Alcohol: A sin or a celebration ?

Question: "Jesus turned water into wine for people to drink. Because of this, I am confused if I am allowed to drink or not to drink. Is drunkenness not a sin? Then why does Jesus condone drinking wine?"

Answer: With regards to the matter of alcohol and the first miracle please note that

wine and grape juice have the same Greek word “oinos”. In the Bible I will

present you with a few references that you can turn to, so that you can see

why the Bible discourages “alcoholic “ wine and then answer the question

that has been presented. Lev 10:9, Num_6:3, Deu_29:6, Jdg_13:4 ,

Pro_20:1, Pro_21:17, Pro_31:4, Pro_31:6, Isa_5:11, Isa_5:22 

Allow me to give my viewpoint as a Pastor:

1. Beer has  over 5% alcohol content and it is a crime to drive and have 0.07% alcohol in

your blood

2. Beer lite has under 5% alcohol content

3. Table wine has 12% alcohol content

4. Brandy has 43% alcohol content

5. Gin and other Spirits has over 53% alcohol content

6. Some cough mixtures sold over the counter have up to 65% alcohol content

Alcohol is an agent of fermentation and any agent of fermentation is used as an illustration of

sin. Leaven or yeast is the more specific reference to illustrate sin hence Jewish Passover has

unleavened bread. With regards to the miracle in Canaa ( John 2: 1 – 11) we need to take note

that Jesus performed the miracle to show His power and at no time is a miracle used to introduce

a doctrine or justify a lifestyle. If you look at the first miracle you will note that the master of

ceremonies asked why the good wine was kept till last. It was the custom to first serve the good

wine and then the “bad” wine.

We must accept that this custom was observed, and that the “bad” wine was now coming to an

end. If this is the case how could they now discern the good from the bad bearing in mind that

water jars being described in this portion of Scripture contained 20 gallons of water each.

Can people who have already been drinking now distinguish between the “good” and “bad”

wine?

You will also note that the miracle caused people to glorify and believe in God as opposed to

being a condolence to drink as stressed in verse11.

I would rather encourage the following:

Rom_14:21  It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing

whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

Eph_5:18  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with

the Spirit;

In 1 Tim. 3:1 – 13 we have the prerequisites for a bishop and a deacon

The following scriptures are given for those who wish to be bishops or

deacons and in both instances Paul discourages excessive use of wine.

It is however true that Paul told Timothy to use a little wine because of a stomach

ailment. I think it is up to you then to decide what “oinos” did Timothy drink?

Finally alcohol is also an anesthetic and destroys brain cells so if my body is the temple

of the Holy Spirit then I should do my best not to defile it.

As a Christian I am also called not to judge people as it is clearly stated that God is the

judge if I use Rev. 20: 11 -15 as my motivation.

Author: Les Sanabria