Communion and Wine

In association with communion and communion meditations, please remember that the Bible never associates the word wine with communion:

• Some people choose not to drink wine. Guests in particular might want to know that it is grape juice and not wine. Wine can cause people to stumble and we are instructed to avoid that (Romans 14:21).
• The Bible specifically avoids associating wine with communion. The Bible always talks about “the cup” or “fruit of the vine” when talking about communion (Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:23-25, Luke 22:17-18, 1 Corinthians 11:26-28).

During communion medications, please be respectful of guests and what the Bible says. Please do not add words to the Bible such as “wine” in association with communion. God would have used a word that could be translated to wine if it were any way important.

We know that the cup represents Jesus’ blood (e.g., John 6:53-58). We also know that Jesus’ body did not see decay (Acts 13:37). Something fermented such as wine, rotten fruit of the vine, cannot represent Jesus’ blood. The Passover bread itself was unleavened (Exodus 12:8) representing haste for the Exodus (Exodus 12:11) and also Jesus’ body for this Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7-8).

Jesus himself did not drink alcoholic wine. We know this because Jesus was sinless (Hebrews 4:15), even in the context of the Old Testament (Matthew 5:17-18): kings of Israel were instructed not to drink wine (Proverbs 31:4-5) and Jesus was King of Kings (e.g., 1 Timothy 6:14-15).

Jesus did not drink alcoholic wine since he was also high priest (Hebrews 4: 14) and his body the temple (John 2:19-21). Priests were instructed not to drink wine when they enter the tabernacle or inner court (Leviticus 10:9, Ezekiel 44:21). Jesus fulfilled this part of the Bible too.