Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    What Does the Bible Say About Wine and Alcohol Abuse?
    What Does the Bible Say About Wine and Alcohol Abuse?
    What Does the Bible Say About Wine and Alcohol Abuse?
    Ebook94 pages1 hour

    What Does the Bible Say About Wine and Alcohol Abuse?

    By Grace Communion International

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    Many religious people believe that the Bible forbids any use of alcoholic beverages. But this is a distortion of the Bible and of ancient history. Although the Bible does not forbid alcohol, it does mention the abuse of alcohol. It is a serious social problem, and this series of articles addresses alcoholism, how it is treated, how we can avoid it, and the special needs of women.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherGrace Communion International
    Release dateNov 25, 2012
    ISBN9781301537518
    What Does the Bible Say About Wine and Alcohol Abuse?
    Author

    Grace Communion International

    Grace Communion International is a Christian denomination with about 30,000 members, worshiping in about 550 congregations in almost 70 nations and territories. We began in 1934 and our main office is in North Carolina. In the United States, we are members of the National Association of Evangelicals and similar organizations in other nations. We welcome you to visit our website at www.gci.org.

    Read more from Grace Communion International

    Related to What Does the Bible Say About Wine and Alcohol Abuse?

    Related ebooks

    Christianity For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      How God Is Using A Devoted Pastor To Further His Kingdom In This World

      Aug 7, 2020

      As Christians, we are called to be salt and light in society. We are called to be history-makers and world changers. We are called to be fruitful in our lives, to achieve much for the Kingdom of God. Our mandate on this earth is to go out into all na

      4 min read

    • Article

      Test Your General BIBLE KNOWLEDGE

      Dec 31, 2021

      See how many of these you can fill in before checking the answers on page 14. After you test yourself, try reading the questions aloud to a friend or family member and see how they do! 1 True or False: The Bible is the most popular book ever writt

      1 min read

    • Article

      Church Of God International Bible College Is For You Too!

      Jul 30, 2021

      Why did you start the Church Of God International Bible College (COGIBC)? There are more than 3 million untrained preachers in the world today – only 7% are theologically trained! The short answer is to equip the 93% of untrained preachers for the

      4 min read

    • Article

      The Parables Of Jesus

      Aug 25, 2023

      The parable of the wise and foolish virgins (also known as the parable of the ten virgins) is the first parable in Jesus’ Olivet discourse, delivered on the Mount of Olives (Matt 24:3). Matthew 24-25 is an important teaching concerning the end times

      3 min read

    • Article

      Stepping Into The Book Of Romans

      Oct 2, 2020

      The New Testament book of Romans is a copy of a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Rome, sometime around the end of 58AD while he was in Corinth. He had never been to the Roman church before, although he had desired to do so for a lo

      2 min read

    • Article

      Why Do The Wicked Prosper?

      Sep 4, 2020

      Why Do The Wicked Prosper?
      3 min read

    • Article

      Judas’ Betrayal

      Mar 18, 2020

      Judas’ Betrayal
      1 min read

    • Article

      WHO’S In The NEWS?

      May 19, 2023

      George Verwer died on Friday 14th April at the age of 84. The Church has lost a man who had an astonishing global influence on the way it carries out its vital task of sharing the good news of Jesus. In Operation Mobilisation (OM), which George start

      3 min read

    • Article

      Future Glory

      Mar 16, 2021

      For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ROMANS 8:18 (ESV) SCRIPTURE TELLS US that we are to glory in our sufferings. Because of faith, we can see the blessing in ev

      1 min read

    • Article

      Bible Fun

      Oct 27, 2023

      Bible Fun
      2 min read

    • Article

      Famous Fathers In The Bible

      May 20, 2019

      Scripture is filled with people who we can learn much from. When it comes to the challenging vocation of fatherhood, several fathers in the Bible show what is wise to do—and what is not wise to do. Of course, the most important father figure in the B

      2 min read

    • Article

      The Anglican Church’s Controversial Political Stance On Israel

      Oct 27, 2023

      A decision by the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) to declare Israel an apartheid state “is highly concerning” as it “portrays a false view of the conflict between the Palestinians and Israel,” says Bafana Modise, head of communications at S

      3 min read

    • Article

      A Prayer for December

      Nov 16, 2020

      A Prayer for December
      1 min read

    • Article

      Christian Leaders Forum

      Nov 19, 2021

      The Christian Leaders’ Forum was started just over five years ago with founding members Michael Cassidy of African Enterprise and Dr Robin Stephenson. Many conferences and meetings, both physical and virtual, have since been held and many new leaders

      2 min read

    • Article

      The Great Upholder

      Mar 16, 2021

      The Great Upholder
      1 min read

    • Article

      FAMILY TIME with God

      Aug 25, 2023

      FAMILY TIME with God
      3 min read

    • Article

      When Your Lamp is Trimmed

      Nov 19, 2021

      When Your Lamp is Trimmed
      4 min read

    • Article

      3 Points To Ponder On Being Lukewarm

      Sep 23, 2022

      My wife, Jackie, and I have just returned from leading an extremely blessed 7 Churches of Revelation tour with our JOY! travellers. Every time we lead a Turkey trip, I am acutely aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit and the impact this trip has o

      2 min read

    • Article

      True Generosity

      Nov 25, 2022

      It’s the gift-giving time of year! If we’re honest, everyone one of us looks forward to receiving a present, right? Giving gifts is a universal practice, isn’t it? Almost all cultures value generosity. But what exactly is generosity? Think about Jesu

      2 min read

    • Article

      Receiving The Good News Lessons From The Parable Of The Sower

      Jun 12, 2020

      The Bible is the best-selling book of all time. It is the best-selling book year after year, every year. It far outsells any other book, with a whopping 4 billion copies sold over the last 50 years. The mission with which I work, Hellenic Ministries,

      5 min read

    • Article

      Iran's Oppression Of Its Christians Tears Daughter From Convert Parents

      Mar 4, 2021

      The court ruling denying Sam Khosravi and his wife custody of their adopted daughter after converting to Christianity is one way the state's utilizes the judiciary to clampdown on minorities.

      3 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for What Does the Bible Say About Wine and Alcohol Abuse?

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      What Does the Bible Say About Wine and Alcohol Abuse? - Grace Communion International

      What Does the Bible Say About

      Wine and Alcohol Abuse?

      Copyright 2012 Grace Communion International

      All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

      The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

      Cover illustration copyright Grace Communion International

      Table of Contents

      Alcohol – What the Bible Really Says

      Wine in the Bible: Some Bad Arguments

      Overcoming Alcohol Abuse

      What Is Alcoholism?

      Alcoholism — a Disease?

      Alcohol and Teenagers

      Alcoholism Is Treatable

      Help for Family Members of Alcoholics

      Coping with Stress…Without Alcohol or Drugs

      A Child of an Alcoholic Speaks Out!

      At Greater Risk – Women and Alcohol

      About the Authors

      About the Publisher

      Grace Communion Seminary

      Ambassador College of Christian Ministry

      ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

      Alcohol – What the Bible Really Says

      Many religious people believe that God has forbidden any use of alcoholic beverages — that any use of alcohol is wrong and sinful. They claim that the Bible supports this prohibition.

      Wine and other alcoholic drinks are frequently mentioned in the Bible. If something sinful or beneficial exists about these beverages, then the Bible will show it. What does the Bible really say about wine and alcohol?

      Proper use

      One of the first mentions of wine in Scripture is by Melchizedek, priest of the Most High God at Salem (Jerusalem) during the time of Abram, whose name was later changed to Abraham. Melchizedek "brought forth bread and wine" for Abram and his companions (Genesis 14:18). The Hebrew word translated wine in Genesis 14:18 is yayin. This word is used over 130 times in the Hebrew Bible to mean fermented wine, not grape juice.

      This same beverage, when used excessively, causes drunkenness. Genesis 9:21 says that Noah drank too much yayin and became drunk. Lot also became drunk on this beverage (Genesis 19:30-36), and so did Nabal (1 Samuel 25:36). Nevertheless, God told his people to enjoy yayin at the yearly festivals (Deuteronomy 14:26). In addition to using wine as a beverage, God also commanded the Levitical priests to include in the sacrifices a portion of wine (yayin) as a drink offering (Exodus 29:40). These scriptures make it clear that there can be a right and a wrong use of wine.

      Naturally fermented wine is between 10 percent and 14 percent alcohol. Higher alcoholic wines are fortified wines. On special occasions God even allowed use of what is translated as strong drink. This term comes from a different Hebrew word — shekar — which is used 22 times in the Old Testament, and refers to alcoholic drinks made from dates and other fruit.

      The high alcoholic drinks called hard liquor today (40 percent to 50 percent alcohol, or 80 to 100 proof) did not exist in Bible times. They are produced by distilling grain-based mash or material from other sources. They did not come into widespread use until the Middle Ages. The danger of these high alcoholic drinks is that, unless one dilutes them, they easily lend themselves to abuse, drunkenness and alcoholism. (Liqueurs, flavored and sweetened distilled liquors, are somewhat different in that they are usually served in small amounts and sipped slowly.)

      The Bible says that God gave wine to make men glad (Psalm 104:15). Why have some people turned this blessing of God into a curse? The answer is that many people do not follow God’s instructions.

      A blessing of wine was prophesied as a heritage to the chosen people in Genesis 27:28: "May God give you heaven’s dew and earth’s richness — an abundance of grain and new wine [tirosh]." The Hebrew word tirosh, meaning new wine, is used in 38 places in the Old Testament. People sometimes conclude that this word means grape juice, or fresh-pressed juice of the vine. However, Hosea 4:11 states: "Old wine [yayin] and new wine [tirosh] take away their understanding." Grape juice could not have this effect. Tirosh is an intoxicating wine if used in excess.

      New Testament instruction

      John the Baptist did not drink wine (oinos in the Greek) or any other form of alcohol because it was prophesied that he wouldn’t (Luke 1:15). However, Jesus Christ did drink oinos (wine) (Matthew 11:19; Luke 7:34). Jesus did not preach against the use of wine; instead he did like most other Jews of his day. He drank wine in moderation. In ancient times it was normally diluted with water for drinking, and was one of the principal beverages at that time — as it is today.

      Jesus’ first miracle was to change water into wine (oinos). Some people who preach total abstinence claim that this miracle was to turn water into grape juice. Imagine if you can a Jewish wedding banquet where everyone drank only grape juice! (The ancients did not have refrigeration or any other method of preventing grape juice from fermenting.) On this occasion, Christ turned six jars of 20 or 30 gallons each into wine (oinos). This was no small miracle. This wine was of the finest quality — You have saved the best till now (John 2:10). At wedding feasts, the hosts normally started with the best wine, and they would bring out lesser-quality wines later.

      Jesus gave a parable involving the fermenting process of oinos in Matthew 9:17. At that time, instead of having metal or glass bottles to enclose wine, the skins of animals were used. The fermentation of the wine could burst an old skin, but it would not break a new stretchable skin.

      Another proof that oinos is fermented wine is the fact that the apostle Paul said, "Do not get drunk on wine [oinos] (Ephesians 5:18). Paul did not mean to avoid getting drunk on grape juice! Paul instructed Timothy, Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine [oinos] because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses" (1 Timothy 5:23). He said to use only a little wine, not a whole lot. The purpose of this wine was Timothy’s frequent stomach ailments; small amounts of wine can help some stomach problems.

      Some of

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1