Why can't Christians drink alcohol? Where in the Bible does it say to not drink?

Question

I always hear about Jesus drinking wine in the Bible but I think thats an excuse.... anyone got any opinion? scriptures? comments?

True that is a good point, Jesus did make the wine, never put those 2 together, makes sense. Many Christians have told me that "not to drink", but reason why Im asking is because its never been clear to me in the Bible, the scripture did help and made my understanding clearer....thanks everyone for responding ....and responding soo quickly :-D

Answer 1

It doesn't, you can drink (Jesus did, and if He did it I feal safe doing it too) just don'tabuse it. that is the rule for MANY things, a lot of them are gifts from God that get abbused and therefor are made immoral.

Answer 2

Alcoholism has been a problem for over 1,000 years, since distillation was discovered. Many of the new religions (derived from the bible withing the last 200-300 years) saw it as an evil and attacked it as a leg of their particular version of Christianity. Prohibition (1919-1933) drastically reduced the popularity of mass consumption for 76% of Americans and the issue should have died, but if you base your religion on a stance, you can't very well change it without losing followers. Of course the stupidity of the restriction is that Jesus would have consumed wine in his time. It was a food and also better then the contaminated water in the area knows as Israel today. To not drink would have made you an oddball and an outcast. Even children drank wine. Besides, you have to consume a lot of wine to get drunk. Alcoholic content of table wine was abound 2-3% because the sugar content of the grapes in that area was low, and sugar had not been discovered and honey would have been far too expensive to waste in wine.

Answer 3

There are many scriptures about alcohol in the bible. First look at some showing that drinking to the point of getting drunk is a sin:

(Ephesians 5:18) 18 Also, do not be getting drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but keep getting filled with spirit. . .

(1 Corinthians 6:9-10) 9 What! Do YOU not know that unrighteous persons will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be misled. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men kept for unnatural purposes, nor men who lie with men,  nor thieves, nor greedy persons, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit God’s kingdom.

This includes being freinds with drunkards:

(1 Corinthians 5:11) But now I am writing YOU to quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man.

However in moderation...not to the extent of drunkeness, it is a good thing.....

(Ecclesiastes 9:7) 7 Go, eat your food with rejoicing and drink your wine with a good heart, because already the [true] God has found pleasure in your works. . .

(Psalm 104:15) 15 And wine that makes the heart of mortal man rejoice, To make the face shine with oil, And bread that sustains the very heart of mortal man.

And yes jesus turned water into wine. He also celebrated the passover by drinking the wine with his deciples this verse illudes to the fact that he had drank some as he would drink no more:

(Mark 14:25) 25 Truly I say to YOU, I shall by no means drink anymore of the product of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

And of course before he died:
(John 19:29-30) 29 A vessel was sitting there full of sour wine. Therefore they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a hyssop [stalk] and brought it to his mouth. When, now, he had received the sour wine, Jesus said: “It has been accomplished!” and, bowing his head, he delivered up [his] spirit.


Finaly the bible shows how alcohol can help some ailments of course in moderation:

(1 Timothy 5:23) 23 Do not drink water any longer, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent cases of sickness.

Answer 4

You are right the Bible doesn't really say anything, other then don't be a lush. Some Christians look at it similar to Buddhist and other religions in the sense that you don't drink alcohol because it has potential for binding you to the flesh, and our purpose is to be completely free from the flesh (non-attachment in Buddhism, or overcoming the self). Alcohol has a higher probability then other drinks in binding one down. It is true drinking in moderation has benefits, and some people can do this, but there are those who just feel staying as far away from the edge of a cliff is the safest bet. However, I respect all people regardless of their choice.

Answer 5

There is no law or rule against drinking. Paul exhorted believers to "not get DRUNK on wine which leads to debauchery but be filled with the Spirit..." Eph. 5:18.
As Christians we are not under the guidance of laws or rules - that's the old covenant. (Many may disagree with me on that.) We are under the guidance and control of the Spirit now. He directs our path and tells us what we should do or not do. What He says always brings life and lines up with the Bible and the spirit of the law which is love. But not all sins are the same. It's not always a one size fits all. Of course, there are the basic things like Do not murder or do not commit adultery, etc. but then you have other sins. The Holy Spirit may tell one believer to never touch alcohol because He knows it will lead that person to stumble or they will become a slave to it. But to another He may say it's o.k. to have an occasional drink but that person needs to stop watching soap operas or stop eating so much sugar. In these areas it varies and we need to be led by the Spirit. Remember, He knows us better than we know ourselves and He is here to help us finish the race that is marked out for us. I'd advise, when in doubt, leave it out.

Answer 6

There is nothing wrong with drinking alcohol. Jesus' first miracle was to make wine out of water. The bible tells us that we are not to get drunk. There is a big difference. A lot of denominations don't allow their people to drink, but that is not biblical. It also warns us about doing things around those of weaker faith if it causes them to stumble, so there are a few more factors affecting when and where we can drink.

John 2 - Jesus water into wine
1 Corinthians 6:10
nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
Ephesians 5:18
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

Answer 7

What i think is the point is that we are not to become a slave to it. Or anything. I like Chardonnay for instance. And if God didn't want me personally to drink he would have done something about it. . . and he did. ( darn it!)

I had the best bottles of wine I ever tasted, and it totally ruined all the others! Since I can no longer get any of that wine ( it was a few years ago) all other wine tastes bitter.

So there you go. lol

I might taste other wine, but so far it all SUCKS! Even the expensive ones. ( I say laughingly)

So I get to remember the smooth, never ever bitter Chateau Soveriegn (2000 I think, it was in Consumer Reports a few years back) , full of vanilla and buttery flavor, but I cannot find even one to compare it with. Perhaps in heaven we will have something even better!

Answer 8

Jesus' first miracle was in Cana. He turned water into wine. Not only wine, but the best wine. John 2:1-11. I Timothy 5:23 Paul tells Timothy to stop drinking just water and use a little wine for his stomach's sake. The Bible does NOT say you can't drink. Paul says we should do all things moderately. RELIGIOUS IDIOTS SAY YOU CAN'T DRINK! The cup that Jesus passed at the last supper during the Passover Feast was filled with wine.

Answer 9

Christians can and do drink alcohol. The Bible does not command us not to drink it. The Bible does tell us to be cautious with it. Anyone who was a Nazzarite or took the Nazzarite vow could not drink alcohol in any form. John the baptist was a Nazzarite, Jesus was not-He was from Nazareth-lots of difference.
There are some Christian denominations who have decided that they will not drink alcohol. Baptist agree that it is not a sin to do so, but choose this restraint for themselves only. Their choice does not affect anyone else.

Answer 10

I am not a christian but I'll share with you what I have read concerning this matter.

Jesus, changed water into wine, in obediance to his mother request. Recall, that Jesus was under Judaism, and it teaches to Honor/obey
your father and your mother.

No where in the bible does it state that Jesus drank alcohol.
I have much repect for Jesus, His words, and
the life he lead.

A christian can drink alcohol, IF it does Not
cause another fellow christian to stumble in their walk with Jesus.

Prov. 20:1 says, for the Jew, and for some christian I suppose who acknowledge and follow the Old Testament, as well as the New Testament, who follow the entire bible.

Prov. 20:1 says, "Wine is a Mocker, Strong
Alcohol is a riotous brawler; and whoever errs
or reels because of alcohol is Not Wise !
(also read Is. 28:7, Hos. 4:11, and
Prov. 23:29, 30).

There are so many instances in the bible where people, after drinking alcohol experienced many bad, unfortunate consequences. I am NOT out to degrade the jews or christians so I will give the many examples provided from the bible.

I am Buddhist, and we are no better than anyone else. We Highly respect, admire, and do follow many of the words of Jesus.

The reason we do not drink alcohol though is in the Dhammapada, it says:

"There are six results from drinking alcohol:
1) Decreased Wealth.
2) Increasing Quarrels.
3) Danger of Diseases.
4) Gaining an evil/bad Reputation.
5) Indecent Exposure.
6) Ruining Your Intelligence."
Digha Nikaya 31
The Buddha spoke these words 2,650 yrs ago.

These are some of my reasons for not drinking alcohol; but my main reasons personally are that alcohol has NO Nutritional value for the human body, or for our Mind. It is a waste of money, and it causes us to think, say and do/behavior - things we truly do not mean to think, say and do. Alcohol negatively changes our attitudes, and the thoughts and intents of our hearts.

Paul, realized the limitations of some human beings, so he did say "Do all things in Moderation !!"

I do not recall where, but Paul also said,
"Do not be drunk with wine (any type of alcohol) but be filled = 'Stimulated' (says the Amplified Bible) AND controlled by the Holy Spirit of God.

Take Care, and please try and do what is best
for you body and mind.

And if you were out to give Jesus a bad reputation, you can not possibly do that.
The life he led, has proven to humanity that he is a good example for mankind to emulate, to
follow, to imitate. One who would give his life for his friends, Not too many people are willing to do that these days.

Have an excellent peaceful life, hopefully with a wholesome, clean conscience.

Answer 11

it dosent in fact jesus himself drank wine and was even accused of being a drunk.men have made this law for themself what is said in scripture is dont overdo it dont get drunk and lose controll!The funny thing the ones who are so adamant on this are ussualy overweight wich is a sin we are to do all things in moderation!

1 timothy 5:23. Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. \

(Matt.11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, `Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' But wisdom is proved right by her actions."

Lk.7:34. The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, `Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' )