Bible Questions & Answers Archive 

 
Which Is Right to Use, Grape Juice or Real Wine?
By Dr. Max D. Younce
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 Question 

Some churches use grape juice for the Lord's Supper, or Communion, and some use real wine. Which is right?

 Answer 

This question has been asked by many and God's Word gives the answer. In Proverbs 20:1 we are told concerning strong drink..."Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."

According to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, "wine" here is the Hebrew "yayin" and is "fermented wine." Since God warns against the use of fermented wine, our Savior would not then serve it at the Last Supper. Matthew (26:29), Mark (14:25), and Luke (22:18) all refer to the drink used at the Last Supper as "the fruit of the Vine," which is grape juice, not fermented wine.

Notice in Matthew 26:27-29, "And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it." (V.26). This symbolized His blood that was to be shed upon the cross for you and I. "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." (V.27). His life that He was about to give as a ransom for our sins was not intoxicating, but "a sweet-smelling savour" symbolized by the sweet fruit of the vine (grape juice.)

This is further substantiated by the prohibition of drinking fermented wine by the priests serving in the Tabernacle of the Lord in Old Testament. This is made clear in Leviticus 10:9,10 (also refer to Ezekiel 44:21)

"Do not drink wine (fermented, same Hebrew word as "wine" in Proverbs 20:1) nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations:"

"And that ye may put a difference between holy (sweet grape juice) and unholy (fermented wine), and between unclean and clean."

No, fermented wine to be used in the church.

It is amazing how many practices are performed, clothed with a religious atmosphere; BUT, diametrically opposed to the clear teaching of God’s Word. Notice the warning in Leviticus 10:9, "lest ye die". How dead and empty human philosophy, religion, and tradition leave a person; BUT, the Christian is alive by adhering to the Word of God!