LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 259

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THEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTS­­—COMMISSION ON THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

259

Proper Administration of the Lord’s Supper
WHEREAS, Both theological faculties of the LCMS have offered opinions
(Gutachten) (cf. Concordia Theological Quarterly 45:1/2 [Jan./Apr., 1981], 77–80;
Theological Observer 17:1 [Jan. 1991], 4–6) supporting the use of wine, or reduced-alcohol wine, offering the clear teaching of the Evangelical Lutheran Church with

APPENDIX A

regard to this matter from the Scriptures, the Confessions, and the teaching of the
church; and
WHEREAS, The Synod has spoken in 1998 Res. 3-16B “To Affirm Use of Bread

RESOLUTION 3-1659

and Wine in the Sacrament of the Altar”; therefore be it
Resolved, That the congregations be encouraged to use only wine for the Sacrament; and be it further

Overture 3-52 (CW, p. 172)

Resolved, That the theological faculties of our seminaries be commissioned to

WHEREAS, A number of congregations in the Synod have introduced grape

offer guidelines to pastors and congregations in meeting the needs of those who

juice for use in the Sacrament of the Altar; and

feel they cannot drink wine; and be it finally

WHEREAS, The clear statements of our Confessions instruct us that “As the

Resolved, That all action taken in this resolution shall be used to help carry

Words of Institution of Christ expressly state: while at the table during the Supper,

out “The Great Commission” and shall not in any way detract or distract from the

he distributed natural bread and wine to his disciples” (FC SD VII 64); and

primary mission of God’s kingdom here on earth. We will remember 1-02!

WHEREAS, The use of an element other than wine is an alien practice in the

Action: Adopted as amended (11)

churches of the Augsburg Confession and brings about doubt whether the Sacra-

(This resolution was first discussed during session 10. The fifth whereas as presented

ment is offered or not; and

by the committee, WHEREAS, Both theological faculties of the LCMS have offered opinions

WHEREAS, “Since Christ used and sanctified no other element for this Sac-

(Gutachten) to the contrary (cf. “Opinion of the Department of Systematic Theology: The Fruit

rament; since no place in Scripture which treats of the Lord’s Supper mentions

of the Vine in the Sacrament of the Altar,” Concordia Theological Quarterly 45:1/2 [Jan./April.,

even a single other element; since it befits the true disciples of Christ to abide by

1981], 77–80; Department of Systematic Theology, Concordia Seminary, “Is ‘Non-Alcoholic Wine’

His ordinance and institution, John 8:31; since the promise of Christ concerning

Really Wine?” (Theological Observer, Concordia Journal 17:1 [Jan. 1991], 4–6), offering the

the sacramental reception of His body and blood is expressly dependent upon the

clear teaching of the Evangelical Lutheran Church with regard to this matter from the Scriptures,

bread and wine; and finally, since bread and wine are the essential elements of the

the Confessions, and the teachers of the church; and, was amended by replacing it with the para-

holy Lord’s Supper, it follows that under no circumstances can or should one sub-

graph included in the adopted resolution. A substitute resolution, To Encourage Use of Fruit

stitute elements, which might be comparable, in place of bread and wine” (Johann

of Vine in Lord’s Supper, was considered by the delegates when this resolution was brought

Gerhard, A Comprehensive Explanation of Holy Baptism and the Lord’s Supper [trans.

back by the committee in session 11: WHEREAS, Any guidelines for celebrating the Lord’s Sup-

Elmer M. Hohle; Repristination Press, 2000], 228–29); and

per must originate in God’s Word; and WHEREAS, The Constitution of the Synod, Article II, refers
to “The Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament as the written Word of God and the only
rule and norm of faith and of practice”; and WHEREAS, God’s Word says in Luke 22:17–18, “And

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taking the cup and giving thanks He said, ‘Take this and distribute it among yourselves. For I say to

2001 Convention Proceedings, 141–42.

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The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

38
Proper Administration of the Lord’s Supper

you that I will certainly not drink from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes’”; and
WHEREAS, God’s Word says in Mark 14:24–25, “And He said to them, this is My blood of the covenant which is being poured out on behalf of many. Truly I say to you that I will certainly not any
longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God”; and

APPENDIX B

WHEREAS, God’s Word says in Matthew 26:27–29, “And taking a cup and giving thanks He gave
to them saying, drink of it all of you, for this is My blood of the covenant being poured out for the
many for forgiveness of sins. And I say to you that I will certainly not drink of the fruit of the vine
until that day whenever I drink with you anew in the kingdom of My Father”; and WHEREAS, the

Opinion of the Department of Systematic Theology60

word wine (oinos) is used in the New Testament 33 times, but never in relation to the Lord’s Supper; and WHEREAS, God’s Word only uses “the fruit of the vine” in regards to the content of the

The Fruit of the Vine in the Sacrament of the Altar

cup; therefore be it Resolved, That the congregations be encouraged to use only the fruit of the vine
as one of the elements for the Sacrament. The substitute motion was defeated and the original

The classic definition of the Lord’s Supper was given by Luther: “It is the true body

motion was adopted as amended in session 10 [yes: 814; no: 184]. The final resolve is added

and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, for us Christians to

as required by Res. 1-02, adopted by the convention at an earlier session.)

eat and to drink, instituted by Christ Himself.” Luther cites Matthew (26:26–29),
Mark (14:22–25), Luke (22:15–20), and the Apostle Paul (1 Cor. 10:16; 11:23–29)
as Scriptural proof for the institution, nature, and meaning of the Sacrament of
the Altar.
In recent years some have raised the question whether grape juice might be substituted for wine in the Sacrament in view of the fact that the texts do not expressly
state “wine,” but “fruit of the vine” or “cup.” The reasoning is that grape juice
should be an allowable substitute for wine in sacramental use, since grape juice
can rightly be termed “fruit of the vine.”
The Scriptural texts leave no doubt that Christ was celebrating the Passover meal
with His disciples. Among the foodstuffs on the table would have been unleavened bread and wine. As regards the latter, it was without question the fermented
product of the grape vine, in view of the fact that this was the spring of the year,
probably April. Moreover, wine was the customary drink of the Jews at solemn
festival meals, the peri haggephen (liturgical Hebrew for “fruit of the vine”). There
can be no doubt then, as Lenski points out, that “this fruit of the vine”—with emphasis on the this—which the Passover cup contained “shuts out any and all other
products of the vine save actual wine and thwarts all modern efforts that speak
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Concordia Theological Quarterly 45, nos. 1–2 (1981): 77–80.

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2026 Convention Workbook