Nazarenes and Temperance

[5stringJeff]

Hi,

I have been attending a Nazarene church for about four years now. I am a member, though I don't consider myself strictly "Nazarene." Anyway, I had heard from quite a few people that the Nazarene church taught strict temperance at one time. However, at my congregation at least, this is not taught, and not followed by many. I was wondering if any other Nazarenes had similar experiences in their congregations. Has temperance preaching gone 'out of style?' (For the record, I do drink alcohol - responsibly.)

 

[Ron_the_Nazarene]

The Nazarene doctrine denounces the use of alcohol. This is a controversial issue, with many churches calling christians who imbibe as 'sipping saints'. Prov 20:1 says "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." Many use this as a basis to denounce drinking.

Personally, my walk with Jesus is summed up by the verse "for a man to know to do right and does it not, to him that is a sin". I also go by the verse "be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess ... but be filled with the Holy Spirit".

However, the Bible also tells us to be wary of causing other's to stumble.

Go to http://www.intowine.com/bible2.html for a rather intensive reading on wine in the Bible.

 

[5stringJeff]

The Nazarene doctrine denounces the use of alcohol. This is a controversial issue, with many churches calling christians who imbibe as 'sipping saints'. Prov 20:1 says "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." Many use this as a basis to denounce drinking.

Personally, my walk with Jesus is summed up by the verse "for a man to know to do right and does it not, to him that is a sin". I also go by the verse "be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess ... but be filled with the Holy Spirit".

However, the Bible also tells us to be wary of causing other's to stumble.

Go to http://www.intowine.com/bible2.html for a rather intensive reading on wine in the Bible.

Thanks Ron. I know many at my church on both sides of the issue; thankfully, our church is not a judgmental one.

 

[sinner/SAVED]

I am pretty well aquainted with the local Nazarene preacher and he does not agree with any alcohol consumption. I am also well aquainted with my elderly neighbor (who is a member at the local Nazarene church) and she makes one very delicious rum cake. I don't know if she's ever taken one to one of their covered-dish suppers though.

 

[Ron_the_Nazarene]

Jesus said it's not what enters the body that defiles it .... it's what leaves your body that defiles it.