WHY WE BELIEVE IN TOTAL ABSTINENCE FROM ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

This paper should not have to be written, especially for the benefit of a church congregation. Yet, increasingly so, "Christian" people are found defending the practice of social drinking. Strange as it may seem, the church that once preached to the world the evils of alcoholic beverages is now being rebuked by the same society that has now come to realize by observation the inerrant error in alcohol. To make things worse, the Bible is often used to defend the practice of drinking by Christians. In view of this we as a church family wish to affirm that we believe that the Bible teaches that it is right for Christians to totally abstain from any form of alcoholic beverage. In support of this, we add the following:

THE NATURE OF CONTEMPORARY WINES

There is a great difference between the alcoholic beverages used today, and the wines used in the Bible. Present alcoholic beverages are processed one of three ways, resulting in a far higher alcohol content:

1. Natural Aging: Natural fermentation occurs when the grape changes form and natural decay results. Vinous fermentation will not occur unless the juice is kept at a temperature above 50F, for that reason wine today is slowly aged in a wine cellar at a temperature slightly above 50F.

2. Brewing: Most beers are brewed by using barley to affect fermentation and hops are added for flavoring.

3. Distilling: The greater share of alcoholic beverages today are the product of distilling. Through boiling and vaporizing, an alcoholic substance results. This process, as well as brewing was unheard of in Biblical times.

THE NATURE OF BIBLE WINES

There are several words in the Bible for "wine." The most common Old Testament word for wine is the word, "Yayin." This wine was usually fermented and therefore was called "mixed wine," (wine mixed with water to control it's alcohol content), (Gen. 9:21). A second Old Testament word for wine describes wine that is fresh, and non-fermented, "tee-roshe.'" (Gen. 27:28).

The New Testament equivalent is the word, "oinos," meaning "fruit of the vine," or "hanging wine." This word is generic, meaning juice that came from the grape in any form, fermented or non-fermented. Understanding the context of the word will determine whether the wine was fermented or fresh; but it should never be assumed that the world "wine" in the Bible indicates a fermented beverage. In some instances (Proverbs 23:29-33), the context makes it clear that a fermented beverage is described, yet the definition of the word does not allow this to be assumed. Language barriers have made it difficult to translate the phrase "fruit of the vine," without using the very general word, "wine." Great violence to the Scripture is done when one fails to make this textual distinction. Besides the textual distinction, there is a definite difference between the naturally fermented beverages defined in the Bible, and the aged, brewed or distilled beverages of today.

THE PRESERVATION OF BIBLE WINES

It is often suggested that it was necessary for the ancients to use fermented wines, since there was a limited harvesting season for grapes. To this we propose seven ways that the people in Bible times preserved juice for consumption.

Alcoholic beverages of today contain a very high alcoholic content, ranging from 4-5% for beer; 9-11% for wine to a high of 49-59% for liquor. The acceptable mix for fermented wines in the Bible days was at least 3 to 1 ratio, meaning that the alcohol content was very low, and would not even be classified today as an alcoholic beverage. This is why the deacon was told by Paul not to be given to much wine-1 Tim. 3:8.

BIBLE WINES AND THE MISUSE OF SCRIPTURE

Perhaps the most tragic consequence of this controversy is the manner in which Scripture is distorted as an excuse for man to exercise his moral weakness. Often mentioned is 1 Tim. 3:8, where the Deacon is told not to be given to much wine. And 1 Tim. 5:23, where Timothy is told by Paul to use a little wine for his stomach ailments. Now why would one simply assume that Paul was speaking about fermented wine, rather than fresh wine, unless, that is, he was looking for an excuse to drink himself! And finally the age-old argument that Jesus created wine at the wedding feast-John 2:11. Note that the wine that Jesus created was called "good wine". Now certainly he would not have created a substance that is decayed and filled with bacteria, and then call it good; and why would he create a beverage that is described in 1 Cor. 6:10 as leading souls to hell!

BIBLE WINES AND THE LORD'S SUPPER

Perhaps the most critical of all questions relates to the nature of the elements used in the Lord's supper. To this we simply ask: Would Jesus Christ use spoiled, aged and leavened juice to describe in type his blood? (1 Cor. 11). Is it even probable that Jesus took an intoxicating liquor, which in all the ages past had been the cause of misery and ruin, and which in all the ages to come would destroy myriads in temporal and eternal destruction; that he took the wine which his own inspired Word declared was the poison of asps, the poison of serpents, the poison of dragons, whose deadly bite is like a serpent, and whose fatal sting is like an adder; and that he made that substance the symbol of his atonement saying, This is the New Testament in my blood We think not!!!

In conclusion, we propose the following reasons why every Christian should abstain totally from alcoholic beverage:

At this point one might ask: Why would a Christian want to sacrifice all of the above simply to partake of a beverage that he doesn't really need to begin with? Perhaps the greater question is this: What need do you have that is so great that it can be satisfied with alcohol, yet not satisfied in one's relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ? Phil. 1:21.

CONCLUSION

Paul summarized the question of total abstinence in 1 Cor. 6:12 where he said: "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient." In other words, just because it is lawful, doesn't mean it is wise. To take the question a step further, alcohol consumption is not only unwise, it is unnecessary. The grocery store stocks dozens of different types of beverages that are not only satisfying, but also nonalcoholic.

Today it is unnecessary to rehearse social statistics about the detrimental influence of alcohol on society, for the curse of alcohol on society is well documented. In view of this, it is right, Biblical and necessary for our church to stand firmly as total abstainers.

Proverbs 23:29-33: 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. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth its color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange things and thine heart shall utter perverse things.

Bibliography

1. Patton, William. "Bible Wines." Star Bible Pub.

2. Wesley, James. "Was Jesus the Lil' Ole' Winemaker." Wess Press Publ.

Revised 10/31/01


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