Not only has the use of wine become controversial today but the use of the common cup as well. Modern Evangelical revisionists are no less innovative than modern liberals when it comes to the issue of using wine and the common cup for the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Ironically, some Presbyterians are rediscovering both the use of wine and the common cup as the following lead in to a report to the Synod of the Reformed Presbytery In North America indicates:
Click here to read the entire report: The Common Cup: Evaluated From A Biblical, Historical, and Medical Perspective
The goals of the Presbytery in submitting this report have been: (1) Faithfulness to God and His inspired Word; (2) Consistency with our Subordinate Standards and other historical testimony; and (3) Edification to all members under the inspection of the Reformed Presbytery In North America who commune together around the Lord’s Table. The Presbytery realizes that this report is merely a summary of our judgment on the common cup, and that there may be certain matters that have not been specifically or fully addressed herein. Such questions, concerns, or objections will be handled graciously and expeditiously as they are directed in an orderly manner to the Presbytery.
The practice of using a common cup at the Lord’s Supper has become obsolete in Reformed and Presbyterian Churches for the most part, and, thus, to speak of resurrecting the practice may seem to some a mere novelty or innovation. A dispassionate consideration of the biblical testimony must be the supreme rule by which we judge all doctrine professed and all worship practiced (“Let God be true, but every man a liar” Romans 2:4). As in all such discussions, we encourage the reader to avoid hasty conclusions, to submit the argumentation presented in this report to the scrutiny of Scripture, and to appeal to the Lord through prayer that He might bring us all to one mind in the matter of the common cup.
Click here to read the entire report: The Common Cup: Evaluated From A Biblical, Historical, and Medical Perspective
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Conclusion From The Biblical Testimony
The weight of evidence provided by these biblical arguments is (in our judgment) conclusive, and demonstrates that a single cup of wine was used by Christ and the apostles in the Lord’s Supper, was commanded by Christ to be divided among the communicants at the same table, was authorized by Christ to symbolize our communion in truth and love, and was, therefore, instituted by Christ for the benefit of His church until He returns.
From the same article above....
3. The Presbytery might administer grape juice in individual cups to those who are former alcoholics or who are allergic to alcoholic beverages while administering wine in a common cup to all others seated around the Lord’s Table.
Response: However, to begin to make changes in the elements for a few would over time likely lead to the removal of the common cup from all those sitting around the Lord's Table, as the desire for individual cups increased. For there might be some who are served grape juice (i.e. the former alcoholic and those with allergies to alcohol), and yet others who are served apple juice (i.e. those with allergies to any grape product), and still others who are served wine in their own individual cups (i.e. those who fear contracting a contagious disease). The effect of such an accommodation would be to impose permanently (rather than temporarily) the use of multiple cups at the Lord’s Supper (so that an exception becomes the general rule). Such a practice would have the effect of losing sight of the sacred symbol of the common cup altogether. Such a practice would also become a practical nightmare in seeking ways to remember who was suppose to receive what type of cup and with what in the cup.
I attended a PCA church today where only grape juice was offered.
The frog is in the kettle and the water has been boiling for a long time. Unfortunately when revisionists and Pharisees introduce moral laws not found in Scripture the vast majority of folks do not object because they are ignorant of the Scriptures and church history. The fact is both the common cup and fermented wine were the standard practice of the Christian churches for almost 2,000 years. It is sad that prohibitionists have so perverted the sacraments that they are no longer duly and properly administered.
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