This author believes with all his heart that the consumption of alcohol for any “non- medicinal” purpose is contrary to Christianity. Please, keep reading and consider just one argument (of many) set forth in this blog pertinent to the subject matter.
This writer has concluded through careful and prayerful study that the entire issue of the use of any drug (Beverage Alcohol included) and Christianity hinges on “holiness.”
God instructed Moses, in Leviticus 19:2, “Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” Peter quotes an elucidates on the passage in 1 Peter 1:15-16, when he states, “But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy, in all manner of conversation, because it is written, be ye holy for I am holy.”
Thus, holiness is a command. The word “holiness” may make some uneasy. It is lofty and may seem threatening. But, it shouldn’t be that way. John wrote, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments and His commandments are not grievous” (1 John 5:3). So, not only is holiness commanded, but it isn’t hard (grievous) for men to achieve.
When God commanded Israel in the long ago, and Christians through the apostle’s pen, to be holy, what was He saying, or doing? God was instructing His people to be distinct. God had made the declaration to Israel, “And ye shall be a kingdom of priest, and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). The specifics manifest themselves in Numbers 3:10-12. It was because of the Levites faithfulness to God in Exodus 32:26-28 that proved to God they were willing to serve Him, so He separated them out in a special way.
In Leviticus 10:8-10, “And the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying, do not drink wine or strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when you go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, and that ye may put a difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean.”
If there were ever a verse in the Bible that put wine and strong drink in a bad light from Gods perspective, this is it! God said the difference between a priest being holy or unholy, clean or unclean includes the consumption of alcohol!
In 1 Chronicles 24, David divided the priesthood into 24 groups. Each group worked approximately 2 weeks per year. With 24 groups and 52 weeks, the service would rotate around the calendar. So, what does this mean for Christians today?
Peter said, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Christians are priest under the High Priesthood of Jesus Christ. But unlike the Levitical priesthood, we do not offer physical sacrifices, and we do not clock out.
Paul wrote, “I beseech ye therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). Peter, in 1 Peter 2:5, said, “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”
Finally, it is noted that the Hebrews writer admonished, “Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
It is God who said that wine and strong drink make one unholy and unclean. This author is just repeating the word of God. Don’t shoot the messenger, take it up with God. Since God demanded the Levitical priesthood to abstain, what would you think He expects of the Christian priesthood (Ephesians 5:18)?
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