet be viewed the same way yet... we both use it in purity?
Note: We do not regularly consume alcohol except for an occasional glass for ailment or for the Lords supper. Paul did tell Timothy to use wine for his stomach so it cant be sinful or bad amen? I do think people who take a non alcohol stance are not biblical as you cannot deny people drank wine that can get you drunk.... all over the scriptures.
This is mostly a Baptist teaching but scripture does not teach you cannot drink alcohol at all. It is a liberty issue indeed.
Drunken-ness is sinful not the alcohol. Here is my article on alcohol as I have dealt with that before:
( I plan to add a note in there about Jesus using wine in the Lords supper as well as in 1 Cor 11 )
I hope you understand what clarification I am looking for. It's certainly good to bring everything to the table to discuss.
**** Yes always bring them up and ask questions as you have done here. It is good to test all things. 1 Thes 5
I dont want you taking my teaching blindly but with wisdom and discernment always.
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God be praised
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