Smoking and Alcohol consumption ?!

[Beniamin]

For a German Pentecostal alcohol and smoking is forbidden , maybe is not the best , but I want to know is this Biblical ? How can this kind of things destroy your relationship with Jesus ? I come from a very extremely conservative Church , wearing of a simple hand watch is a problem , and engagement rings .

 

[Bob Carabbio]

For a German Pentecostal alcohol and smoking is forbidden , maybe is not the best , but I want to know is this Biblical ? How can this kind of things destroy your relationship with Jesus ? I come from a very extremely conservative Church , wearing of a simple hand watch is a problem , and engagement rings .

For an American Pentecostal, the same rules apply to one level or another. The Assemblies of God tends to be a Bit Liberal (but in the past were VERY legalistic about it), while the "Oneness Pentecostals" are STILL VERY "Clothesline Holiness" oriented, and VERY Legalistic about it - including Personal jewelry hangups.

There's some controversy about the "Why" of it. There's no question that being DRUNK isn't a good thing, particularly if you Drive drunk - and SMOKING is likely to lead to physical complications.

But - Having a Cold Beer after working outside in the summer, and it's relaxing time, Is a Good thing, and a Cognac after Dinner is a blessing. In Germany I'd often have "Kalte Gerichte" (a cold plate with Wursts, Cheeses, and breads - some assembly required) and wash it down with "Grog" (a cup of hot water with sugar and a couple of jiggers of Dark Rum). Delicious!!!

HOWEVER the REAL issue is two-fold, and Romans 14 is a good general source (although it deals with "Meat offered to Idols").

FIRST THING - IF your FREEDOM hurts or offends somebody, and destroys your TESTIMONY to them - then DON'T DO IT - you wouldn't be moving in love toward them!!! THEY may think something is WRONG, but maybe do it anyway - because YOU did against their own conscience. As Rom 14 says Whatever you CAN'T DO IN FAITH - is SIN for YOU if you do it anyway.

Christians (who are "Strong in faith") Shouldn't Lead Weaker (overscupulous) Christians into what would be SIN for them.

Simple as that.

I can have a beer, or a Grog at home in private in COMPLETE FAITH that it's O.K. for ME to do so. BUT I wouldn't bring a 6-pack of Coors to the potluck down at the Assembly of God church. Particularly since I'm a Deacon there - (Duh!!)

SECOND THING - Both Alcohol AND Smoking are generally ADDICTIVE, and ANYTHING that is "Addictive" is a violation of the FIRST COMMANDMENT (NO OTHER Gods before ME!!!).

Lucky Strikes were my "god" (three packs a day - @ $0.35 a pack) for well over a decade, and I served that "god" with a dedication that was ABSOLUTE.

Folks tend to drag out 1 Cor 3:16,17 (Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are). but that's a passage for the protection of the CHURCH against those who would defile it, so not really Applicable.

"Obsessions", and "Addictions" are PRIMARILY First commandment issues.

When I finally STOPPED smoking (COLD Turkey, and completely through God's power, since it was IMPOSSIBLE for me to do it), I knew (And know today), that I can NEVER light up again - I'm STILL a nicotine addict - I just didn't light up today (for the last 45 years).

On the OTHER hand - Since I'm NOT one who's in danger of being addicted to Alcohol, or alcoholic beverages, They're not an issue for me one way or the other, and the ONLY reason I would "Abstain" would be testimonial, as noted above.

 

[Beniamin]

Thanks bob Carrabio , personally I'm not thinking and I'm not smoking , I have nothing against trunking a bear or a glass of Vine , but I'm against smoking , I believe I that what Paul said and I think that our church neads more than prohibition and don't touch that or don't do that , I know that we are in Grace not in Law , but our Pastors don't understand this and because of that a lot of young people are falling down .... We have a lot of prophets in our church to , and when the pastor see that they can no longer manage the situation he calls a prophet and that prophet may not be a real one ))

 

[Beniamin]

Ich mag persönlich keine kalte Gerichte aber ich liebe Leberkässe

 

[Biblicist]

Even though I am a strong anti-drinker and someone who is an anti-smoker, I have to acknowledge that neither of these two things are prohibited in the Scriptures, though drinking to access is certainly frowned upon. Of course, the Scriptures also do not forbid us from taking marijuana and ecstasy as well and we all know the problems that they can create.

Here in Australia (not Austria, by the way, how are you kangaroos going?), the Pentecostal church has been traditionally anti drink and smoking though in more recent years you are likely to see groups of our young people going from a church meeting to the local pub; it seems that we are becoming a nation of drunks.

 

[Beniamin]

I need to study before I can give a good answer , I remember the Recabits the sons of Recab Jeremiah had praised that kind of abstinence of alcohol , in the Pentecostal Church of East Europe u will not be able to find to many people drinking alcohol , in my church if a guy drinks alcohol he will be excommunicated from the church for about 6 months , drinking of alcohol it's forbidden . Romania has about 500 000 Pentecostals , 25 years ago we war about 100 000.

 

[Biblicist]

I need to study before I can give a good answer , I remember the Recabits the sons of Recab Jeremiah had praised that kind of abstinence of alcohol , in the Pentecostal Church of East Europe u will not be able to find to many people drinking alcohol , in my church if a guy drinks alcohol he will be excommunicated from the church for about 6 months , drinking of alcohol it's forbidden . Romania has about 500 000 Pentecostals , 25 years ago we war about 100 000.

Okay. . . now you have grabbed my attention!
One of the frustrations that I regularly go through is that I often find myself replying to questions on this forum that ask about the Pentecostal and charismatic movements; but I am intensely aware that I am doing so from within an Anglo-centric worldview.

I can add to this that I am limited in that I can only read sources that are provided in English so the Church in places such as Eastern Europe unfortunately remain as a bit of a mystery. I will definitely have to get back to you on this.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

I am not an alcoholic, but do have a drink from time to time. Jesus even drank on occasions. The key to keeping it from becoming sin is to do it with self-control. Some just say, it's so easy to get out of control with alcohol that they just say avoid it. That's fine, but saying drinking in unscriptural and a sin is a stretch I think. Each has their conscience to guide them. If you are asking the question just to get a reply that enables you that may be the wrong reason to ask though. If you attend a fellowship that is against drinking (almost all are against smoking that I've seen), then it would be wrong for you to drink around them. Romans 14 is a good measuring stick here, don't do anything that violates your conscience and don't do anything that causes other believers to stumble. Drink in private or with friends who are okay with it if you so desire.

 

[Beniamin]

I don't ask because I want to drink and to find something that says that drinking is not a sin , I'm sure that in the scripture drinking is not a sin , and I only believe that a conservative church that makes thing a little bit different only because they believe so , won't bring the church on a better light , We have the Bible and the Bible is the word of God , I love and I'm happy to have this kind of brothers like u guys , I wish all of u a Merry Christmas and the biggest gift the eternity

 

[Bob Carabbio]

duplicate n/p

 

[Bob Carabbio]

when the pastor see that they can no longer manage the situation he calls a prophet and that prophet may not be a real one ))

You've got THAT right!!!! - In 1 Thess 5:20 we're told NOT to "Despise Prophesying", but to "Prove all things", and hold fast to that which is good.

Anybody who commits Resources (either time, or money) on the basis of an unconfirmed prophesy is a FOOL.

Simple as that.

 

[Bob Carabbio]

Ich mag persönlich keine kalte Gerichte aber ich liebe Leberkässe

Don't know that I've ever had that, but sounds like something I could enjoy on a Brochen mit ein bissle Meerrettich, und ein halber Andechs Dunkle.

Don't know that I'll Get back to Germany (since I'm 72, and not in great health). I've got a good friend in Winnenden-Hofen that I'd like to see again.

 

[dayhiker]

I agree that one can't get to its a sin to drink or smoke from the Bible.
I think it is wise to know ourselves and what we can do and what we can't do that will harm us.
I'd say well over 99% will get addicted to smoking, so I'd have a hard time finding a way to smoke and see it as healthy. I'd not fault a guy who went on vacation to Cuba and had a cigar.

More people can drink and not get into trouble. But again if one becomes an alcoholic then they not only cause themselves a hard time but many people around them. A worker probably isn't going to support their family if they are a drunk for example. Not a loving way to be.
Personally I don't like the taste of alcohol, so I don't drink. I have a GF who sometimes when she drinks gets really verbally nasty so she has sworn of drinking. I have another friend who loved to drink, but didn't like who he was when he drunk. So he doesn't drink any more. I'd say be honest with ones self and know what your like when you drink. A glass with dinner probably isn't going to be a problem. Any more than that I'd say one needs to know how it effects them and those around them.