Gabriel Swaggart's Guestbook

http://www.templebaptistmontreal.com/images/subhead.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; height: 30px; line-height: 14px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">THE BIBLE AND WINE  --Joseph H. Hovsepian

In Europe and many other countries, wine is part of the daily diet and the vast majority of Christians generally use it. Can we say that they are not Bible-believing Christians? Rev. Haas says, "this belief will destroy our movement." Mrs. Fretwell says that "some have drifted away." Mr. Wilkerson says that Christians who do not accept his views are "sipping saints and have divided hearts." Their concern seems to be the preservation of tradition and the possibility this tradition's demise worries them. My concern is that, by their attitude, they may be causing much harm to the Church.



The first mention of wine in the Bible is in Genesis 9:20-21 and it is clear that the wine mentioned here was fermented strong wine — obviously grape juice could not have made Noah drunk. Wine was also used from the beginning as part of the people's diet (Genesis 27:25). Wine was a part of the people's offering to God (Exodus 29:40, Deuteronomy 18:4, II Chronicles 31:5). God gave wine to His people (Joel 2:19, Zechariah 9:16-17).



The excessive use of wine is condemned by God. Isaiah 5:11 says, "Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine." See also Joel 3:3, Amos 6:6, Ephesians 5:18, Ecclesiastes 10:17, Romans 13:13, I Corinthians 6:10, Luke 21:34 and Isaiah 28:1. As well, the use of wine before going into the tabernacle was forbidden to the priests (Leviticus 10:9).



Wine was used for medicinal purposes. Luke 10:34a says, "He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine." See also I Timothy 5:23 and II Samuel 16:2. The king of Salem, the priest of the Most High God, Melchizedek, offered bread and wine to Abram (Genesis 14:18).



It is false to reason that, because excessive drinking and drunkenness are sinful and evil, the references in the Bible to wine must mean grape juice. Because of tradition and personal conviction, some cannot accept the fact that men of God used wine in the past and many born-again Bible-believing Christians continue to use it today. But that does not change Biblical truth and make it wrong.



To accuse and judge those who accept that wine is wine — and not grape juice — in the Bible is to fall into the trap Satan has set with which to divide the church. Those who make such judgements are helping the devil with their spiritual pride, superiority complexes, intolerant spirits, egotism and hatred.



Let’s see what the Bible says about wine, particularly in those passages that often have been misinterpreted by those who claim that wine in the Bible is actually grape juice.



The Parable of the wine and the wineskins (Matthew 9:17, Mark 2:22, Luke 5:37-39) obviously speaks of fermented wine because grape juice would not burst the wineskins. To understand this and other verses concerning wine, let us look at the Greek word for wine: INOS (oinoV). This is the root word for INOPNEVMA (oinopneuma) or alcohol, and INOPOTIS (oinopothV) or wine-drinker. The Greek term for grape juice is KHIMOS STAFILIOU (cumoV stafuliou) or juice of the grape… and this is not the term used in the Bible. 



Jesus was accused of being a winebibber in Matthew 11:19. If they called Him gluttonous, is it because He was a glutton? Or is it because He was eating, unlike John the Baptist who was not eating (Matthew 11:18)? And if they called Him a winebibber, was it because He was getting drunk with wine? Or is it because He was drinking wine? The Greek word here is wine drinker (oinopothV). If Jesus had been drinking grape juice, why would they call Him a wine drinker and a glutton?



Of course, we know that Jesus neither ate nor drank excessively. See also Luke 5:30, 33, 37-39; 7:33-34. "And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, 'The old is better.'" (Luke 5:39) If Jesus never drank wine, why would he make this comment about old wine being better? Why would he say "no one" unless drinking wine was a common practice. See Luke 10:7. 



Jesus made wine at the wedding in Cana (John 2:3-10), his first miracle. Again, the Greek word used here is wine (oinon). If Jesus was against the use of wine, why did He not use this perfect opportunity to clearly tell those present that drinking wine was sinful? On the contrary, He gave them an even better grade of wine. To say that the guests at the wedding were drinking grape juice and that Jesus gave them better grape juice is to stretch the truth and reason to the extreme. 



In I Timothy 3:3, one of the qualifications of a bishop is that he not be an excessive drinker of wine. If wine here means grape juice, what is wrong with drinking too much grape juice? The Greek words used here mean "not given to drunkenness" (mh oinw pollw). In verse 8, the deacons are also instructed to be worthy of respect, sincere and not indulging in "much wine." This verse, too, is referring to fermented wine and not to grape juice. 



I Timothy 5:23 says, "Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine..." The Greek words here are exactly "a little wine" (oinw oligw). Why only a little? What is wrong with much grape juice? Of course, Paul was warning Timothy not to indulge himself in excessive drinking of wine.



Titus 2:3 teaches the older women "to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine…" The Greek words used here are much wine (oinw pollw). Why the warning if the reference is to grape juice? I 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." Peter is pointing out that in the past the excessive use of wine was their way of life, but not anymore. Their sin had been their drunkenness, not their moderate drinking.



I Corinthians 11:21 says, "For as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk." The Greek word used here is (mequei) drunk. It is unlikely that they were getting drunk by drinking grape juice. What does Paul teach the believers here? Does he reprimand them for drinking wine? Does he say drinking is a sin? No. He asks, "Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in?" (verse 22). Again, his objection is with their drinking excessively in the church and not with their drinking of wine.



While countless souls are looking to the church for help and direction to find salvation from their burden of sin, some of us are very busy condemning our fellow Christians and congratulating ourselves for our righteousness and superiority, unaware that we are weakening our testimony and becoming stumbling blocks to the lost. May God have mercy on us! 

Dear reader, if you are convinced that the moderate use of wine is sinful and unscriptural, that is your opinion and choice. Please don’t use wine — you will be respected for this. "As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean" (Romans 14:14). But please don’t judge anyone else before you read the following verses: Romans 14:20-23; I Corinthians 10:25-31; I Timothy 4:3-5; and Colossians 2:16, 22-23.  

I listened to Gabriel's message today on Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, TBN.  I have scrolled passed the program for a few months because some howed the Swaggart named was tainted in my mind.  I was totally blessed when I did listen.  I listen to his father all the time, and did not know that he was the son of Jimmy Swaggart.  This is a tremendous lesson for me, in many areas.  Sometimes as christians we stumble because of someone elses mistake, but our eyes should be forever focused on Christ.  My spirit connected with Gabriel today and I believe I will partner with him.  Keep on preaching the word irrespective of who might be offended, it is the truth.  One day like me they will say God bless the day Gabriel offended me, because that is the day I got saved.   

Dear Brother Gabriel,

I've had the opportunity to hear and watch you preach on radio and tv.  You are such a blessing not only to the young people, but to the older as well.  I am 40 years old and I am a daily listener of Sonlife Broadcasting!  I watch on the internet when I can, too.  I have 3 very young children and they are learning about Jesus.  I have been hoping for a study bible for young children, but I decided to buy the Crossfire Study Bible for my 7 year old son because he has a greater understanding than most his age and can read even better than some adults.  Praise God!  He just received his new Crossfire Study Bible in the mail as an Easter present and he couldn't put it down!  He started reading the story of Moses and was so excited to learn about the plagues in detail.  All of his DVD's and story books don't tell the story in detail!  I can't thank you enough for what JSM has done for all ages who are hungry for the Word of God.  I love my Expositor's Study Bible and it's opened up more doors for me than you can imagine.  I never understood the Word when I was a child growing up in church and I am so glad that my children will have a great foundation and better understanding from the start that I never had.  I am still waiting for a kids version of the Expositor's or Crossfire for 5 and 4 year olds, but I have a wonderful teaching tool right now.  Thanks again, and God Bless!    

Hello Gabe been a listener of you Grandfather for many yrs..slipped awayfrom the Lord for awhile but now am back again...been saved for 6yrs..just wanted you to pray for my relationship with my 16 yr old son Alex. He's struggling with the things a 16 struggles with..fitting in pressures .Just want you prayers t help him along the way and to help me to do and say the right things...thanks so much Gabe for the prayers..your Blessed fro the Lord for sure..Jim

randy

Dear Brother Gabriel,

My name is Vanessa Delaere, I live in the Netherlands. I love to watch the program of your grandfather on love world network. I watched a few times, when you were preaching and I really loved it. The message you brought was powerfull on the message of the cross. I love these kind of message, straigth to the point, not compromising. Thank you for bringing the message! I ordered the Bible you made with some of your commends and messages and I m looking forward to receive it. May God bless you and your family and Ministry.

In Christ Vanessa Delaere

Hi Brother Gabriel

My name is Clarence Thésée and I am from Mauritius Indian Ocean. I am in a body of elders taking care of the church and working with other churches whose leaders have been touched by the revelation of the cross of Jesus in their lives. I am glad to have come across your site and to see that you are also preaching the Cross. I believe that this is the foundation and that all flow from it. We are also involved in youth and every year we hold an international youth camp attracting 500 to 600 young people whose life are confronted and changed by the preaching of the cross. We have been subject to much persecution in our nation but by His grace we continue and the true gospel of the Cross keeps moving. The Holy Spirit is at work as His Cross works more and more in us. Continue preaching the Cross. It is the true Gospel and we have seen his power in ithe lives of many, heathens and christians alike. God bless you. Clarence

Hi Brother Gabriel. Just wanted to say hi and may God bless you as you preach the Message of the Cross these wonderful young people. There's never a time in history that our young people need such a hope and promise of Jesus Christ than now. I don't know you personally but I do appreciate what you are doing as well as your family and ministry. If it had not been for your dad's preaching, I would still be a alcoholic and drug addict or most probably in hell so I am so grateful. I live in Morgan City, LA but try to visit the ministry as much as possible. Thank you again and God bless you!

                                                                       Your brother through the Blood,

                                                                        Jeremie Martin  

I just wanted to say how grateful I am for IYC, and for the constant preaching of the Cross. I wouldn't be where I am today without this ministry, or the youth camp. God reached me there in a way I'd never experienced before, and I've not been the same ever since then. Hopefully, in about two years, I'll be able to attend WEBC&S, and after that, go into youth ministry. Not sure how it will all work out, but I'm believing God for everything, because I know He has called me. Thank you again and again for your ministry, and I hope to be there for IYC 2010!

God Bless,
Cassandra

           Hey, I just wanted to tell you guys how much of a blessing you've been to me and my family...

I was saved at age 8 from lesbianism, a spirit of murder,and many other sins; knew my calling into the ministry at age 13......, and now at 15 the Lord is showing me the Power of Message of the Cross.

     If it wasn't for your ministry, my family and I couldn't move forward on this Christian walk.

We failing and didn't know how to go on...., when God showed my dad the message of the Cross through your ministry. Praise God!...... He started telling us the Revelation God gave Him...and He hasn't stop telling us yet...

Although I didn't come to IYC 09....I watched online....It was such a blessing.

I hope to come to your Bible College after high school (of course..: } ).....

Keep me and my family in Prayer.....and we'll do the same for you......

                                                Love,

                                              Tytrice

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