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Alcohol: Difference between revisions
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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. | 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 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."'' | 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 smoking and drinking - especially against Christians engaging in these activities. | Throughout his recorded sermons, William Branham spoke harshly against smoking and 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. | 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. | ||
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In order for there to be a Biblical basis for | 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. | ||
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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. | |||
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 | 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.'' (The Inner Veil, Sturgis MI, 56-01-21) | ||
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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. | 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. | ||
===A Nazarite Vow=== | |||
William Branham said that he was "born under a Nazarite birth". However, William Branham did not observe the rules of a Nazarite in his lifestyle. Some examples of this include: | |||
*He consumed wine as part of the religous observance of communion, | |||
*He did not abstain from grapes or raisins, he cut his hair, and he did not avoid corpses (also prohibited for a Nazarite). | |||
As such, we cannot say that William Branham effectively taught or lived prohibition as a Nazarite vow for Christians. | |||
===Communion and Restoration=== | ===Communion and Restoration=== | ||