Alcohol
 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. As a child, William Branham witnessed the drunken actions of the men and women who purchased his father's alcohol. William Branham also said that a voice spoke to him as a child, while he was hauling water used to cool the still, 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." Throughout his recorded sermons, William Branham spoke harshly against drinking - especially against Christians engaging in these activities. He 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 has a Biblical basis.
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:
In order for there to be a Biblical basis for a doctrine on alcohol, both the scriptures that encourage and discourage drinking should agree, rather than argue. King and PriestsJesus 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:
Christians are taught that their body "is the temple of the Holy Ghost". (I Corinthians 6:19) As priests were not allowed to drink wine or strong drink in the temple, a modern parallel would discourage strong drink in the temple of the Holy Ghost. A Separated PeopleWhen 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 so that they would know that "I am the Lord your God" (Deuteronomy 29:5-6). The result of 40 years of prohibition was that the generation who entered the promise land did so sober. This is the first instance of "prohibition for the youth" - when one generation does not drink, the next generation becomes an empowered generation. The prophet Daniel also abstained from wine, so that he would not "defile" himself, (Daniel 1:8). The prophet Jeremiah then brought wine to the sons of Jonadab, and instructed them to drink (Jeremiah 35). They refused because of a vow they had made to their father, and Jeremiah blessed them for keepign their vow. While those who are 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. A Nazarite VowWilliam Branham said that he was "born under a Nazarite birth", similar to how John the baptist was instructed to "drink neither wine nor strong drink" (Luke 1:15). However, William Branham did not observe the strict rules of a Nazarite in his lifestyle. Some examples of this include:
As such, we cannot say that William Branham effectively lived prohibition under a Nazarite vow. Communion and RestorationMelchizedek, the priest of the most high God, ate bread and wine (communion) with Abraham. Jesus, the son of God and a priest after the order of Melchizedek, served bread and wine to his disciples. After this, Jesus said two things to his disciples:
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).
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. MedicineWine is presented as a medicine or anesthetic by at least four people in the Bible: Paul, Solomon, Abigail, and Ziba:
DeceptionAlcohol 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).
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 PerversionInnocence 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:
Living for others
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:
Judgement & MarketingBut 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 supporting these actions through the part of the cost of their alcohol 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!
Intoxication in the Old TestamentWine 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.
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:
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 some people who want to drink expect to do with their liberty. Intoxication in the New TestamentAfter 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:
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). Summary
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