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Alcohol: Difference between revisions
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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."'' | 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 | 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. | 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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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. | 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 People=== | ===A Separated People=== | ||
When | 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 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 Vow=== | ===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: | William 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: | ||
*He consumed wine as part of the religous observance of communion, | *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). | *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 | As such, we cannot say that William Branham effectively lived prohibition under a Nazarite vow. | ||
===Communion and Restoration=== | ===Communion and Restoration=== | ||
Melchizedek, the priest of the most high God, ate bread and wine (communion) with Abraham. Jesus, the son of the | Melchizedek, 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: | ||
#''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) | #''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) | #''this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.'' (I Corinthians 11:25) | ||
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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. | 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. | ||
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===Deception=== | ===Deception=== | ||
Alcohol 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 21:17: ''he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.'' | ||
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*'''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) | *'''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) | ||
===Judgement & Marketing=== | |||
===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) | ''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 | 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!'' | 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!'' | ||
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*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.'' | *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 | 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 Testament=== | ===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) | 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. | 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. | ||