Can someone please explain the symbolism of the fruit of the vine and the bread used in the Lord's supper?
397419
The fruit of the vine represented the blood of Jesus that he understood would soon be spilled, and so he offered it up as sacrifice. The bread represented his flesh. The term "Bread of Life" had already been around for awhile in Judaism, bread being considered the staff of life or a basic necessity for living. It was that basic to their diet. Which is why they broke bread with their hands as opposed to cutting it with a knife which was akin to a violent act. It was out of respect for both the gift and the Giver. Jesus continued that thought at the Last Supper.
1169528
i sure as hell don't.  I mean, why would God curse Adam and Eve for eating an apple?  I believe it's a symbol as are a lot of the other unbelievable parts of the Bible.
180890
No.  Transubstantiation is the belief that the elements of the Communion, or Lord's Supper (called by Catholics the Eucharist), become the literal body and blood of Christ, while remaining in their form as bread and wine.  Part and parel with this belief is that a sacrifice takes place at the mass.  I believe Yahushua Messiah (Jesus Christ) was sacrificed once for all, at Calvary, and doesn't need to be sacrificed again.  I believe that the bread and wine act as proxies, standing in place of the body and blood, part of a memorial feast of what had taken place on the cross.
813728
Olive trees were a common tree in Biblical times. The wood was used as seen in the previous verses posted by others. Also, probably more important symbolically was the tree or oil itself. For example, the two witnesses in the books of Revelation and Zechariah are called the two olive trees. Olive oil was used to burn for light, also was used in annointing such as annointing kings and priests etc. Olive oil seems to be used a number of  times when speaking about the Spirit of God. Not sure if this means it is a symbol for the Spirit or not, but does seem to be related somehow.  Also of interest is when Noah sent the dove out from the Ark it brought back an olive leaf. Here is a search on olive tree for you... \n\nhttp://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/?search=olive+tree&searchtype=all&version1=31&spanbegin=1&spanend=73\n\nYou can also do a search on other terms such as olive oil, annoint, oil, olive branch, olive, etc.\n\nHope this helps
824799
Communion is the New Testament equivalent of the passover. During the passover celebration the Israelites were looking back to their deliverance from bondage in Egypt and forward to the Messiah, the lamb of God. Today we celebrate communion looking back at Jesus' sacrifice for us when we were delivered from bondage to death and sin and forward to His coming at the end of this age when the Kingdom of God will be established here on earth.\n\n"For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.  1 Corinthians 11:23-26 \n\nThe bread and the cup are spiritual symbols of Jesus' broken body and shed blood. The notion that anyone ever did or ever does actually eat the flesh or drink the blood of Jesus is totally false. Those people who have been brought up in a religious tradition that promotes this false doctrine like to quote Jesus in this passage.\n\nJohn 6:53 So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.\n\nWhen you isolate that text from the rest of what Jesus had to say it seems to say that Jesus is talking about actually engaging in what amounts to cannibalism. But when you look at the whole context of that speech you see that Jesus was speaking of the spiritual truth that when a person believes on his atoning sacrifice that they will receive the gift of eternal life.\n\nJohn 6:60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, "Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no avail. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.\n\nGet it? The flesh doesn't do anything, Jesus was talking about spiritual realities. It is like when Jesus made this statement a little further on.\n\nJohn 7:38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" \n\nIf you isolate that text it looks like people would have a river flowing out of their chest or something. But the author goes on to explain, since Jesus apparently didn't in this case...\n\n39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
751900
At the Last Supper, Jesus said, “Take this bread. It is my body.” Then he said, “Take this and drink. This is my blood. Do this in memory of me.” \n\nCatholics believe this was the First Eucharist, that through some miracle the bread and wine actually became the body and blood of Jesus Christ.\n\nCatholics reenact the Last Supper during every Mass, where God, acting through the priest, changes the bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus Christ.\n\nThis is a great sacrament of thanksgiving and unity of Catholics.\n\nWith love in Christ.
854646
fruits and vegetables\n\nThe cornucopia (Latin Cornu Copiae), also known as the Horn of Plenty or Harvest Cone, is a symbol of food and plenty dating back to the 5th century BC.\nIn Greek mythology, Amalthea raised Zeus on the milk of a goat. In return Zeus gave Amalthea the goat's horn. It had the power to give to the person in possession of it whatever he or she wished for. This gave rise to the legend of the cornucopia. The original depictions were of the goat's horn filled with fruits and flowers: deities, especially Fortuna, would be depicted with the horn of plenty.\nIn modern depiction, the cornucopia is a hollow, horn-shaped wicker basket typically filled with various kinds of festive fruit and vegetables. The cornucopia has come to be associated with Thanksgiving.
74070
I am the Vine, you are the branches.\nHe who abides in Me, and I in him,\nbears much fruit, for without Me,\nyou can do nothing.\n\nJohn 15:5 \n\nI think it means you need Jesus in your daily life to be happy, and to prosper. He wants to be your best friend.
288464
Bible says it is "by thier fruits", and that "the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control."
182368
Like already answered... I will merely add the actual words from the LDS cannon of scriptures:\nTHE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS\n\nSECTION 89\nRevelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, February 27, 1833. HC 1: 327—329. As a consequence of the early brethren using tobacco in their meetings, the Prophet was led to ponder upon the matter; consequently he inquired of the Lord concerning it. This revelation, known as the Word of Wisdom, was the result. The first three verses were originally written as an inspired introduction and description by the Prophet.\n\n1—9, Use of wine, strong drinks, tobacco, and hot drinks proscribed; 10—17, Herbs, fruits, flesh, and grain are ordained for the use of man and of animals; 18—21, Obedience to gospel law, including the Word of Wisdom, brings temporal and spiritual blessings.\n\n1 A WORD OF WISDOM, for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the church, and also the saints in Zion—\n \n2 To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days—\n\n3 Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints.\n\n4 Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation—\n\n5 That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.\n\n6 And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.\n\n7 And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.\n\n8 And again, tobacco is not for the abody, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.\n\n9 And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.\n\n10 And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—\n\n11 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.\n\n12 Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly;\n\n13 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine.\n\n14 All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth;\n\n15 And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger.\n\n16 All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground—\n\n17 Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain.\n\n18 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;\n\n19 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;\n\n20 And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.\n\n21 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.
132755
OK, now I'll give you the Catholic viewpoint on these two events.  As to Holy Communion, it is the time when Catholics (who haven't committed any serious sin without going to Confession and having completed the requirements necessary for a good Confession) and members of any of the schismatic churches (Eastern Orthodox [Autocephalous and otherwise], Polish National Catholic Churh, Society of St. Pius X [and Pius V]) receive bread (and maybe the wine too) that has been consecrated by the priest during Mass.  This bread and wine is believed to be substantially the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.  Only a priest ordained by a bishop in one of the aforementioned Churches (he must also use the proper form, i.e. "Take, eat, this is my body which will be given up for you" and "Take, drink, this the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant, it will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven, Do this in memory of me") is believed to have the power to conduct the transubstantiation that makes the Body and Blood of Christ substantially present.  Anyways, the meaning of Holy Communion for Catholics is basically eating of Christ's flesh and drinking of His blood as is commanded in John 6:53-7.\nConfirmation, for Catholics happens sometimes at birth and sometimes at around the time of 8th or 9th grade, or immediately after Baptism for adults.  Unlike Baptism, Catholics do not acknowledge the Conirmations of Protestant churches.  In the Catholic mindset, Confirmation is sort of like a personal Pentecost.  In this sacrament, the bishop (or a priest in EXTRAORDINARY circumstances in the lAtin Rite, or most of the time a priest in the Eastern Rites) anoints the "confirmandee" with chrism (a perfumed oil" and says "[Confirmation Name] be sealed with the Holy Spirit."  The confirmation name is the name of a saint the confirmandee takes to be his/her special patron saint.  In olden times the confirmation name often became that person's middle name.  The confirmation name, tradition, though, is really only upheld in the West, where teenage confirmation is the norm.  In the Eastern Rites, though, Confirmation takes place immediately after baptism even for infants.  This Confirmation has the same character of sealing the Confirmandee with the Holy Spirit, though.  Confirmation really is like a sending forth and is considered a "sacrament of initiation" by the Catholic church whereby the confirmandee becomes a full member of the Catholic Church.  Oh, and in the West, as well, the confirmandee must have a confirmation sponsor which is pretty much like godparent and is supposed to instruct the confirmandee in the Faith.  Hope this si what you wanted.
1169541
Tabernacle, tabernaculum in Latin, means tent.\n\nThis is the tent that the Jews put the Ten Commandments and the Ark of the Covenant. This is where God dwelt in the midst of the His people.\n\nAt the Last Supper, Jesus said, “Take this bread. It is my body.” Then he said, “Take this and drink. This is my blood. Do this in memory of me.” \n\nCatholics believe this was the First Eucharist, which through some miracle the bread and wine actually became the body and blood of Jesus Christ.\n\nCatholics reenact the Last Supper during every Mass, where the priest, acting in place of Christ, changes the bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus Christ.\n\nThis is a great sacrament of thanksgiving and unity of Catholics.\n\nIf any of the Body of Christ is not consumed, then it is safely stored in the tabernacle. After all of these years, still the place where God dwells in the midst of the His people.\n\nWith love in Christ.
431609
In the Bible, Purple, Violet, and Scarlet sometimes symbolized vanity. Sometimes greed and selfishness. Too bad, because purple is my favorite color.
551468
It was a grape. The grape fermented when picked, and produced a tiny bit of alcohol, this begant he breaking down of Eve's and eventually Adam's body. The trees of the garden of Eden are mentioned in the Bible, a fig (for the fig leaves), an olive (for the tree of life), leaving the grape the fruit they consumed.
795849
There were 3 objects in the ark of the covenant.  The ark represents our hearts.  In the ark was the stone tablets with the 10 commandments written on them,  that symbolizes that the law is written in our hearts.  The second thing was a jar of manna, which represents that our spiritual food, the word, feeds our hearts and the third thing was Aaron's rod that budded.  I haven't figured out what that represents yet.
181057
The Book of Enoch 31:4, purporting to be written by the antediluvian prophet Enoch, describes the tree of knowledge as follows:\n\n"It was like a species of the tamarind tree, bearing fruit which resembled grapes extremely fine; and its fragrance extended to a considerable distance. I exclaimed, How beautiful is this tree, and how delightful is its appearance!" \nIn western art, the fruit is most commonly depicted as an apple. One possible reason for this arises from a medieval pun. It was a source of humor to monks that the Latin term for evil (malus) was similar to the word of apple (malum). Thus it was often said that by eating the malum (apple), Eve contracted malus (evil). There is, however, no textual or historical evidence by which to argue the literalness of this image.\n\nJewish thought contains additional options. Rabbi Meir says: "The fruit of (the Tree of Knowledge of Good-and-Evil) was a grape..."; Rabbi Nechemia says: "It was a fig..."; Rabbi Yehuda says: "It was wheat..." Talmud, Brachot 40a\n\nThe reason it is sometimes surmised to have been a fig is that they used fig leaves to cover themself after eating it, either because the leaves were nearby, or because God creates the cure before the illness, and the same tree that caused the problem is also used to remedy it. Another explanation lies within the "fruit" of the fig tree, the fig itself, which is not actually a fruit but rather a flower of sorts, serving as the tree's genitalia. It is said that when they bit into the fig, they saw that what appeared to be a fruit on the outside had concealed the reproductive organs within itself. Adam and Eve then looked at each other and felt ashamed that their reproductive organs were simply exposed, and covered them with the large leaves from the same tree. Some commentators hold that it might have been a grape, and that Eve actually made, and drank, wine.\n\nEthno-botanists have proposed the iboga plant (Tabernanthe iboga) as the Tree of Knowledge. The ground up bark contains a dissociative substance, ibogaine, which has been traditionally used in Bwiti religious ceremony in Central Africa. Other hallucinogens, in particular the Fly agaric mushroom, have also been proposed as the Tree.\n\nChristian sects like the Coptics of Jamaica, and other peoples of faith, especially the Rastafarians believe it to be the Marijuana plant.
1124386
No...not really... I think we can learn something from the symbolism in the Bible even if we don't take it literally.\n\nThe fact that Eve was taken from Adam's rib was an important symbol.  She was taken from his side... it symbolizes that she's an equal, as opposed to his feet or his head, which would show that she's above or below him.\n\nMost people don't read it that way... but the story really indicates that God meant men and women to be equals.