This article continues our recent series on alcohol. Please take note of the bulletin from two weeks ago as we continue this study. Recently, someone argued that it was impossible to keep grape juice from fermenting in Biblical times, hence everyone always drank alcohol. God’s  people were commanded to drink the fruit of the vine. If fermentation was truly inevitable, then this would be a valid conclusion.

But is that true? Not only was it possible to prevent fermentation, there are historical records of it being done. Please read the following article written by Ryan Hasty, a preacher of the gospel.

Wine in the Bible – how fermentation was prevented

Wine in the Bible is spoken of as a blessing in its unfermented state and as an intoxicant in its fermented state. Many do not realize that those living in Biblical days were able to keep their wine from fermenting and in fact did so regularly. How did they accomplish this in an age without refrigerators? There were 3 primary methods.

First, they boiled their wine down to thick syrup. Boiling grape juice causes the water to evaporate leaving behind a concentrate with such a high level of sugar that fermentation was impossible. Syrup in this state could be preserved for year. Whenever they wanted to drink this unfermented wine, they would mix a small amount of this syrup with water much like we do with Kool-Aid. Different ratios were used depending on the type of grape, the age of the syrup, the temperature of the water, and even the season.

Proverbs 9:1-5, “Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars; she has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine, she has also set her table; she has set out he maidens, she calls from the tops of the height of the city; ‘Whoever is naïve, let him turn in here!’ To him who lacks understanding she says, ‘Come, eat of my food and drink of the wine I have mixed.”

The above verses refer to the mixing of wine as “wisdom” whereas Proverbs 20:1 refers to a person intoxicated by wine as not being wise. The contrast is clear. Boiling grape juice to prevent fermenting and then mixing with water to enjoy as a beverage is incumbent of wisdom and was a blessing from God.

Aristotle – “The wine of Arcadia was so thick that it was necessary to scape it from the skin bottles in which it was contained and to dissolve the scrapings in water.”

Horace – “There is no wine sweeter to drink than that of Lesbos, it was like nectar…and would not produce intoxication.”

Second, those living in Biblical times had developed methods to filter wine and remove its strength. While pressing out the grape, they would use a bag called a “sacco” that captured the fermentable substances, allowed the juice from the pulp to flow through, and then collected it in a vase below the bag. Several historians mention this method as being in use during Biblical times as well as the fact that one of the primary reasons they did this is because unfermented wine tastes better.

Pliny The Young – “The most useful wine has all its force of strength broken by the filter.”

Plutarch – “Wine is rendered feeble in strength when it is frequently filtered. The strength or spirit thus being excluded, the wine neither inflames the brain nor infests the mind and passions, and is much more pleasant to drink.

This is the testimony of two non-Christians Gentiles confirming that filtration causes wine to taste better because its strength has been

removed. But they are merely confirming what we already know. Beverages like grape juice begin fermenting when they are going bad, not when they are getting better. Alcoholic beverages are an “acquired taste” purely for the effects produced in the body by the alcohol and not because it tastes good.

Third, they were able to refrigerate and seal wine. Grape juice kept at 45 degrees or less cannot ferment. If it is kept cool long enough, the yeast settles at the bottom and the juice can be skimmed off the top where it can never ferment even if warmed. We know from archeology that they stored this kind of wine in caves, under water, and in the ground where it was cooler. So even without refrigerators, they still had the means to keep wine cool. They also kept their containers air tight by corking the bottle and then sealing it with pitch. The Jews also poured olive oil on top to seal the juice from the air. In the 1960’s, a sunken ship was discovered at the bottom of the Mediterranean that had containers of wine dating back to the Roman Empire. The containers were sealed so well that water from the sea had not penetrated them.

With multiple ways of preventing fermentation, this is further proof that wine of Biblical times was not necessarily alcoholic but could easily be preserved and enjoyed as a refreshing alternative to water and a blessing from God that provided joy and not intoxication.

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I cannot not add anything to brother Hasty’s main argument, but I will mention something that I shared in a sermon a couple of weeks ago. A fourth way to prevent fermentation is by dehydrating grapes. Many of us like to eat raisins. These are simply grapes that have been dehydrated. Brethren in many places today who lack access to grape juice often take raisins and rehydrate them by putting them in water. Then they take the grapes and mash them to produce grape juice for the Lord’s Supper.

From this short study, we can see clearly that the fermentation of wine was preventable even during Biblical times.

Chuck 

Over the years I have been amazed at things people chose to believe based upon “what if” scenarios. Problematically, this creates a foundation for doctrines based upon what one does not know rather than what one does know. For example, people have come to my door asking “What if Adam and Eve had not sinned?”  My reply is always, “They did sin,” (Gen. 3:1-8). The point of their question is to make assumptions about what would have happened if Adam and Eve did not. Why speculate when we know it happened?

Truthfully, many religious groups use similar logic. Some reject baptism by asking “What if someone wants to become a Christian and there is no water?”  Where can people live without any water? What person that desired baptism for the remission of sin (Acts 2:38), would get in a car, ride a horse, or even walk to a place that had no water? I have studied with many people who, upon wanting to become a Christian, required us to travel to where there was water.

I was once asked, “What if God decides to save everyone at the end of time?” This seems like a nice thought initially. However, we do not need to wonder about this. Everyone will not be saved at the end of time (Matt. 7:13-14). My faith is in the Lord. I would much rather just accept what He says than speculate about things He did not say!

I have had people ask, “What if you are wrong?” This question is also easy to answer Biblically. If I am wrong, then I am believing and teaching error. I will lose my soul if I do not change (John 8:32; Luke 13:3). However, the Lord gave us His word, and it is understandable (Eph. 3:4). I can be tested by others, and I can test myself (I John 4:1; James 1:25; II Cor. 13:5). Just because I could be wrong does not mean that I am. We can have assurance that what we follow is correct (II Tim. 1:12). At the same time, we should always be studying to show ourselves approved.

                                                                                            Chuck

The title of this article comes from praise the Psalmist uttered to our heavenly Father (Psa. 139:14). Throughout this chapter, the majesty of God is brought forth. Here is a list of things man ought to acknowledge about our Creator.

Psalm 139:1-6

The Lord knows everything about us, even things as simple as when we sitting down or raising up (verse 2). There is nothing we can think of that our Father does not know (verse 3). The same goes for every word that we utter – everything is heard by Him (verse 4). Realizing that He observes and knows us so well should cause admiration for His knowledge and a realization that we could never attain this ourselves (verse 6).

Psalm 139:7-12

Knowing the unlimited power of God, there is no place anyone could go to hide from Him. If into heaven, He is there. If into the depth of the grave, He is there (verse 7-8). The same is true if one goes into the depths of the sea – the hand of God is there (verse 9-10). It does not matter what time of day it is, for He is light even in the darkness (verses 11-12).

Psalm 139:13-16

Our God creates us in our mother’s womb (verse 13). When our bodies were stitched together at conception, we were not hidden from

Him (verse 15). Yes, each life has substance and is seen by the Creator even in the womb (verse 16). This is a reason why we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Many people might not see anything of worth when we are barely formed, but God does!

Psalm 139:17-18

When all of this is realized, it ought to cause us to value the thoughts of God and to desire to know all we can from Him (verse 17). The Psalmist spoke wisely when he stated that the thoughts of God are like the sand (verse 18), meaning, there is so much we can learn. Problems will come when we foolishly think we are so smart, especially those who think they know better than God. Before we think of ourselves too highly, we need to stop and consider the overwhelming might and wisdom of God.

Psalm 139:19-22

A natural outcome of such devotion to our Lord is a distaste towards those who disrespect our Father in heaven. There is a longing to be away from such people (verse 19). God’s children cannot stand hearing anyone speak His name in vain as this is wicked (verse 20). This feeling is not rooted in a lack of love for the lost. Rather, it is a perfect hatred for those who hate God (verse 21-22). Therefore, those who are enemies of the Lord are our enemies (verse 22).

Psalm 139:23-24

In the end, the faithful followers will cry out to the Father asking that He search us and know our hearts (verse 23). We want to make sure He knows that we do not want any wickedness in us or any sin held against us. We also want to express our desire to be lead in the right way (verse 24). This makes sense as the goal of His people is to be able to spend eternity with Him.

Yes, we are all fearfully and wonderfully made. Let us realize and appreciate what this means. God recognizes and cares for each of us individually. He has known us from the womb and loved us before we knew Him (Romans 5:8). His knowledge and strength stretch far beyond anything we are capable of. May this knowledge cause each us to be the kind of people the Lord wants us to be by faithfully following his commands every day of our lives (John 14:15).

                                                                                              Chuck

In the first article I brought up the passage that says the deacons are not to drink much wine (I Tim. 3:8). Does this the passage that prove that you can drink a little as long as you do not drink to excess? Is the text also teaching that if you want to drink alcohol, do not become an elder as they are forbidden from drinking? From a Christian point of view, something seems odd with these conclusions.

Let’s first establish that the wine in this text is fermented. It would seem out of place for Paul to write that deacons should not be given to much unfermented grape juice. If deacons were told not to be given to much, are they allowed to have a little? If there is danger in consuming much alcohol though, why would they be permitted to take a little?

Perhaps Paul’s instruction to Timothy might have a bearing on this. It was clear that Timothy did not (or would not) drink any wine that was fermented. Timothy would not even drink it for medicinal reasons. However, he was told by Paul that he should take some for his stomach’s sake (I Tim. 5:23). This begs the question – why would Timothy, at least up to this point, not take wine for his ailment? Obviously there was an issue Timothy was aware of when it came to consuming wine that had alcohol in it. He needed to be told that it is okay for sickness.

Getting back to deacons, the phrase in I Timothy 3:8 “not given to much wine” could also be phrased as “to say not paying attention to.” This is hardly a text to support the idea of drinking socially (non-medicinal). Saints are to keep themselves unspotted from the world by being sober and righteous (James 1:27; I Pet. 5:8; Titus 2:12). Therefore, with all the dangers and abuses connected with alcohol, it would be a stretch to use this text to support the consumption of wine that is fermented to merely satisfy thirst.

Could grape juice (non-fermented) even exist throughout the year in Biblical times? This question will also be addressed in next week’s bulletin.

Chuck 

In John the second chapter, we find the story where Jesus went to a wedding in Cana of Galilee. We know that with any wedding there is going to be planning. For some reason, the master of the event (verse 9) found himself in an awkward situation – they ran out of wine (verse 3). Mary came right out and said “They have no wine.”

Jesus performed a miracle and turned the water into wine. There were six water pots that each held twenty to thirty gallons. It is safe to say that Jesus easily made between 120-160 gallons of wine (verse 6). Did the guests, including our Lord, have even more alcoholic wine to drink now after having already consumed all the alcoholic wine that was available earlier?

I have made the statement on more than one occasion that if anyone thinks Jesus made alcoholic beverages at the wedding feast, they do not know Jesus. By this I mean that they do not know what He taught concerning intoxicating, alcoholic wine. Jesus did not warn people about the abuse of wine, He spoke about drinking it. Christ, speaking through the Holy Spirit to Peter, discussed the three levels of transgression relating to drinking. First was drunkenness, then revelries (i.e. the life of the party) and finally drinking parties (I Pet. 4:3). If there was truly so much alcoholic wine at the wedding feast, would it not fit the description of a drinking party?

Some would argue that the word “wine” in the Bible always refers to fermented grape juice. If this is true, then the Bible is not just permitting us to consume alcohol but encouraging us to consume in moderation. This could not be any further from the truth. The John 2 text should be sufficient to settle that dispute, but we shall consider some other facts.

If all grape juice was fermented, how could the elders in a local church logically be forbidden to drink any wine (I Tim. 3:3)? Would this not mean that they could not partake of the Lord’s Supper (I Cor. 11:23-26)? [Questions about deacons will be dealt with in the second article (I Tim. 3:8)]. The verses regarding elders lead to a logical conclusion that wine in the Bible can be fermented or non-fermented.

A passage that does deal clearly with fermented wine is Proverbs 23. Look what is stated by inspiration of God: “Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, those who go in search of mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; at last it bits like a serpent, and stings like a viper,” (verses 29-32). This is obviously a warning to those who are interested in alcoholic wine. The message is clear – do not even look at it! If our Savior made close to 150 gallons, it clearly must have been non-alcoholic.

Getting back to the New Testament, some contend that Christians drank fermented wine based upon I Corinthians 11:21. The text speaks about the abuse of the Lord’s Supper and how they turned it into a feast. Some would eat ahead of others while others were hungry and still others were drunk. Then Paul tells them to eat and drink at home (verse 22). The word “drunk” here means “to be filled.” The word can be used to describe one who is intoxicated, but this is not the only use. In context, Paul was contrasting those who had much to eat and drink with those who had little. Lord willing, next week I will devote another article to this subject.

Chuck