Reader Responds To First Baptist Anti-Alcohol Ads
Reader Responds To First Baptist Anti-Alcohol Ads
Dear Editor:
In response to the quarter page ad in the paper last week by Pastor Randy Bain and the First Baptist Church of Water Valley about the controversial alcohol issue, I decided to search the four Gospels and try to find Jesus’ position. Starting with Matthew and through Mark, Luke and John, I failed to see where Jesus condemed alcohol. Matthew 9:17; Mark 2:21, 22 and Luke 5:31-39 refer to putting new wine into old wine skins and I decided this did not endorse or condemn alcohol.
But in Matthew 11 we find: “16 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, 17 And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. 18 For John came neigther eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.” These verses seem self explanatory to me.
Nothing else significant in regards to alcohol was found till the Second Chapter of John. This is the whole Chapter: “On the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there; 2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 4 Jesus said unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 5. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. 6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. 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 An 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. 11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.”
It seems to me according to the Gospels that Jesus was not a teetotaler, nor that He made a point to condemn alcohol. And if anyone can find Biblical evidence to the contrary I would like to be shown. Without much doubt Jesus read Proverbs 20:1, Proverbs 23:31-32; and Habakkuk 2:15 and believed as I do that these verses were about drunkeness not enjoying a glass of wine, or would He have not drunk wine or turned the water into wine after all the wine in the house had been consumed. I believe Jesus had a lot different agenda than prohibition.
Respectfully yours,
/s/John S. Davis
307 Simmons St.
Water Valley, MS