Wine and Grapejuice

It's wine and drinking it in and of itself is not a sin.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Yes, it is ok to drink alchohol. It is not ok to get drunk.

Joseph Botwinick

 

You are correct, Joseph.

 

Hello Jana and welcome to the Baptist board!

You will find that the topic of Alcohol, Wine and Drinking has been mentioned many times. Also, in each topic you will find that everyone seems to have a opinion.

I have found that asking this type of question on the board, although good, in that is creates GREAT discussion, it hardly ever gets the question answered. It generally leads on more questions.

I use this board to push my boundaries in my studies of the Word and how I see things. With the "lively" discussions, and the provoking of my studies with said discussions, and alot of prayer, I generally then find the answers to my questions.

Remember that only the Bible is the final authority, not anyone of us here on the board.


Here is a search of Alcohol, I hope this helps you with an answer to your question.

http://www.baptistboard.com/search.php?searchid=2104


Take care and God Bless.


Jamie

 

the reason "fruit of the vine" is used sometimes and other times "alcohol" or "wine," etc. is used is based on the original languages. in the greek sometimes they use "fruit of the vine" to refer to wine, that would be like the old expression "fruit of my loins" to refer to your child. And sometimes the Greek (or Hebrew) is used for wine or alcohol. "Fruit of the vine" does not mean grapejuice - it means wine. Yes, Jesus drank wine (aka alcohol).

And yes it is not necessarily a sin to drink alcohol. In fact Paul told Timothy to drink wine (1 Tim 5.23). But we are told to not get drunk (Eph 5.18). Beyond that you also should not drink if you are prone to addicitions - because then you would be placing yourself in a position to sin. And you should not drink (not even a sip) if it would cause those around you to stumble (1 Cor 8.13). But, again, alcohol is not by nature a sinful thing.

 

I agree 100%.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Many of us choose not to drink alcohol because it would seem like getting in bed with the enemy. We know the destructive effects of the abuse of alcohol and don't wish to support such an industry or to take a chance that our character or integrity may be adversely affected.

This is a choice that many of us make - and I believe it is a good choice in our culture and society. However, the above posts are correct.

 

Well said, greek geek.

 

OK, where is the debate? We are now on page 2 and there has been no disagreement!!!!

Is this a record for BB? :smilewinkgrin:

 

raise: Perfect answer indeed

 

So, should we use wine or grape juice when we observe the Lord's Supper?

In your answer(s), please indicate not only (1) Why you you think your answer is the scriptural option, but also why the other option cannot be supported by scripture [and is, therefore, unscriptural]; (2) Does the use of the other option mean that those who use that unscriptural option are therefore partaking in an unworthy manner; and (3) What should a lay person who is a member of a church that uses the other option?

 

I don't think it makes a difference. As a NT believer, it should be done in remembrance of Christ, not to follow the requirements of the passover meal, as were done at the Last Supper. The passover meal HAD to use wine, as any form of leaven was forbidden. We are not bound by ceremonial law, so I don't think there would be any Scripture supporting either wine or grape juice for the Lords Supper.

I just blogged something similar recently: http://webdog.baptistblog.org/post/24/493

 

The vast majority of "wine" drunk in the NT was actually reconstituted grape juice. It had been dried to a paste/gel, and was remixed with water (usually to a weaker composition than the original).

The wine referred to at Pentecost (new wine) was the actual stuff, the juice that emerges from the grape before they are trodden or pressed. All juices fermented very quickly, considering the climate and the lack of refridgeration.

So, to use grape juice or Boone's Farm for the Lord's Supper? Follow your conscience and the Lord's leading. Oh, and your churches by-laws.

 

Right. Brother Welch had not yet come along to figure out a way to preserve grape juice without rapid fermentation.

I see no either/or in the answer to this question. It's symbolism ... and either symbolizes the blood of Christ.

What does the Board family think of other substances for the Communion elements? Once, during a Black History Month Communion service, I had the deacons serve corn bread and apple cider, as remembrances of the products of the slaves' labor. My text was Isaiah 30:20, "Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliciton, yet your Teacher will not hide himself any more ..."

 

I don't think it matters to scripture unless you are causing offense to a weaker brother or sister and as long as you are not causing a brother or sister to stumble. For example, serving wine to a recovering alchoholic and guilting him into your preferred method would be a sin.

Joseph Botwinick

 

As long as you eat and drink in remembrance of the Death of Christ, I don't think it matters what you use.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Also, there was to be no leaven. Wine has no leaven. But, today, neither does pasteurized grape juice.