The Bible Answers

Question:I would like to know all bible verses referring to the subject of “drink”. Fernented drink specifically. Both pro and con. Old testament and new. The issue is under much discussion in my community.

Answer:You can find all 367 verses relating to Drink by clicking the link below.http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/?search=drink&searchtype=all&version1=49&spanbegin=1&spanend=73You can find all 240 verses on Wine by clicking the link belowhttp://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/?search=wine&searchtype=all&version1=49&spanbegin=1&spanend=73These verses are in NAS version but you can look them up in whatever version you use. I will answer your question directly. First, I am assuming you are referring to the myth espoused by many that the Wine in the Bible was non alcoholic or that drinking at all is a sine.For brevity’s sake we will cover only the New Testament verse that is most often quoted against drinking. Ephesians 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,Here is King James if you prefer: And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit,The keyword is “drunk.” Drunk does not have a legal basis at the time the Bible was written. For example, one cannot say at a blood alcohol level of .10 you are legally drunk according to the Bible. You can only determine what drunk is by seeing the actions of the person. In my humble opinion, someone is drunk once they act counter to the Scriptures. If you are treating people badly, breaking the law or making a fool of yourself I believe you are drunk.On the other hand, if you have a few drinks with friends, do not treat people badly, do not break the law or make a fool of yourself you are not drunk in the sense of Ephesians 5:18.The word translated to wine is “something pressed” in most passages I am familiar with. Some have argued that this is a grape juice and not an alcoholic wine. Let’s look at the first miracle of Jesus.John 2:10 and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.”In this particular verse is the evidence that the wine did contain alcohol. If it were grape juice then people would still notice the difference between good and poor wine. Having had experience with drinking in my youth I can testify that after you have a certain amount to drink you can barely tell the difference between good and poor wine.If these two main arguments are not good enough there is always Church history. When did the prohibition of alcohol begin? Any student of history will tell you it started right here in America via the Fundamentalist and Pentecostal movements. Here is a good article link to Christianity Today. http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/features/ask/2002/jul12.htmlConclusion:The Bible does not say drinking is a sin or else you may see the commandment “Though shalt not consume alcohol.” It simply says “don’t get drunk.” Jesus would never have turned water into wine if it were sinful. History shows that alcohol has only become a topic of discussion in the North American Churches in the past 120 years. Since the issue of alcohol is localized to the Americas one must ask if Christianity is only correct from the American perspective.I do hope this helps to answer your question.