DOCTRINAL STATEMENT ON ALCOHOL AND THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
By Apostle Howard Tundu
1. The Nature of "Wine" in Scripture
We affirm that the term "wine" in Scripture refers to both fermented and unfermented grape products. Positive references to wine in biblical contexts often speak of fresh, sweet, unfermented (non-alcoholic) juice, while passages that condemn wine clearly address fermented, intoxicating drink. Because ancient terminology does not distinguish these categories with modern precision, interpretation must be guided by context and by the consistent moral teachings of Scripture.
2. Biblical Warnings Against Intoxicating Beverages/Drink
Scripture unanimously condemns drunkenness and repeatedly warns of the destructive nature of alcoholic beverages (Proverbs 20:1; Isaiah 5:11; Galatians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 6:10; Ephesians 5:18). The clearest and most comprehensive warning to even not drink for recreational purposes in small portions is found in Proverbs 23:31–32, where believers are commanded:
"Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly; in the end it bites like a serpent and stings like a viper."
This prohibition extends beyond drinking to the very contemplation of intoxicating wine. The passage vividly describes the psychological, moral, spiritual, and physical dangers associated with alcoholic consumption, including impaired perception, moral distortion, desensitisation, and addiction (Proverbs 23:33–35). Scripture therefore treats intoxicating drink not as a neutral substance, but as a progressive moral hazard. Drinking is the doorway to drunkenness, therefore beginning the process is not abstinence. No one becomes drunk without first drinking. No one becomes addicted without first tasting. Since the Bible condemns the result, it entails avoiding the starting point. This is in line with Proverbs: "Do not even look at wine when it sparkles… at last it bites like a serpent." (Prov 23:31–32). If God warns His people not to look at it, how much more should you not drink it? "A little leaven leavens the whole lump." - Galatians 5:9.
3. The Call to Continual Sobriety
The New Testament repeatedly commands believers to maintain a constant state of sobriety and spiritual alertness (1 Peter 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:6–8; Titus 2:12). The Greek term nephō used in these passages historically carries the meaning of abstinence from wine in order to preserve clarity of mind and moral judgment. Intoxicating beverages, by their very nature, impair the faculties required for spiritual vigilance. The Christian is therefore called to reject all substances that compromise sobriety or dull spiritual sensitivity.
4. Standards for Christian Leadership/Responsibility
Scripture imposes strict expectations upon those who hold spiritual office. Elders and deacons are commanded to be not given to wine (1 Timothy 3:3, 8), and kings are warned to avoid strong drink lest their judgment be corrupted (Proverbs 31:4–5). Because leadership requires sound judgment, moral credibility, and spiritual discernment, intoxicating drink is incompatible with the offices of pastoral and ministerial responsibility. The Bible says in Christ, all believers are kings and priests in His Kingdom, meaning they are also expected to be sober and of a sound mind and stay clear from alcoholic drinks.
Thus, all leaders and believers within the Church are expected to maintain a lifestyle of total abstinence from alcoholic beverages as a testimony of holiness and as a safeguard for their calling.
5. Jesus and the Apostles Did Not Endorse Intoxicating Drinking
The miracle of Jesus at Cana (John 2:1–11) is best understood within Jewish cultural and historical context, where the best wine was typically sweet, fresh, and unfermented. Nothing in Scripture suggests Jesus endorsed intoxicating consumption. Some Jewish communities pressed and consumed grape juice immediately, especially during festivals and religious gatherings. The early church fathers confirm this practice. For example, Papias (1st-2nd century) stated that Jews in Jesus' time drank wine that had not yet fermented.
Likewise, Paul's counsel to Timothy to take a "little wine" for his stomach (1 Timothy 5:23) reflects the medicinal use of new wine, not recreational drinking. In the ancient world, unfermented grape juice was commonly used medicinally for stomach acidity and intestinal infections, whilst fermented wine (alcoholic) was not usually recommended for stomach issues. The apostolic example is one of sobriety, not endorsement of alcoholic practices. So, Paul's statement does not imply alcohol.
Modern Misunderstanding comes from assuming all "Wine" Was Alcoholic. In Western culture, "Wine" = alcoholic beverage, however, in biblical Hebrew and Greek, "Wine" = grape drink (fresh or fermented). Therefore, equating biblical wine with modern wine is not accurate. Context determines which one the Bible warns against. In this case it warns against fermented wine causing drunkenness.
6. Clarification of Deuteronomy 14:26
Deuteronomy 14:26 (KJV): "And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink… and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice…"
This is one of the most misunderstood passages as a quick reading may appear to permit alcohol. However, a proper doctrinal interpretation shows it does not support drinking alcohol.
A. The context is a sacred festival meal, not recreational drinking
- Israelites were instructed to rejoice before the LORD in a holy atmosphere.
- Drunkenness during worship would violate Leviticus 10:9 – priests forbidden to drink before worship, the holiness of God's presence, and the ban on intoxication in all Scripture. Therefore, what was consumed could not be intoxicating.
- Lev.10.8-10 - Then the LORD spoke to Aaron, saying: "You and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink whenever you go into the Tent of Meeting, or you will die. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean."
B. The Hebrew words do not require alcoholic meaning
- Yayin (wine) - can mean grape juice, fermented or unfermented.
- Shekar (strong drink) - covers sweet, thick, fruit-based beverages, often unfermented in temple contexts.
- In worship settings, intoxication was forbidden; therefore, the "wine" and "strong drink/shekar" were non-intoxicating forms suitable for holy celebration.
C. God does not contradict Himself
- God cannot condemn drunkenness everywhere else, forbid intoxicating drink in worship, but then command His people to drink intoxicants before Him.
- Thus, Deuteronomy 14 refers to grape juice, boiled wine (pasteurized, non-intoxicating), sweet fruit beverages, and festival drinks consumed under holiness. It does not authorize modern alcohol use.
7. The Nature of Alcohol Contradicts the Nature of the Holy Spirit
Scripture contrasts the influence of intoxicating wine with the infilling of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). Alcohol leads to loss of control, impaired judgment, and moral vulnerability, while the Holy Spirit produces self-control (Galatians 5:23). Because the Christian life is one of continual sensitivity to the Spirit's leading, believers must reject substances that dull discernment or compromise holiness. Alcohol and Spirit-filled living are inherently incompatible.
8. Doctrinal Conclusion
We therefore affirm that alcoholic beverages, being intoxicating in nature and consistently associated in Scripture with moral danger, spiritual compromise, and loss of self-control, are incompatible with the Christian calling to holiness, sobriety, and godly testimony. We affirm that the Bible's positive references to "wine" concern unfermented or non-intoxicating beverages, while all warnings apply to fermented alcoholic drinks.
We affirm that Proverbs 23:31 explicitly prohibits even the contemplation of intoxicating wine, thereby closing the pathway that leads from desire to indulgence, and from indulgence to sin.
Accordingly, we hold total abstinence from alcoholic beverages as the most consistent, faithful, safe, and holy Christian practice, in harmony with Scriptural command, apostolic example, spiritual wisdom, and the nature of the sanctified life.