by Kevin Rutherford

It is amazing how many men will push a foolish and false doctrine to the point of splitting congregations. While some may be sincere, most are arrogant and contentious men who must be rejected (Titus 2:9-11).

An example of such men who must be rejected are those who teach that is a sin for one to say that the fruit of the vine represents the blood of Christ. It is argued by some (to the point of dividing churches) that Christians must say "it is the blood of Christ."

When Jesus was instituting the Lord’s Supper He took a cup and said, "Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood... (Matthew 26:27, 28)." It is suggested that because Jesus said, "It is My blood," that we cannot say "It represents His blood." But notice the context. After Jesus said, "It is My blood," he called the contents of His cup "the fruit of the vine (Matthew 26:29)." He was not holding in His hand a cup of blood for the drinking of blood was prohibited (Acts 15:29). He was holding in His hand a cup of "the fruit of the vine." In other words, He was holding in his hand that which represents His blood. Therefore, it is no sin to say so