Some points to ponder:
1. The word "wine" in the Bible can mean anything from grape juice to strong drink.
2. The strong drink of the Bible was probably very weak in comparison to whisky and vodka.
3. Wines were generally mingled with water.
Any scripture to back up those pointed statements?
For #1. I doubt any one can get drunk by grape juice. Wine has to refer to alcohol.
Ephesians 5:18 And be not
drunk with
wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
For #2. After Jesus had turned water into wine, the governor had this to say about that wine.
John 2:9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
For #3 I find this verse but it does not imply that this is generally done. Indeed, the verses testify that this kind of mixed wine is not preferable.
Isaiah 1:22 Thy silver is become dross,
thy wine mixed with water:
4. Priests were forbidden to drink.
5. Nazirites were forbidden to drink.
6. The Rechabites were blessed for their abstinence.
Not sure how those points would apply to believers in Christ under the New Covenant, especially after this instruction.
1 Timothy 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
7. Christians are commanded not to eat or drink anything which may cause a weaker brother to stumble.
That is true for those believers that know of another believer or even a non-believer that is an alcoholic; Christ does command us to love one another in that regard to not drink in their presence or even have alcohol on their breath from drinking earlier or have alcohol in the home where it is accessible.
Romans 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
8. To be drunk with wine is to NOT be filled with the Holy Spirit.
That is not what the Bible says.
Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
This is referring to the works of the flesh; drunkenness, which we are to avoid by not drinking excessivley to become drunk with wine by the call to be sober as in remaining in self control, temperance, which is a fruit of the Spirit.
The term "be filled" is to remain filled with the fruits of the Spirit as avoiding the work of the flesh which is drunkenness.
The Holy Spirit is not going anywhere if a believer gets drunk.
Ephesians 4: 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
So " if " any believer out there thinks they need to fill themselves up with the Holy Spirit "again" , do know that scripture testifies to that as standing apart from the truth of the gospel and falling away from the faith.
Matthew 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
Us always being filled with the Spirit is a testimony by the Holy Spirit & scripture that we are saved.
It is because we are always filled with the Spirit and yet in this corruptible flesh is why we will be held accountable for what we sow towards; the fruits of the Spirit or the works of the flesh.
If we were not always filled with the Spirit, then we would have an excuse for not being able to sow to the fruits of the Spirit, but we don't, because by faith in the Son of God, we have the power all the time to live as the sons of God.
John 1: 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
2 Corinthians 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
So in conclusion about wine...may we trust the Lord Jesus Christ as our Good Shepherd to help us follow Him and to be aware of the need for moderation as well as the times for the need for abstinence out of love for the brethren.
Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
