A few days ago South African media outlet Daily Sun shared a video of Gabola Church of International Ministries, a fast-growing Pentecostal church that’s been conducted in a tavern in Johannesburg which tolerates the consumption of alcoholic drinks.
Now home to over five hundred congregants, the two-month-old church was founded by Bishop Tsietsi Makiti (52).
It has been established that the Gabola Church members drink together during the church services and members are baptised with their choice of alcohol.
In the viral video, the bishop is seen drinking and praying with members who also drunk.
Unashamedly, Makiti gave an example of Jesus changing water into wine.
He said when Jesus came to his followers, alcohol changed everything. According to him, people didn’t know what to do for fun, but when Jesus changed water into wine, he prayed for it to arouse their bodies.
Justifying his ministry the Bishop said,
“With God in our taverns, we would see crime being reduced and love and respect promoted…
People who drink beer are happy and peaceful. This means they are living in the shadow of God.”
The infant ministry has gained so much popularity among members of the public and there are plans of it expanding into becoming an international church.
Among people hailing it are also the owner of the tavern, Freddy Mathebula who said the church is accommodating the rejects of communities and Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva, a chairwoman of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Rights.
However, many Christians have heavily criticised the Gabola church, calling it all sorts of things.
Therefore, in light of this, it could be helpful to address some questions which often arise in relation to Christianity and alcohol and find out what the bible says about it.
What Does God Have To Say About Those Who Drink Alcohol?
There are countless verses that show God’s displeasure in those who choose to use alcoholic substances and the negative effect alcohol will have in your life. Here are just a few verses:
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:10
“Envying, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have told you in time past, that that which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:21
“Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink.”Isaiah 5:11, 22
Is it a sin for a Christian to Have a Drink of Alcohol?
There has been a huge paradigm shift among Christians concerning drinking alcohol. It is hard to believe that most people now advocate drinking in moderation compared to how it used to be. There has been a grace revolution in our thinking over the past years, which stems from this verse;
“Everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.” 1 Cor 10:23- 24
But is it a sin? No, it’s not a sin to drink alcohol. There are no known scriptures, a defining verse or passage in the bible that says that alcohol is intrinsically evil.
Is It Wise To Drink Alcohol?
Not necessarily. The bible says this about it;
“Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.” Proverbs 20:1
What this passage means is that wine and beer are powerful and one must not be led astray. The fact that one could be led astray by these liquid entities should give every Christian a heart check.
Is It Unwise To Drink Alcohol?
Not necessarily. A Christian can enjoy a glass of wine or beer and it not causes havoc in the world. Here are a few verses that justify it;
“You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart.” Psalm 104:14–15
“Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.”Ecclesiastes 9:7
Is It A Sin For A Christian To Drink In Public?
If by drinking alcohol, a Christian selfishly causes a weaker Christian to drink too, then the answer is yes. Don’t guess and don’t go there would be our strong recommendation. If a Christian is sitting down to a dinner with their spouse or friends and has no fear or guilt about drinking a glass of wine but has faith that God has given them the freedom to do so then the answer is no.
“So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.”Romans 14:22-23
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