A STARTING POINT: We all know that Baptists are generally teetotalers, but what does the Bible actually teach?
THE DANGERS OF DRINKING:
1. The Bible says that excessive drinking is foolish.
- Proverbs 20:1; Proverbs 23:20-21, 31-35; Isaiah 5:11; Isaiah 28:1; Luke 21:34; Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 6:10; Ephesians 5:18.
2. The Bible says that drunkenness is not fitting for a Christian.
- 1 Corinthians 5:11; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Timothy 3:8.
SO IS ALL DRINKING CONDEMNED?
1. The Bible sometimes speaks of wine as a gift from God.
- Psalm 104:45.
2. Paul speaks of using win for health purposes.
- 1 Timothy 5:23.
3. It appears that Jesus drank wine.
- Matthew 11:16-19; John 2:1-11.
A KEY ISSUE: CHRISTIANS FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY
1. If at all possible, don’t allow your freedom in Christ to be a stumbling block to a fellow believer.
- Romans 14:1-21; 1 Corinthians 8:9-13.
2. If at all possible, don’t allow your freedom in Christ to be a stumbling block to an unbeliever.
- 1 Corinthians 9:19-22; 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1.
3. We are to use our freedom in Christ as an opportunity to serve.
- Galatians 5:13; 1 Peter 2:16.
