Post by pitbull on Dec 12, 2005 9:26:24 GMT -5
Alcohol seems to be a common means that people damage the temple of God. The Bible condemns being drunk [intoxicated] as sinful [Deuteronomy. 21:20; Proverbs 20:1; 23:20-21, 29-35; 31:4-5; Isaiah 28:1,3,7; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:10; Galatians 5:21; Ephesians 5:18]. The best way to prevent you from becoming drunk is not to drink. That is why in the model prayer, Jesus taught us to pray “lead us not into temptation”. The best way to avoid sin is to avoid temptation. If Christians wish to respect God’s temple, they need to abstain totally from alcohol.
What about the Lord’s Supper? Wasn’t wine used for it? Actually, the Bible uses the wording “fruit of the vine” or “cup” [Matthew 26:27-29; Mark 14:23-25; Luke 22:17-18, 20; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:25-26], not “wine”, in regards to the Lord’s Supper because of several reasons:
1. Priests are forbidden to drink alcohol while performing their duties of being messengers of men or mediator to God [Leviticus 10:9; Ezekiel 44:21]
• Jesus is our eternal High Priest and had to remain a pure and sinless sacrifice for us [Hebrews 3:1; 7-8]
• All believers are priests and may enter the “Holy of Holies” due to Christ’s death causing the veil to be ripped in twain [Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; 1 Pet. 2:5,9; Rev. 5:10]
2. Pastors could not partake of the Lord’s Supper if wine was used [1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7].
3. The cup is symbolic of the pure blood of Jesus shed for us. His blood was not polluted or corrupt. Fermentation is symbolic of corruption, just like leaven is to bread. If unleavened bread is to be used for the Lord’s Supper, then it is only logical to use unfermented juice.
The Bible does not stop with alcohol. The Greek root word for “sorceries” and “sorcerers” in the book of Revelation is what we gain our word “pharmacies” today. Revelation 9:20-21, 18:23, and 22:15 all talk about this being used to deceive the people and them not repenting of it. That cannot refer to pharmaceutical or medicinal drugs. Instead it refers to the rise of mind-altering drugs [PCP, LSD, marijuana, etc.] that will rise at the end of time. This warning shows that the Bible is still just as relevant today as when God inspired it. Believers who are using these drugs are doing all kinds of damage to the temple of God; some out of ignorance.
What about tobacco products? They are very addictive and violate 1 Corinthians 6:12 – “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” Best-case scenario, tobacco is a dirty habit that will cost you a lot of money. Worst-case scenario, it is a dangerous drug that is damaging your health and testimony while also causing healthy problems in the lives of those around you. Second hand smoke is the third leading killer from drugs. That is how tobacco violates 1 Corinthians 10:23 – “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” Christians should not only avoid alcohol and the illegal “recreational” drugs, but also all tobacco products.
What about the Lord’s Supper? Wasn’t wine used for it? Actually, the Bible uses the wording “fruit of the vine” or “cup” [Matthew 26:27-29; Mark 14:23-25; Luke 22:17-18, 20; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:25-26], not “wine”, in regards to the Lord’s Supper because of several reasons:
1. Priests are forbidden to drink alcohol while performing their duties of being messengers of men or mediator to God [Leviticus 10:9; Ezekiel 44:21]
• Jesus is our eternal High Priest and had to remain a pure and sinless sacrifice for us [Hebrews 3:1; 7-8]
• All believers are priests and may enter the “Holy of Holies” due to Christ’s death causing the veil to be ripped in twain [Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; 1 Pet. 2:5,9; Rev. 5:10]
2. Pastors could not partake of the Lord’s Supper if wine was used [1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7].
3. The cup is symbolic of the pure blood of Jesus shed for us. His blood was not polluted or corrupt. Fermentation is symbolic of corruption, just like leaven is to bread. If unleavened bread is to be used for the Lord’s Supper, then it is only logical to use unfermented juice.
The Bible does not stop with alcohol. The Greek root word for “sorceries” and “sorcerers” in the book of Revelation is what we gain our word “pharmacies” today. Revelation 9:20-21, 18:23, and 22:15 all talk about this being used to deceive the people and them not repenting of it. That cannot refer to pharmaceutical or medicinal drugs. Instead it refers to the rise of mind-altering drugs [PCP, LSD, marijuana, etc.] that will rise at the end of time. This warning shows that the Bible is still just as relevant today as when God inspired it. Believers who are using these drugs are doing all kinds of damage to the temple of God; some out of ignorance.
What about tobacco products? They are very addictive and violate 1 Corinthians 6:12 – “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” Best-case scenario, tobacco is a dirty habit that will cost you a lot of money. Worst-case scenario, it is a dangerous drug that is damaging your health and testimony while also causing healthy problems in the lives of those around you. Second hand smoke is the third leading killer from drugs. That is how tobacco violates 1 Corinthians 10:23 – “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” Christians should not only avoid alcohol and the illegal “recreational” drugs, but also all tobacco products.