In the early days of Connect Church, I went out to lunch with our staff, and an anonymous person at the restaurant bought our meal, which was a great blessing.
However, we decided to buy desserts because we still wanted to tip our server. At the time, I was on a diet, so I was particular about what I was eating. I looked over the dessert menu and decided to get the Million Dollar coffee. After taking a sip, I noticed something different. I asked my fellow pastors to smell the coffee.
Little did I know that the dessert menu included an alcoholic coffee (we aren’t supposed to drink alcohol while being on staff). When the server came to our table, I asked if the coffee could be made without the alcohol. The server simply said, “Without the alcohol, there wouldn’t be anything left.” So, to this day, I am the only staff member to order an alcoholic drink while on a staff lunch and I am reminded by our staff quite often!
Alcohol has been a controversial topic, especially in the church. But what does the Bible say about this issue? There are four main points to observe from Scripture.
Drinking Alcohol Is a Sin When You Become Drunk
Several passages from Scripture address this point:
Ephesians 5:18 states, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.”
Galatians 5:19-21 warns, “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Similarly, 1 Peter 4:3 says, “For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.”
There Are Many Warnings About Excessive Alcohol Use and "Strong Drink"
Proverbs 20:1 cautions, “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.”
Proverbs 23:30-32 adds, “Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end, it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.”
Isaiah 5:22 says, “Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks.”
While these warnings about alcohol do not make it a “direct sin,” these scriptures indicate that it would be wise to exercise extreme caution when consuming it. Notably, the New Testament does not directly mention "strong drink."
There Are Some Instances in Scripture Where Alcohol Is Permissible
Paul instructs Timothy to use some wine mixed with his water for medicinal purposes. 1 Timothy 5:23, “Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.”
The Old Testament also references giving alcohol to those who are perishing or in bitter distress. Proverbs 31:6-7, “Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress.”
Additionally, Jesus turned water into wine, indicating that wine was used in celebrations (John 2:1-11). Wine is also mentioned in the New Testament, where Deacons are instructed not to be addicted to "much wine" (1 Tim. 3:8).
Romans 14 Tells Us to Be Mindful of Others
Romans 14:13-15 states:
"Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.”
This passage reminds us to consider those “for whom Christ died” as more important than the things we consume. If our fellow believer is grieved by what we eat, we are no longer walking in love.
Conclusion
So, where does Connect Church stand? It’s clear that getting drunk is a sin; strong drink and irresponsible use of alcohol are warned against multiple times in Scripture. In our cultural context of Sevier County, TN—where our church is located—alcohol consumption by the leadership could cause someone to stumble. These are the reasons why the leadership of Connect Church chooses to abstain from alcohol.
However, drinking alcohol for medicinal purposes or to celebrate an occasion is not directly sinful. For this reason, we do not consider it an issue that warrants breaking fellowship with anyone. But, if drinking alcohol begins to hurt your relationships with other believers, then you are no longer walking in love and should be willing to abstain. As Scripture says, “By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died” (Rom. 14:15b) and “It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble” (Rom. 14:21).
Paul places the responsibility on the person partaking to give up what they are eating or drinking, rather than the other person. I recommend reading through Romans 14 for further clarity on the cultural context of drinking alcohol. Always be ready to sacrifice what you eat or drink before ever sacrificing a relationship.