Alcohol: A Biblical Case For Abstinance

[MountainChristian]

Numbers 6:2 (KJV) 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate [themselves] to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate [themselves] unto the LORD:

Numbers 6:3 (KJV) 3 He shall separate [himself] from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.

Numbers 6:4 (KJV) 4 All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk.

Those verses pertain to the Nazarite vow. The one who takes a Nazarite vow could not even participate in the Lord's Supper.

 

Yes, but in this discussion those verses are being used for no one to drink.

[candlelight]

Why is this verse in the NT, as it pertains to the Jews, Mountain Man?   

 

Plus we have to throw this verse in the mix.

Col 2:16

"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:"

[Standing Firm In Christ]

Peter affirmed that the Apostles did not drink alcohol.

Colossians 2:16 is not license to drink alcohol. Rather, it is to let the Christian know he should not be cajoled into drinking by those who judge him for not drinking.

Jesus said in Luke 7, "but wisdom is justified of all her children." The Apostles enjoyed the things of the Gentiles prior to their conversion, but as Christians, they abstained from those things they had previously enjoyed.

[candlelight]

Thanks, SFIC:)  I don't understand why anyone would want to drink alcohol.  The "Temporary High" turns into a "Temporary Hangover" the next day.  I drank a bit in my 20's, before I was saved, and it really wasn't anything to boast about.  Just seeing what alcohol does to people is enough for me to know that God doesn't want us to be drunkards.  Our "High" should be The Lord Jesus Christ.  There is no substitute for Our Saviour.  Nothing else compares to our relationship with Christ Jesus.      

[Left the Bldg]

I always think it is funny when someone reads what they want to see instead of what is written........

You think it's funny?  Pompous, self-righteous attitudes cause divisions and strife.

[Left the Bldg]

I guess some need to worry about having a coronary at the buffet line then. 

Agreed.  But don't bother bringing up gluttony.  No one wants to hear that.

[Standing Firm In Christ]

A perfect example of one judging Christians because they don't drink alcohol o

As I said before, you want to talk about excess of food, open a thread on food. This one is focusing on the Biblical call for abstinence.

[Left the Bldg]

Everyone who has been in a similar conversation with me on alcohol, knows that I vehemently oppose drinking alcohol. 

With that in mind, no one answered Laura's post about the Jews that hold to Torah/Tanach drink alcholic beverages and promote it, as well.  I know that there are warnings about alcohol consumption from way back in the Book of Deuteronomy.  As Laura stated, Torah is the first five books of the OT.  If the Book of Deuteronomy opposes strong drink, then why do Torah Observant Jews drink alcohol? 

I am opposed to drinking too.  But I will not tell someone who chooses to drink in moderation that they are going to hell.  One glass of wine once a year at a celebration will not cause someone to become a drunkard or alcoholic.  People don't go to hell because of their sins.  The only sin that causes one to go to hell is to reject Jesus Christ's free gift of salvation.

[Standing Firm In Christ]

A glass of wine at a celebration is a bad witness that could cause others to drink and be deceived. Banquetings are Gentile attributes, (those of a lost person) not Christian ones.

[Left the Bldg]

The discussion here isn't about drunkards.  I said it before that we all agree that getting drunk is a sin.  However, because someone chooses to drink in moderation or on an occasion doesn't make them a drunkard.  I have had alcohol in my life.  I've never been drunk nor have I had a hangover.   And I'm not going to hell because I've had a sip. 

[TheSword]

If we remove the juice vs wine then both are forbiden and allowed.

1 Tim 5

23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

Titus 1

⁷ For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

 

Also, a decon it says "not given to much wine", a bishop "not given to wine". One can have a little but the other nothing.

 

Plus we have to throw this verse in the mix.

Col 2:16

"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:"

 

I agree that the distinction is important and there should absolutely be discussion on it. However, as I said in the OP, I don't think the case for Biblical princple I made is dependant upon it. Do you disagree and think these verses bring the whole argument down?

[Left the Bldg]

A perfect example of one judging Christians because they don't drink alcohol o

As I said before, you want to talk about excess of food, open a thread on food. This one is focusing on the Biblical call for abstinence.

I am not judging Christians for choosing to abstain from alcohol.  I abstain.  However, I am not judging a Christian who chooses to drink it in moderation.  Again, I only brought up food to show inconsistencies.

[Standing Firm In Christ]

And still you insist on promoting the devil's brew. I wonder how many might read your words, decide to have a drink because of them, get deceived by the drink and become drunkards... Ultimately missing life with Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:9 (KJV) 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

1 Corinthians 6:10 (KJV) 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:11 (KJV) 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Matthew 18:6 (KJV)

[candlelight]

I am opposed to drinking too.  But I will not tell someone who chooses to drink in moderation that they are going to hell.  One glass of wine once a year at a celebration will not cause someone to become a drunkard or alcoholic.  People don't go to hell because of their sins.  The only sin that causes one to go to hell is to reject Jesus Christ's free gift of salvation.

I don't judge people who drink alcohol, either, Laura.  People have asked me why I don't drink, though.  They ask why I haven't gone to any of my class reunions.  I give them my testimony and that clarifies that.  I have friends from high school and college on Facebook who say that I have changed.  I send them a private message with my testimony.  By doing so, I am planting seeds.  I have one friend, who I've known since I was 2.  She is being spiritually drawn.  I witness to her via private message, along with a young Arab man, who is a year older than my son.  He loves to hear the Gospel. 

I have never told someone that they are going to Hell, either.  God is the only one who knows a person's heart.  We don't.  Amen, Laura:)  There is only one sin that will send a person to Hell.  And, that is not believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, as Personal Saviour.

[Arbo]

The plain fact is that nobody is going to change anybody else's mind.

This thread is a good example of one that serves no real purpose than to let some get their argumentiveness out of their system.