LAST WEEK Is it Biblically Right for a Christian to drink alcohol?

Transcription

1 LAST WEEK Is it Biblically Right for a Christian to drink alcohol? If so, how much?

2 TWO OPPOSING GROUPS GROUP 1: Argues that Jesus drank wine, and since a Christian is a follower of Christ, how can it be forbidden? They generally add that drinking should be done moderately, and should not be done to excess. GROUP 2: Argues that alcohol is an addictive and destructive drug that no sincere Christian should use to any degree whether socially or for personal relaxation and enjoyment. between these two diametrically opposed poles, there are countless variations of opinions.

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4 The Meaning of Wine in the Bible IN HEBREW

5 The Meaning of Wine in the Bible IN GREEK Dr. Lyman Abbott, A Dictionary of Religious Knowledge, states clearly that It is tolerably clear that the general words wine [yayin; oinos] and strong drink [shekar] do not necessarily imply fermented liquors, the former signifying only a production of the vine, the latter the produce of other fruits than the grape.

6 The Meaning of Wine in the Bible Current Usage of the word Most people assume today that the word "wine" can refer only to fermented, intoxicating grape juice, or to the fermented juice of any fruit used as beverage. Thus, the universally accepted definition of "wine" as "fermented grape juice Past Usage of the word The 1759 Nathan Bailey s New Universal English Dictionary of Words and of Arts and Sciences offers defines "wine as "Natural wine is such as it comes from the grape, without any mixture or sophistication. Adulterated wine is that wherein some drug is added to give it strength, fineness, flavour, briskness, or some other qualification." The current restrictive meaning of "wine" represents a departure from the more classical dual meaning of the word as a designation for both fermented or unfermented grape juice.

7 Alleged Contradictions in the Scriptures As a Student of the Word of God since 1977, I have found that every time the Scriptures seems to contradict itself; We Are The Ones at Fault, NOT THE BIBLE! WE have somehow failed TO COMPREHEND THE TRUTH found in GOD S WORD! That is why we are instructed in 2 Timothy 2:15, STUDY, so that we can rightly divide the Word of Truth.

8 Alleged Contradictions in the Scriptures Wine is Good Wine is the Blessing of God Wine makes the heart rejoice Wine is a Sign of prosperity Wine is a Symbol of Eternal Salvation Wine brings Comfort & Peace Wine is a Source of an acceptable Offering to God Wine is Bad Wine Brings a Curse with it Wine causes grief to the heart Wine leads to poverty Wine is a Symbol of Eternal Wrath Wine brings Woes & Violence Wine is a Source of ungodliness & sinful behaviour

9 Alleged Contradictions in the Scriptures Proverbs 20:1 Wine [is] a mocker, strong drink [is] raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. Proverbs 23:31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, [when] it moveth itself aright. Psalm 104: He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; 15 And wine [that] maketh glad the heart of man, [and] oil to make [his] face to shine, and bread [which] strengtheneth man's heart.

10 Two Entirely Different Types of Wine One type of Wine mentioned in the Bible is a fermented alcoholic beverage which causes intoxication and has caused untold harm to our society. Another type of Wine mentioned in the Bible is a non-alcoholic grape juice, which is always associated with the healthy blessing of harvest and prosperity from the Lord.

11 How Do We Determine Which Type of Wine? We must determine which type of wine from the Context!

12 THIS WEEK The Old Testament & Wine: Alleged Problem Passages The Lord Jesus & Wine Did He make Fermented Wine? Did He drink Fermented Wine? Did He encourage others to drink The New Testament & Wine Alleged Problem Passages What about The Apostolic Church?

13 The Old Testament & Wine As a general rule: to discern wine in The O.T. When wine is mentioned in context of bringing shame and woe it refers to Bad fermented man-made alcoholic wine. When wine is mentioned associated with the blessing of God upon the fruit of the earth; the crops, the harvest, and all the blessings connected to corn, wheat, olive oil, and even the flock; then it is refers to Good non-fermented natural non-alcoholic wine. Let us see some examples:

14 Bad Fermented Wine Brings Shame & Woe Noah and his sons - And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent. (Genesis 9:21) Lot and his daughters And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose. (Genesis 19:33) Ammon and Tamar - Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant. (2 Samuel 13:28) Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, [that] they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, [till] wine inflame them! (Isaiah 5:11) 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! (Habakkuk 2:15)

15 Bad Fermented Wine Brings Shame & Woe Proverbs 23: Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. 31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, [when] it moveth itself aright. 32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. 34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. 35 They have stricken me, [shalt thou say, and] I was not sick; they have beaten me, [and] I felt [it] not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

16 Good Non-Fermented Wine is a Blessing Isaac Blessing Jacob 27 And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son [is] as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed: 28 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: (Genesis 27:27-28) Moses Blessing Israel And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee. (Deuteronomy 7:13)

17 Good Non-Fermented Wine is a Blessing Moses Commanding Israel - 11 But the land, whither ye go to possess it, [is] a land of hills and valleys, [and] drinketh water of the rain of heaven: 12 A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God [are] always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year. 13 And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, 14 That I will give [you] the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil. (Deuteronomy 11:11-14)

18 Good Non-Fermented Wine is a Blessing Jeremiah 31: Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare [it] in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd [doth] his flock. 11 For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of [him that was] stronger than he. 12 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all. Joel 2: Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people. 19 Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:

19 Good Non-Fermented Wine is a Blessing 2 Chronicles 31: Moreover he [King Hezekiah] commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD. 5 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all [things] brought they in abundantly. Please, take note that each of these verses refer to the harvest of wheat, olive oil and other crop in the same sense as the harvested vine (grapes) and yet it is called wine, even though it has no alcohol in it at all!

20 What Are These Pictures? Ancient Winepress Modern Winepress

21 Freshly squeezed Grape Juice = Good Wine 10 And in the vine [were] three branches: and it [was] as though it budded, [and] her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes: 11 And Pharaoh's cup [was] in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand. (Genesis 40:10-11) Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and [one] saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing [is] in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all. (Isaiah 65:8)

22 Freshly squeezed Grape Juice = Good Wine 13 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. 14 And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit [them]; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. (Amos 9:13-14) 9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. (Proverbs 3:9-10)

23 The Absence of God s Blessing = Judgement The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted: the new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth. (Joel 1:10) And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon [that] which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands. (Haggai 1:11) 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. (Micah 2:11)

24 Alleged Problems: The Old Testament Deuteronomy 14: Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year. 23 And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always. 24 And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; [or] if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee: 25 Then shalt thou turn [it] into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose: 26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household, 27 And the Levite that [is] within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.

25 Alleged Problems: The Old Testament Isaiah 25:6 And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. Proverbs 31:4-7 4 [It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. 7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. Jeremiah 35 The Rechabites

26 The Lord Jesus & Wine Did Jesus make fermented wine at Cana of Galilee in John, Chapter 2 Did Jesus encourage others to drink fermented wine? Was Jesus a drinker of fermented wine? Old wine in new wineskins Mark 2:22; Matthew 9:17; Luke 5:37-39

27 Alleged Problems: The Life of Jesus John 2: And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do [it]. 6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare [it]. 9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10 And saith unto him, 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. 11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

28 Alleged Problems: The Life of Jesus Did Jesus drink fermented wine? Matthew 11: For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. 19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children. Luke 7:34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! Luke 22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. (cf. Matthew 26:29; Mark14:25) Jesus refused Bad Intoxicating Wine (drug), even whilst He was on the Cross! Mark 15:23 - And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received [it] not.

29 Alleged Problems: The Life of Jesus What about New Wine in Old Wineskins, and Jesus claim that The Old Wine is Better? Luke 5: And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was [taken] out of the new agreeth not with the old. 37 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. 38 But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. 39 No man also having drunk old [wine] straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better. (cf. Mark 2:22, Matthew 9:17)

30 The Apostolic Church Were the apostles drunk in Acts, Chapter 2? What about The Passover/Lord s Table? What about the Corinthian Church? Did not Paul instruct Timothy to drink wine? What about the qualifications of pastors and deacons? Are you not a Legalist when you teach abstinence in light of Col. 2, and 1 Tim. 4?

31 Alleged Problems: The Apostolic Church Were the apostles drunk in Acts, chapter 2? Acts 2: Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language 12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. How about The Passover / The Lord s Supper?! Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25; Luke 22:19 Fruit of the vine. Did not the Corinthians get drunk at The Lord s Supper? 1 Corinthians 11: When ye come together therefore into one place, [this] is not to eat the Lord's supper. 21 For in eating every one taketh before [other] his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. 22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise [you] not.

32 Alleged Problems: The Apostolic Church Did not Paul instruct Timothy to drink wine? 1 Timothy 5:23 - Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. What about the qualifications of pastors and deacons? 1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7 - Not given to wine Not μη given to wine παροινος, Strong s number 3943 staying near wine, i.e. tippling (a toper): given to wine. 1 Timothy 3:8 - not μη given προσεχω to much πολυς wine οινος, Are you not a Legalist when you teach abstinence in light of Col. 2 & 1 Tim. 4? Colossians 2: (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 1 Timothy 4:3 Forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

33 Abstinence is the SOLUTION, Regardless 1.The Bible Identifies Total Abstinence From Alcohol As An Expression Of Devotion To God 1. The Nazirite vow included abstinence - Numbers 6: Daniel purposed in his heart to abstain - Daniel 1:8 3. John The Baptist abstained - Luke 1: The Bible Recognises The Dangers Of Alcohol E.G. - Proverbs 20:1; 23:19-20; 23:29-33; Isaiah 28:7 3.The Bible Condemns Drunkenness E.G. Proverbs 23:21; Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Timothy 3:2-3; Titus 1:7 4.The Bible Provides Important Reasons for Abstinence Care of Our Bodies - Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 6:19; 2 Cor. 6:16-7:1 Not to be impediment to others - Rom. 14:13,21; 1 Cor. 8:9; Mt 18:6 Not to abuse Christian liberty 1 Cor. 8:9; 10:23 Self-Control of minds and actions 1 Peter 1:13; 4:7; 5:8 The Bible teaches Self-denial NOT Self-gratification Matthew 16:24