Alcohol: Difference between revisions

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<div style="float:left;width:390px;padding:.3em 0;margin:2px 2px 0; background-color:#cedff2"> [[Alcohol Self Study|Self Guided Bible Study]]</div>
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[[image:cocktails.jpg|200px|right]]  
[[image:cocktails.jpg|200px|right]]  
Alcohol 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 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.   
=William Branham and Alcohol=


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 frequented his father's speakeasy. William Branham claimed 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 frequented his father's speakeasy. William Branham claimed 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."''     
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=Alcohol in the Bible


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.  
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.  
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===King and Priests===
==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:  
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:  


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William Branham said, ''"Cussing, swearing, drinking, that's not sin; that's the attributes of sin."'' <ref>March 26, 1953, William Branham </ref>  However, Jesus was a king and a priest, and he drank and created wine.  Jesus was also the sinless, spotless lamb of God.  If drinking is a sin, then Jesus was not a perfect sacrifice. So William Branham was wrong and drinking is not sin or an attribute of sin. Drinking just means you are drinking, just like driving means you are driving.  It is the purpose of what you are doing that defines your actions.  
William Branham said, ''"Cussing, swearing, drinking, that's not sin; that's the attributes of sin."'' <ref>March 26, 1953, William Branham </ref>  However, Jesus was a king and a priest, and he drank and created wine.  Jesus was also the sinless, spotless lamb of God.  If drinking is a sin, then Jesus was not a perfect sacrifice. So William Branham was wrong and drinking is not sin or an attribute of sin. Drinking just means you are drinking, just like driving means you are driving.  It is the purpose of what you are doing that defines your actions.  


 
==A Separated People==
===A Separated People===
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:
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:


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===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 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:  
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)
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Martin Luther was known to drink, and promoted his love for beer.  He explained the entire Reformation as, '''''“…while I sat still and drank beer with Philiip and Amsdorf, God dealt the papacy a mighty blow.”''''' Luther’s letters to his wife Catherine lamented the fact he didn’t have her beer on hand to drink.  
Martin Luther was known to drink, and promoted his love for beer.  He explained the entire Reformation as, '''''“…while I sat still and drank beer with Philiip and Amsdorf, God dealt the papacy a mighty blow.”''''' Luther’s letters to his wife Catherine lamented the fact he didn’t have her beer on hand to drink.  


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===Medicine===
==Medicinal use==
Wine is presented as a medicine or anesthetic by at least four people in the Bible: Paul, Solomon, Abigail, and Ziba:
Wine is presented as a medicine or anesthetic by at least four people in the Bible: Paul, Solomon, Abigail, and Ziba:


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*''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)
*''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==
===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).   
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).   


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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)
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==
===Immorality and Perversion===
Innocence and wine do not naturally go hand in hand.  Which is why Hosea says ''Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.'' (Hosea 4:11)  
Innocence and wine do not naturally go hand in hand.  Which is why Hosea says ''Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.'' (Hosea 4:11)  


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Alcohol can lead to despair just like driving a car can lead to an accident.  
Alcohol can lead to despair just like driving a car can lead to an accident.  


 
==Living for others==
===Living for others===
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==Intoxication in the Old Testament==
===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.  
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.  


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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.''


==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)     


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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 encourages Christians to "be sober". (I Peter 4:7).   
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 encourages Christians to "be sober". (I Peter 4:7).   


===Jesus and Alcohol===
Jesus referred to himself as a drinker:
:''The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Mt 11:19.</ref>
Jesus also created wine at a wedding feast:
:''Now there were '''six stone water jars''' there for Jewish ceremonial washing, each holding '''twenty or thirty gallons'''.  Jesus told the servants, “Fill the water jars with water.” So they filled them up to the very top.  Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the head steward,” and they did.  When the head steward tasted the water that had been turned to wine, not knowing where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), he called the bridegroom and said to him, “'''Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the cheaper wine when the guests are drunk'''. You have kept the good wine until now!”<ref>Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2006), Jn 2:6–10.</ref>
This indicates that Jesus created somewhere between '''120 and 180 gallons of wine'''.  And very good wine at that!


===Summary===
=Summary=
Drinking is not a sin, or Jesus could not have been the spotless lamb.  If you were raised in the prohibition of the Message, that sentence may take some time to process.  What is condemned in the scriptures is drinking to excess (getting drunk) because it leads to actions that could negatively impact you and others.  So any caution in the scriptures not to get drunk is for your benefit.   
Drinking is not a sin, or Jesus could not have been the spotless lamb.  If you were raised in the prohibition of the Message, that sentence may take some time to process.  What is condemned in the scriptures is drinking to excess (getting drunk) because it leads to actions that could negatively impact you and others.  So any caution in the scriptures not to get drunk is for your benefit.   


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