ANSWER: The question implies an invalid assumption, i.e., that many of our “kinds of churches” at one time, scripturally and generally, used fermented wine during the Lord’s Supper. Before the implication can be accepted, it must first be validated. Such cannot be done, either scripturally or historically (although rare, individual congregations may have done so). The Greek word for wine (oinos) is used thirty-four times in the New Testament. It is a neutral word that may refer either to fermented or unfermented grape juice and is so determined by the context of the passage. When instituting His Supper, the Lord used, significantly, the phrase “fruit of the vine,” rather than oinos which could have been misconstrued by some to mean fermented wine. In view of these two facts, it is clear that the drinking of unfermented grape juice during the Supper is the justifiable and scriptural response to our Lord’s commands. Those who insist on the use of fermented wine do not do so on the basis of scripture!

That heaven stands opposing the use of alcoholic beverages is made clear in Proverbs 23:29-35 and Isaiah 5:11. Note that these two passages show a correlation between “wine” and “strong drink.” Then consider Habakkuk 2:15, “Woe unto them that givest his neighbour drink, that puttest the bottle to him, andmakest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness.” Certainly, this does not suggest that our Lord who was without sin, having kept the Old Law perfectly, including this passage, gave His neighbour (His disciples) to drink and “put the bottle to them.” Clearly the opposite is implied!

Simply from a logical standpoint, we must consider the fact that the Lord knew of the many drunkards (I Corinthians 6:9-11) who would, following His glorification, repent of this sin and be saved. What kind of a loving Savior would then insist that these be reintroduced to alcoholic beverages each Lord’s Day afterwards as part of their worship responsibilities? Would such not cause the drunkard to be tempted? James said that God does not tempt any man (James 1:12-15). We submit that those who would insist that the recovering alcoholic imbibe an alcoholic beverage each Lord’s Day stands guilty of causing one to be tempted and putting a “stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way” (Romans 14:13; Mark 9:42).

With consideration to the above, the question then needs to be asked, when and why have some stopped using unfermented grape juice and turned to that to which the Bible is opposed?