Reasons for the Use of Wine in Communion
Adapted from Pastor Jack Lash, Why We Use Wine In Communion
We at Christ Community Church in Frisco serve wine, along with grape juice, during our Communion time each week giving everyone the option to partake in the element that best aligns with their personal conviction or preference. We recognize that some prefer wine in keeping with the traditional observance of the Lord’s Supper while others prefer grape juice due to cultural, health, or personal reasons.
History reveals that the use of grape juice for communion is a relatively modern practice. Historically, all branches of the Christian church used wine for the sacrament. In the late 19th century, as concerns over drunkenness grew, many Protestant churches in America switched to grape juice. With grape juice being so common in churches, some may find our practice unusual (though, from a historical perspective, it’s actually the use of grape juice that is the “odd” practice). Perhaps it’s worth reflecting on why we chose to serve wine in the Lord’s Supper.
Wine in the Bible:
First and foremost, history reveals that wine has been a stumbling block for humanity since the time of Noah in Genesis 9 (and probably even earlier). Scripture contains many warnings about the misuse of wine (e.g., Prov. 20:1; 23:29-35; 31:4-5; Deut. 21:18-21; Luke 21:34; Rom. 13:13; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Eph. 5:18). However, the Bible doesn’t condemn the moderate use of wine, despite what some may teach. The three Hebrew words for wine (which clearly refer to fermented wine — see Prov. 23:31; Hos. 4:11; Isa. 49:26) are sometimes used in the Old Testament to show the positive role of wine:
- Psalm 104:15: "He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and vegetation for the labor of man, so that he may bring forth food from the earth, and wine which makes man’s heart glad."
- Deuteronomy 14:23: "You shall eat in the presence of the Lord your God... the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the firstborn of your herd."
- Joel 3:18: "The mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk."
These Hebrew terms are translated into Greek as OINOS in the New Testament, which is the same word used in Eph. 5:18, where Paul writes, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."
Jesus Himself sanctified the use of wine when, at the wedding in Cana, He turned water into wine (OINOS). If Jesus wasn’t ashamed to serve wine at a wedding, why would He hesitate to serve it at the Lord’s Supper — a sacrament that foreshadows the ultimate wedding feast of the Lamb, where wine will be served (Luke 22:18)? As Isa. 25:6 says, “On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine — the best of meats and the finest of wines.”
Wine at the Last Supper:
It seems clear that Jesus used wine during the original Lord's Supper. The Gospels describe the Last Supper as a Passover meal, and wine was a traditional part of the Passover feast. When Jesus took the cup, it was a cup of wine. Afterward, He said, "From now on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes" (Luke 22:18), indicating that the drink He had just used was indeed wine. It seems fitting that we continue using the same elements in the Lord’s Supper that Jesus used when He instituted it.
Wine as a Symbol of Fellowship and Celebration:
At the time, wine was a common symbol of fellowship, which is part of what the Lord's Supper represents for us. It’s also a symbol of celebration. The wine of Passover celebrated God’s deliverance of His people from Egypt. Jesus’ reference to not drinking wine again until the kingdom comes (Luke 22:18) points to the future celebration of our glorification. In the same way, wine in the Lord’s Supper is a celebration of the victory Christ won for us on the cross.
Wine as a Symbol of God’s Judgment:
Wine also symbolizes God’s judgment in the Bible. Several passages use drunkenness as a picture of divine wrath:
- Psalm 75:8: "In the hand of the Lord is a cup full of foaming wine mixed with spices; he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to its very dregs."
- Isaiah 51:17: "You who have drunk from the hand of the Lord the cup of His wrath."
- Jeremiah 25:15-29: Describes God giving all nations "the cup filled with the wine of my wrath."
- Revelation 16:19: “God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath.”
Wine in these passages represents the consequences of sin and rebellion, and this imagery ties into the suffering Jesus endured on the cross. In Matt. 26:39, Jesus prays, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me." He’s referring to the "cup" of God’s wrath that He was about to bear. It’s hard to imagine that the cup in the Lord's Supper, which represents Jesus' blood, isn’t meant to remind us of the cup of God’s wrath that He took upon Himself for us.
Thus, the wine in communion carries a dual symbolism: it’s both a symbol of Christ’s victory over sin and a reminder of His suffering for our sins. The fermentation process of wine seems tied to this imagery — it’s not just the wine itself but what it represents, including the suffering Christ endured.
Wine in the PCA Constitution:
Our practice aligns with the teachings of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), which is guided by the Westminster Confession of Faith. According to the Confession (XXIX, #6), the elements of the Lord’s Supper — "bread and wine" — are to be used to represent Christ’s body and blood. The PCA Book of Order (58-5) also upholds the use of wine in communion.
A Lesson about the Goodness of God’s Creation:
Serving wine in communion also offers an opportunity to teach an important biblical principle: “Everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving” (1 Tim. 4:4). Wine is a good gift from God, but like any gift, it can be abused. The Bible warns against drunkenness, but it never condemns moderate drinking. We must avoid rejecting things simply because their misuse is dangerous. The Bible calls us to enjoy God’s gifts responsibly, with gratitude.
Conclusion:
In light of Scripture, denominational teachings, and church history, it seems consistent for us to serve wine in the Lord's Supper. While grape juice may be a more common practice today, serving wine is not only the historical norm, but also rich in symbolic meaning tied to both the victory and the suffering of Christ. Thus, we serve wine and grape juice in communion giving everyone the option to partake in the element that best aligns with their personal conviction or preference.