Why do some churches use alcoholic wine for communion ?

Question

Instead of using non-alcoholic wine or grape juice?

Answer 1

Wine was widely drunk in Jesus' time, and is referred to in the Bible. While some people claim that the Bible is referring to grape juice, I have not met any scholars in either Greek or Hebrew that believe that.

While the Bible has several unpleasant things to say about drunkenness, it does not forbid the use of alcoholic beverages.

Some churches arrange that people taking Communion have a choice, and some strictly use grape juice.

One religious scholar pointed out to me that the statement was "whenever you eat or drink", not "whenever you eat unleavened bread or drink wine", so a valid argument could be made that Communion could be held using cookies and milk.

If using grape juice instead of wine brings you closer to God, or helps you avoid temptation, then that's what you should do. For others, the symbolism of wine is important, and brings them closer.

Answer 2

In the Bible the term "Fruit of the vine" was used for the last supper indicating unfermented grape juice was probably used. There are at least 10 different Greek and Hebrew words used in the Bible, each with different meanings, that were all translated into the generic word "Wine".

During the Last Supper they were still under the Law of Moses and observing the passover. The Law of Moses dictated nothing that can ferment can be allowed, the entire house was to be swept clean. I think this was because of the symbolism of purity was required. Those who broke this law were punishable by death so I believe their bread and wine were unfermented at the last supper.

This does not mean fermented wine is evil per se... only "wine in excess" and drunkeness is condemned. Jesus drank fermented wine with the sinners which the Pharisees rebuked him for.

Many churches use fermented wine because they have not researched the original Greek or Hebrew words enough to know the difference and assume the word "wine" always means fermented. Even if they do know they are often so hidebound by tradition they would refuse to change even if they knew it was wrong because it would cause so much contention.

Other churches like the Utah Mormons use water which totally loses the spiritual symbolism of the "blood of Christ".

BTW there are dictionary references that list unfermented grape juice as wine.

Answer 3

Yeast was to be removed from houses at Passover but the Bible doesn't speak of fermented wine in the same way. The churches that use wine instead of grape juice do so because they believe that they are more accurately obeying the command of Christ regarding communion.

Answer 4

For Catholics, the use of alcoholic wine is a mandate of Canon Law. In order to validly celebrate the Sacrament, unleavened bread and wine must be used. This is mostly due to the fact that when Christ instituted the Eucharist, he used those two elements and transformed them into his Body and Blood.

Answer 5

Because non-alcoholic wine is just grape juice.

Answer 6

Truthfully known if 100% grape juice is left uncovered for around 30 minutes in room temperature it is considered to have begun fermintation by some Rabbi's and deemed worthy (Kosher ) for passover, or in a Christians case, Communion.
I know from experience.
Blessings

Answer 7

Because Jesus Christ, as explicitly stated in the Bible, used wine for the Last Supper. TO maintain the integrity of the ritual, churches use unleavened bread and WINE.

Answer 8

You actually drink such a tiny little bit of the wine (or dip the bread in the glass), that I don't think it should matter whether it's alcoholic. Even for children.

Answer 9

Why not use alcoholic wine? What's wrong with that?

Answer 10

No reason, just tradition. Jesus said "fruit of the vine". Both wine and plain grape juice are "fruit of the vine".