Subject: Juice/wine poll results? |
Bible Note: Dear Jensen, Greetings in Jesus' name! Trust, my friend, I will not give it too much thought. :-) The 'cup' is referred to as the 'fruit of the vine.' Maybe it's just me, but the alcohol content has never been an issue. I have used the fermented kind and the unfermented kind, to the same effect before Christ (I believe). As to the history, I would guess that the move toward using non-alcoholic grape juice is linked to the teetotalist attitude of many churches. Maybe someone else has some insight about this? As to Cola and Cookies, I find this irreverent. (not blasphemeous :-)) I imagine that to be absolutely 'correct,' we would need to use unleavened bread. I have eaten crackers, wafers, cubed bread, unleavened bread, and whole loaves of white bread. All these would seem acceptable as a 'loaf,' though I prefer to physically break it among one another. On a similar vein, we have the problem with using one cup (or several) and sharing it, or using individual cups (washable or disposable). If we 'seek the Holy Grail,' we should use one cup, and share it, no matter how many attend the service. If we think that the the person handing you the cup is important, then it doesn't matter how many cups are used, as long as the minister, elder or brother is sanctified. If the focus is 'in remembrance of Me,' then even the individual cups are valid. One of the practical issues is the (almost manic) worry about hygiene that is popular today. Personally, I am confident that the Lord would protect us during the Lord's Supper, but some might fret, and not want to drink 'after so-and-so.' Therefore, because I believe that our heart toward God is the intention, I use disposable cups. Jensen, I know that some of the 'quirks' of the churches are hard to understand. Some of it may be viewed as hypocrisy, but from a bit more merciful (and balanced!) vista, maybe we are trying to make church obey common sense and wise (not selfish) compromise. Indeed, the balance between legalism and irreverent or licentious behavior is an issue that each local church must answer before God. Thank you for your patience with this verbose preacher. :-) In Christ Jesus, charis |