Taking a Dip into Intinction

Jeff.Corcoran

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Let’s set the scene. You’ve decided to pop in for a visit this week, which is weird because we’ve never met, but hey whatever. It’s Sunday so we head to church, and being the first Sunday of the month, we’re celebrating the Lord’s supper together.

As our pastor finishes his sermon, he comes down from his pulpit, and pulls a small podium over to the center of the sanctuary in front of the elements of the Lord’s supper. Nothing too spectacular or unusual at first glance. A 2-3 cups, a couple of loafs of bread covered by some burlap cloths to make it look old timey. The pastor reads from 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 and then gives instruction.

He says: “We guard the table, so this is a meal for believers. If you have not confessed Christ as your Savior we ask that you do not partake of these elements. Further, if you find yourself in conflict with someone else, we ask that you make yourself right with them before partaking in the Lord’s Supper”.

All of this probably sounds mostly normal to you. Nothing to see here, maybe the type of bread is odd, the number of cups, or even the fact that the table is “guarded” sounds a little different, but thus far, you’re just waiting to get ready to join in the congregation.

He then goes on to give logistical instruction, “We’ll make two lines down the center aisle of the church. When you come up to be served, you’ll rip a piece of bread from the loaf, and dip it in the cup before eating them both together and then taking your seat”.

Wait… hold up, you think to yourself. I knew this was a baptist church, but you even baptize your bread? What’s up with this dipping it in the cup before eating it?

A Discussion of a Historic but Rarely Seen Practice

We’ll be discussing the ever so important topic of intinction. As always, the rules of the game here are to inform, not push you to conform. I don’t really care how you feel about intinction. I have an opinion, but it’s mine to have, and your job to get your own.

First, what is intinction?

The practice of dipping the bread into the wine during the administration of the Lord’s
Supper

Intinction (noun)

So, are you riveted yet? Are you absolutely giddy? Of all the topics, it’s clear that this one should be top of the list. I chose this simply out of curiosity about its history and origins. Truthfully, there is no scriptural basis for it. No real advocate of the practice argues there is.

So it got my mind going. When did it start? Why do some do it? Does soggy communion bread have a purpose that I may have missed?

Intinction in the Modern Church

Depending on your background you may never have come across intinction. As a protestant, I almost never saw it. In my youth the one example I can thing of was during Maundy Thursday service where we would sit in small groups at my Free Methodist church and go over the early Easter story, and then partake in the Lord’s Supper. We would dip a piece of bread in a cup of grape juice, during this celebration, while in regular practice we were given individual cups and cubes of bread during regular Sunday service.

In the protestant traditions on the whole, some churches will use this methodology. They argue that it encourages a speedier delivery of the elements. However, you will see enormous kickbacks from the larger synods and presbyteries. Entire committees have been formed to deem the practice acceptable or unacceptable 1. Most in the reformed tradition coming out on the latter.

My church, which is reforming and baptistic, does practice intinction. I would argue the doctrine was given little thought. It is more likely a tradition sent down and not a choice made with any real intent or purpose.

Currently the two main branches that I’m aware of that practice it regularly are the Eastern Orthodox, and the Roman Catholic church.

The Eastern Orthodox church uses this as its regular practice. The primary way it is delivered is by combining the bread and the wine in some fashion and delivering it to the recipients mouth either directly from the deacon or from a spoon. This is about the only mainline church where the practice is unilaterally accepted, or even expected.

Within other circles such as the Roman Catholic church, intinction is allowed. It seems to be mostly the minister’s choice. I assume once again it comes down to the expedience of delivery. This often depends on how many ministers are available to deliver the host to the congregation.

The Lord’s Supper

Let’s start with the earliest known recording of the Lord’s Supper, its institution in Luke 22:14-23. In this passage we see Christ passing the cup, and then passing the bread in 2 separate acts. There is plenty more I could say, and perhaps I’ll discuss the history of the Lord’s Supper some other time. However, for our discussion here, focus on the fact there are 2 separate acts. The eating of the bread, and the drinking of the wine. Regardless of the practice at your individual church, this is the actual practice as seen in the scriptures.

We can clearly see stated, intinction was not used at the initial communion table.

Let’s also make mention of the aspects that almost no modern church practices. We don’t recline at a table, nor do we celebrate a full meal. We also see many churches using grape juice rather than wine. Some churches use unleavened bread while others use the fluffiest of loafs.

With this in mind, we are going to focus on the singular act of intinction. When did the act of dipping the bread into the wine actually enter into practice, what was the reasoning around it, and why does the practice, though somewhat rare, still exist today?

Let’s simply look through a historic lens, not at a theological or pragmatic “should we”, but a “why did we” or “why do we”. At the end, you’ll have insight as to the beginnings of the practice and the purposes of its beginning.

I will make the assumption that you know the scriptures surrounding the Lord’s Supper on the whole, so I’ll reference them without actually explaining them.

The Earliest Reports

Of the earliest reports of intinction, we have to look to Julius I, around 340 AD 2.

Although every crime and sin is blotted out by the sacrifices offered to God, what else will be
given to the Lord in expiation, when the defects are committed in the very act of offering the
sacrifice? For we have heard that some, occupied by ambition, contrary to the divine commands
and apostolic custom, offer milk instead of wine at the divine sacrifice. Also others, for the
fulfillment of communion, give the people Eucharist that has been intincted. And still others, in
the Sacrament of the Lord’s chalice, offer pressed wine; others even reserve linen rags soaked in
fresh grape juice for an entire year and, in the time of sacrifice, dip a part of it in water and thus
offer.

Julius I – Decreta Julii Papae I decem Juxta Gratiam et Ivonem” Migne, Patralogia Latinae, Vol. 8, 969-70

Julius goes on to refute the practice. He calls it out as not being what scriptures prescribe. However, as early as 340, intinction was already garnering a wide following. It was attracting attention from some of the notable men of the time.

Why Did Intinction Start

The beginnings of the practice are debated. Some argue that the practice began after the doctrine of transubstantiation started. They suggest it aimed to ensure that none of the blood was wasted as it was completely absorbed into the host. However, it is also believed that the practice began by being dipped into an unconsecrated liquid such as water.3 Meaning not the wine, or as transubstantailists would say, the blood of Christ, thus, this argument doesn’t hold water… or wine… or you get the idea.

It is more likely one of 2 practices really brought about the beginnings of intinction.

Paedocommunion

Paedocommunion is a fairly uncommon practice in the church today, but as the name suggests it is the offering of communion to young children. It was found however, that younger children were unable to chew the bread. To help younger members of the church chew better, the bread was dipped into the wine. The child was then fed the soaked bread. With the solid food now soggy, the child was now able to ingest the Lord’s Supper with the rest of the visible congregation.

The Sickly

Similar to young children, there were times when ill or infirmed members of the congregation could not eat the bread by itself. To help them swallow the bread easily, they would first soak it in the wine. Then, they would offer it to the recipient.4

The process involved dipping the host into the wine. It was then allowed to dry and rehydrated in water to give to the ill recipient. I assume this method could be used for preserving pre-portioned communion servings in Jim Bakker’s emergency kits as well.

Modern Reasoning for Intinction

The main draw for intinction in modern times is different. It does not tend to revolve around the historic arguments of paedocommunion. It also does not focus on offering to the infirmed. Additionally, it is not about protecting harm to the elements for those who believe in transubstantiation.

The primary arguments for today really revolve more around convenience and tradition than scriptural arguments. From my own experience, I could ask every member of my church why we dip into a cup. The answer would most likely be: “We’ve always done it that way.” There’s nothing pragmatic, or scripture based about it.

The other main argument is really based around pragmatism. The arguments for it tend to be that it, saves time, prevents distributing elements in the pews, or is better suited for a given environment. Some even go so far as to say it helps to preserve the concept of serving from a “common cup.” This is instead of distributing hundreds of smaller individual cups. This practice is another sticking point in some people’s doctrinal considerations.

So What?

The pastor of the church I used to attend, who is a great friend, and probably one of the wisest men I know always would end his sermons with “So What?”. Unpacking a bit of scripture is pointless if there’s no takeaway. Likewise, unraveling the history of something mundane has no value without a learning point.

TL;DR

Let’s first summarize what we’ve covered:

  1. Intinction is the act of dipping the bread into the wine during communion
    • Almost all practitioners will agree there is no Biblical argument for the practice, so it comes from some pragmatic desire of the communicants
  2. It started as early as 340AD, likely some time sooner than that
    • The purpose of the practices beginnings are unclear, but likely due to feeding it to weaker partakers such as very young recipients or the ill
    • There is a small chance that prevention of waste and transubstantiation had something to do with it
  3. In modern times it is a relatively uncommon practice
    • The Eastern Orthodox church is where you’ll find it most commonly, though the Roman Catholic church also practices it as an option
    • Many churches who do practice it do so out of tradition, or pragmatism

Don’t Just Stand There, Do Something

Now, the question is, what do you do with this information.

Firstly, consider how you take communion. What are your beliefs about the elements. Do you consider this before you ready your heart to partake? Do you question your traditions before each step you take during the Lord’s Supper?

Second, before you take a firm stance for or against intinction, think about your practice. Consider how it differs from what is in scripture. At what point did your variance begin in church history? I personally practice intinction with my church, but given the option I would change that tomorrow. That said, I know we wouldn’t be having a full meal or reclining at a table. How come? I genuinely don’t have a historical or doctrinal reason for that. Perhaps soon I will.

Third, as you partake in the Lord’s Supper next time, consider all the elements, not just the bread and wine. What are the crucial parts? What is scripture conveying about what must be present? Is there something you and your soul aren’t bringing to the table? We can get caught up in the acts and forget the spirit.

Fourth, take a minute and chat with someone after service about the Lord’s Supper. Talk about something that is otherwise mundane, and see how it points to Christ. The drive home with your spouse can become more interesting. Start by asking some weird questions. Why choose grape juice vs wine? Is dipping better than sipping? Why are bites more appropriate than a meal for the Lord’s supper?

For further reading:

  1. https://web.archive.org/web/20240529160534/https://theaquilareport.com/the-pca-ohio-presbytery-receives-committee-report-on-intinction/– The PCA Ohio Presbytery ‘Receives’ Committee Report on Intinction ↩︎
  2. http://web.archive.org/web/20101006112051/http://wy.lcms.org/pastoralconference/spring08/papers/lange_thisdo.pdf – “Decreta Julii Papae I decem Juxta Gratiam et Ivonem” Migne, Patralogia Latinae, Vol. 8, 969-70; (cf. Examination, 352-3, 363, 422.) ↩︎
  3. W.H. Freestone, The Sacrament Reserved (Milwaukee, WI: Mowbray & Co., Ltd., 1917), 144. ↩︎
  4. W.H. Freestone, The Sacrament Reserved (Milwaukee, WI: Mowbray & Co., Ltd., 1917), 145-146. ↩︎