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

March 26, 2005

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…

Read More

Does Romans 14 give the liberty to drinking alcoholic beverages?

March 24, 2005

Question: If a person wants to have a glass of wine privately in their home, then don’t they have the liberty to do so by Romans 14? Answer: “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is…

Read More

Do the words “carousing” or “reveling” condemn social drinking?

March 5, 2005

Question: My preacher said that the words “carousing” and “reveling” are often misused today. Some have associated these words with social drinking. However, carousing and reveling refer to parties where drunkenness is either the goal or by-product of the party. I tried to discuss I Peter 4:3 with him, suggesting that “tippling” means drinking in any amount,…

Read More

Isn’t a moderate drinker still sober?

March 1, 2005

Question: To say that taking a drink of alcohol means you are not completely sober (I Thessalonians 5:6-8) is wrong. By this reasoning, a moderate eater would be condemned as a glutton (Proverbs 23:20-21). Answer: The fault in this line of reasoning is that two different things are being paralleled. Gluttony is a sin of…

Read More

Doesn’t the Bible indicate that God accepts alcohol?

February 26, 2005

Question: Doesn’t the Scriptures say that God accepts alcohol? It was used for blessings (Genesis 14:18; 27:28; Proverbs 3:10). He gave permission to use strong drink (Deuteronomy 14:26). It was used in the drink offering (Exodus 29:41). God made the grape, which would make the wine, which makes man’s hearts glad (Psalm 104:15). It is true that…

Read More

Sober-Minded in Every Sense of the Term

December 11, 2004

by David Diestelkamp via Think on These Things Researchers at the University of California San Diego reviewed 14 years of accident data and found that “A blood alcohol concentration of just 0.01 percent was associated with risky behaviors such as speeding.” Lead researcher, David P. Phillips, Ph.D. says, “For a 180-pound person, that translates to one glass…

Read More

Drinking

August 22, 2004

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I.          Drunkenness is an old problem among men              A.         The earliest record is Genesis 9:21                           1.          Noah was acquainted with the effects of wine – Matt 24:38 II.         The effects of alcohol              A.         Prov 20:1 – It deceives the mind.              B.         Isa. 28:1-3,7-8 – It causes errors in judgement              C.         Hab 2:15 – It lowers moral standards              D.         Prov…

Read More

Did Paul sometimes drink wine?

August 17, 2004

Question: Paul said in Romans that he would eat no meat if it causes his brother to stumble or be offended. In the same context, he mentions wine a few verses later. I have concluded that he would neither eat meat or drink wine if it caused his brother to stumble or be offended. However,…

Read More

What is wrong with drinking, so long as it is done in moderation?

August 4, 2004

Question: What’s wrong with drinking, so long as it is done in moderation? After all Jesus turned water into wine in John 2. The disciples were accused of being drunk in Acts 2, so alcohol must have been in use. Older women were only told not to be given to much wine in Titus 2:3 Paul…

Read More

The Use of Alcohol

August 1, 2004

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Can a Christian drink? It is a question that comes up frequently. Earlier this century, the United States ended the sale of alcoholic beverages because of the perceived dangers of these drinks. The prohibition did not last, due to strong demand for access to liquor. However, the question remains: “Can a…

Read More

New Testament Beverages

August 1, 2004

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton One of the greatest difficulties in studying God’s stance on drinking is the bias translators have brought to the meaning of words used in the Bible in regards to drinking. The most common Greek word, which is translated “wine” is oinos which is directly equivalent to the Hebrew word yayin. (See “Old Testament…

Read More

Old Testament Beverages

August 1, 2004

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Throughout the Bible, drunkenness is consistently condemned. We understand that a drunkard cannot inherit the kingdom of God (I Corinthians 6:9-10). Paul warned that carousing and drunkenness are improper behaviors for Christians to engage in (Romans 13:13). The warnings are clear enough that few people argue that being down-and-out drunk is…

Read More