Alcoholic beverages

Heavenly Home · Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2003 8:08 pm Post subject:

well alcohol might not have been bad back then.. but its how the world has made it nowadays... and the bible says to be different then the world.. so therefore doing that.. it would be a sin.. because of how this crummy old world has made... so now.. it is... of the devil.. drunks.. alcoholics.. and when they say "drinking socialy" well.. its to be with the gang doing what they are but like i said before it says in the Bible to be different then the world
God Bless 8)

vwall · Tadpole Joined: 23 Feb 2003 Posts: 20

I beleive the previous mention abstanance for drinking wine or strong drink was for those who took the Nazarene vow.. If they digressed, they would have to start all over again.
Also, it was forbidden for Deacans to partake as well.

Futhermore:

1 Timothy 5:23
"Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities."
Wine has proven medical benefits. It seems that in the passage above not only is it allowed but recommended.
I have done this and it is true with red wines. it has cured serious stomach and gastro pains etc...

More Biblical perspective:

In the Torah, you can use your tithe to buy wine and strong drink:

Deu 14:22 "You shall surely tithe all the produce from what you sow, which comes out of the field every year.
Deu 14:23 "You shall eat in the presence of the LORD your God, at the place where He chooses to establish His name, the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and your flock, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.
Deu 14:24 "If the distance is so great for you that you are not able to bring {the tithe,} since the place where the LORD your God chooses to set His name is too far away from you when the LORD your God blesses you,
Deu 14:25 then you shall exchange {it} for money, and bind the money in your hand and go to the place which the LORD your God chooses.
Deu 14:26 "You may spend the money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen, or sheep, or wine, or strong drink, or whatever your heart desires; and there you shall eat in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice, you and your household.

On the other hand, Paul writes:

1Tim 3:8 Deacons likewise {must be} men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain

and

Titus 2:3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good

Proverbs 2:20 says: Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.

Other Scriptures likewise speak against drunken behavior.

Jesus turned water into wine ("oinos") Strong's 3631, and I don't think that was sinful, nor would Jesus be leading others into sin if they drank the wine. The word appears more than 30 times in the KJV, and it is talking about wine, not grape juice. However, I do believe the alcohol content was less in those days.

So, to me it appears from Scripture that wine and even "strong drink" are not forbidden, but rather it is drunken behavior is repeatedly taught against. You don't want to cause others to stumble.

On the other hand, we are told that we as Christians are not to place a stumbling block before others. If someone thinks that the drinking of any alcoholic beverage is sin, then they will logically come to the conclusion that we are not acting in a Christian manner if we take a drink. Even though taking a drink is not sin, if others think it is sin, then we may damage our Christian witness by drinking. And our Christian witness is far more important than the taking an occasional drink when it comes to winning the lost. (See Romans 14:21)
So if we wish to drink a little and it is not a sinful act to those who are able, be it to a wise man to do so in the privacy of his home where he will not cause accusations of hypocracy or cause others to stumble.

The Bible does teach against drunkenness. We are told that those who practice drunkenness will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:21). Over-indulgence in drinking, as well as in eating, is sinful and is to be avoided.

Are we permitted the use of wine? Yes. Should we do so? Not if it will place a "stumbling block" before someone else. We as Christians should be conscious of the image we show the world - and if the use of wine or other drink is going to damage our witness before the lost, then it should be avoided.

Shalom!

Phinehas · Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2003 5:16 pm Post subject:

larryjf · Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2003 7:31 am Post subject:

A thought on how extreme to take the idea of Christians being seperate from the world...

Under Roman rule in the early church Christians thought it was unholy to take baths - because the Romans enjoyed taking baths. So, Christians at the time thought that "if the Romans do it, it must be evil."

Also, in regards to our society abusing alcohol, and that's why we shouldn't use it - For thousands of years people have been abusing alcohol. That's why there is bible instruction about not becoming drunk. Even Noah abused alcohol.

zao275 · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2003 12:51 pm Post subject:

I am glad that everyone is so considerate of brothers and sisters with different convictions about alcohol. If more Christians were this way concerning alot of matters, the Church would be much happier. I speak to myself, too! It is hard to respect people who legalistic attempt to enforce their convictions on you. And it seems I'm preaching to the choir...alcohol use, in moderation and with consideration of brothers with "weaker faith" is not in disagreement with the teaching of Scripture.

Phinehas · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2003 1:01 pm Post subject: