I have a question in regard to the Lord's Supper. I have seen that the Lord's Supper is celebrated in two different ways: There are those that say, that the right thing to do is to have only one cup that passes from one to another - each one drinking out of the same cup while on the other hand are those that advocate that at the Lord's Supper it is also possible to drink from several glasses - each one having his own glass.
I have checked the Ellen G. White CD-ROM but I couldn't find any definite description regarding the way (one cup or several glasses) in which the Lord's Supper is to be celebrated.
I have also realized that in Eastern Europe there is more a tendency - at least among the more conservative brethren - toward one single cup. While for example in Scandinavia it seems no one has ever heard about the idea of drinking just out of one cup.
I would therefore be grateful if you could give me more information on that subject. Especially I am interested in knowing how the Lord's Supper was celebrated in Ellen White's days and in the days of the early Pioneers. Are there any historical references that can shed light on this question?
Thank you very much for your answer.
Your brother in Christ
Dear Brother ___________,
Thank you for contacting the Ellen G. White Estate. I know of no reason to claim that one method, and not the other, is the "right" way to celebrate the Lord's supper. I have never seen anything in Mrs. White's writings which leads me to believe that she considered this an important matter. It seems clear in Scripture that they used one cup. I have understood that in the early days of the Adventist movement, when our congregations were very small, that a single cup was used, at least in some of them. As the congregations got bigger, however, some of them apparently started using individual cups. If we are to claim that the common cup is the only "right" way to observe this rite, we might as well also claim that it is improper to sit on pews or chairs while taking part--we should all be reclining on couches, as Jesus and the disciples were. I do not think that this is necessary or important. The key thing is that we gather together, *in unity,* to partake of the emblems of our Lord's body and blood, in remembrance of Him. It is what we drink, not what we drink it *from,* that Jesus wanted us especially to note. "This is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many." Why do we fight over whether we obtain it from a single cup or multiple cups? It has all come from the same source.
No doubt those who favor the single cup believe that it implies a unity which the individual cups do not convey. Those who favor the individual cups no doubt consider that there is a health concern involved here. Beyond this, they could well argue that our unity is enhanced by all drinking of the emblem together, at one time, rather than one at a time if only one cup is used. Personally, I favor the individual cups. When we use a non-alcoholic grape juice (as we do), we cannot count on any antiseptic function from the wine. Use of individual cups will remove one excuse that some might have to stay away, if they are concerned about the health effects of using one cup. And we want people to be drawn to this service, not repelled needlessly over something that Scripture does not require.
This is how I see the matter. I hope something here may be helpful to you. Thank you for writing, and God bless!
William Fagal, Director
Ellen G. White Estate Branch Office
Berrien Springs, MI 49104-1400 USA
Phone: 269 471-3209
FAX: 269 471-2646
Website: www.WhiteEstate.org or www.egwestate.andrews.edu