Does Acts 2:13-15 infer that Christians drank fermented wine?

Question:

There are lots of inferences in the Bible that Christians used fermented wine. Acts 2:13-15 is a case in point.

Answer:

"Others mocking said, "They are full of new wine." But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day" (Acts 2:13-15).

The phrase "new wine" translates the Greek word gleukos, which literally means new or sweet wine. It is the Greek word for newly pressed, fresh grape juice. As such, it contains no alcohol and cannot make a person drunk. In fact, that is the whole point. The crowd was mocking the disciples by saying "They're just drunk on grape juice." Peter responds by taking their jest in stride. "We can't be drunk, it is too early in the day, being only 9 am."

Could an alcoholic be drunk at 9 am? Most certainly. But most people who drink do their drinking at night when their drunkenness will not interfere with their employment. Is Peter implying that they get drunk at night? Not hardly! We know that the Bible condemns drunkenness.

Notice that the taunt is about being drunk, not about light or casual drinking. Hence, there is nothing here that could make any implication concerning casual drinking. We have hecklers making fun of the disciples and Peter turning their own joke back at them.

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