A Biblical View on Drinking

March 12, 2004

 
 
Biblical Openness to Alcohol

• Alcohol is not "unclean" in itself (Rom 14:14).
• In the OT, alcohol was part of an alternative tithe celebration (Deut 14:22-26).
• Jesus drank and was falsely accused of drunkenness (Mat 11:18-19).
• Jesus supported the use of wine in a wedding celebration (John 2:1-11).
• Paul urges Timothy to use a little wine for his health (1 Tim 5:23).
• Whether you drink or not, let your convictions be before God (Rom 14:5-12).

Biblical Boundaries of Drinking

• Don't get drunk but be filled with God (Eph 5:18).
• Obey the law (Rom 13:1).
• Don't make other Christians stumble (Rom 14, 1 Cor 8).
• If you drink, don't judge those who don't drink (Rom 14:1-4).

Some Believers Separate from Alcohol

• One part of the Nazirite Vow in the OT was to abstain (Num 6:1-21).
• The vow was voluntary and taken for only a period of time.
• Its purpose was for self-denial and to separate oneself for the Lord.
• John the Baptist (Luke 1:15) and Paul (Acts 18:18) took the vow.
• Some Christians today choose to abstain for the Lord (Rom 14:5-6).
• If you don't drink, don't judge those who do drink (Rom 14:1-4).