I thank God for the presence of those of you, in our Sunday School lesson of August 2, 1992. If you could recall that an issue about Christians and wine drinking was debated. This is just an information that l hope and pray that each one of you can use to arrive at a decision or understanding about what the Bible say about wine. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will give you the understand of God Word on this very sensitive subject. If you need more clarification please feel free to consult your bible and the Lord.
It is clear from historical information that people in Bible times understood and used processes by which wine was kept in unfermented stages.
It is also clear from the historical and scientific evidence that two kinds of wine were used in the ancient time. One was sweet, pleasant, refreshing, and unfermented. The other was intoxicating. Each was called "wine".
The Greek word OINOS refers to wine in all of its stages, from being the grape on the vine to the total process of fermentation. This is the problem we have in examining the biblical evidence for the use of alcoholic beverages.
Fermentation begins immediately (the same day or next day) with a slight foam. Jewish tradition teaches that this initial stage make the wine available for the wine tithe. After a week, violent processes subside and the wine is transferred to other jars or stronger wineskins. This is referred to as "new wine."
Up to 40 days the wine could be used for the "drink offering" mentioned in the Mosaic law. From this point on, the wine deteriorating rapidly (fermentation is a decaying process) and is unacceptable for religious purposes. The rabbis of ancient time mixed the wine of Passover in the ration of three parts water to one part wine in order to prevent any problem with fermentation or possible intoxication.
The longest time that wine was kept was three years. The term "old wine" seems to refer to that which is least one year old.
In the Hebrew language of the Old Testament, some 12 words are used in 251 places, and that does not count the usage of the word "to drink." In the Greek language of the New Testament, three words are used:
GLUEKOS - once in Acts 2:13.
LENOS - five times, referring to the winepress.
OINOS - 36 times, including three compound words:
OINOPOTES - "Winebibber" in Matthew 11:19 and Luke 7:34.
OINOPHLUGIA - "drinking parties" in 1 Peter 4:3.
PAROINOS - "not given to wine" in 1 Timothy 3:3 and Titus 1:7.
HERE IS A LIST OF THE PROHIBITIONS IN THE BIBLE:
1. Priests while ministering - Leviticus 10:9.
2. Nazarites during the time of their vows - Numbers 6:3,20.
3. Prophets and priests while teaching or prophesying - Isaiah 28:7.
4. Kings or princes - Proverbs 31:4,5.
5. Elders and deacons - 1 Timothy 3:3,38; Titus 1:7.
6. If it causes someone to stumble - Romans 14:21.
WINE IN CERTAIN FORMS IS ALWAYS CONDEMNED.
Proverbs 20:1 says, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."
It should be obvious by these words that we ought to practice abstinence from alcoholic beverages containing strong fermentation processes.
Proverbs 23:29-35 says, "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."
Notice carefully that the wine was "mixed." Various grains and fruits were used to make wine more intoxicating.
The word "strong drink" refer to highly intoxicating beverages, and the Bible recommends their use under only one condition-when a person is dying. Consider what Proverbs 31:4-7 says:
"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."
The Bible recognizes that "strong drink" or "intoxicating drink" is a sedative and could be used to eliminate pain, especially in the case of someone who is dying.
Please note that this recommendation DO NOT APPLY TO MODERN DAY CHRISTIANS BECAUSE GOD HAS GIVEN US THE WISDOM OF PRODUCING MEDICINE THAT WOULD TAKE CARE OF OUR MEDICAL PROBLEM.
WINE AT CERTAIN STAGES OF FERMENTATION WAS ACCEPTABLE.
Although total abstinence from alcoholic beverage is the best solution to our alcoholic problems in the country, it is important to note the occasions when wine was used and not condemned.
1. FOR STOMACH PROBLEMS - 1 Timothy 5:23.
Paul gave Timothy the following advice:
"Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities."
Timothy’s physical problems were being intensified by the water he was drinking (which is often not safe in many parts of the world even today example Mexico). Paul recommended wine with no evidence as to its condition. Since the nutritional value of wine (especially in the ancient processes) decreases with fermentation, it makes sense to believe that Paul was referring to the sweet, refreshing taste of grape juice, or wine that is unfermented.
2. AT THE WEDDING OF CANA OF GALILEE - John 2:9-11.
Jesus and His disciples attended this wedding, and Jesus did not rebuke or confront the attendees for their wine-drinking. The problem involved a shortage of wine. Consider what was said by the master of the feast:
"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."
To argue that the "good wine" which the miracle of Jesus produced was hard liquor is utterly ridiculous! It is far more likely to believe that it was closer to the sweet grape juice that was so highly prized and which took special processes of prevention to preserve. This "good" or "best" wine was usually served at the beginning, while older and more fermented wine would be brought out at the end, when people would be less likely to notice the difference. It is fascinating to notice the the governing official at this wedding immediately recognized the good quality of the wine which Jesus made from the water in the waterpots.
3. FOR CELEBRATING - Psalm 104:14,15; Ecclesiastes 9:7; 10:19.
In the beautiful passage in Psalm 104, the Psalmist exhorts us to consider the Lord’s creation:
Ps 104:14 "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."
This passage does not condone the drinking of alcoholic beverages! It simply teaches that everything God created was provided for man’s strength and enjoyment. When man mixes other ingredients into the wine in order to produce an intoxicating drink, God condemns it (Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-35)
Ecclesiastes 9:7 says, "Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works."
Once again, it is not commending the use of intoxicating beverages that dull the senses and sedate a person, and often cause him to do things he would not normally do. It is simply and refreshingly presenting the blessings of life which should be enjoyed and appreciated as they come from the hand of the Lord.
4. FOR PASSOVER (COMMUNION) - Matthew 26:29.
The cup which was used at the Last Supper, when Jesus and His disciples shared in the Passover the night before He went to the cross to die for our sins, was not intoxicating drink. Jesus said in Matthew 26:29:
"But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."
As mentioned previously, the rabbis of ancient times mixed three parts water with one part wine (regardless of its stage of fermentation) to insure that it was not intoxicating.
5. FOR WORSHIP - Deuteronomy 14:22,23.
These verse refer to the tithe which the children of Israel were to bring in worship to the Lord:
Deut 14:22 ‘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."
This "new wine tithe" referred to wine that was 40 days old or less (cf. "drinking-offering" in Numbers 28:7).
Num 28:7 "And the drink offering thereof shall be the fourth part of an hin for the one lamb: in the holy place shalt thou cause the strong wine to be poured unto the LORD for a drink offering."
In conclusion, the only position that avoids the appearance of evil is total abstinence. In 1 Thessalonians 5: 22 we read the following command:
1Thes 5:22 "Abstain from all appearance of evil."
The word "form" or "appearance" does not refer to how something may appear to someone else, although that is a part of the warning here. The word speaks of the form which actual evil or sin takes-not what we think it might be, but what form, structure, process, or tactics the sin or evil takes. It is a warning to be careful about getting close to evil and thinking you can handle it.
One of these evils is drunkenness, and consuming alcoholic beverages that are "mixed" and "strong" (since these are intended to make a person intoxicated). The "form" that it takes (from which we are to stay away) could be any alcoholic beverage.
Social drinkers may argue vehemently that they are not drunkard and therefore do not violate the standards of the Bible, but are we not dangerously close to violating this principle of abstaining from every form of evil when we consume alcoholic beverages?
I pray that you will read this information and researched the scripture on your own for better understanding.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU