Positional
Paper: The Use of Alcohol
In recent years the American church has struggled with and over the
subject of alcohol use and/or abuse. The use of alcohol as held by some, is
strictly forbidden. The position asserts that alcohol should never be partaken
of in any form or manner. This position has been seen in ministerial
requirements, Bible school regulations, ordination standards and church
membership agreements. For others, certain forms of alcohol are seen as a
substance of worship, of celebration, of medical benefit and is condoned or even
encouraged in moderation.
It is clear from the Scriptures (both Old and New
Testaments) that the use of alcohol played a role in society, in fellowship and
in worship.
A few references are as follows: Fellowship, (Gen
14:18,*) Worship, (Lev. 23:13, 1 Cor. 11:25-26*) Prescribed as a medication,
(Psalm 104:15, Prov. 31:6, 1 Tim. 5:23*) a
beverage of celebration, (Ecc. 9:7, John 2:1-11*) As a downfall of those who
abuse it. (Gen 9:21, Eph. 5:18*) The Bible clearly forbids drunkenness. (1 Cor.
6:9-11*)
It is also clear from the Scriptures that those
who are free to exercise liberty and use alcohol are to be sensitive to those
who may be caused to stumble as a result of their freedom. (Rom. 15:21-23*)
Some have asserted that the use of wine as
described in the scriptures is to condone the use of grape juice and not
fermented drink. However, the context of the majority of those passages
describing wine and its use, clearly denies this assertion.
It is therefore the position of Candlelight
Christian Fellowship that the use of wine in moderation is permitted by the
scriptures in, worship, fellowship and for medical benefit but should be used
with sensitivity toward a weaker brother or sister who may be caused to stumble.
We also wish to make clear that the Bible teaches we are never to be drunk with
any intoxicating beverage and are to always be of a sound mind.
Furthermore, to teach that the use of alcohol is
sin is to contradict the clear teachings of Scripture and teaching such a
position is in and of itself sin.
*Abbreviated
List
Gen.
14:18
18
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of
God Most High.
Lev.
23:13
13
Its grain offering shall be two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil,
an offering made by fire to the LORD, for a sweet aroma; and its drink offering
shall be of wine, one-fourth of a hin.
1
Cor. 11:25-26
25
In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is
the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance
of Me."
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you
proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.
Psalm
104:15
15
And wine that makes glad the heart of man, Oil to make his face shine, And bread
which strengthens man's heart.
Prov.
31:6
6
Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitter of
heart.
1
Tim. 5:23
23
No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and
your frequent infirmities.
Ecc.
9:7
7
Go, eat your bread with joy, And drink your wine with a merry heart; For God has
already accepted your works.
John
2:1-11
1
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus
was there.
2
Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.
3
And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him,
"They have no wine."
4
Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with
Me? My hour has not yet come."
5
His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do
it."
6
Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner
of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece.
7
Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." And they
filled them up to the brim.
8
And He said to them, "Draw some out now, and take it to the master
of the feast." And they took it.
9
When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and
did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew),
the master of the feast called the bridegroom.
10 And he said to him, "Every man at the beginning sets out
the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have
kept the good wine until now!"
11 This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and
manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.
Gen.
9:21
21
Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent.
Eph.
5:18
And
do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the
Spirit.
1
Cor. 6:9-11
9
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not
be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor
homosexuals, nor sodomites,
10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor
extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were
sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the
Spirit of our God.
Rom.
15:21-23
21
It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your
brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is
he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.
23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does
not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.