The term wine comes from the word Oinos which is used to describe both fermented and unfermented wine.

We need to explore both Physical wine and Spiritual wine as the Bible mentions both in order to understand what the bible teaches.

Fermentation process: Answer Bacteria and fungi are used to change sugar into alcohol or acid and this process is known as Fermentation. Lactic and Citric acid are waste products of certain bacteria and fungi respectively. The alcohols of wine and beer are also made this way. Beer is produced by fermenting germinating cereals , while wine is brewed by fermenting crushed grapes.
Fermentation is the decomposition of the natural sugar found in Grapes. It is a sign of decay and death and altar’s the original pure nature of what ever is being fermented.

Leavin: An agent, such as yeast, that causes batter or dough to rise, especially by fermentation. The bible mentions Leavin (which is used in Fermentation) to be a type of Sin. Christ's power to deliver from sin gives us the power and direction to not drink alcoholic beverages as it would be considered sin.

John 2:4-10 (Jesus turns water into wine)
 The book of John is focused around the divine Loving Nature of Christ and records 8 miracles (other than the resurrection of Christ) and all 8 of these miracles can be linked to Christ’s divinity, in this case Christ created wine and that ties to Christ being the True Vine (John 15:1)
· The 6 pots of Stone containing 2-3 Firskins apiece calculates to around 130 gallons of wine (which equals about 655 bottle of wine – with a bottle of wine holding about 5 servings – under today’s standards someone would have approximately 4 glasses of wine for a 3 hour wedding celebration.) Using this breakdown, Christ would of created enough wine for 818 people to drink for four hours after they were drunk - if you were to look at this way) – at the very least, this goes against the Bible teaching of soberness and temperance).
· The Term “Good” used by the Governor of the feast comes from the Greek word kalos – meaning valuable, virtuous, fair, honest and worthy.

So in this case, the use of the word wine really doesn’t make sense as a fermented product, also remember that Fermentation is a process of death and decay yet the Bible teaches us that in Christ we are a new creature (II Corinthians 5:17) and he makes all things new (Revelations 21:5)

Matthew 9:17 (Luke37-39) – new wine into old bottles. This scripture identifies that Jesus sees wine as completed unfermented.
· First it is important to understand that a bottle or a skin cannot hold the wine even if was intended to be fermented as indicated, the bottle or the firkin would bust as there is too much gas and pressure created and released during the fermentation process.
· The reason the wine must be put into new bottles is because the inside of the bottle MUST be clean and free from anything that would cause the wine to ferment. In order to preserve fresh grape juice – YOU HAD to put it into a new bottle to preserve it.
· Verse 39 (Luke) – The old wine Jesus refers to here when he says “for they say the old is better” is spiritual in nature and construes and reiterates the previous point by indicating that you must be born again and have a Clean heart before you can begin to receive or appreciate the new wine of the gospel.

Leviticus 10:8-11 – in the old testament, the priests were not to enter into Gods temple – they were never to enter Gods presence intoxicated.

1st Corinthian 6:19 – in the dispensation of Christ, we are the temple as God dwells in a temple not made with hands (Acts 7:48).

1st Peter 2:9-10 – God has put a difference between the old and the new and between the unholy and holy just as he did in Old testament.

Linking these together - we cannot have Gods presence dwelling in us as the temple of God if we are getting intoxicated as we would be polluting the temple.

Spiritually Speaking, in many cases, the Word of God and the Spirit of God are pictured as wine and we know the word of God is pure (Psalms 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times) or unfermented.

· The Good Samaritan poured in the oil and wine to the one that fell among thieves
· Revelations 6:6 – when the 3rd seal was open, the angel was instructed not the hurt the oil and the wine
· Revelations 14:10 – The wine is the pure word of God being poured out without any defilement and undiluted.

The fermented spiritual wine is also mentioned in Revelations

Revelations 17:2 – here we have those who dwell in Babylon intoxicated on an unpure word of God. A word that has had leaven added unto the whole was leaven.

Revelations 18-1-3 – another symbol of an unpure word that promotes infidelity against Christ – Christ calls us out of that  - not too that. (1st Corinthians 10:21 – if Babylon is full of every foul spirit and she is offering an unpure word, then we would be drinking from the cup of devils if we partook of that)

 In conclusion, there really is no Bible foundation for drinking wine. And when taken in the correct context it actually becomes very clear that the bible roundly and soundly condemns the use of Alcoholic beverages being consumed for the sake of drinking of alcohol

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written by a guest, October 23, 2009

I guarantee you were against drinking wine before you researched the topic. Anyone can make the scriptures say what they want. The truth is...there are very few Christians who approach the bible objectively. And you are only against it because you were always taught that. How about living in responsiblity...not fear.

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written by Jason Wilborn, October 23, 2009

"I guarantee you were against drinking wine before you researched the topic. Anyone can make the scriptures say what they want. The truth is...there are very few Christians who approach the bible objectively. And you are only against it because you were always taught that. How about living in responsiblity...not fear."

Dear Guest,

Thank you for taking the time to read the blog and post a comment. I would, however, like to clarify some things you put in your post.

Yes, you are right about me being against drinking before I researched this topic. Nevertheless, I was very aware of that belief as I started and completed my study (and that did not change the outcome as the scriptures are what they are).

However, I dont believe this way because that is the way I was raised, contrariwise the opposite is true. I was not raised going to Church, nor did I have much interest in God or the things of God when I was young. In fact, I was raised in a home where alcohol was not only allowed, but it was a rather frequent guest. I have drunk alchoholic beverages before I was saved and I am very familiar with both the affects and consequences of alchohol consumption.

My personal testimony is this. After I turned 21 I was sitting in a bar drinking. As I finished off a glass, a revelation struck me that I was starting to enjoy the consumption of alcohol (and it took me a while to overcome the obnoxious taste) - at that very moment God spoke to my heart and the realization that this was not good for me was quite palpable and it was at that moment that I quit drinking. It wasn't until several months later that I would be introduced to the Church of God and the Bible. It wasn't "doctrine" or "man" that brought me to understand that God did not want me to drink (and God is no respecter of person).

As I began to learn and study the Bible, I have found that it simply supports what God already witnessed to me, that it roundly and soundly condemns alcoholic consumption.

Thank you again for your post

Jason Wilborn

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written by a guest, October 24, 2009

May I add,what about the Bible principal of not taking anything that would cause my brother to stumble? How many people are addicted, stumbling, sinning, because of alcoholism! If I buy it, I support the production of something that has caused and continues to be the destruction of billions of souls. I came from a home with an alcoholic and no one can ever convince me that God is OK with our consuming the most used poison of the Devil himself to destroy the lives of men women and untold innocent children.

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written by a guest, December 01, 2009

Everything in moderation!!! The word speaks of not consuming too much wine. Elders and ministers not at all. Consuming large amounts of food is considered gluttony and is a sin. I could go on and on. I do feel that consumption of wine can lead to overindulgence and significant issues...and this is not the case for the average Christian, I believe who has a glass or wine or two from time to time. A true believer will not allow anything to separate them from the love of GOD, including overindulgence of wine. Thank you.

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written by a guest, December 20, 2009

Sorry for the late response to the latest post but unfortunately (though I do hear this a lot) drinking in moderation is not supported biblically. If Elders and Ministers are not to drink neither is anyone else (God is no respector of persons and there is no private interpretation of the scriptures).The "all things in moderation" line of thinking is simply a trick of the devil to get people to compromise and deviate from Gods true purpose for them. I am going to expand on this post ASAP to further solidfy the case.

Jason Wilborn

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written by a guest, December 31, 2009

Jason, I would really like to hear you follow up with some more scriptural based information on why a christian should abstain from alcohol. I myself have not drank any alcohol for a year now. Like you it wasn't something that someone convinced me was what God wanted me to do. I had a revelation from God to separate myself from alcohol. And so i have, though i have been kicking and screaming most the way these past two years. when i began to be tempted("just a glass of wine", "you know God will forgive you tomorrow" or "you cant get drunk off of one beer") I remember all that God as blessed me with since i trusted him and gave up alcohol. I still don't know if a christian should drink or not as far as others because i can only speak for myself. Though It seems to me if there is a doubt among a christian that is drinking alcohol, in whether or not it pleases our Lord, that such a christian should remove it from his life. Even if they are only doing so in fear and love of the Lord. as christians don't we know that fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom? I don't believe that drinking alcohol will send anyone to hell but if your born again you will want to live for God and do those things which please him, not those things that you lust after. Whatever we give up in this life, we will be rewarded for in heaven. Most importantly Fear and love our God, and whatever you do, do it for his glory, Ahmen.

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written by a guest, January 12, 2010

I thought the original post about this subject did an excellent job about explaining how the bible references to wine in the NT does not contradict itself. Just from a human standpoint, we should not deliberately partake of something that reduces control or our emotions. Even when a person is saved, he has to live a life of carefullness in order to stay saved. If alcohol causes someone's judgement to be impared to the point of sin, it should at all costs be avoided.
AP

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written by Jason Wilborn, January 12, 2010

Dear Guest,

You are doing the right thing by doing what God has shown you to do. God has helped you in that you recognize drinking as a temptation. Below are some scriptures that, with Gods help, will strengthen your resolve. I am praying for additional guidance on how God would like me to expand this topic.

Proverbs 20: 1 \"Wine is mocker, strong drink is raging and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise\"

Proverbs 31:4 \"It is not for Kings, O Lemuel, it is not for Kings to drink wine, nor for princes strong drink\" - remember we are made Kings (a Royal Generation) and Priests to our God (1st Peter 2:9)

God will help you overcome temptation, God will make a way for you to overcome (1st Corinthians 10:13)

1st Peter 5:8 - \"Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour

Here is a thought, the bible teaches us throughout the new and old testament to be sober and to watch unto prayer. If you were on duty guarding the most important treasure known to man, would you drink even one beverage? I don\'t think so. Why? Because you would want to be at your most alert state as you know that given the chance someone would try to take advantage and steal that treasure. So it is spiritually. When we drink, we cannot be at our most alert state while guarding our soul against the wiles of devil. He is very much interested in stealing our soul and the less capable we become of watching, the bolder and harder he tries to steal our soul and bring us back into bondage. Remember that Jesus taught us that though a man gain the whole world and lose his soul, it profits him nothing - Matthew 16:26. If Christ put such a value on our soul, we should too.

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written by a guest, January 20, 2010

Jason
First and foremost, thank you for the time you have spent in review and response here. This is a topic that has seen its debate in congregations and entire denominations. I respect your position on this topic; I would, however, like to insert one more dynamic for your consideration here.

Without exception, I believe that one is held accountable to whatever boundaries God shows them personally, above and beyond wherever they’d find that limit for their fellow Christians. I believe we should avoid placing stumbling blocks before our brother and I believe we should place a high value on moderation. We should avoid excess and anything else that impairs our judgment, which doesn’t have to include alcohol. (‘Over-medicated’ or ‘fatigue’ driving can cause the same results as DUI.)

Most believers who don’t have experience with alcohol might not catch the message contained in the conversation in John 2 at the wedding feast.
9When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
10And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
The governor was saying that hosts generally put the good stuff out first and then the bad later. This is one of the most common elements of drinking whether in terms of wine (good/worse) or liquor (top shelf/cheap). The concept is once they’ve ‘mellowed’ out with the good stuff, they won’t notice when you start putting out the cheap. This is what the governor of the marriage feast at Cana was saying.

This understanding would not support the idea that they were speaking of merely unfermented grape juice. I’ve heard the common arguments on both sides of the coin from very good fellow Christians whom I appreciate and respect.

I caution all to seek His guidance for those boundaries in their own life. We definitely should teach the biblical principles of responsibility, avoid excess, and refrain from hindering our brother. However, by reminding each other to seek our Father’s face for the limits in our personal life, we are getting out of the way and allowing the Holy Spirit His hand in hand walk with us that He intended in the first place.

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written by a guest, January 26, 2010

Being a fellow christian, the Lord saved me 16 years ago and 16 years ago was the last time I ever took a drink of any alcoholic beverage. Seeing the Lord delivered Jason and I from the same thing wouldnt it be so with all christians alike. If the Lord would deliver one from such things He would do so for all others. Sin is sin to the Lord, there is no guessing game with Him. He is very clear to those who wish to truelly follow and obey him

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written by Jason Wilborn, February 01, 2010

This is a reply to the comments made on 1/20/2010. I took a long time to pray about my reply as I know many people point to this miracle and say Christ created an alcoholic beverage for drinking. Nevertheless, if you look at the context of the book of John and couple that with what the rest of the bible teaches, you are hard pressed to make that assumption. First, we are assuming that the \"good\" wine being referred to is specifically addressing an alchoholic substance - that is a pretty big assumption. It could in fact be referring to flavor, body, purity or some other measure of quality. In the original language, the word good used by the Governor of the feast comes from the Greek word Kalos – meaning valuable, virtuous, fair, honest and worthy. How many of us would define alcohol that way? In addition, we have to remember that we are dealing with primitive storage methods at this time. Once the beverage was created, it had a limited shelf live and the older it became, the lower the quality. It would be more than fair to say that the highest quality wine was set forth and than that which is older or of less quality was set forth second. To assume that the host set forth \"the good alcholic beverage\" first to get his guests drunk and then set forth the bad alcholic beverage later is not only an assumption, but it is also rather unsupported.

Additionally,

If we look at the Book of John as a whole, we will find exactly 8 miracles, all of which tie into the divinity of Christ. Turning Water into Wine relates to Christ as the True Vine in John 15:1.

The Bible also teaches us that their is no private interpretation of the scriptures (2nd Peter 1:20-21). Or in other words, no scripture is of ones own interpretation. If Christ did not turn water into an alcholic substance and there is no real foundation to allow consumption of alcoholic substances biblically, then we aught not encourage others to change the scripture according to their own convictions.

Ok, now I wanted to put forth one additional thing that I felt God was impressing me with.

From a spiritual standpoint, we know that the bible teaches us that Christ is the Bridegroom (Matthew 25:1-13 and various other scriptures),his Church is the Bride and that people are invited to the wedding to be partakers of the holy unity. In many places, the Word of God is referred to as Wine, I would argue that spiritually and alegorically, this account could be fairly reasoned out as the First wine being the Old Testament and the New Wine being the New Testament, with the New Testament being better than the Old Testament. And we know that Christ came to deliver people FROM their sins (Matthew 1:21). Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith provided a new and living way that is free from sin, therefore strengthening, from yet another angle, that Christ did not change the water into an alcholic wine.

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written by a guest, October 18, 2010

I am just now reading through all of these comments. I would like to add from what I have studied and found out. No one has mentioned Habakkuk 2:15 which says "Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!" If Jesus had made alcoholic wine according to Habakkuk he would be guilty of sin and we KNOW that Jesus Christ was perfect and without sin.

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written by a guest, May 26, 2012

I absolutely agree one hundred percent with you. God gave me a revelation on wine being spiritual last night. Ephesians 5:18 says not to be drunk on wine but to rather be filled with the Spirit. Just a little wine or alcohol changes your thinking and thoughts. I would rather be completly sober and hear the voice of God than to chance the fact that I'm not sober minded and not hear the instructions He has for me. The Word of God says to be sober minded and I stand on the Word. Reverend Matthew Dutton.

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