By: Bro. Stephen Iluman (Bishop)
Download Lesson
This teaching needs everybody’s attention because of the biblical question and now that every one of us are with the bible, it is also the bible that will answer the question. First of all, let us have the definition of the word “alcohol” according to Oxford Advanced learner’s Dictionary International Students’ Edition. Drinks such as beer, wine etc. that can make people drunk. He never drinks alcohol. Alcohol abuse. The clear liquid that is found in drinks such as beer, wine etc. and is used in medicine, cleaning products etc. Wine contains about 10% alcohol. Based on the level of alcohol in the blood, he pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. There are low alcohol beer, alcohol free beer. Absolute alcohol, a form of that contains less than 1% water. Alcoholic: connected with or containing alcohol. There was a revelation in this research that persons who regularly drinks too much alcohol and cannot easily stop drinking, will soon become an illness. On this wise, there was international organization that begun in Chicago in 1935, for people who are trying to stop drinking alcohol. They usually have meetings to help each other.
With this clear understanding about alcohol, to the extent that an organization that began in 1935 try to find a solution. Let me put the topic once again before searching the bible: What is the Biblical Stand of the Church on Christians and Alcohol?
It is also proper for all of us to know who we are as Christians – Acts 11:26. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. What will make you to be Christians is already revealed and the God you are worshipping is to be worshipped in Spirit and in truth according to John 4:23-24. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” God wants us Christians to possess His fruit of Spirit – Galatians 5:22-25. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 [a]gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. The bible also revealed the works of the flesh to make the difference clear to both Christians and non-Christians – Galatians 5:16-21. 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
The gospel we are all preaching today rest on repentance as Christ said according to Luke 13:3-5. 3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Repentance is also vital in a Christian’s life even before you can become a Christian as Peter pleaded in Acts 2:36-42. 36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the [a]remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this [b]perverse generation.” 41 Then those who [c]gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ [d]doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. It is also proper to know what you are to repent from before becoming a Christian and when you are now a Christian – 1 Corinthians 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 [a]homosexuals, nor [b]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 [c]sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. Before I go further in this discussion, it is also important to see the qualification of officers to be ordained or appointed in the church with biblical reference – 1 Timothy 3:1-7. This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a [a]bishop, he desires a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not [b]given to wine, not violent, [c]not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not [d]covetous; 4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 not a [e]novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. That of the deacons vs. 8 – Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money. I know questions will come from here as regard much wine. Because of safety, we must first of all look right, look left before crossing the road to avoid accident. If one does not drink at all, he cannot become drunk or drunkard.
The problems in the world today are caused by humans, as disobedience started from Adam and Eve through the eating of the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden – Genesis 2;18-25. Temptations had been there and it will remain to be there till the end of this world as we are already told – 1 Corinthians 10:13. Lots’ daughters through the use of alcoholic drinks made their father to sleep with them as this is an abomination – Genesis 19:30-38. 30 Then Lot went up out of Zoar and dwelt in the mountains, and his two daughters were with him; for he was afraid to dwell in Zoar. And he and his two daughters dwelt in a cave. 31 Now the firstborn said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is no man on the earth to come in to us as is the custom of all the earth. 32 Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve the [a]lineage of our father.” 33 So they made their father drink wine that night. And the firstborn went in and lay with her father, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. 34 It happened on the next day that the firstborn said to the younger, “Indeed I lay with my father last night; let us make him drink wine tonight also, and you go in and lie with him, that we may preserve the [b]lineage of our father.” 35 Then they made their father drink wine that night also. And the younger arose and lay with him, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. 36 Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father. 37 The firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab; he is the father of the Moabites to this day. 38 And the younger, she also bore a son and called his name Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the people of Ammon to this day. Read also Genesis 9:20-29.
As Christians in the New Testament biblically, there is reference of what Christians should do in condition – 1 Timothy 5:21-23. 21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the [a]elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. 22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure. 23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent [b]infirmities.
Please run away as Christians in the churches of Christ from drinking alcohol socially except a situation calls for it as result of ill health.
Conclusion
I was with a man in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry who died at a very young age because of his discovery to drink more bottles of alcohol.
May God help us all to avoid alcohol drinking in Jesus name – amen.
Download Lesson
