Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 3/19/2006

Question
In the old testament and the new testament the use of wine was prevalent. I think part of the reason for this was potable water. A lot of water was used for animals and cooking. Wine was used with meals and was Our Lord's first miracle plus it was used at the last supper. Obviously drunkeness is despised by God acording to scripture, but what is your view on wine as recorded in scripture and the use of it today?

Answer
Hi John,

Thanks for this great question.  We must understand that the new wine in scriptures is simply the fruit of the vine.... grape juice or it could be fermented ,depending upon the context. After it fermented does it is often referred to as "strong drink" which is strictly forbidden in scriptures.  Jesus made grape juice...not an alcoholic beverage.  What we would call wine today would be considered to be strong drink...and would be forbidden.  It is for this reason that I do not think that a Christian should drink at all.

Proverbs 20:1


Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ,
Pastor Don