Alcohol

Alcohol Article Quotes Self Guided Bible Study

Alcohol (Arabic: الغول‎ al-ghawl — properly meaning "spirit" or "demon" ) refers to a fermented or distilled intoxicating beverage containing ethanol. During the period known as Prohibition, from 1919 to 1933, it was illegal to manufacture, transport, or sell alcoholic beverages in the United States. The State of Indiana had already declared prohibition in 1916 when William Branham's father started operating a moonshine still. While hauling water used to cool the still, a voice spoke to William Branham from a whirlwind and said: "Don't ever drink, or smoke, or defile your body in any way. There will be a work for you to do when you get older." As a child, William Branham also witnessed the drunken actions of men and women who frequented his father's moonshine still. As a result of these experiences, William Branham never consumed alcohol outside of the religious service of communion. Throughout his recorded sermons, William Branham speaks harshly against smoking and drinking - especially against Christians engaging in these activities. As if to accentuate the evil of intoxication, William Branham was eventually killed by a drunk driver. Today, most Christians believe that it is acceptable to drink in moderation, although a few still abstain. This article examines the question of whether William Branham's preaching against alcohol was a perspective based on his experience, or whether it has a Biblical basis. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. (I Corinthians 10:21) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (I Peter 5:8) Alcohol (specifically wine and strong drink) is mentioned numerous times in the Bible, and is referred to as an intoxicant, medicine, beverage, and religious symbol. But comparing scriptural pros and cons will only serve to justify both those who drink, and those who do not drink. For example: Scriptures supporting drinking Judges 9: Wine cheers both God and Man, I/II Samuel: Wine was a common drink, Psalm 104, Ecclesiastes 10: Wine is enjoyable Matthew 11: Jesus drank wine John 2: Jesus created wine for others to drink I Timothy 5: Scripture says to drink wine, and not water Scriptures against drinking Genesis: Wine is deceiving Numbers 6: Vow of a Nazarite Proverbs: Wine leads to trouble Isaiah 28/56: Wine perverts instruction Ephesians 5: Not good to be drunk I Timothy/Titus: Elders in the Church should avoid much wine In order for there to be a Biblical basis for or against drinking, both the scriptures that appear to support drinking, and those that appear to discourage drinking should agree, rather than argue. A quick glance suggests that moderate drinking is acceptable; however, William Branham - a man approved of God as a prophet through visions and miracles, strongly rebuked drinking and even moderate drinking. Here are some of the reasons why William Branham was against Christians partaking in any form of social drinking: King and Priests Jesus calls his followers "Kings and Priests" (Revelation 1:6). Looking at the Old Testament, it is very clear how God intended Kings and Priests to act around alcohol: Be not among winebibbers... (Proverbs 23:20-21), ...it is not for kings to drink wine (Proverbs 31:4-5), Neither shall any priest drink wine... (Ezekiel 44:21), the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink (Isaiah 28:7), Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die (Leviticus 10:8) It should not be a mystery to the Christian that their body "is the temple of the Holy Ghost". (I Corinthians 6:19) As the priests were not allowed to drink wine or strong drink in the temple, why should the Christian be allowed to drink in the temple of the Holy Ghost? William Branham said: we're sons and daughters of the King. We ought to be conducting ourselves, not in gambling, not in smoking, not in drinking, not in picture shows, and television programs, and scandal, and lies, and carrying on. We should conduct ourselves as sons and daughters of God, walking with our heads up, living in the Light of the King. Yes, sir. It's yours if you want it. (The Inner Veil, Sturgis MI, 56-01-21) A Separated People When God called the children of Israel out of Egypt, they first spent 40 years with no wine (Deuteronomy 29:5-6) so that they would know that "I am the Lord your God". Moses also taught the people of a "Nazarite" vow, which was for separation unto the Lord, part of which involved abstinence from wine (Numbers 6:2-3). The prophet Daniel also abstained from wine without taking such a vow, so that he would not "defile" himself, (Daniel 1:8) and John the baptist was instructed to "drink neither wine nor strong drink". (Luke 1:15) William Branham had a similar angelic commission. William Branham said about his campaign in Germany: So after while there come a question around the table, "What was the matter," that I wasn't drinking my beer, "was it because it wasn't good?" ...Now, I know it's written: when you're in Rome, be a Roman. But I said, "Tell them this: 'I do not condemn them. But I was borned under a Nazarite birth; I'm not supposed to drink.'" I didn't want to hurt them. And they understood it, went right on drinking. (Oncoming Storm, Phoenix, AZ, 60-02-29) So while the separated should live holy, they should not act the part of the judge, Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: (Colossians 2:16), because at the end of the day, God will judge or approve whom He will. Communion and Restoration Melchizedek, the priest of the most high God, ate bread and wine (communion) with Abraham. Jesus, the son of the most high God, served bread and wine to his disciples. After this, Jesus said two things to his disciples: I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. (Matthew 26:29) this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. (I Corinthians 11:25) From that point on, wine came to symbolize two things: the blood of Jesus Christ (our point of contact with God), and the promise of a new kingdom. In the Old Testament, wine was also symbolized with the sacrifice lamb and restoration (Numbers 28:7, Leviticus 23:12-13). And ye shall offer...an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the LORD...and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine... (Leviticus 23:12-13) Those who refrain from drinking alcohol, apart from the Lord's supper, are simply following Jesus's example in not partaking of the fruit of the vine until God's Kingdom comes, while keeping his commandment to gather at Passover. William Branham said: That's the first thing we'll take after we enter into the New Kingdom, we will eat it anew with Him in the Father's Kingdom, the bread and wine. "I'll not drink the fruit of the vine, or eat the bread anymore, until I eat it with you anew in the Father's Kingdom, and at that day. (Shalom, Sierra Vista, AZ, 640112) Medicine Wine is presented as a medicine or anesthetic by at least four people in the Bible: Paul, Solomon, Abigail, and Ziba: Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. (I Timothy 5:23) Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine... (I Samuel 25:18) And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread...and a bottle of wine. And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said...the bread...for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink. (II Samuel 16:1-2) Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. (Proverbs 31:6-7) Deception William Branham said, A certain church that I was at not long ago, they was voting in their pastor. And they said, "Now, we can't have him, because he is an old crank. We want somebody who'll go swimming with us, the girls and boys together, who'll take a little sociable drink, let us have dances in the basement." Huh! You just... I don't know what to tell you. You're sure in a bad shape. You see, sometime your choice is not God's choice. (Jehovah Jireh, Cleveland, TN, 57-01-06)) Wine is the end of wisdom, and has paved the way for the humiliating fall of the righteous since Noah's first hangover after the flood. (Genesis 9:24-25) Lot was another man who felt its shame, as his daughters got him drunk in order to commit incest (Genesis 19:35-36). Proverbs 21:17: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. But the deception extends from those innocently shamed, into a tool for the cruel and ungodly. Isaiah calls certain spiritual leaders "greedy dogs" who say I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink (Isaiah 56:11-12). But Isaiah goes further, cursing the shepherds who drink wine, saying Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord GOD of hosts. (Isaiah 22:13-14) Finally, God told his prophet Hosea to marry a harlot to show God's shame towards Israel for their love for "flagons of wine" (Hosea 3:1) Immorality and Perversion Innocence and wine do not go hand in hand. Which is why Hosea says Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart. (Hosea 4:11) Wine is always in the possession (or thoughts) of those who fall away from God: For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter: Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps. (Deuteronomy 32:32-33) Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: (Isaiah 5:21-22) Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands. (Isaiah 5:11-12) And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink. (Joel 3:3) Living for others "If it's wrong for my dear converted alcoholics and addicts and prostitutes to drink, even moderately, then it is deadly wrong for mature Christians to drink and set a poor example for them." Sipping Saints by David Wilkerson of The Cross and the Switchblade. The Bible says All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth... (I Corinthians 10:23-24,31-33) Clear instruction is given to specific classes of individuals as well: Bishops: Not given to wine (Titus 1:7), sober...Not given to wine (I Timothy 3:2-3) Aged women: that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness...not given to much wine...That they may teach the young women to be sober (Titus 2:3-4) Deacons: not given to much wine (I Timothy 3:8) Everyone: 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. (Romans 14:23) William Branham said "you let a drunk man get out here on the street with...his automobile. That man ought to have at least ten years in prison. You let a man go down the street this morning with a--with a pistol in his hand shooting around like that, they'd throw the keys away on that guy. They'd send him to the inner jails. And then a drunk man can come down the street. He's absolutely just as much in danger of killing somebody as a man is with a pistol, and he gets five dollars for it or something. See? See, he--he's, It's almost premeditated murder." (Investments, Phoenix, AZ, 01-26-63) This statement is all the more potent when you realize that William Branham was killed by a drunk driver. When Moses led the children of Israel in the wilderness, their only provision was manna, and water from the rock. Specifically, they did not have any wine or strong drink. (Deuteronomy 29:5-6) The result of 40 years of prohibition was that the "next generation" who entered the promise land did so sober. This is the first instance of "prohibition for the youth". So, if you want your children to enter into the promised land...don't drink. Judgement But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. (I Samuel 25:37) There is no question that alcohol can possess an individual to do something they would not normally do. One question is, how can a Christian pay for a pack of beer (or a bottle of wine), knowing that a part of the cost is going to convince someone else (through advertising) to purchase a drink that may harm them. The stories are endless - Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, suffocation in their own vomit, murder, and pre-marital sex are only some of types of collateral damage from intoxication. In the end, many "Christian" ministers and their congregations are leading people to hell, and not heaven, through the part of the cost of their beer that goes to advertising. Matthew 18:6-7 says But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. (Proverbs 23:29-33) Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth. (Joel 1:5) Intoxication in the Old Testament Wine was inseparably linked to promises of prosperity in the Old Testament, and a blessing from God. Many of these scriptures can be read as prophecies of the Holy Spirit descending, which was fulfilled in the New Testament. Deuteronomy 11:14 That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil. Deuteronomy 7:12-13 Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers: And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee. Psalms 104:14-15 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart. Proverbs 3:9-10 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. Ecclesiastes 9:7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. Ecclesiastes 10:19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry... The one scripture in the Old Testament that could be taken as a prophet's blessing on the people to get drunk reads like this: II Samuel 6:18-19 And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house. The interesting thing is that even though King David hands out a small portion of bread and meat, and a large portion of wine to both men and women (unlike the 200:1 ratio of bread to alcohol that Ziba gave David), "everyone departed to their own house." It is important to note that the scripture does not say that all the singles went to the pub first...which is what many Christians who want to drink expect to do with their liberties. Intoxication in the New Testament After the Holy Spirit fell on Pentecost, those on the streets mocked them, thinking that they were drunk. (Acts 2:13) William Branham taught that oil represents the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and that wine represents stimulation by revelation (Acts 2). Both oil and wine were joined in worship in the Old Testament, and oil and wine are inseparable in New Testament worship as well. Joel's prophecy that I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: (Acts 2:17) was demonstrated to be fulfilled by the intoxicating effect of the Holy Spirit on the first believers. While the stimulation of revelation eventually subsided, the Holy Spirit did not leave these believers. (Click here to learn more about revelation.) Other references to the substitution of the Holy Spirit for the bottle are found as follows: And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (Ephesians 5:18) For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (I Corinthians 12:13) In comparison, Peter said that before his conversion it was not unusual for him to get drunk (I Peter 4:3). After his conversion, however, Peter calls in no uncertain terms for Christians to "be sober". (I Peter 4:7).