Bread and Wine and the Communion Service
Christians worldwide still follow this basic teaching of Jesus by celebrating what is commonly known as "breaking bread", "Communion" or "Eucharist"
However if you visit many different churches you will find a great variety of "breads" and "wines" in use.
Here we look at what Jesus would likely have used in the first ever communion service.
Breaking Bread As Jesus Taught
Jesus used bread and wine. They would have been products that were commonly available at the time.
I believe it is perfectly acceptable to use bread and wine that is commonly available today. However I do believe they should be products that are universally accepted as being bread and wine.
I do not agree with the practice of many churches that are using fruit juice instead of wine. Wine is fermented fruit juice. Putting anything other than fermented fruit juice into a bottle and labelling it "communion wine" does not change it into wine.
Your Views on Bread and Wine Substitutes
I have learnt a lot by listening to others and I have had to change my views on certain issues when I have been shown that I have been in error.
Whether you think I'm right or whether you think I'm wrong; I would love to hear your opinion.
Should we only use bread and wine to take communion or are other substitues acceptable?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes, always stick with bread and wine.
dc64 says:
Maybe some close substitutes are acceptible, but since this is a symbolic reenactment of the last supper, I think going too far outside the basic ingredients is not very representative.
Posted August 18, 2008
PositiveChristian says:
It is clear in the Bible that bread and wine were used. If we always use bread and wine we will always be scripturally correct.
If we substitute other foods we may be in error. I see no good reason to deviate from scripture.
Posted July 30, 2008
No, it is perfectly acceptable to substitute other foods.
spirituality says:
Since I'd say the bread and the wine aren't likely to be exactly like the original 'bread' or the original 'wine' - why not be liberal and just let each use what they please?
Posted August 07, 2008
Forgiven says:
Hello brother! What an intriguing lens! I like it, sparking curiosity that leads to a discussion of Christ is a winner in my opinion... as long as it doesn't become an out of hand distraction.
This is just my opinion and nothing more, I feel it doesn't matter what liquid you use as long as your heart and your mind understands what you are doing and you are remembering the savior and what He did for us all. There was a time when common people were not allowed to participate in communion. It was said that only someone of nobility could appreciate the meaning of what the bread represented. They would not even allow a single crumb to fall on the floor. I take the kids up front for communion but only after I know they understand what it represents. I think what makes communion special is what has been lost over the years repetition. Maybe this lens will ignite passion in the hearts of those who will make it a holy practice once more in local churches.
5 Stars and an Amen form me!
Posted July 31, 2008
The Bread
Here is one possible recipe;
Wholemeal Flour (one cup per standard sized pitta)
Water.
Olive oil (one tablespoon per standard sized pitta) - this is optional
Salt (to taste) - this is optional
Put the flour into a large mixing bowl
Add the salt (if required)
Stir in the olive oil (if required)
Gradually add small amounts of water stiring until the ingredients form into a dough.
Stop adding water before the ingredients become sticky.
Shape the dough into flat ovals or circles.
Place onto a floured baking tray.
Put into the oven on a medium heat and cook until a crust forms.
Lightly brown under the grill if required.
The Wine
If you buy the cheapest bottle of red wine, and mix it with 1 part water to 1 part wine, you will have a wine far superior but probably as close as you can get to what Jesus used.
The other alternative is to make your own wine, but this is far beyond my area of knowledge.
Your Comments
Whether you like what you have read or if you disagree with what I have written, I would love to hear from you.
HZ4EVER wrote...
I have been searching for information about the wine in JESUS' time. I believe it was weaker, not like it is today. GOD'S WORD says we are not to be drunk with wine. It would br difficult to be affected if the wine was from the first pressing.This makes sense to me. If the wine was watered down that would explain the acceptability of it.
THANK YOU!
This is a great lens!
Posted March 03, 2009
plonker wrote
okii (strange!!!!!) [in reply to PositiveChristian]
Posted February 22, 2009
PositiveChristian wrote...
in reply to george Personally I would feel very uncomfortable in a situation where tea and biscuits were being used for communion, and I would not feel able to take part.
Posted January 15, 2009
george wrote
do you think that you could use tea instead of wine and biscuits instead of bread in holy communion?
Posted January 15, 2009
Other Websites about the Communion Service.
- The Joke's Still on Me: Separation of Church and Alcohol Never Ends
- A light hearted look at the Communion Service and the substitution of fruit juice.
