Bible Question: Did Jesus turn the water into wine.As we know the wine of today? |
Bible Answer: Part II....Sorry, I accidently submitted Part I unsigned. The second quote is from Dr. William Pettingill, who wrote: "I do not pretend to know the nature of the wine furnished by our Lord at the wedding of Cana, but I am satisfied that there was little resemblance in it to the thing described in the Scriptures of God as biting like a serpent and stinging like an adder (Prov. 23:29-32). Doubtless rather it was like the heavenly fruit of the vine that He will drink new with His own in His Father's Kingdom (Mt. 26:29). No wonder the governor of the wedding feast at Cana pronounced it the best wine kept until last. Never before had he tasted such wine, and never did he taste it again." In additon to the Biblical evidence, I believe it is wrong to drink alcohol for the following practical reasons. 1) Every non-Christian that I know considers it wrong for a Christian to drink. What does drinking do to our testimony? 2) If indeed some people are pre-disposed to alcoholism, how can a Christian encourage anyone to drink? What is the person you are giving the green light to is an alcoholic? 3) We know beyond a doubt that "drunkeness" is a sin. When is a person drunk? Does God use Indiana State Law? As a pastor, how can I tell a person when to say when? Especially since the word 'intoxication' refers to the process of becoming poisoned, not a state. From the very first drink, someone is being 'intoxicated.' 4) Why as a Christian would I want to be associated with something that is connected with death, breaking up of homes, and loose morals? Drinking never made anyone more moral. Drinking never made anyone more Christlike. 5) Finally, as a Christian I am told in Scripture to be self-controlled. Alcohol causes people to loose control. In summary, I think there is a strong case to be made from Scripture that drinking any alcohol is a sin. However, even if one does not agree with that position, I believe that the reasons listed above would provide enough justification for a Christian not to drink simply because of the effect it would have on their testimony and witness for Christ. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |