At this point in our study, we want to look at what the rest of the New Testament has to say about alcohol. Again, it’s quite a lot of material to cover. I might should have split it up, but we’ll give it a try.
- Acts 2 is the first passage to be considered, when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles on the day of Pentecost. Some of their detractors accused them of being full of “new wine.” Peter replies that it was too early in the morning for them to be drunk.
- The rest of the New Testament, in keeping with the teachings of the Old, consistently speaks out against drunkenness. (Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:10; 10:7; Galatians 5:21; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:7; Titus 2:3; 1 Peter 4:3) It was considered representative of pagan behavior.
- Christians in Corinth were getting drunk off the wine from the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:21).
- Leaders of the church were especially not to be given to drunkenness. (1 Timothy 3:3, 8; Titus 1:7)
- Apparently, some in the church felt that drinking wine was wrong. Paul warns his readers to not damage the faith of these brothers through their actions. (Romans 14:21)
- No one was to be judged on the basis of what they ate or drank. (Colossians 2:16) Regulations about eating and drinking were part of the old covenant, not the new. (Hebrews 9:10)
There are some other passages that don’t directly mention drinking or wine that should also be considered. We’ll be looking at those next week. For now, here are a few thoughts:
- It would seem from the accusation in Acts 2 and Peter’s response to it that it was not unthinkable for Jews to be drinking alcoholic beverages. That was probably especially true during a time of feasting.
- The instructions referring elders and deacons show that drinking alcohol was not unthinkable in the church, but that drunkenness was not tolerated.
- Paul doesn’t criticize the Corinthians for what they were drinking in the Lord’s Supper. His problem was with the fact that they didn’t wait for one another.
- Drunkenness was considered something from the old way of life, of the pagan way of life. (See also 1 Corinthians 10:7 and 15:32) Addiction to wine was forbidden.
Let’s reflect on these passages some for now, then we’ll look at some other New Testament principles that come into play when talking about this subject.
[I’m largely refraining from commenting on comments, trying to present my thoughts bit by bit. Toward the end of the series, I’ll try and be more interactive.]
Previous posts in this series:
The Christian and Alcohol (Alcohol abuse)
The Christian and Alcohol, Part 2 (Alcohol in the history of the U.S.)
The Christian and Alcohol, Part 3 (Seeing what the Bible says about alcohol)
The Christian and Alcohol, Part 4 (What the Pentateuch says about alcohol)
The Christian and Alcohol, Part 5 (What the rest of the Old Testament says about alcohol)
The Christian and Alcohol, Part 6 (What Proverbs and Ecclesiastes say about alcohol)
The Christian and Alcohol, Part 7 (What the gospels say about alcohol)
Acts 2 was a sarcastic jab at the fact that they only drank “new wine” a term that refered to non alcoholic drink. The people in Corinth were turning the communion time into a time of revelling. Their use of wine was more associated with their love feast than the Lord’s supper. However, love feasts and the lord’s supper were sometimes combined.
Your point is right that some thought drinking wine/strong drink was wrong because it was wrong. This is the very reason Paul had to tell Timothy to drink some wine for his stomach.
Tim everything you say you slant toward the idea that drinking is okay. Your prejudice warps you interpretation. Again,
Looks like it was just fine in John 2….The Son of God actually got the party started..lol….oh wait it was “grape juice” according to the CofC greek dictionary…lol…
Trent,
So do you think Jesus took people who had already consumed all the alcohol on hand and gave them more alcohol? That would in my view violate Hab 2:15. If this was strong drink then it was either being diluted to avoid drunkenness or Jesus would have been promoting sin. Brother I don’t think this is a laughing matter.
The Bible also condemns drinking parties. I Peter 4 so I don’t know that he would have promoted or sponsored one.
No offense intended I love you all and don’t want people to live in their false sense of peace that we as Christian can sanction the liquor industry by supporting it.
I’ve been reading all of these and rarely commenting. I want to commend you, Tim, for continuing this study. I’m not sure I would have the heart to.
I’ll reserve the rest of my on-topic comments for the end of the series. =)
Brother Palmer, whatever Scripture means, it doesn’t say anything one way or the other towards the liquor industry. Your introduction of that industry into the conversation betrays YOUR preconceptions and agenda.
We’re still talking about what Scripture says – not how it applies to our life today. Your impatience to allow the investigation process to find its conclusion also betrays your agenda — silence the men who are actually examining Scripture in order that you may continue to trumpet your teetotaling Prohibitionist platform. In service to that plan, you’ve gone over your conversation partner’s head before even hearing his actual conclusions on the matter in which you SUSPECT a disagreement. Paul says something to Timothy about evil suspicions.
PS – Peter’s no idiot — if he says being accused of drinking too much “gleukos” (Acts 2:13) is the same as “being supposed drunk” (Acts 2:14) I will believe him.
Joe Palmer,
Everyone of us interprets scripture WITH prejudice. No one reads scripture through pure lenses, we all wear are “rose-colored glasses.”
Tim MAY slant his discusion towards the notion that alcoholic conssumption is morally right because he believes so. I don’t know. While I have not read every post on this issue by Tim, so far, from what I have read, I cannot discern whether Tim believes any alcoholic consumption is morally right or wrong. I do think Tim wants us to think critically about the issue and base our conclusions not on Puritan values but on good sound theology and exegesis of pertient scriptures.
With that being said, I have heard plenty of sermons preached by those who think any alcoholic consumption is morally wrong. And guess what…their presentation of the scriptures and issues were slanted towards their moral conclusions regarding the issue. I have found in my own preaching and teaching that it is very hard to present a comprehensive presentation of any moral/ethical issue (with all of the possible options) and not tip my hand as to my own conclusions.
Grace and peace,
Rex
Nick,
Peter hadn’t read that book from 1872 and didn’t know that wine wasn’t alcoholic. Why would anyone read Acts 2:14 to try and understand the meaning of Acts 2:13?
This isn’t about seeking truth or trying to understand Scripture. It’s about who can win an argument. And that’s really sad.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
Learning as I go….God Bless you all!!
In Romans 14:21, Paul includes the consumption of wine with eating certain meats as a potential stumblingblock. Eating certain meats was a matter of opinion. Judgment should not be passed on another for his doing so. Apparently, the same was true for wine. If not, it would not have cited in this context.
Nick,
I have not hidden my view. I am willing to learn. However I think Tim is tilting every critical issue to the side of people who support drinking. From my perspective the discussion isn’t balanced.
You are also judging my motives. I am concerned about Tim. I am concerned that he is bringing comfort to people who need to stop drinking but will look for reasons to drink.
I do not believe that we can support something that is destroying lives so abundantly. I do not think we should harm our influence by being involved with it.
There is nothing redeeming about alcohol. Everything about it is destructive. If you research even the medicinal use of alcohol you can find much research that say even a glass a day can be harmful. Yes you can find much research that say it is helpful. My conclusion is that at best a mixed blessing in this regard. However, I am not objecting to the pure medical use of alcohol. I am objecting to the social use of it.
Tim, I mean you no harm. I do not speak with disrespect or hatred to you. I do disagree with your research.
Does the Bible condemn pizza and coke?…oops…I will definately go forward Sun morning…lol…..
i am sure some of these folks are biased as well, but I did exclude the sites/studies run by wineries.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21478144/
http://www.healthcastle.com/redwine-heart.shtml
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090611174052.htm
http://wine.about.com/od/wineandhealth/Wine_and_Health.htm
http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/to-your-health-benefits-red-wine.html
http://www.dumblittleman.com/2008/01/8-straight-benefits-of-red-wine.html
much of the health benefits found in wine, especially red wine, is also in the non-alcoholic version of wine, but not the same as grape juice
Brian,
I won’t take the time to redo the study but if you research you will find the negative studies about the effects of wine in small amounts are almost as numerous as the positive ones. I remember research relating to increased breast cancer. etc.
harder to find on google but here are a couple articles on negative effects:
http://health.yahoo.com/experts/joybauernutrition/21524/the-negative-health-effects-of-wine/
http://www.meteck.org/wine.html
and i come across another one for
http://www.ynhh.org/online/nutrition/advisor/red_wine.html
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Joe,
I think your prejudice against moderate drinking of wine is your problem. I lived in Germany and drank “new wine” and it did have a kick to it. Acts was not talking about grape juice, as Peter’s response was a rational response against the charge of drunkenness: “it is just too early in the day for them to be drunk!” Peter did not say “They ain’t drunk cause they had only grape juice!”
There is no Scripture which says or intimates in in any way that drinking wine, beer, or alcohol of any kind is sinful. The principle taught in the Bible about alcohol is the abuse of it and then drunkenness is certainly stated as a sin.
Teetotalers are ok to insist that they may not drink, but they may not say it is wrong for others to drink. This attitude of “wine or beer is sin” keeps people away from the churches where they can hear the Gospel. It would be a good thing for churches to have parties where wine coolers are served and moderation taught.
Thanks Gary
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