WAS JESUS AND THE APOSTLES RICH?

WAS JESUS AND THE APOSTLES RICH?

By O. Khodjo

Welcome to mis-translations and mis-interpretations

There are many today who are teaching that Jesus was rich. Jesus and the disciples were rich, only rich people could take off for 3.5 years. (Fred Price, Ever Increasing Faith, recorded 11/23/90)

Frederick K.C. Price states: The Bible says that He [Jesus] had a treasurer-a treasury (they called it "the bag"); that they had one man who was the treasurer, named Judas Iscariot; and the rascal was stealing out of the bag for three-and-a-half years and nobody knew that he was stealing. You know why? Because there was so much in it, He couldn't tell. Nobody could tell that anything was missing..., if Jesus didn't have anything, what do you need a treasury for? A treasury is for surplus. It's not for that which you're spending. It's only for surplus-to hold it until you need to spend it. Therefore, He must have had a whole lot that needed to be held in advance that He wasn't spending. So He must have had more than He was living on." ("Ever Increasing Faith" program on TBN [23 November 1990.)

Among those who teach Jesus and the apostles were rich are Oral Roberts, and Creflo Dollar, Kenneth Hagin.  John Avanzini attacks and mocks theologians for teaching that Jesus was poor. "I don't know where these goofy traditions creep in at, but one of the goofiest ones is that Jesus and His disciples were poor.

Was Jesus Rich? Let’s look at the clear biblical evidence. Jesus was born in a stable (his parents knew the approximate time of his birth so they could have reserved a place, God could have made sure he had a room) but it was to be in a stable, a cave. Lk.2:22-24 Mary sacrifices two turtle doves which is a poor households sacrifice (Lev.12:2-8).Why did Mary in her praise say “He has filled the hungry with good things and the rich he has sent away empty.” 

Jesus gave up all the riches that are his in heaven to become a man and was born to a poor family (not homeless and destitute), his stepfather was carpenter, if they had money from the gold given at his birth (as some claim) he would not had to work. The Bible does not mention his riches but many teach this from silence.

Archaeological excavations of Nazareth from the 1950’s show the village of Jesus' day were occupied by poor agricultural people.  As Jesus grew up he worked in the trade of a carpenter, not a trade known for its 

wealth. How did Jesus become rich with a step-dad who was only a carpenter?  There is absolutely no indication anywhere that he was wealthy from his family or from travelling with His disciples. By the way, He took no tithes. 

In Luke 2:22-24, Jesus is taken to the Temple by his mother a poor families sacrifice is made -two pigeons (according to Leviticus 12:8.) If they had been rich as the prosperity teacher’s claim they would have had to make a larger sacrifice. If they did not and were rich they broke the law.

Matt. 11:7-8; Luke 7:25 "As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?."

But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously apparelled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.

“Neither John or Jesus dressed as those who show God's blessings today with thousand dollar suits and shoes. Why does Jesus' cousin John wear such bad clothing while Jesus is walking around in expensive clothing (a seamless garment), didn’t He share? 

Avanzini says "Jesus had a nice house, a big house big enough to have company stay the night with Him at the house. Let me show YOU His house. G0 over to John the first chapter and I’ll show you His house. Now, child of God, that’s a house big enough to have company stay the night in. There's His house." (Believers voice of Victory program, TBN Jan.20, 1991)

I couldn't find it! How about you? Avanzini says "Jesus had a big house" but it was Peters mothers house in Capernaum that was often used as a base, it was not His.

Matt. 8:19-20: "Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go." 

And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."

Jesus himself he had no place to lay his head, no permanent home, he constantly travelled. He dressed like everyone else; he even said to forsake this world to inherit his kingdom.  His kingdom is not of this world and he made it perfectly clear in His teachings. Some seem to think that Moses may have gotten it all wrong to have forsaken the riches and pleasures of Egypt and suffer affliction with his brethren looking by faith to him who is invisible." (Heb.11:24-27). He didn't have to; he could have had the best of both worlds.

The rich young ruler came to Jesus and he responded by telling to him to give all his riches to the poor and follow him. Was Jesus telling him to rid himself of riches while he actually possessed them Himself? Would he ask someone to do something he himself would not?

In 2 Cor.8:9 Paul states of Jesus" being rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that through his poverty you might become rich"

Is this verse talking about physical riches or spiritual riches or both?

In the only place where it might give a hint of wealth it says he became poor. Did Jesus become poor during his lifetime so we can become rich financially later? This is not a trick question and should be obvious to all familiar with the scriptures. This "being rich" is speaking of his pre-existence in his position of glory?  He became poor in becoming a servant in position and also in his social life. His parents were poor.

 Zech. 9:9 " Behold, your King is coming to you; he is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey."

Even his fulfilling prophecy as a king was in humility of his position. He came as a servant, not a king, but today we have those who want to have crowns recognized for their positions now. Quite the opposite in the Scripture, he who is exalted will be humbled. We are to follow Jesus' pattern, yet some actually think if Jesus came today he’d have the best clothes, drive a Roll’s and eat steak every night. We better look carefully at the Bible before we choke on what is being dished out.

He was buried in another mans tomb, a rich mans. If he was rich or his family, they would have buried him in his own family tomb. But this again proves that He had no money for this.  Neither did his family nor the apostles have the money to buy such a burial; it was borrowed, actually donated to be exact. After all it would not be permanent. Jesus in his ministry had borrowed many things. A manger, He borrowed boats, He borrowed a colt; He borrowed a house for Passover and he was buried in a borrowed tomb. Christ came in complete humility as stated in

2 Cor. 8:9 “Christ, that though He was rich, (owning everything) yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” 

Jesus' Teaching with the Disciples

Mark 6:32-44: (the miracle of the 5,000 fed) we find Jesus asking the disciples to feed the hungry people who have sat all day listening to His teaching. They respond by thinking what they possess in money to have this ability. (v.37)[Two hundred pennyworth of bread] About twenty-eight dollars a fair amount but not in any way riches for thirteen people. The disciples had a common purse in which they carried their money, consisting of the donations of their friends and money to be given to the poor (John 12:6; Matt 26:8-9; Luke 8:3), though they had this amount in their possession. Philip asked Jesus the question (John 6:7) –about them taking ALL that they had (twenty eight dollars) and spending it on a single meal?

Scriptural Proves

(Matt. 10:9-12) “ Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts,  nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.  Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out.” 

They did not rent a room but depended on others hospitality and the Lord for their provision. The money belt was a small purse that would carry very little coins; they did not have dollar bills then but coins.

(Luke 22:35-36) And He said to them, "When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?"

So they said, "Nothing."  Then He said to them, "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.”

If the disciples were well to do they wouldn’t need to sell one of their two garments for a small sword. Jesus also reminded them of how they were sent out with nothing and God met their needs. This again proves they did not have enormous wealth.

The Temple tax which Peter paid For Jesus and himself did not come out of the pocket of their treasurer.

Matt. 17:24- 27: “When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, "Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?"  He said, "Yes." V.27   Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for me and you." 

If the disciples had money as Faith teachers claim Jesus would not have had Peter go fish for a coin, they would have already had it. This is one of the miracles we don’t see anyone copy today, despite their claims of “we can do all that Jesus did.” 

When Mary took a pound of very costly oil and (Jn.12) anointed the feet of Jesus, Judas Iscariot, said, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?"

This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.” If all this money was available there would be no need to go out and find more.

Luke 22:4-5: “So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them.  And they were glad, and agreed to give him money.”

Mark 14:10-11: “Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Him to them.  And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.”  

Matt 26:9. [Sold for much] Mark and John say for three hundred pence-that is about 9 British pounds. John 12:5. [Three hundred pence] About $40, 00 (From Barnes' Notes)
What would this be worth today with inflation?  This was a large sum. Actually I have heard this estimated as a year’s wages.
Here Judas was the treasurer and complained about this amount of money used on Jesus. Why would he if they were so rich. He later was enticed to betray Jesus for only thirty pieces of silver much less than even she gave in the oil. If the disciples were rich, then this would never have been a temptation. He would much more than this with what he carried.

What Does Jesus Teach About Riches

Kenneth Hagin claims not only for himself but for the Bibles written promise, "He [also] wants His children to eat the best, He wants them to wear the best clothing, He wants them to drive the best cars, and He wants them to have the best of everything." (Quoted by D.L. McConnell a different Gospel p.175)

Did not Jesus say,

"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God." (Luke 6:20)

Whose right? Was it riches he was promising or spiritual blessings?

Throughout the Bible there is a constant warning of riches being a snare. David who had it all prayed that the Lord would not give him too little, that he would be in need or too much that he would forget God. In the middle ages the church thought that for one to be poor was equivalent to being spiritual. Today it is on the opposite extreme, to be rich shows GODS BLESSINGS. They have fixed their eyes on earth and become subject to the earthly law of gravity, instead of fixing their eyes to heaven above by true faith.

Do riches prove God's blessings? Nothing could be further from the truth. There are many a heathen and atheist who are rich despite their disbelief. Prosperity is not an absolute to show Gods hand in ones life, it might in fact show the opposite.

Proverbs 16:16: tells those who want to pursue God – “it is better to get wisdom instead of gold”

Matt 6:19-21: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Jonathan Edwards said "Aim at heaven and you get earth thrown in, aim at earth and you get neither."

Matt 13:22-23: "Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

V.23"But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

Avanzini distorts this scripture like no other saying that the seed is money and that we can get a hundred fold returns. Do we see this taught by Jesus or the disciples? No! This is an insertion to attract increase, mainly to himself.

Jesus explains the parable of the sower by saying in vs.19 the seed is the word and before that he explains how the people need ears to hear so they can understand and be fruitful. In vs. 37 he explains further that the sower of the good seed is the son of man which is either Jesus himself or those who preach the same message of his word. The good seeds are the sons of the kingdom. In other words those born of incorruptible seed which is the word of God 1 Pt.1:23 are in the world as a growing plant to produce fruit of the spirit.

Matt 10:38: "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.

Mark 8:34-37: "When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? "

Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? In other words the pursuit to be financially free and keep on gaining is not what we are to be focused on. Denying oneself may mean to give up a lot. It depends on how attached and attracted ones soul is to the comfortable things of life.

Luke 12:15-21: And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." Then He spoke a parable to them, about a rich man who was planning his future expansion, he sums it up in vs.21"So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." 

Do we ever hear sermons on the TV of being rich toward God without money? I think not!

Luke 14:33: "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple."

This again is a hyperbole. Give up your possessions for self use (sometimes completely divorcing oneself from them) so as not trusting in the world but God alone.

WERE THE DISCIPLES RICH?

2 Cor. 8:9: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich."

This is spiritual riches in Christ not a promise of earthly gain. Why is it spiritual riches? Because Christ actually said the poor are blessed not cursed. Not because He made them wealthy but because they inherited the kingdom of God. Jesus did not change ones status in life but He certainly changed their hearts attitude.

Rom. 2:4 or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering.”

Rom. 9:23 “that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory”

Eph. 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

Eph. 3:8 “To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ”

Matt 19:23-25:  Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven." And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"

They were not astonished because they were rich and wondered about themselves, Jesus is talking about someone other than them. However in

Luke 18:28-30 Peter being convicted of this states, “See, we have left all and followed You."  Peter's perception was that they had no riches in money or property since he says they left it all behind. So why do some say they were wealthy?

Paul makes it clear 2 Cor. 6:9-10: "as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed;  as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things." 

How were they made rich? Col. 1:27 “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

 The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 4:11-12: "To the present hour we both hunger and thirst and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labour, working with our own hands. "

Acts 3:6: Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."

This does not mean they had none on them at the time; they had NO money. These are words out of their own mouths recorded by the Holy Spirit through their hands as Scripture.

Acts 20:33-35: "I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel”, Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. "I have shown you in every way, by labouring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Paul says it was good to work with his hands, he showed by example to help those less fortunate by hard work.

1 Tim 6:3-12: " If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wrangling of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. 

Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.   

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.  But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.   Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

Those who want to become rich now suffer a loss in faith, as Jesus said you can’t serve two masters. There’s nothing wrong with having money but there is a lot wrong with money having you. How can you tell the difference, just listen to the message and find out where they fit it in. Look at what they teach, Godliness means more blessing = money.

Kenneth Copeland writes, "Do you want a hundredfold return on your money? Give and let God multiply it back to you. He urges his supporters, "Invest heavily in God; the returns are staggering ... "Every man who invests in the Gospel has a right to expect the staggering return of one hundredfold." (Laws of Prosperity, pg.67)

This is why Creflo Dollar and Kenneth Copeland can lead the congregation in a affirmation "Money come unto me NOW" three times. (Dec.4, 1999 Voice of victory telecast).Creflo Dollar  says “and I’m gonna be rich too” “I call in the money, I found me a preacher, this is my Yo’all better obey the prophet and reap the prophets reward, my prophet is rich first million and to it, do you all hear what I’m saying,…I’m going to have what I say, what I say, what I say, what I say, what I say”(and the people cheered madly). Unscriptural  Nonsense , ‘nkwaseasem’

Peter writes “They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children” (2 Peter 2:14)

"Poverty is from the devil and that God wants all Christians prosperous." (Benny Hinn, TBN, 11/6/90).

Nowhere does the Bible say this. James was the head of the Jerusalem Church that was the poorest of all churches. As Jews converted they lost their family friend's and job. the people in the church gave the best seats to those who were rich hoping for some response  in help. This is why he writes in

 James 5:1-5: "Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!  Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.  Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days.  Indeed the wages of the labourers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. "

This is a sobering rebuke for those who will be accountable for using their money to promote themselves and neglect the needs of the people. Yes, there will be rich church people in the last days that will be judged for their covetedness.

Phil. 3:7-11" But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.  Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;  that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,  if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead."

Paul a Pharisee was quite rich yet he gave it up for a life to follow Christ.

James 2:5 "Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?"

The very opposite is being said, "Has not God chosen the rich because they have faith for their wants!"

One Of The Qualifications For A Bishop, An Elder

1 Tim 3:2-3: "A bishop then must be blameless, temperate, sober-minded, of good behaviour, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, NOT GREEDY FOR MONEY, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous."

1 Tim 3:7-8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, NOT GREEDY FOR MONEY, " kerdos # 2771, ", get gain"), is translated "gain" in Phil. 1:21 and 3:7 "lucre" in Titus 1:11(preceded by aischros, "filthy").(FILTHY) LUCRE .

From Matthew Henry's Commentary:"1 Timothy 3:3 One who is not greedy of filthy lucre, who does not make his ministry to truckle to any secular design or interest, who uses no mean, base, sordid ways of getting money, who is dead to the wealth of this world, lives above it, and makes it appear he is so. 12. Not covetous. Covetousness is bad in any, but it is worst in a minister, whose calling leads him to converse so much with another world.

1 Timothy 3:8- Not greedy of filthy lucre; …the deacons, who were entrusted with the church's money, and, if they were covetous and greedy of filthy lucre, would be tempted to embezzle it, and convert that to their own use which was intended for the public service. "

1 Pet. 5:2: “Elders are to rule willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly." 

Titus 1:7: “to be an elder, not greedy for money’ 

Obviously mentioned for good reason; the nature of man whether Christian or not sometimes does not change.

Ask yourself; is this what we see some of the teachers doing?

Rom. 16:17-18: “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own appetites, (carnal ones) and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple."

People are so gullible because they want to trust others who claim the name of Christ. If someone wants to live like this on their own, that's their prerogative but if they are given free reign on TV and bilk others out of their hard earned money by saying to give to their work God is going to reward up teen dividends, that is another scenario. You can call this Spiritual racketeering.

What we find the word faith teachers doing is distorting the scripture claiming that God is teaching them spiritual ways to make money, your exchange is at the Bank of Jehovah, and the returns are enormous.

But Jesus said in Luke 6:24-26 "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full, for you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

God’s true treasure is his word which makes one have a stronger and more intimate relationship with our creator Prov.2

Prov. 2:1-5: "My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God."

Prov. 7:1-2: "My son, keeps my words, and treasures my commands within you. Keep my commands and live, and my law as the apple of your eye."

Prov. 3:13-16: "Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor."

Mark Chirrona on a fund raise states "There are people ready to pray with you come into agreement and see the power of God released but faith is being unlocked the power of God, you are going to improvise your way into your future, your money is in your mouth" in the name of Jesus receive your miracle right now." (Aug 3, 1999 TBN)

We are to work with our hands not declaring riches by our words speaking faith!

Prov. 6:6-11: "Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, Provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep?  A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep— so shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man."

1 Cor. 4:11-12: "To the present hour we both hunger and thirst and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labour, working with our own hands. ”The apostles did not confess with their mouths they worked with their hands.

Prov. 21:5-6: "The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty; surely to poverty. Getting treasures by a lying tongue is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death."

Those who state God promises to those who are a king’s kid everything we ask for in faith are not telling the truth. No Father who was training their child to appreciate the things in life would give him whatever he asked for, unless he wanted to spoil him. This is not instilling character into a person nor is it the nature of Christ who denied himself.

Prov. 13:11: "Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labour will increase."

Ask yourself as you watch the sermons of the faith teachers why they are saying certain things?

Prov. 15:8: ‘The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight."

If you’re giving to get this is the wrong motivation and is not acceptable to the Lord.

Prov. 23:4-5 "Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease! Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven."

Nowhere can you find a passage in the New Testament where Jesus Christ or His Apostles discipled believers to get money or be rich? Jesus Christ taught the opposite, He told the rich man to sell all that he had and gives to the poor, come follow me and you will have treasure in Heaven! (Luke 18:22; 12:33-34)

Last of all the warning in

Rev.3:17 for today's church: "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot." So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'-- and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-- "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent."

"Because you say I'm rich, have become wealthy and have need of nothing-and do not know that you are wretched miserable, blind and naked..." What a summation of where the rich Laodicean Church of today is. God's remedy is to buy gold refined in the fire from him, that you may be rich and white garments that you may be clothed..." Real riches that Christ is concerned with are spiritual ones, our self righteous rags will never do from a church that is self empowered. Until we have God's eye salve applied to our eyes we will continue to look at the outward, and ignore our spiritual bankrupt condition on the inside.

 1 Cor. 4:9-13: "For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonoured to the present hour we both hunger and thirst and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labour, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the off scouring of all things until now”

The book of act 4 also tells us how they use to sell them properties and bring it to the feet of the Apostles so that they all share according to the needs of the people, they were very poor!! How could one use the scriptures of the Apostles to become rich? If they themselves could not get rich with their own scriptures?. Are we saying they were dump? Nope I don’t think so. Is because they didn’t steal from the congregation

BISHOP Duncan Williams (ACTION GOSPEL CHURCH) justified his designer suits by saying people gambled for the dress Jesus wore so it was a designer dress. All the "international" churches are preaching money, money, money and nothing else. Pastors organise one day seminars and collect fees from participants who do not get a simple handout. Why all these?

God should have mercy upon us

And forgive us for our foolish act. lol!!

WINE IN CHRISTENDOM

WINE IN CHRISTENDOM

By O Khodjo

Welcome to mis-translations and mis-interpretations

                                                                                                           

The Place of Alcohol in the Scriptures from the Old Testament

An examination of the Hebrew text reveals that the one English word "wine" is used to translate some dozen Hebrew and Aramaic words of varying meaning. "Wine" may indicate the fruit of the vine such as grapes; raisins or cakes of raisins; liquids - thick, thin or boiled; beverages - alcoholic or non-alcoholic; and wines - sour, sweet or vinegar. We find the Hebrew word for "new wine" (Isa 65:8) is "Tirosh", while "strong drink" is "shekar" and "old wine" is "Yayin" (Isa 5:11). Therefore, no biblical reference to "wine" in the English versions can be interpreted correctly without taking into account the particular Hebrew word used, the context, the people concerned and the period of reference. “Tirosh” and “Yayin” has always been translated wine (Greek=oinos) in the New Testament. But “Tirosh” is not fermented whiles “Yayin” is fermented, and both means “oinos” in Greek. The Greek had only one word for wine

The Greeks had only one word, "oinos" that means “wine = tirosh (new wine = unfermented)

 It also means

Wine = yayin (fermented)”. So in the New Testament it is always  translated wine unless the text says "old" or "new" wine, (Lk. 5:37-39), only the context shows which is intended.

Even then, a clear cut decision as to the exact meaning and appropriate rendering is not always possible. Moreover, it is important to note that no true comparison can be made between modern alcoholic beverages and those of ancient times, since distillation of alcohol from wine, etc., only began about 1000 A.D. It gradually began to be used as liquor, while fortification of wines with pure spirit to increase the alcoholic content was not practised until the 18th century. Natural fermentation rarely exceeds 14%, but modern alcoholic beverages may contain up to 50% alcohol. Does this make any difference? Not at all...

Drunkenness with all its consequences is always held in abhorrence in the Old Testament. "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging" (Prov. 20:1). Divine displeasure is frequently associated with intoxicating drink and its results, and denounced in no uncertain terms by the prophets. (See also ISA 5:11-12; 22:13; 28:1, 7-8; 56:12; Joel 1:5; AMOS 6:6).

Canaan was an agricultural country having as its chief products corn, olives and grapes, and Israel itself is often taken as a symbol of God's vineyard:

"For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant..." Isa 5:7

Hence it is not surprising that we find the symbolism of the vine entwined in many of the most beloved and spiritual passages of both the Old and the New Testaments. "I am the vine, ye are the branches" is a deeply satisfying allegory to those whose lives are "hid in Christ". It is sometimes claimed as a result that wine (alcohol) must then be regarded as one of God's good gifts to men.

HEBREW WORDS WHICH DENOTE THE PRODUCTS OF THE VINE

The most frequently occurring words are those already mentioned; "yayin", "shekar" and "tirosh".

"Yayin" is used at least 140 times. It is regarded as a general term for the juice of the grape expressed in various ways. We can only find out which type of "wine" is meant by the scriptural context. The first mention of "yayin" is in connection with the sin of Noah (Gen 9:21). It is not included among the offerings of Abel, although he brought offerings from the fruit of the land.

The words "yayin" and "shekar", translated as "wine" and "strong drink" respectively, occur together a number of times, always indicating intoxicating beverages. The Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint (LXX), translates these words as "oinos" and "sikera".

"Shekar" is used 23 times in the Old Testament but only once in the New Testament: "...he shall drink neither wine nor strong drink." (Lk. 1:15).

The third Hebrew word frequently translated as "wine" is "tirosh". In the Septuagint (LXX) it is translated as "glukos" of which the English form today is glucose, a dextrose or grape-sugar. It is used only once in the New Testament; where in the Greek it is "gleukos" and in the English translations "new wine" (Acts 2:13). In the Old Testament "tirosh" is used some 37 times.

Another word to be noted in the Hebrew context is "asis". It occurs in Isaiah 49:26, Joel 1:5 and Amos 9:13, the translation in each case being "new wine" or "sweet wine" and the context suggesting the fresh juice of the grape.

Another of the Hebrew words used is "chemer", which denotes a thick, sticky syrup or foaming juice. It may indicate all types of wine. The Aramaic word "chamar" derives from the Hebrew word "chemer", and its use corresponds to "yayin" which means, it may be used to represent every type of wine. "Yegev" which occurs sixteen times, was originally a cavity or vat in which the grapes or olives were put for the purpose of being trodden, but later meant the whole apparatus of the wine-press. In the New Testament, references to what are clearly intoxicating beverages, occur for the most part in connection with those groups of people who had been brought into the Christian faith in Asia-Minor, Greece and Rome. This was at a time when morals were low and indulgence in alcoholic drinks excessive. In the Gospels there are only two definite allusions to intoxicating beverage. The first is surely significant. It occurs in the opening chapter of the Gospel of Luke, in the announcement made to Zacharias of the forthcoming birth of the herald of the Messiah.

"For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost..." Lk 1:15

References in the Epistles to drunkenness are numerous and explicit. Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles and he was frequently confronted with excessive drinking even within the young Christian congregations where the converts were either Jews living in non-Jewish environments, or Gentiles brought in from paganism with their heathen ways of life.

On a number of occasions Paul had to rebuke his listeners in no uncertain terms: "Let us walk honestly ... not in rioting and drunkenness." (Rom. 13:13).

He warned that among the offences which will exclude men from the Kingdom of God is drunkenness: "Be not deceived ... nor drunkards ... shall inherit the kingdom of God." (1.Cor. 6:9-10)

Again he pointed out the right course to the Ephesians, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit..." (Eph 5:18).

The Galatians, too, needed the warning that those who indulge in "drunkenness, revelling, and such like ... shall not inherit the kingdom of God." (Gal 5:21)

It is always to do with drunkenness and not just drinking (alcohol)

THE OLD TESTAMENT APPROACH

It is an undeniable fact that many Christians of our day are woefully unknowledgeable about the Old Testament. Many are surprised when told that the Old Testament is almost wholly positive about wine and 'strong drink' (although obviously there are warnings and a few lamentable examples of the drunkenness which is to be avoided).

A typical approach is in Deuteronomy 7:13 where the 'blessings' which the Lord would grant Israel, if they were obedient, included many children, wonderful crops and herds and....'new wine and oil' In fact, the Israelites were encouraged to produce wine as a symbol of the blessings of God. When keeping the autumn-time Feast of Tabernacles, the Israelites were especially commanded to behave joyfully:

'You shall observe the Feast of Tabernacles seven days, when you have gathered from your threshing floor and from your WINEPRESS' (Deuteronomy 19:13, NKJV)

After being given instructions to save their tithe carefully for their feasts, the Israelites were told:

'Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink ('strong drink' KJV), or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the LORD your God and REJOICE' (Deuteronomy 14:26, NIV)

I am glad that the NIV has here restored the sense of the original Hebrew from the KJV (which the NKJV had lost), 'strong drink', or, 'fermented drink' (Hebrew: 'shekar': 'intensely alcoholic drink'; Hebrew word number 7941 in Strong’s) The Israelites were encouraged to drink wine or 'strong drink' when they feasted before the Lord Of course, wine was also involved in the 'drink offerings' at the tabernacle! (Exodus 29:40, Leviticus 23:13).

Judges 9:13 speaks of wine as that which '...Cheers both God and men...'

                                                                                                                           

Wine continues to be symbolic of great blessings in Isaiah:

'And in this mountain The LORD of hosts will make for all people a feast of choice pieces, a feast of wine on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of well-refined wine on the lees' (Isaiah 25:6)

                          

But Was This Real Wine?

Some have claimed that the wine of the Old and New Testaments was simply grape juice. Unfortunately their argument does not stand up even under the mildest scrutiny! Good Hebrew wine and 'Strong Drink' (a potent drink probably made from dates) were quite noted. Grapes would not 'keep' unless they were turned into wine. Again, why would books like Proverbs often warn about the abuse of alcohol and drunkenness if this was only grape juice? The last quoted Scripture also shows that this was not grape juice, for 'lees' is the sediment produced by a fermenting liquid! Others have 'split hairs' in claiming that the Hebrew word used for 'new wine' refers to grape juice, but they now appear to have conclusively lost the argument because:

1. Often that particular word is certainly used of fermented wine, as in Genesis 27:28, Hosea 4:11 and Micah 6:15

2. The Ugaritic parallel term was certainly used of real wine.

3. The Septuagint (the Old Testament translated into Greek) equivalent words always refer to fermented wine.

THE NEW TESTAMENT APPROACH

(The Miracle at Cana)

The first miracle, reported by John only, is the turning of water into wine at the marriage feast in Cana (JN 2:1-11). We are not told the nature of the wine, for the Greek word "oinos" that is used here, may indicate either intoxicating or non-intoxicating wine-. The Septuagint (LXX) rendered both "yayin" and "tirosh" as "oinos" (wine) and this was followed by the New Testament, written in Greek, and by its English translations. This general term, "oinos", occurs 33 times in the New Testament,

JOHN 2:1-11(KJV) 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 (POOR QUALITY): but thou hast kept the good WINE until now

                                                                                                            

THE WORD DRUNK FROM THE SCRIPTURE IS DEFINE BY DR STRONG #G3184 AS

methuō (methē)

meth'-ay

Apparently a primary word; an intoxicant, that is, (by implication) intoxication: - drunkenness.

WINE IN THE SCRIPTURE IS DEFINE BY DR STRONG #G3631 AS

Oinos (oy'-nos)

A primary word (or perhaps of Hebrew origin [DR STRONG #H3196]=YAYIN-AS FERMENTED, INTOXICATION, WINE[BIBBER] ); “wine” (literally or figuratively): - wine.

I SAID THIS EARLIER ON THAT, THE CONTEXT WILL ALWAYS DETERMINE THE TYPE OF WINE. DR STRONG HAS JUST PROVED ME RIGHT.

Hope You Are Getting The Argument.

Take a closer look at the following scriptures which are similar

Proverbs 4:17 “For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine (yayin) of violence”…IT CANT BE A FRESH GRAPE JUICE…BECAUSE OF VIOLENCE.

Judges 13:4 Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine (yayin) nor strong drink (shekar), and eat not any unclean thing

Did you get that?  One can always tell from the context, so long as its not talking about a Nazarite, The context will says it all, it will be completely wrong to put “Tirosh” in the context. So We Are Settled That Jesus Really gave them a Fermented Wine and Not Fresh Grape Juice as Some Theologians Claim. The director of the feast made the story clear that, it is always the good wine that comes first and that when they are fully drunk, the bad wine is served. In that manner many that are fully drunk cannot tell it’s poor quality drink that’s being served (this is logical). If we refuse to accept this logic is not a problem, that won’t change the strength of the wine in the scripture. It was a fermented wine and Jesus was responsible for it, but we are accountable for our sins.

LETS CONSIDER SOME COUPLE OF TRANSLATIONS CONCERNING THE Vs.10

                                                    

Young's Literal Translation (YLT) ¹⁰and saith to him, `Every man, at first, the good WINE doth set forth; and when they may have DRUNK FREELY, then the inferior (POOR QUALITY); thou didst keep the good WINE till now.

                                                                                                                  Amplified Bible (AMP)¹⁰And said to him, Everyone else serves his best WINE first, and when people have DRUNK FREELY, then he serves that which is not so good(POOR QUALITY); but you have kept back the good WINE until now!

King James Version (KJV) ¹⁰And saith unto him, every man at the beginning doth set forth good WINE; and when men have WELL DRUNK, then that which is worse (POOR QUALITY): but thou hast kept the good WINE until now.

Darby Translation (DARBY) ¹⁰and says to him, every man sets on first the good WINE, and when [men] have WELL DRUNK, then the inferior (POOR QUALITY); thou hast kept the good WINE till now.

Most of the versions speak the same language, so I don’t need to quote more than what i have given. Well drunk, drunk freely. What do they mean? Am not answering, think about this yourself since you can read and understand English.

The first miracle of Jesus is a straight language translation, Jesus gave them alcohol and he never intended anyone to drink and gets drunk. Jesus is responsible for the wine but Jesus will not be accountable to the behaviour of those that did drink to get drunk on that occasion. The full explanation is resting on those two words (responsibility and accountability) this is as simple as ABC, not a Rocket science. The fact that there is plenty of food does not mean that one should eat till one cant breath properly no more...That is not good according to the bible and those have been grouped together with drunkard’s .Matt. 11:19, Luke 7:34,

Prov. 23:20-21 do not spend time among drunkards, among those who eat too much meat……..

YES TOO MUCH FOOD IS EQUATED TO TOO MUCH DRINK!

Basically too much of everything is wrong,

Quite obviously, Jesus did not think it wrong to enjoy drinking wine at a wedding,

Jesus is also plainly quite unembarrassed about using the metaphor of putting 'new wine into new wineskins' In Luke 5:37-39 (by the way this was clearly a reference to real, alcoholic wine which can burst weak containers!).

In fact, the word 'wine' occurs 37 times in the New Testament and is only used negatively (in association with drunkenness and excess) on 7 occasions!

I also once heard somebody say, 'We can be sure that Jesus never touched a drop of alcohol!' - is that really so? if a few still feel that the lips of Jesus were surely 'unsullied' by wine, Luke 7:33 must come as a shock to them:

'For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, "He has a demon." The Son of Man has come EATING AND DRINKING, and you say, "Look, a glutton and a WINEBIBBER, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!"' (Luke 7:33, NKJV)

At his crucifixion he completed his mission by tasting wine and dismissing his spirit into the Fathers hands

John.19:29  After Jesus had taken the wine, he said, "It is finished." Then he bowed his head and released his spirit

Jesus did not apply the Nazarite code to Himself and He did drink WINE.. We don't need to be in the dark about this, or wonder whether the Nazarite 'no-drink' rule should apply to Christian ministers (Are Ministers Nazarites?) since the apostle Paul directly discusses the behavioural standards of ministers in the New Testament. Does Paul say there should be an outright alcoholic drinks ban for elders and deacons? How pray tell?

1 Timothy 3:1-13 gives us the answer, especially verses 3 and 8: both elders and deacons must not be 'given to MUCH WINE' (the Greek means 'not addicted' ), this means no alcohol ban, but only drink in moderation (which applies to all Christians!)This is why Paul clearly tells Timothy the evangelist that he should drink a little wine to help his stomach problems: We can corroborate that there was no alcohol ban for ministers.

Some Theologians Have Gone All The Way Deep Into History To Support This Luke Account  With Some Historical Facts, But That Can’t Be Acceptable, Because We Only Need The Bible As A True Book And A Source Material To Deal With And Not History Books As A Source Material  As Some Are Doing Now Just To Prove A Point.

When a Christian Should NEVER Drink Alcohol

1. I must say that I think it unwise for a minister to drink wine on a church service day. Why? Because wine can be quickly detected on one's breath and, as the apostle Paul shows us, we must consider the conscience of Christians of weaker understanding! As we have seen, from a biblical point of view there is absolutely nothing wrong with drinking a glass of wine, but if somebody in the congregation, of perhaps weaker understanding, sincerely believes that the minister is sinful in drinking wine, that person's conscience is being seriously affected. We must think about these ones in the church! 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. For this reason I think it unwise for any Christian to drink wine on a church going day.

2. If a Christian is mixing with unbelievers and he/she denotes a tendency for them to drink too much, the Christian should take the lead in encouraging moderation. If this fails, the Christian should surely leave any such meeting or gathering.

3. Young people are always in danger of over-drinking and it is my considered opinion that Christians should NEVER encourage younger people to drink alcohol.

4. If a Christian has previously had a problem with heavy or addictive drinking he or she should completely avoid it.

5. ABOVE ALL I WILL SUGGEST CHRISTIANS STAYS AWAY FROM ALCOHOL WHICH SHOWS A VERY GOOD SIGN OF MATURITY…THAT WILL TAKE US FAR IN OUR CHRISTIAN LIFE.

DRUNKENNESS AND ITS EFFECT

Romans 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulsions, wrath, strife, sedition's, heresies, envying, murder, DRUNKENNESS, reveling, and such like of the which I tell you before as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things SHALL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD"

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) so whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

 SCRIPTURES DOES NOT FORBID CHRISTIANS FROM DRINKING BEER, WINE OR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. IT IS NOT ITSELF tainted by sin. IT IS DRUNKENNESS AND ADDICTION TO ALCOHOL THAT A CHRISTIAN MUST ABSOLUTELY REFRAIN FROM.

Ephesians 5:18 (NIV) Do not get DRUNK on wine, which leads to debauchery (immoral behaviour). Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

The curse that drunkenness brought to some men of God

The use of alcohol in the Old Testament had tragic results. Noah's drunkenness brought him shame and led to him cursing his grandson. Lot's daughters used drink to commit incest with him and produced Ammon and Moab whose children tormented Israel for centuries. Israel drank wine and fornicated as they worshipped the golden calf and thousands died (Genesis 9:18-27, Genesis 19:31-38; Exodus 32:6,  25, 28, 35). Amnon, another drinker, seduced his half-sister Tamar and brought tragedy to David when Absalom avenged her (2 Samuel 13:13-28). The children of Job died drinking wine as did Belshazzar when he used the sacred cups from the temple in his last drunken feast (Job 1:13, 18-19; Daniel 5:2-5).

Isaiah foretold disaster for Israel if they drank, contrasting the drinkers with the spiritually thirsty whom He would fill with the Holy Spirit. (Isaiah 5:11-12, 22-25; Isaiah 28:7-8, 9-13;1 Corinthians 14:21)

These are typical results of the abuse of alcohol, drunkenness and excess of it will bring judgment on your own self, BUT IT’S WRONG TO PREACH IN PULPIT THAT ITS SIN TO DRINK ALCOHOL, that s my main aim of this letter THAT WILL BE A LIE TO THE WORD OF GOD.

THE NAZARITE VOW

Numbers 6:1-3 ¹AND THE Lord said to Moses,

    ²Say to the Israelites, When either a man or a woman shall make a special vow, the vow of a Nazarite, that is, one separated and consecrated to the Lord,

    ³He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink; he shall drink no vinegar of wine or of strong drink, and shall drink no grape juice, or eat grapes, fresh or dried

Luke 1:13-15 ¹³But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

 ¹⁴And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

 ¹⁵For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

These Are Just A Few To Mention, It’s a Nazarite Vow, Not to All Of Us.

The Nazarite name (Heb. Nazir) came from the verb “Nazar”, to "separate," to be consecrated unto God (Gen. 49:26; Deut. 33:16). A Nazarite could either be a man or woman bound by a vow, to be set apart for the service of God. This obligation was for a defined period of time or for life.

Nazarites- Samson (Judges 13:5, 12-14), Samuel (1 Sam. 1:11), and John the Baptist (Luke 1:15), The Mishna mentions the usual time as thirty days, double vows for sixty days and triple vows for a hundred days were sometimes made. The vow of the apostle Paul could possibly have been a Nazarite vow, when he shaved his head at Cenchrea (Acts 18:18). According to the law (Num. 6:9, 18) and the Talmud the shaving of the head was to be done at the Temple door.

The Law of the Nazarite is found in Num. 6:1-21. During the time of consecration, they were to abstain from wine, grapes, every product of the vine, including raisins, and especially from every kind of intoxicating drink. They were not to cut their hair. Nor were they to approach any dead body, even that of his own family. A Nazarite would incur defilement by accidentally touching a dead body. He then had to undergo certain rites of purification to resume the full period of his consecration.

The priests that ministered were not to drink wine in their time of ministry.

 Lev 10:8-9: Then the LORD spoke to Aaron, saying: "Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations.”

 There was a time where the priests disobeyed and were getting drunk on the job.

Isa. 28:7 But they also have erred through wine, and through intoxicating drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through intoxicating drink, they are swallowed up by wine, they are out of the way through intoxicating drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.”

Only Nazarites were not allowed to cut their hair or drink wine. But Jesus was not a Nazarite, he was a Nazarene, in other words he was from Nazareth but he never took a Nazarite vow. He was known as Jesus of Nazareth (Lk.18:37; Jn.1:45). Matt 21:11: So the multitudes said, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee."

DRINK WATER NO MORE

1TIMOTHY 5:23 (Darby translation)

 ²³Drink no longer only water, but use a little wine on account of thy stomach and thy frequent illnesses.

This is how the verse should read in a better understanding:
"Drink NO LONGER WATER (stop drinking water), but use A LITTLE wine [don't get DRUNK] for thy stomach's sake and your often [frequent] infirmities [sicknesses]" (1Tim. 5:23).

Why Couldn’t Paul Healed Timothy Of That Sickness For Paul Was A Healer? He Was Ministering Mightily In The Gift Of Healing In His Missionary Work. He Rather Advised Timothy To Drink A Little Bit Of Wine And Stop Drinking Water! Amazing

This Wine Stated In This Scripture Is Fermented Wine According To Esword. This Is Very Clear From The Context… Paul Makes It Clear, A Little Wine, And Not Water Any longer: NOW IF THAT IS NON ALCOHOLIC WINE PAUL IS TALKING ABOUT, WHY A LITTLE THEN???

I Drink A Full Bottle Of Non-Alcoholic Wine Every day, I Mean Fresh Grape Juice (Non-Fermented); I Have Sought An Advice From My GP (Doctor), And That’s Fine. Will You Say That Is Too Much Or Little? YOU LIARS OF THE GOSPEL ANSWER THE QUESTION, WILL LEAVE IT OPEN. WE NEED TO KNOW HOW TO EXECUTE SCRIPTURES. We are not sensible than the creator, so please stop defending wrongly, AND STOP FOLLOWING BLINDLY.

GREEK AND HEBREW WORDS TRANSLATED AS WINE

Yayin -	Generic term for the "juice of the grape", either fermented or unfermented; meaning "what is pressed out". Used to mean fermented wine most times in scriptures.
Tirosh -	"Freshly expressed grape-juice in its natural condition". Translated in the Authorized Version (A.V.) as "new wine" eleven times; "wine" twenty-six times; "sweet wine" once; and "vintage" three times. Always translated as "new wine" in the Revised Version (R.V.). Not used for fermented wine.
Shekar -	Hebrew: "What satiates, intoxicates". A saccharine drink rendered as "strong drink" (21x), and "strong wine" (1x). Described as a liquor made from dates, barley, etc. and always as a curse. In the Greek Old Testament (LXX) rendered as 'sikera', or sometimes as 'methusma' or 'methé'; and once as 'oinos'. Occurs only once in the New Testament (N.T.).
Asis -	"Anything pressed on or trodden out". Rendered as "juice" (1x), "new wine" (2x), and "sweet wine" (2x). Not necessarily unfermented; not to be confused with "Tirosh" (Isaiah 49:26; Joel 1:5; Joel 3:18; Amos 9:13).
Ashishah -	Denotes "a cake of raisins". Rendered wrongly in A.V. as "flagons", but corrected in the Revised Versions.
Chemer -	"Thick, sticky syrup; foaming juice". Indicates all kinds of wine (Isaiah 27:2).
Chamar -	The Aramaic form, used in EZRA 6:9 and DANIEL 5:1-4, literally means "foaming" and denotes fermented wine.
Sobe -	"Anything sucked in or up". Probably indicated inspissated or boiled wines. Non-intoxicating beverage. 'Sobe-Yayin' - lit. "Soakers of wine".
Shemer -	"What is preserved; the sediment". Rendered as "dregs", "lees", or "wine in the lees" (See Isaiah 25:6).
Nasek -	"Drink offering". Lit. "That which is poured out; a libation".
Mimsak -	"Anything mixed". Rendered "drink-offering", or "mixed wine" (Isaiah 65:11).
Yeqeb -	Originally a vat or trough; then used as a wine-press or wine-vat. Occurs 16 times (e.g. Numbers 18:27).
Enab -	Ripe or round grape, or grape-cake (Hosea 3:1).
Chomets -	Vinegar, sour or unripe grapes (Greek: 'oxos').
Misteh -	General term for beverage, especially wine (Ezra 3:7; Daniel 1:10).
Oinos -	Generic term (used in the LXX) for all kinds of wine except 'Shekar'. Also occurs in N.T. (Greek) 32 times.
Sikera -	Greek: "Strong drink" (See 'shekar').
Gleukos -	Used only once (Acts 2:13), as "new wine"; corresponds to fermented.
Methuo -	To be "drunk", or "filled to the full" (Greek).

INFERENCES TO WINES AS USED IN SCRIPTURE

Favourable to use: Yayin:- Genesis 49:11, Genesis 49:12; Proverbs 9:2, Proverbs 9:5; Song Of Solomon 7:9; Isaiah 55:1; Hosea 14:7; Zechariah 10:7. Chemer:- Isaiah 27:2 (Some Manuscripts  Use 'Chemed', Meaning Pleasant). Tirosh:- Joel 2:19. Oinos:- Revelation 6:6.

Unfavourable to use or character: Yayin:- Deuteronomy 32:33; Psalm 60:3; Psalm 75:3; Psalm 78:65: Proverbs 4:17; Isaiah 29:9; Isaiah 51:21; Zechariah 9:15. Shekar:- Isaiah 29:9. Asis:- Isaiah 49:26; Jeremiah 48:11; Zephaniah 1:12. Shemer:- Jeremiah 48:12; Zephaniah 1:12. Oinos:- Revelation 14:8; Revelation 14:10; Revelation 16:19; Revelation 17:2; Revelation 18:3; Revelation 19:15.

Specifically As A Blessing: Yayin:- Psalm 104:15; Amos 9:14. Asis:- Joel 3:18; Amos 9:13. Chemer:- Deuteronomy 32:14. Shemer:- Isaiah 25:6. Tirosh:- Genesis 27:28; Numbers 18:12; Deuteronomy 7:13; Deuteronomy 11:14; Proverbs 3:10; Isaiah 65:8; Jeremiah 31:12; Hosea 2:8-9; Joel 2:19; Zechariah 9:17.

Definitely Bad: Yayin:- Leviticus 10:9; Proverbs 20:1. Shekar:- Proverbs 20:1.

Associated With Food: Yayin:- Genesis 14:18; Genesis 27:25; Judges 19:19; 1 Samuel 10:3; 1 Samuel 16:20; 1 Samuel 25:18; 2 Samuel 16:1-2; 1 Chronicles 12:40; 2 Chronicles 2:10; 2 Chronicles 2:15; 2 Chronicles 11:11; Nehemiah 5:15; Nehemiah 13:15; Job 1:13, Job 1:18; Ecclesiastes 9:7; Isaiah 22:13; Jeremiah 40:10, Jeremiah 40:12; Daniel 1:5, Daniel 1:8, Daniel 1:16; Daniel 10:3. Yeqev:- Deuteronomy 16:13; Deuteronomy 15:14; Numbers 18:27, Numbers 18:30. Tirosh:- Genesis 27:28, Genesis 27:37; Numbers 18:12; Deuteronomy 7:13; Deuteronomy 11:14; Deuteronomy 12:17; Deuteronomy 14:23; Deuteronomy 18:4; Deuteronomy 28:51; Deuteronomy 33:28; 2 Kings 18:32; 2 Chronicles 31:5; 2 Chronicles 32:28; Nehemiah 5:11; Nehemiah 10:37, Nehemiah 10:39; Nehemiah 13:5, Nehemiah 13:12; Psalm 4:7; Isaiah 36:17; Isaiah 62:8; Jeremiah 31:12; Hosea 2:8-9; Hosea 2:22; Hosea 7:14; Joel 2:19, Joel 2:24; Zechariah 9:17; Micah 6:15; Haggai 1:11; Joel 1:10.

Consequences Bad: Yayin:- Genesis 19:32-35; 1 Samuel 1:14-15; 1 Samuel 25:37; 2 Samuel 13:28; Esther 1:7, Esther 1:10; Proverbs 23:30; Proverbs 31:4, Proverbs 31:6; Isaiah 5:11-12; Isaiah 5:22. Oinos:- 1 Peter 4:3.

Exhortation To Drink: Yayin:- Song Of Solomon 5:1. Shekar:- Song Of Solomon 5:1 (Lxx Translates Here As 'Methuo'). Oinos:- 1 Timothy 5:23.

Wine Forbidden: Yayin:- Proverbs 20:1; Proverbs 23:31; Numbers 6:3-4; Judges 13:4, Judges 13:7, Judges 13:14. Shekar:- Numbers 6:3; Judges 13:4; Judges 13:7; Luke 1:15 (Sikera). Oinos:- 1 Timothy 3:3; Ephesians 5:18.

Forbidden To Priests: Yayin:- Leviticus 10:9; Jeremiah 35:6, Jeremiah 35:8, Jeremiah 35:14; Proverbs 23:20; Ezekiel 44:21. Shekar:- Leviticus 10:9. Oinos:- Titus 1:7.

Inferences of different kinds of wine: Be-Kahl Yayin:- Nehemiah 5:18; Song Of Solomon 8:2.

Used for a drink-offering: Yayin:- Exodus 29:40; Leviticus 23:13; Numbers 15:5, Numbers 15:7, Numbers 15:10; Numbers 28:14; Deuteronomy 32:38; 1 Samuel 1:24; Hosea 9:4. Shekar:- Numbers 28:7. Chamar:- Ezra 6:9; Ezra 7:22.

Unspecified nature: Yayin:- Deuteronomy 29:6; Joshua 9:4, Joshua 9:13; 1 Chronicles 27:27; Nehemiah 2:1; Esther 5:6; Esther 7:2, Esther 7:7-8; Job 32:19; Proverbs 21:17; Ecclesiastes 2:3; Ecclesiastes 10:19; Song Of Solomon 1:2, Song Of Solomon 1:4; Song Of Solomon 4:10; Isaiah 56:12; Jeremiah 35:2, Jeremiah 35:5; Ezekiel 27:18; Amos 2:8, Amos 2:12; Amos 6:6; Hosea 4:11; Micah 2:11; Haggai 2:12. Shekar:- Deuteronomy 29:6; Isaiah 56:12; Micah 2:11. Yeqeb - Numbers 18:27; Numbers 18:30; Deuteronomy 15:14; Judges 7:25; 2 Kings 6:27; Job 24:11; Isaiah 5:2; Jeremiah 48:33; Hosea 9:2; Zechariah 14:10. Ashishah:- Hosea 3:1. Asis:- Isaiah 49:26. Sobe:- Hosea 4:18; Isaiah 1:22. Tirosh:- Hosea 4:11. Oinos:- Matthew 9:17; Mark 2:22; Luke 5:37-38; Luke 7:33; Luke 10:34; John 2:3, John 2:9-10; John 4:46; Romans 14:21; 1 Timothy 5:23.

The words for wine and new wine in the Old Testament and the New Testament all carry the meaning of a fermented beverage. I have looked at several conservative scholarly sources over the years and this is a fact. The use of the words in the OT and NT bear this out. For a scriptural proof of this understanding of the term of new wine, see Acts 2:1-15. Both the Hebrew and Greek terms used for Wine refers to a fermented beverage.

   

The following scriptures are enough of a sampling from the Bible that will allow us to see how the subject of drinking and wine is viewed in the Bible.

 

Genesis 9:21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.

This is the first mention of wine in the Bible. This episode of Noah’s drunkenness ended up in Noah wishing a curse upon his youngest son. Remember that Noah was seen as a highly favoured individual in God’s eyes. He grew a vineyard, made wine and drank it. This is what the Bible says. We also see that it carried some negative consequences with it because he got drunk which is a sin, and he sinned in his sin

 

Genesis 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

Notice that we have here, Abraham and Melchizedek sharing in a meal with bread and wine. Wine was apparently used commonly as a drink.  Here, it is given in hospitality to Abraham by Melchizedek.

 

Genesis 19:33 And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.

We see wine used as a tool for evil. Lots daughters used this as a means for incest.

 

Genesis 27:28 Therefore, God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:

This was the blessing of Isaac to his son Jacob.  One of the things he prayed for was an abundance of wine. We see no hesitancy here in Isaac asking for an abundance of this for his son. Wine was a valuable commodity.

 

Numbers 6:3 He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.

Here we have a section of scripture that deals with Nazarite vows.  Part of the vows involved staying away from strong (alcoholic) drinks as well as not cutting your hair or even eating a grape.

 

Numbers 6:20 And the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD: this is holy for the priest, with the wave breast and heave shoulder: and after that the Nazarite may drink wine.

Most of the time the vows were temporary in nature and after a set time the Nazarite could drink wine.

 

Numbers 28:7 And the drink offering thereof shall be the fourth part of a hin for the one lamb: in the holy place shalt thou cause the strong wine to be poured unto the LORD for a drink offering.

Wine was seen as a fit drink offering to be offered to God.

 

Deuteronomy 7:13 And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

Wine was in a list of things that God would bless his people with.

 

Deuteronomy 14:26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,

At the time of bringing the tithe to the Levites, you were allowed to purchase as fancy as meal as you desired and drink whatever you wanted. Notice that the catch was that “and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice thou, and thine household.” Strong drink was permitted, and was even enjoyed in the presence of GOD but notice that God set some parameters on it.

 

Deuteronomy 21:20-21 And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. 21 And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

In light of the above verse where we see that God set aside a time of rejoicing, worship and “partying” as it were.  Constantly being a partier outside of “God’s party schedule” had a deadly outcome. Drunkenness and gluttony were seen as a sin.

 

Judges 13:7 But he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing: for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death.

This is a case where the Nazarite vow was imposed on a person. For this person, wine was never an option. This happens to be Samson who is being referred to here.

 

Nehemiah 2:1 And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.

Nehemiah was a cupbearer. Part of his job was to taste all of the king’s drinks to make sure none of them were poison.

 

Proverbs 20:21 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Here is a warning about drinking to drunkenness and drinking too much of the time.  From this we can gather that this gift from God was being abused. Just as sex is a gift from God and has been abused, so has many of the good things that God has given us.

 

Proverbs 23:17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

Excessive drinking leads to being addicted to alcohol and the myriad of physical and mental issues that comes with it. People destroy their lives, hurt family and friends and remain forever impoverished due to this.

Proverbs 23:21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

Excessive drinking and eating is condemned and a warning to those who do is issued. This also gives us insight as to what these behaviors cause and how people see this type of person.  

Proverbs 31:4-7 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more

Isaiah 28:1 Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!

Drunkenness and being a drunkard is condemned.

 

Isaiah 28:7 But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

Drunkenness and being a drunkard is condemned again. Some of the problems with it are listed.

 

Joel 1:5 Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine (fermented wine); for it is cut off from your mouth

Drunkenness and being a drunkard is condemned again.

 

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,

Jesus first miracle involved the creation of wine out of water.

 

Acts 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

This passage shows that the term new wine does mean a fermented beverage.

 

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.

Here is one of the most powerful verses in the Bible concerning the drinking of wine. If in doing so you will cause a brother to stumble or you cause confusion or offense to a weaker Christian, then DO NOT DO IT! This is especially true of anyone whose drinking has a negative impact on his or her family. This is not only wine but anything else!

 

1 Timothy 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

Here the word for wine does not appear in the Greek. The word is paroiknos and its meaning is “excessive drinker” or “one addicted to wine”

 

1 Timothy 3:8   Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

Deacons or ones in leadership were limited in their consumption.

 

1 Timothy 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

Here Paul tells Timothy to use wine sparingly for his stomach and other infirmities.  

 

Titus 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre.

Again, here the word for wine does not appear in the Greek. The word is paroiknos  and its meaning is “excessive drinker” or “one addicted to wine”

 

Titus 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things.

Leadership is limited in this area of consumption. In light of Romans 14:21 may be prohibited totally.

 

1 Peter 4:3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, ravelling’s, banquetings, and abominable idolatries.

Excess of wine is listed as a sin. Lack of self-control in other areas is also listed.

     

1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Paul here is warning of the liberty of doing something versus the benefit or usefulness of it. The last part of the verse warns that over exercise of some of these freedoms can lead to bondage by the abuse thereof. Just because you can do something it may not be a good thing to do, at least that is the way Paul saw it. In drinking, do you run the risk of drunkenness and/or becoming an alcoholic, which God expressly has said is BAD.

CONCLUSION

We have plainly seen that the Old Testament portrays wine and strong drink as blessings which God has granted to Mankind, not as a curse. But all of God's blessings can be misused and abused. Good food is a wonderful blessing, but do we say to people, 'It is better not to eat because of the danger of gluttony'? Do we say to young couples on their wedding day, 'It is better not to have sexual relations because sexual lust has ruined many a life'? Do we ever say, 'It is better not to make money because riches and prosperity have destroyed lives'?

For the same reasons, Christians should be warned of alcohol in excess as the bible says but because it’s not easy to control ourselves on drinking and the dangers it comes with, it is rather better not to touch it at ALL, better this way than to preach people that it is sin to touch alcohol; how pray tell? That’s BOGUS and a lie from HELL! This goes way beyond any mandate we have from God. The Bible is continually positive toward the wise use of alcoholic drinks, AND I REPEAT we are better off if we don’t touch it at all, A GLASS OF WINE OCCASIONALLY WILL BRING NO HARM,

It’s not sin to neither touch nor drink alcohol so stop the false preaching. Its unscriptural nonsense…