Page 42 - Pastoral Epistles I & 2 Timothy, Titus

James 5:19-20. My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and
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someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error
of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
[8] 1 Timothy 3:3. Not given to drunkenness. Titus 1:7. Not given to drunkenness. 1 Timothy 3:8. Not indulging
in much wine.
Even if we would want the Bible to say … all drinking of every kind and style of alcoholic beverages is wrong – we
must agree that the Bible does not teach that. But what the Bible does teach is that there are dangers when it
comes to drinking alcohol.
Proverbs 20:1. Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
Galatians 5:19-21 tells us that drunkenness is a sin.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery (unbridled lust);
20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord (contention, argumentative), jealousy, fits of rage,
selfish ambition, dissensions (subversion), factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I
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warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
For me, considering the widespread problem of alcohol abuse, I practice total abstinence, and even though I
realize I cannot prove it from the Bible – for me, I challenge the leaders in our church to practice total abstinence
for their family and for the community for as long as they serve in leadership.
If a new Christian or a non-Christian who has had a problem with alcohol sees you as a mature Christian drinking
an alcoholic beverage (no matter what the drink is), and because of your influence in their life, they then go back
to drinking themselves, and ultimately they fall and stumble in their walk with the Lord - you have caused him to
stumble. It is better not to drink any alcohol than to lead a weaker brother into sin.

What about in your church? Is it required that the pastor and all leaders totally abstain from all alcohol, or is it
permissible?

Romans 14:21. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause
your brother or sister to fall.

Let’s Practice…

1. Paul in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1 lists the qualifications for being an elder or deacon in a church. What is a better
word for the listings rather than “qualifications”

2. True or False: Before someone is asked to serve as a leader in their church, every aspect of their life
should be examined to see if they are qualified to serve.

3-5. List the three considerations that every church member should consider when selecting an elder for their
church:

6. What does it mean to be “above reproach?”

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