Fruit of the Vine

Abstract

Perhaps one of the more difficult exegetical questions surrounding Lord’s Supper revolves around the expression “fruit of the vine.” While this expression certainly meant fermented grape wine when celebrated with the Passover in Jesus’ day, the practical question remains today whether unfermented grape juice also complies with the requirements for the sacrament. This particular letter is a response to the pastor who, inspired by an excerpt out of The Shepherd Under Christ, addressed the WLS faculty and sought to clarify the book’s treatment of this issue.