Introduction:
1. To drink or not to drink. This is the question of many. Many respectable church-goers wrestle with this subject.
2. We are in a time when alcohol flows like water and it is an acceptable past time in our society we question this subject.
3. Come let us reason together to see what the scriptures say on this subject.
I. The prohibition of alcoholic drink.
A. Scripture that prohibits it (Hab. 2:15; Prov. 20:1; Gal. 5:21; Eph. 5:18).
B. Stewardship gives us reason to think (1 Cor. 6:19, 20).
C. Self control tells us that we do not need this activity. Alcohol affects our bodies.
D. Side effects of alcohol. It effects the individual (Prov. 23:30-35; 21:17; Gen. 19:33-35) and others (Rom. 14:13).
II. But, doesn’t the Bible justify drinking in certain passages?
A. John 2:1-10.
1. Jesus would violate the Old Testament.
2. Verse 10 says “well drunk”. This means to drink freely or a state of fullness (Ps. 23:5). It implies a state of fullness.
3. “Good wine” in Biblical times referred to the unfermented juice (Pliny, Plutarch, Horace). Note: There are 24 Greek and Hebrew terms in Bible that refer to the grape product only one for sure talks about the intoxicating beverage. 8 refer to the non-intoxicating drink and the remainder must be studied within their context. Note there are times when the word wine is used in translations but refers to the grape juice (Num. 18:12; Ex. 22:29; Isa. 16:10).
B. Luke 7:31-35. Jesus was charged with being a winebibber and a glutton.
C. Acts 2:13. One reason does not exclude all other reasons.
D. Col. 2:16. The Gnostics had made the rules and Paul said they were not to allow the Gnostics with their own set of man made rules to judge them.
E. 1 Tim. 3:8; Titus 2:3. What does a comparison accomplish? Be careful of superlatives. (Ecc. 7:17; Ja. 1:21; 1 Pet. 4:4).
F. 1 Tim. 5:23. It is used here for medicinal purposes. Pliny, Columella and Philo said that wines destitute of all strength were wholesome and useful for the body.
Entered on 3/15/2009
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