By K Malcomson edited by victor.s
This subject has become one of the hottest debated subjects in recent decades amongst professing born-again believers. Prior to this time though, Evangelicals, Pentecostals, Bible-believing Christian's and Spirit-filled believers would not even consider this a subject for discussion. It went without saying that a true Christian would politely steer clear of alcohol and most certainly any environment of drunkenness unless it was for the purpose of militant and compassionate evangelism. But this has all changed.
The social drinking of alcohol and strong drinks has
been promoted by key preachers, teachers and leaders and as a result has swept
across the church overnight. What was anathema yesterday is strongly encouraged
today. Leaders may well say that they believe in moderation - drinking alcohol
in small amounts so as not to get drunk - but the sad case is that what I have
seen with my own eyes and heard with my own ears in a number of different
countries is that this has led to tipsiness, drunkenness and loose living
amongst so called born-again believers.
What may have been an issue that could be argued over or
debated has now become a problem. I hear of incident after incident of so-called
born-again Spirit-filled believers saying that obedience to the commands of
Christ are legalism; a life of prayer, discipline, modesty and moderation is
legalism; any restriction to their liberty to do whatsoever they please is
legalism. Fasting, prayer, obedience, sacrifice, tears, repentance, the faithful
reading of the Bible and even correct relationships and conduct between men and
women is all cast aside as being of the order of the Old Testament!
But the Bible says that such people are sensual - they
do not have the real Spirit of God. They are not rightly dividing the Word of
truth. They are in very real danger of their eternal soul.
There are a great number of believers who have not been
in the habit of drinking any alcohol or of encouraging its use but during the
recent decades as they have been faced with a constant barrage of half-quotes and misapplied texts from the Bible,
have become unsure as to their own convictions and ability to say that a
Christian cannot drink alcohol. The seemingly convincing arguments of
pro-drinkers have persuaded a great many. Such believers want to be honest and
to interpret the Bible correctly but have felt that there is too much truth in
what pro-drinkers say. Yet other scriptures make them to hold back from
embracing such a thing as right before God.
This article will primarily help such people but will
also be a solid challenge to those who are fully persuaded that as a Christian
the Bible allows them to socially drink alcohol.
My heart also goes out to a whole generation who through
lack of knowledge in being taught what Scripture reveals and commands are
perishing within what is called the church. They have been birthed into a
lukewarm environment in which the order of the day is to walk as close to the
line as possible or to cast aside all restrictions and to do whatsoever seems
right in their own eyes. Such is a very ancient heresy. My heart goes out to
these young masses because they perish for lack of knowledge.
This article in the following sections will deal with
the whole subject of Alcohol and the Bible and whether Christians are encouraged
or discouraged from drinking alcohol by the Word of God.
- Wine in the Bible
- Facts about Alcohol
- Drunkenness
- Christian Drunkards
- Recovering a Fallen
Brother
- Leadership and Alcohol
- Social Drinking by God's People
- A Spirit-Filled Life
- Questions & Answers
1. Wine in the Bible
First of all we must realise that when the term “wine” is
used in our English version of the Bible it is a broad term including two
specific and separate things. Firstly, grape juice which is non-alcoholic and
is called wine in the Bible and secondly, alcoholic drink which can intoxicate or
make a person drunk, is also called wine in the Bible.
Those who say that the word wine in the Bible always
means non-alcoholic grape juice are wrong but so too are those who say that the
term wine in the Bible always means an alcoholic drink. In fact 13 different
Hebrew and Greek words are used for our English word wine in the Bible. These
various Hebrew and Greek words can mean, i) Only a fermented drink, like
shekhar, ii) Only an unfermented drink, like tirosh, iii) And
those words which can be used for both, like yayin. (A comprehensive word study is beyond this present
article but please bear in mind that this article is written in the light of all
these facts).
Processing the Grape:
When grape juice is initially squeezed out, it has a
high content of sugar and is not naturally alcoholic. It is only under the right
conditions that yeast cells which are held on the surface of the grape skin
begin to act on the sugar content that the process of fermentation begins which
will eventually turn the grape juice into an alcoholic drink. When this action
has produced about a 12% alcoholic content it ceases.
As is well known the production of alcoholic wine is a
manufacturing business of great skill. It always has been. Good alcoholic wine
does not develop of itself; it must be carefully watched, monitored and
engineered.
This process of fermentation can fail to begin or can be
greatly hindered by too much heat, cold or a number of other conditions. The
yeast that ferments the wine is nothing more than a mould or fungus. Not all
moulds will produce wine. Some bacteria if allowed to work upon the freshly
squeezed grape juice will produce vinegar.
The temperature of wine must be maintained between 65
and 75 degrees in order to produce alcoholic wine. If this procedure is not
carried out correctly it can destroy the production of alcoholic wine or stop it
in its tracks at a very low level.
With hard work wine producers can produce a 14%
alcoholic content in the wine but more normally the end result is 10-12%.
If during the fermentation process the temperature of
the wine is kept at 100 degrees F for about one hour it will kill the yeasts
that produce alcohol. If this was increased to 140 degrees F it would kill the
whole process in ten minutes.
In the ancient world during the Old and New Testament
period the production of non-alcoholic wine was widespread across the whole
Mediterranean world. It was well known and practised. The use of heat, cold,
thickening and filtering ensured this process.
Boiling ensured there was no fermentation as it killed
the yeasts but concentrated the sugar content as the water evaporated.
Fermentation was also prevented by storing it in a cool atmosphere in earthen,
airtight vessels. Such grape fruit juice could be stored for up to two years
without fermenting.
Many ancient writers like Virgil, Pliny, Aristotle,
Homer and others wrote concerning the production of wine, both alcoholic and
non-alcoholic. They were very clear in explaining that non-alcoholic wine was
widely used all the year round just as they were clear that there was also the
means to produce good alcoholic wine for intoxication.
Why are we looking at these details and what do they
have to do with the issue of alcohol in the Bible? These details go to prove
that man had to work hard at producing good alcoholic wine. It proves that
non-alcoholic wine was readily available during Bible days and was even a common
drink in society. It also shows why the word for wine in the Bible was given to
both alcoholic and non-alcoholic wine. These are important points in the
biblical discussion.
Those who have been at the forefront of contending that
Christians can drink socially have constantly stated that non-alcoholic wine was
not widely available in Bible days and that when the Bible uses the term wine it
always means fermented grape juice. Of course what we have just stated in this
section factually undermines this myth.
2. Facts about Alcohol
It is a very clear fact that the word wine is also
widely used in the Bible for an alcoholic drink which when consumed will produce
drunkenness which is constantly condemned and warned against.
It is a scientific, legal and medical fact that even the smallest
amount of alcohol affects speech, balance and the ability to make clear
judgments. The more alcohol that is taken the more this increases until it
becomes noticeable by the person and by others. By the time someone realizes
that their alcoholic intake is beginning to affect them it already has!
This does not begin with taking a large amount to cause
drunkenness but begins with the very first initial intake even if the effect is
totally unnoticed by all. Medical science tells us that the effect of alcohol
reaches the brain within one minute after intake. It needs no time to digest
like food does; it gets VIP treatment and quick access to each member of the
body.
When taken, alcohol passes from the stomach into the
small intestine, where it is rapidly absorbed into the blood and distributed
throughout the body. Because it is distributed so quickly and thoroughly the
alcohol can affect the central nervous system even in small concentrations. In
low concentrations, alcohol reduces inhibitions. The alcohol is then broken down
by the liver and finally eliminated from the body. The liver is capable of
breaking down the amount of about one drink per hour. Until the liver has time
to break down the alcohol it keeps circulating in the bloodstream, affecting all
of the body's organs, including the brain. The alcohol depresses the brain and
slows down its ability to control the body and mind. This is why alcohol can be
so dangerous. Alcohol acts like a sedative by slowing down muscle coordination,
reflexes, movement, and speech.
The best secular advice by the National Council of
Alcohol says that “If you do choose to drink, sip each drink slowly, and always
consume alcohol with food. Space drinks
out to no more than one drink per hour, and consume plenty of water in between
drinks. Never drink while pregnant and
never drive when intoxicated.” Again The British Dietetic Association says "Even
a moderate amount of alcohol produces a range of negative short-term effects on
the body..."
Even the world realises that alcohol is a very dangerous
drug which must be handled with extreme care. Sad to say many so-called
Christians deliberately overstep even this basic worldly wisdom.
Within the alcohol is the power and ability to undermine
the natural God-given abilities of thought and action.
Social drinkers who binge can get irregular heartbeats
from their alcoholic intake. If an individual drinks too much alcohol, his or
her breathing or heart rate can reach dangerously low levels or even stop.
The dangers of excessive drinking range from small short
term problems to large terminal problems. Dehydration, dulled senses, decreased
reaction time, impaired judgement, impaired memory, weight gain, heart disease,
kidney disease, liver disease, blood conditions, loss of long term memory, heart
problems, premature dementia and loss of bladder control are all very real
dangers. Half of those diagnosed with cancer in the oesophagus, larynx and mouth
are linked to alcohol. Various forms of arthritis can be advanced by alcohol
abuse. The list is endless. When consumed in large amounts over a prolonged
period of time, alcohol can harm virtually every part of your
body.
Most medical advice will strongly suggest that pregnant
women steer totally clear of all alcohol during pregnancy. The alcohol travels
rapidly through your bloodstream, your placenta and to your baby. The baby can
not process the alcohol as fast as you can as its liver is one of the last
organs to develop fully and does not mature until the latter half of pregnancy,
so it is exposed to greater amounts of alcohol for longer than you are which can
seriously affect the baby's development. Alcohol in a foetus has a toxic effect
on developing cells and organs, especially in the brain, where it kills cells.
Too much alcohol during pregnancy can change the way a baby's face, organs and
brain develops. It can also affect the nervous system, which is why learning
difficulties and life-long problems with movement and coordination often result.
Miscarriage and premature birth are also a very real danger. Children damaged
during pregnancy may be born small and remain small for their age. Again the
problems are numerous. This drug endangers the life of humanity on all fronts.
One last area that alcohol has a deadly affect upon is
the crime rate in our nations. Whilst writing this article I caught a brief news
item informing us that half of those arrested for criminal activity in my
country, Northern Ireland, were under the influence of alcohol. Statistics in
America for alcohol related car crashes are beyond belief. At least 40% of all
car crash fatalities are alcohol related. Someone is killed every 45 minutes and
injured every two minutes by someone under the influence of alcohol. This is
America’s leading criminal cause of death each year.
Not only is it dangerous to the body and soul but also
to the eternal destiny of the spirit. Alcoholic wine is portrayed time and time
again in the Bible to be as dangerous as a serpent’s bite which kills. Deut.32:33 “Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the
cruel venom of asps.” Pro.23:31-32, “Look not thou upon the wine when it is red,
when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last
it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an
adder.”
Drinking alcoholic wine is like drinking poison.
Let’s look closer at the description of this wine in
Proverbs 23. It says “at the last it
biteth.” In other words it does not initially reveal its danger. At first it
may seem fun and innocent but in the end it will bite like a serpent.
This drink has the ability of being the doorway to all
sin and of carrying a man where he thought he would never go. In verse 33 it
says “Thine eyes shall behold strange
women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.” A man who would not
normally do this would do it when under the influence of alcohol.
In verses 29-30 we read of other dire consequences for
an individual under the influence of this wine. “Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath
contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness
of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.”
In the light of all this verse 31 commands “Look not thou upon the wine when it is red,
when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.” This is
not a description of non-alcoholic wine, it is a clear description of alcoholic
wine. Here is a command to not even look upon such a drink!
The writer knows that the drink itself is dangerous, not
just its abuse. He also knows that this problem is not dealt with by advising
moderation in drinking. He places a ban upon the first look which leads to the
first drink. The word used here for “look” means to fix your eyes upon it,
to gaze at it, to consider or take heed to it. This is not talking about a mere
look at it but a real lust and desire for it with the intention of drinking it.
We well know that Jesus taught that if a man looked upon
a woman to lust it was equivalent to committing adultery. In this proverb the
writer is dealing with the root and the heart of the problem. Don’t even look
upon such a drink with a desire to drink because the end of such a desire is
disastrous for a great many. Such a look at alcoholic wine could be equivalent
to the actual act of drunkenness.
It is in the light of all this that the Bible warns in
Proverbs 20:1 “Wine is a mocker, strong
drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” And again
it warns about close association with those who are given over to drinking
alcohol or to a gluttoness lifestyle. “Be
not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the
glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.”
Pro 23:20-21. As a side note those who overeat are put in the same bracket as
drunkards!
How can any Christian continue to drink socially in a
manner they call moderation when they hear all of these facts?
3. Drunkenness
The first issue to settle in relation to alcohol is the
fact that the teaching of scripture is very clear in calling all drunkenness
sin. Sadly, in certain groups which call themselves ‘Christian,’ drunkenness is
accepted, tolerated, promoted, enjoyed or seen as a mere weakness.
All such excuses for drunkenness are clearly challenged and condemned
by the written Word of God. Men and denominations can argue over such things but
God’s Word alone has the final say in all such matters. Let’s look at what the
Bible says about drunkenness.
Drunkenness is mentioned over 70 times in the Bible and
as with every other subject it is very clear in stating what is right and wrong.
I Cor.6:9-10, “Know ye not that the
unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither
fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of
themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor
revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
Take good note here that Paul teaches the Church at
Corinth that a “drunkard...shall
not inherit the kingdom of God.” He will not enter God’s kingdom, he is not
saved and he is not on his way to heaven. Paul confirms this again in Galatians
ch.5:21, “...murders,
drunkenness...and such like...they which do such things shall not inherit
the kingdom of God.” This could not be clearer.
Again note in the above scripture that Paul says “...the unrighteous shall not inherit the
kingdom of God.” He then goes on to define this unrighteousness by naming
several lifestyles including drunkenness. Drunkenness is unrighteousness and
will send you to hell as quickly as murder, idolatry or adultery.
In verse 11 he goes on to say “And such were some of you: but ye are
washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord
Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” So those who made up the Corinthian
church had amongst them those who before becoming Christians were drunkards,
liars, homosexuals, adulterers and a host of every sinful lifestyle.
Paul was clearly saying here that there were believers
amongst them who were once drunkards but who had through salvation been washed,
sanctified and justified. They were not only forgiven and washed from their past
sin but were changed in character and nature in a manner that made them a new
creature in Christ Jesus. They no longer got drunk. Praise God.
The Greek word for drunkard means: to be tipsy; to drink
well; to drink to the point of intoxication. It was the act of drinking
beverages made from barely, grapes or pomegranates which were fermented and so
alcoholic. It was a state in which a man took that which affected and dulled his
senses and altered his mode of action, speech, composure and ability. To be a
drunkard was not a one of incident but a way of life.
Let’s be very clear, such actions as drunkenness unless
repented of will send a man to hell.
Such sins as drunkenness were set apart as so wicked in
the Old Testament, and dangerous to the whole welfare of the community that God
ordained that such a person should be stoned to death.
Deut.21:20-21, “And they shall say unto the
elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey
our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. And all the men of his city
shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among
you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.”
Drunkenness goes hand in hand with rebellion and
gluttony. God calls it evil and says that it must be put away from amongst His
people. It cannot be tolerated.
The Bible warns us more than 70 times about the sin of
drunkenness and gives us 19 clear examples of the abuse of alcoholic wine. Let’s
look at just a couple of such incidents involving righteous men in the Old
Testament who got drunk and the consequences that came from it.
The first recorded incident of drunkenness in the Bible
was that of Noah. He was indeed a righteous man who feared God but this one-off
incident of drunkenness is indeed sad. Gen 9:20-21, 24-25, “And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he
planted a vineyard: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was
uncovered within his tent. And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what
his younger son had done unto him. And he said, Cursed be Canaan;” This act
of drunkenness led to great shame and family conflict.
The second incident of drunkenness was that of Lot. You
will remember that he set his tent towards the city of Sodom and Gomorrah and
actually raised a family there amidst gross abounding iniquity which eventually
polluted and destroyed his whole family even though he himself was righteous.
After escaping the judgement of God with his two young daughters he took refuge
in a cave. The daughters, thinking that all mankind had been destroyed, produced
a plan to conceive a child by their father. In Genesis 19 we are told that they
said “...let us make our father drink
wine, and we will lie with him. And they made their father drink wine that
night also...” This terrible act of incest was the result of drunkenness.
These desperate and immoral girls learned their trade in Sodom. This righteous
man was led to immorality twice through drinking wine. They could only fulfil
their scheme if he was drunk. He never would have consented if he had his wits
about him.
Many a righteous young man or woman has played games
with alcohol and have been burnt by being taken advantage of while under its
influence and losing their virginity. Hab.2:15 “Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour
drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou
mayest look on their nakedness!” This world and even some who profess to be
Christians will use alcohol to draw others into sin. Those who avoid all such
use of alcohol are saved from many dangers.
4. Christian Drunkards
Paul goes further in speaking of those in the church who
are called Christians, who are called by the name of the Lord and so called “brother” yet who on a regular basis
begin to get drunk or come under the influence of alcohol. He says,
I Cor.5:11, “But now I have written unto
you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a
fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or
an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.”
Again Paul is very clear. He says that if there is a man
in the Church who is considered to be a Christian by others or who calls himself
a Christian but yet gets drunk, he is to be dealt with, not ignored. The Church,
the Christians who know him or others who come in touch with him are instructed
how they are to act towards such a so-called Christian
Drunkard.
First of all they are not to keep company with him. That
means they are not to intermix with him or allow him to intermix with them. They
cannot gather together with him or dwell in unity with him as if nothing is
wrong.
Secondly, they are not even to eat with such a one. So
this does not only include church meetings but also social fellowship. In verse
13 we are told “Therefore put away from
among yourselves that wicked person.” A so-called Christian who gets drunk
is called a “wicked person.” Our young people
must not see such a lifestyle displayed as acceptable.
This is basic Christian teaching concerning the order of
the local church and again is very clear. Sadly it is rarely taken seriously in
most churches.
Please do take very good note however that Paul makes it
clear in verse 10 that he is not speaking “of this world” or people of this world
who were outside the Church and outside of Christ because then “must ye
needs go out of the world.” If Christians were commanded not to meet,
intermix or eat with drunkards, fornicators, idolaters and such like it would be
impossible to live in secular society at all.
But Paul is only speaking of those who profess to be
Christians. In verse 13 he says “them
that are without, God judgeth.” And again “For what have I to do to judge them also
that are without?” So although Paul was distinct in his preaching and
teaching that drunkards in the world will go to hell, he makes clear that God
will deal with them and judge them, not man or the church.
While we are not to implement judgement upon sinners
outside the church Paul does say “do not
ye judge them that are within?” Of course the answer is yes. Christians are
to implement judgement or church discipline upon those calling themselves
Christians if it becomes evident that they are living in such sin.
It has become increasingly popular to hear Christians
say ‘leave it to the Holy Spirit to convict them’ or ‘leave it to their own
conscience’; or ‘God knows their heart,’ but the
fact is that we are clearly commanded to be led by the Spirit of God in dealing
with them over it. To turn a blind eye
and to ignore such actions without taking action is disobedience to the revealed
will of God.
Why is this to be done? Again Paul says in II Thess.3:14-15, “...have no company with him, that he may be
ashamed.” This separating of yourself from him is for the purpose
that he may be ashamed of his actions. To be ashamed means to come to a
realisation of his sin; to realise the sinfulness of sin; to turn his eyes
inward to his own inward state in such a way as to create shame for his actions.
5. Recovering a Fallen Brother
Again in II
Thess.3:14-15, “...have no company
with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but
admonish him as a brother.” Here is a lovely balance. Yes separate
from him but treat him as a brother and look for him to repent, to turn from his
sin and to return to Christ.
We have known Christians to become ashamed of such a
person who has fallen into drunkenness who have then separated from him in such
a manner as to count him an enemy rather than a fallen brother. This is wrong.
This shows a lack of compassion, concern, and no consciousness of their own
frailty. We must treat such a one as a brother and not an enemy until such time
as it becomes clear that he will not take heed to genuine brotherly warnings.
How do you treat him as a brother rather than an enemy?
By admonishing him. To admonish means to call attention to; to warn; to put in
mind. It carries the sense of carrying this out with gentleness. If you want to
act with brotherly love towards such a one you will admonish them. You will
point out their sin, you will exhort them to return, you will seek to woo and
win them back to Christ.
Eph.5:11, “And have no fellowship with
the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove
them.”
No matter what someone’s past testimony seems to be as a
Christian, if they turn aside to drunkenness and die in such a state they will
be eternally lost. Jm.5:19-20, “Brethren, if any of you do err from the
truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner
from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a
multitude of sins.”
A true Christian may stray, stumble and fall but they
prove themselves a true brother in Christ by listening and responding to such
admonishing and by returning to Christ. A practising drunkard who calls himself
a Christian is called by God a “sinner.” Unless he turns he is on a
pathway of death. Those who think they
can get drunk but go to heaven are deceived.
Christians must realise that they must labour to turn so-called
Christians as well as sinners from drunkenness and to know that by doing so they
will save souls from hell. In Lev.19:17 we are told that if we see
our brother sin but do not rebuke him, it shows that we hate him! “Open rebuke is better than secret love.” Prov.27:5
It is a real sign of spirituality for a Christian to
labour to restore a fallen brother. Gal.6:1: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault,
ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness;
considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”
It is not sufficient to rebuke a fallen brother we must
restore them. That is the goal in view of all godly rebuke. This term “restore” means to repair or mend
something and is used of the fixing of rent fishing nets. We must labour to
restore a fallen brother to his first estate.
Take good note that we are to do this “in the spirit of meekness”, that is in
gentleness and humility. Anyone who is going to participate in restoring fallen
Christians must have the right heart attitude. This is vital. Pride, arrogance,
roughness, mocking and such things will never restore a fallen brother. But more
than that, if someone tries to minister to others with such a heart they may
well themselves find that they are tempted and fall into sin. “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth
take heed lest he fall.” 1Cor.10:12
If and when a brother who has fallen into drunkenness
repents with great sorrow over his sin and returns again to Christ, the church
ought to embrace him in Christian love. “...ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort
him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.” II Cor.2:7-8. Be careful that such
sorrow for his sin or the consequences of his sin does not hinder him in moving
on with God. “...forgive him...comfort
him...love him.” Make sure that he is welcomed back with great warmth in a
manner that will make him function as a vital part of the body and act in such a
manner to aid him from falling into such a lifestyle again.
6. Leadership and Alcohol
In both the Old and New Testament’s qualifications were laid down for
those in leadership. We could say very much about this but we want to
concentrate on the issue of alcohol in relation to qualifying or disqualifying
leadership.
In Proverbs 31 we read the words taught to King Lemuel
by his mother. Prov.31:4-5, “It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for
kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget
the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.” In the previous
verse we read that such a thing is “that
which destroyeth kings.”
Please note that there is a very logical reason why
kings should not drink wine or strong drink. It will result in them forgetting
God’s Word and also will impair their ability to judge issues which will greatly
affect people who are in trouble. Alcohol will interfere with the task of a king
and his ability to faithfully fulfil his duty.
When God was establishing the spiritual ministry of the
priesthood in Israel He commanded Aaron saying,
Lev.10:9-11, “Do not drink wine nor
strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle
of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your
generations: And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and
between unclean and clean; And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the
statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of
Moses.”
Again the wisdom of God is revealed in this for wine and
strong drink will not aid or help this ministry but only hinder an individual in
accomplishing it. But more than this ministry under such an influence is not at
all acceptable to God.
The Lord warns that if they approach ministry with any
influence upon them which impairs or alters their facilities He would kill them.
If you read carefully this happened to both of Aaron’s sons, they dared to
approach ministry in such a state and God killed them.
Isaiah the prophet had to deal with drunkenness in the
lives of the priests and prophets amongst God’s people. He said,
Isa.28:7-8, “But they also have erred
through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the
prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they
are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in
judgment. For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no
place clean.”
Again Isaiah speaks in ch.56 of the shepherds who were
called to be watchmen of God’s people. He says they had become blind, ignorant,
dumb, greedy, and slothful lacking any understanding. Then in verse 12 he says,
“Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine,
and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow shall be as this day,
and much more abundant.” These shepherds and watchmen actively encouraged
the drinking of alcohol to the point of drunkenness. This had become a part of
their message.
We are only skimming over a few verses here, there are
many others but let’s look at the New Testament Church. Again Paul lays out very
clear qualifications for eldership or leadership in the local church in I Timothy ch.3. In the midst of these
qualifications he mentions “...apt to
teach; Not given to wine...”
Again in verse 8 he gives the same instruction to the
deacons who had a practical ministry not a spiritual leadership position, “Likewise must the deacons be grave, not
doubletongued, not given to much wine...”
When writing to Titus in ch.1:7 he says “For a bishop must be blameless, as the
steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine...”
then in ch.2:3 “The aged women likewise,
that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given
to much wine, teachers of good things;”
The Greek word translated “not given to wine” is the word
paroinos which literally means: staying near wine, that is, tippling.
This does not just mean to ‘not get drunk’ but means to not even linger in the
atmosphere of such an environment. It means one who does not even hang around in
an atmosphere of social drinking.
This is as important as the ability to teach in
qualifying true leadership. Be sure that when Church leadership relax on this
one issue it will affect many other issues and in turn affect the whole church.
God nowhere commends leaders who practice social drinking or who allow
themselves to get tipsy through means of alcohol. No. He utterly condemns it at
every turn.
The only reason we have a problem with social drinking
and drunkenness in the church today is because leaders are setting the standard
by their example.
By social drinking we generally mean Christians who
drink alcoholic wine or beer but who do not get drunk in a manner that causes
them to sway when they walk or slur when they speak. Many today think that by
stopping short of intoxication or drunkenness, they have the full backing and
support of God and of the Bible.
But do they? That is our next question.
7. Social Drinking by God’s People
Does God’s Word encourage or even allow Christians to drink alcohol?
In recent decades the practice of social drinking has swept the church.
Alongside this we have seen Biblical standards fall on all fronts. Dress code,
separation from the world, purity in the pulpit, the centrality of Christ, His
Word, the Blood, the Cross and a host of foundational truths have been
sidelined. Truth has been sacrificed for carnal desires.
The fact that there has been a mass turning amongst the
churches towards social drinking is a symptom of something far worse. It has
always been a symptom of a departure from God and the ancient paths of truth.
A backslidden people will be sent prophets who will
begin to prophesy that they should drink wine and a backslidden people will
receive such a message and messenger. Micah 2:11, “If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood
do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall
even be the prophet of this people.”
Such a turning from God happened in Amos’ day. He was a
pure young man whom God called and gifted to be a prophet to a backslidden
religious system. In ch.2:8 he says that they “drink the wine of the condemned in the house
of their god.” The same wine which was condemning godless men to hell for
drunkenness was being drunken by these so-called leaders and followers of the
true God.
Amos says that their church was the house of “their god.” It was “their house” and their god was no god
at all.
This same religious system was enjoying great financial
prosperity and forsaking any teaching of coming judgment. They believed that
they were in the midst of one of the greatest of revivals. It was a worship
revival in which they talked much about personal anointing but sidelined any
talk of affliction. They rebuked leaders who dealt with sin and commanded true
prophets to stop prophesying.
But that is not all. In 2:12 they “gave the Nazarites wine to drink.” Holy
young men who wanted to separate themselves from every influence of this world
and to yield themselves totally to God were given wine to drink by this new revival. It was an hour
when leaders made fun of those who sought separation from wine in order to walk
with God.
In 4:1 he
says “Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan,
that are in the mountain of Samaria...which say to their masters, Bring, and let
us drink.” This so-called revival was filled with the world, living in the
world like the world. The people were so carnal that they called unto their
leaders to bring them drink. In 6:6, we read that even a part of their gathering
together was for the purpose to “drink
wine in bowls.”
This demand for drink is preached as a liberty, an
allowance and a ‘right’ by the backslidden.
This is only one incident of the drinking of alcohol
becoming popular in the midst of God’s people who think they are in revival yet
remain intact living like the world. No wonder there is great numerical growth
at such times.
Young Amos prophesied against this thirst, lust and
desire for wine and strong drink as did every true Old Testament Prophet.
Only false prophets prophesy to the church that they can
drink wine and strong drink yet please God and walk with Him!
An emphasis of drinking alcoholic wine only arose in
ancient Israel when she was backslidden. No good fruit ever came from this
practice. Search out every righteous man in the Old Testament who indulged in
this sin and you read of terrible consequences even though they repented and
returned to God.
8. A Spirit-Filled Life
Eph.5:18 “And be not drunk with wine,
wherein is excess; but be filled with the
Spirit;”
God’s answer to an alcohol influenced life is for a man to be saved,
sanctified and Spirit-filled.
In Ephesians chapter 5 it is clearly stated that the wine mentioned
has as its very nature and intrinsic character “excess”. The Greek term asōtia which is used here is literally set as the opposite of the term sozo which is widely used in the NT for
the act of salvation or deliverance when a person is brought into Christ. So
mark carefully that the effect of salvation is set in opposition to the effect
of drunkenness. It is literally saying that the charter of an alcoholic drink is
in opposition to the character and nature of salvation.
Barnes explains excess as meaning “...that which is
unsafe, not to be recovered; lost beyond recovery...that which is abandoned to
sensuality and lust; dissoluteness, debauchery, revelry.” This is confirmed when
the other references where it is used are studied, Titus 1:6; I Pet.4:4;
Lk.15;13.
More specifically it is saying that built into the
nature of alcoholic wine is the tendency to be carried into a lifestyle of
conduct and actions which are contrary to a life of salvation in Christ. Paul
here makes a clear statement “be not
drunk with wine.” He then sets forth an alternative filling for the NT
Christian: “be filled with the Spirit.”
Just as the command is clear – “be not drunk” it is also a clear command
to “be filled with the Holy Spirit.” These two things are compared and
contrasted. When filled with alcohol the influence is manifest in the speech,
the walk, the attitude, in fact in all things. It speaks of an influence upon
the whole life.
This is comparable to the Spirit-filled life. When a man
is truly filled with the Holy Spirit every area of his life is affected and
influenced by the Holy Spirit. To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to come
under the influence or effect of the Holy Spirit. The smallest influence of the
work of the Holy Ghost in a life will have a manifest result.
It is of interest to note two incidents of people
wrongly accused of drunkenness. The first is Hannah in I Samuel ch.1 who was
marked out as a righteous lady who poured forth prayers and intercessions unto
God for a man-child, a prophet, but in verse 13 we are told “Eli thought she had been drunken.” Here
is a woman who is in the hand of God, under the work of the Holy Spirit but is
misinterpreted as being drunk by a leader!
She responded “I
have drunk neither wine nor strong drink...Count not thine handmaid for a
daughter of Belial:” Hannah was clear in understanding that only children of
Belial would come under the influence of alcohol. It is worth noting that “the sons of Eli were sons of Belial;”
Not only did Eli misjudge a prayerful lady for a drunken lady, he also allowed
his immoral sons to continue in ministry.
The second incident is on the day of Pentecost when the
disciples were filled with the Holy Ghost. Some accused, “These men are full of new wine.” It was
very obvious that these disciples had come under the strong influence of
something which was affecting everything about them.
But Peter responded “For these are not drunken, as ye
suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which
was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days,
saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your
daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men
shall dream dreams:”
Please note that drunkenness would have left these
disciples incoherent in coordination, speech and action but instead they were
bold, calm, eloquent and convincing. A filling with the true Holy Ghost made
them to shake off fear and to stand up publicly to preach a powerful and
convicting message.
Paul draws a very distinct line between the influence of
alcohol and the influence of the Spirit to the believers in Ephesus. These two
things are set in contrast and opposition to each other. It would be an utter
contradiction to think of a Spirit-filled believer coming under the influence of
alcohol in any degree.
A truly Spirit-filled believer ought not to come under
any other influence. It is an issue of influence, effect and control. What
influence should be upon the Christian’s life to lead and direct him? Only that
of the Holy Ghost.
Jude tells us in 1:19 “These be they who separate themselves,
sensual, having not the Spirit.” These were people who had mixed with the
church calling themselves Christians and making much of the fact that they had
the Spirit and were led by the Spirit. In reality however by their actions of
separating from true believers they revealed that they did not have the true
Holy Spirit.
The same goes for those who continually indulge in
coming under the influence of alcohol; by such actions they reveal that they are
not Spirit-filled. They may claim a profound experience of the Holy Ghost but
the Holy Spirit will not indwell and fill a life that will not yield to Him,
obey Him and come under His influence and control alone.
The true Holy Spirit will not share His temple with the
influence of alcohol.
The remedy for remaining free from the influence of
alcohol or any other moulding influence of the world is to “be filled with the Spirit.” When filled
with Him there is no room for other influences. When filled with Him there will
be no desire to seek for joy, peace, solitude or deliverance in alcohol.
In Galatians 5 Paul draws out a picture for us of the
conflict between the Spirit and the flesh. He exhorts believers to “Walk in
the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” He goes on to
reveal the manifestation of the flesh having its way in a life and the
manifestation of the Holy Spirit having His way in a life. Just one
manifestation of the flesh is drunkenness whereas one manifestation of the fruit
of the Spirit is temperance which is defined as self-control or the ability to
control the appetites, lusts and desires of the flesh.
Let me finish with a word to those who have played
carnal games with social drinking or tipsiness: “be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess;
but be filled with the Spirit;” This is a command to you. It is not one
without the other, you must obey both commands. If you truly want a NT
experience of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost and a continued experience of being
refilled then separate yourself from these worldly influences.
Today what is called being filled with the Spirit is no
baptism at all. It produces no holiness, no changed life, no fruit, no
separation, no obedience to the written Scriptures, no power and no
satisfaction. Today’s so called Spirit-filled Churches practice, promote and
protect the drinking of alcoholic wine while mocking and ridiculing those who
abstain from it by calling them religious, legalistic or old fashioned.
9. Questions and Answers
Q. In the Old Testament the priests were
told that they were not to drink wine when ministering to God in the Temple.
Does this mean that we as New Testament believers/priests should not drink when
attending church gatherings but are allowed to when at home?
A. It most
certainly does not. If it is wrong in church then it is still wrong at home. If
we take this Old Testament type and bring it over to the New Testament believer
we see that we are now the temple. We are told in I Cor.3:16, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God,
and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” And again in 6:19, “What? know ye not that your body is the
temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not
your own?” And Paul gives a serious warning to those who disregard this fact
“If any man defile the temple of God, him
shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”
(3:17). If the standard for the OT temple building was such how much more for
our bodies under the New Covenant?
Q.
Is it not very clear that wine was widely used in the Bible both in the Old and
New Testaments and that it did have some level of alcoholic content even if it
was small?
A. No not
at all. In fact as already stated the term wine in the Bible can either mean
alcoholic or non-alcoholic wine. The standard drink was grape juice,
unfermented, which was not alcoholic and from which no one could get drunk. It
is also true that from the days of Noah alcoholic wine was known and produced by
most ancient cultures.
Those who
just take for granted that every time they read the word wine in the Bible that
it means an alcoholic drink will make a grave mistake. Those who are too lazy to
study God’s Word and who do not care anyway will carry on justifying that every
mention of wine in the Bible is alcoholic. This shows great ignorance but a
greater lack of reverence to God and His Word. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a
workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
II Tim. 2:15. Those who continue to believe that the early church drank
alcoholic wine as justification for them also doing so are greatly mistaken.
Q. I want to ask about Jesus turning the water into
wine at the marriage feast at Canaan of Galilee in John 2:1-11. It seems that
according to the custom of the day it was normal for a marriage ceremony and
celebration to last for a week. In these Scriptures we read that when He came to
the wedding His mother Mary informed Him that there was no more wine and showed
every sign of encouraging Him to do something to provide wine for the guests. We
are then told that after Jesus turned the water to wine, the servants took it to
the governor of the feast who tasted it and then said to the bridegroom "Every man at the beginning doth set forth
good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast
kept the good wine until now." John 2:10. The term used here "...when men have well drunk..." is the
Greek word methuō which
means to drink to the point of intoxication, to get drunk or be drunk. The seven
times this word is used in the New Testament it means a state of drunkenness as
a result of alcoholic intake. Surely the governor here means that the tradition
at weddings was to wait until people were happy, tipsy or drunk through the wine
and then to serve a poor quality wine whereas in this particular case tradition
was broken by Jesus serving better wine than what the guests had already drunk?
If so then does this not mean that Jesus miraculously turned water into
alcoholic wine?
A. First
of all in answering this let's look at what this would mean if you are correct.
It would mean that Jesus not only encouraged the social drinking of alcohol at
such times but also encouraged and aided drunken parties. If this is so then
Jesus was here contradicting other statements that He makes about the sin and
danger of drunkenness but also He would be contradicting the clear teaching of
the Prophets of the Old Testament and the Apostles of the New Testament. That is
very serious. Straight after this we are told in verses 14-17, that Jesus was
eaten up with zeal for His Father's House when seeing that religion had become
merchandise In the Temple so He made a whip and chased the sellers out of the
Temple. Would the Son of God go from promoting drunkenness in Canaan to
punishing covetousness in the Temple? No not at all.
Furthermore, the governor at the wedding did not say that the people
at this wedding were "drunk." He was
saying that it was the custom of many at such occasions to be
methuō. This
word can also mean when men have "well
drunk" or drunk to the full. That is why Wycliffe, Coverdale and many other
translators of the Bible who were fluent in Greek translated it with these
words. The Greek version of the Old Testament uses this same word in numbers of
places to refer to having eaten to the point of being satisfied and full as well
as to drink to such a point. I do not at all believe that Jesus produced
alcoholic wine or encouraged drunkenness. He made new wine and in the Old
Testament new wine was always non-alcoholic. Also the bridegroom had obviously
invited Mary, Jesus and His disciples because he was in sympathy with this new
prophet of righteousness. No doubt it was a godly upright wedding celebration.
Q. But does it not also say in I Cor.11:21 in reference to the church
at Corinth who gathered to partake of the Lord's supper, that "For in eating every one taketh before other
his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken." Here we have a
clear statement saying that there were those who were drunk at the Lord's Table.
Does this not show that alcoholic wine was drunk at Church gatherings in
Corinth?
A. In this
chapter mentioned we see the practice of the agape meal or love supper which was
common in the early church. They would gather and bring their own food to eat
supper together and then break bread together in remembrance of the Lord's
death. In this particular verse the context is "eating...supper." Resulting from this
came two problems. First, some did not have much or bring much with them, and so
remained hungry at the meal. Second, others were "drunk" or fully satisfied after eating
their plenteous meal. This makes full sense then, 'one was hungry and the other
was full.' Paul uses the word "hungry" as the opposite of being
"drunk." If he had meant the person was intoxicated he would have
contrasted him with a sober man.
What is
Paul's response to all this? In the following verse he says "What? have ye not houses to eat and to
drink in?" and then later in v33-34, "Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come
together to eat, tarry one for another. And if any man hunger, let him eat at
home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in
order when I come." So he
nowhere here rebukes the sin of drunkenness, which he of course would have if
that was the problem. No, the issue was dealt with by his advice to eat and
drink at home and he most certainly was not saying for them to go home in order
that they may get drunk.
Paul would
not contradict what he had said earlier in this same letter in chapter 5 and 6,
which was to have no fellowship with a Brother who was intoxicated through too
much wine but to rebuke him. But here in chapter 11 Paul teaches that the man
concerned, who had eaten and drunken fully to his own satisfaction while others
went hungry, should go home to eat eat and drink, not in the church.
Q.
If Jesus did not drink alcoholic wine why is there no clear statement from Him
denouncing the social and cultural drinking of alcoholic
wine?
A. Jesus
could not be any more clear in His warning in Luke 21:34 “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any
time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of
this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” Again a few verses later
He says, “But and if that servant say in
his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants
and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of that servant
will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not
aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the
unbelievers.” (45-46) Jesus gives a clear and serious warning to people who
follow Him but by their life they do those things which will finally cause Him
to reject them eternally. Jesus never tolerated drunkenness by His actions or in
His preaching.
Q.
But in Matthew 11:16-19 and Luke 7:31-34 the Pharisees accused Jesus of being a
“wine-bibber” which means a tippler
or lover of wine. It was a term used in that day of someone who could finish
their cup in one downing. It says “For
John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. The Son of
man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a
winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners.” Does this not show that
Jesus was drinking alcoholic wine in an environment of sinners? And if this is
so is it not ok for us to do the same as a means of evangelism?
A. The
Pharisees also accused Jesus in these verses of being a gluttonous man, one who
overate. We of course know this is not true. They took hold of the fact that he
ate meat and made him a glutton. But He most certainly was not. They also took
hold of the fact that He drank wine – unfermented – and made Him a winebibber.
This was another false accusation.
Jesus here
in these verses is condemning the Pharisees for accusing John of having a devil
because he was strict in not drinking unfermented wine or eating meat and for
calling Jesus a glutton and drunkard for eating and drinking such. I think today
Jesus would also condemn those who mock teetotallers like John or who make Jesus
a supporter of drunkenness! He has not changed.
Q.
In I Tim.5:23 Paul writes to Timothy “Drink no longer water, but use a little
wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.” Here is a clear
command for a Christian to drink wine. I have frequently heard that a little
alcoholic wine is good for the stomach. Is Paul not saying here that taking just
a little alcoholic wine for a stomach complaint is ok? Surely this is one good
reason?
A. First
of all let’s notice that before this instruction Timothy drank neither
non-alcoholic wine nor alcoholic wine. He abstained from both. Paul literally
says here ‘stop being only a water drinker.’ The reason he gives for this advice
is for the sake of Timothy’s stomach. He was having some problem with his
stomach and as a result it caused frequent feebleness. The cure was to take a
little wine as opposed to only water.
Notice he
said “a little” which can mean for a
short period of time - just as a course of medicine is prescribed for a short
period of time. Of course people laugh and joke about this scripture as an
encouragement to drink whenever it is clear it was for a stomach problem as well
as for just a short time or to take a little amount.
But lastly
and very importantly you are right, many people do say that a little alcoholic
wine is good for the stomach, but they are wrong. It is true the medical
profession say that a little alcoholic wine is good for the heart. The
ingredient in wine which is beneficial to the heart is called resveratrol but there is a higher
content of it in non-alcoholic wine than there is in alcoholic wine. However
alcoholic wine is not advised by the medical profession for stomach problems, in
fact quite the opposite, it would tend to aggravate any stomach problems by
inflaming the tissue of the stomach. Paul could only have meant grape juice as
it would settle the stomach.
Q.
Is unfermented grape juice good for your health?
A. It most
certainly is. Just read the following comment from Expert Doctor, John D. Folts,
Ph.D., who is the director of the Coronary Thrombosis Research Laboratory at the
University of Wisconsin Medical School USA. He is an internationally recognised
researcher specialising in the effect of diet in relation to coronary artery
disease.
“Concord
grape juice has more than three times the naturally occurring antioxidants of
orange, grapefruit, apple or tomato juice, and twice as much per serving as the
42 other tested fruits and vegetables...in well-designed preliminary clinical
research, drinking Concord grape juice reduced the tendency of platelets in the
blood to clump together, helping to maintain the free flow of blood in the
arteries...Wine and Concord grape juice appear to be significant platelet
inhibitors, meaning they make the platelets in the blood less likely to
clot.”
H•E•A•R•T
UK, a leading cholesterol charity, has officially recognised Welch’s Purple
Grape Juice for its abundant antioxidant properties and role in promoting heart
health. It is the first time a 100% pure and unsweetened juice has received the
coveted H•E•A•R•T UK approval. These are just the beginnings of recent medical
and scientific discoveries concerning non-alcoholic wine.
It is no
wonder then that the Bible promotes wine (grape juice) more than any other drink
but warns and condemns the drinking of alcoholic drinks. The Bible is simply
backed up and confirmed by recent medical and scietific research.
Q. In order to reach people in the world I believe
I must go into their homes, pub’s, discos or wherever and have a casual drink
with them in order to win them over to Jesus. We must identify with today’s
young culture. Jesus would have done the same. The world thinks we are different
and that is why they do not come to Church. We must be relevant, innovative and
progressive in our methods and style. Of course we present the same unchanging
message but to reach the world you must be like the world. If that means
drinking a beer, turning the church into a pub or turning worship into a disco
then it is ok as long as our motive is to win people to Jesus. Surely that is
ok?
A. Paul
says in Rom.12:2 “And be not conformed to
this world:” The word “conformed”
means to be fashioned like it; to conform to its pattern; to be pressed into its
image. The common teaching of today’s church is the command ‘Be conformed to
this world.’ This is confusion and disobedience to the Word of God.
I
Pet.4:2-4, speaks of this very thing and instructs that if a true Christian
separates himself from his previous worldly desires of drinking, partying,
carousing and the like, that those of this world will “think it strange that ye run not with them
to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:”
Again Paul
speaks of those in the world in Eph.5:7-8 “Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as
children of light:” And in 5:11 “And
have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove
them.” All through the Bible we have no good profitable example of followers
of the Lord following the ways or practices of the world in order to win them
over to God. It never has happened.
When you
see church youth or leadership groups meeting in pubs, churches rebuilt to look
like pubs, and a general conformity to the looks, sounds and actions of the
world you can be sure that the world has succeeded in evangelizing the church
with its gospel of ‘eat, drink and be happy’!
Q.
In the Parable of the Wineskin told by Jesus in Matthew 9, Mark 2 and Luke 5 we
read of new wine being put into new wineskins in order to ferment. This shows
that Jesus understood the process of fermenting wine and used it as an example
of making alcoholic wine when teaching God’s Word to people. If the wine was put into an old wineskin to
ferment it would burst, but if put in a new wineskin it will expand to hold it
safely. Surely this must show that He approved of making alcoholic wine and was
maybe involved in such a process at some stage?
A. First,
from what you say then it must be very obvious that the term “new wine” must mean unfermented or
non-alcoholic wine. That is what the term new wine clearly means in the Bible.
This simply proves that wine was a term used for unfermented grape juice even
though many teach otherwise today.
Then you
mention that new wine was placed in a new wineskin in order to ferment and that
this process was revealed by the expanding of the wineskin. But I am afraid that
is not correct. Job says in 32:19 “Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no
vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.” Fermenting wine put in a new
wineskin would burst. It must have a vent or a means of releasing the carbonic
gas. Such a process would expand the wine to 40 times more than its original
size.
Job
reveals here that new wine put in a new wineskin to ferment would burst. But if
new wine was put in a new wineskin in order to preserve unfermented wine then it
would simply mould the shape of the skin but not burst.
Q.
When Paul in I Timothy ch.3 mentions “Not
given to wine” and again in Titus in ch.1:7 as the qualifications for
eldership but then speaks to the deacons in I Timothy 3 and the older woman in
Titus 2 to be “not given to much
wine” does it mean there is a difference in expectation here and that Paul
will allow deacons and the older woman to drink as long as they do not drink too
much?
A. When
the qualifications for deacons are also given as not being “doubletongued” and for the older ladies
as “not false accusers” it does not
mean that the rank and file believers can participate in these sins or are given
greater liberty in them. Sin is sin. So also those requirements laid upon elders
are expected of the deacons and of the whole body of Christ. The Church is one
temple for the Holy Spirit. So also those instructions given to deacons and
older women apply to all.
Remember
that elders, bishops, deacons and all believers were allowed to drink
non-alcoholic wine, there was no restriction. But like the use of honey which is
very good for all, a little instruction is given in Proverbs 25:27 which say’s
"It is not good to eat much honey."
Here we have a warning against self indulgence and over indulgence.
I believe
the warning to elders was an instruction concerning alcoholic wine. As already
said the Greek word paroinos
literally means staying near wine and tippling. It means don’t even linger in
such an atmosphere. But the instruction to the deacons was a warning to not over
indulge in a good thing. As they carried out their practical ministry they were
not to overindulge in drinking non-alcoholic grape juice. Both of these
instructions apply to both elders and deacons.
Q.
Tradition and history teaches us that alcoholic or fermented wine was used at
the Passover by Israel and that the early Church carried on this practice by
using fermented wine at the Lord’s Table. This means that Jesus and the
disciples at least drank fermented wine at the Passover. What is your answer to
this?
A. If so,
they would have complied with the practice of each man taking four cups of wine.
This would mean that Jesus and the disciples took four cups of alcoholic wine
each at this feast meal. Although each man would have a different capacity, if
true, I am sure this would make at least one of them very
tipsy.
The Jews
not only used unleavened bread for the Passover, they also used unleavened wine.
The fermenting process that makes wine alcoholic is a leavening process. Yeast
is leaven. One Hebrew scholar commented "Leaven applied to the wine as well as
the bread." The word "wine" is never used in connection with the Lord’s Supper
but "fruit of the vine" is and also
the statement that Jesus “took the cup.”
Email if you have further questions.
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SOBER SAINTS
By Keith
Malcomson
Should Christians Drink
Alcohol?
This Book was written for three types of persons. Firstly, for those who are convinced that it is ok to drink alcohol socially and moderately. Secondly, for those who are fully persuaded that Scripture forbids the drinking of alcohol. And thirdly, for those who stand in the middle unsure of the clear teaching of the Bible. This subject has certainly become a hotly debated subject in recent years by professing born-again believers. This simple book will challenge many contemporary opinions, traditions, fables, excuses and false teachings. It will also answer many questions you have had. This is a practical book for leaders, mothers, teenagers and all who have an interest, opinion, concern or doubt concerning alcohol and the teaching in the Bible concerning it.
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