Bro Mutonga

ALCOHOL AND INTOXICATING DRINKS ARE STRICTLY FORBIDDEN FOR BELIEVERS

INTRODUCTION
We are living in a generation where alcohol has been normalized, glamorized, commercialized, and even defended from pulpits. Some believers now call drunkenness moderation, social drinking wisdom, and alcohol harmless recreation. Yet the Word of God (Hebrew Elohim) remains clear, holy, and uncompromising. The assembly of believers is called to sobriety, purity, holiness, soundness of mind, and separation from worldly corruption. The body of a believer is the temple of Elohim, and nothing intoxicating, habit-forming, mind-bending, addictive, or spiritually defiling should be entertained within it. Point number 26 of the 40 Points of Doctrine speaks plainly: “The use of intoxicating liquors, alcoholic stimulants, to***co, or any habit-forming or mind-bending drug is forbidden.” The Church must return to Biblical holiness before it is too late.

1. POINT NUMBER 26 OF THE 40 POINTS OF DOCTRINE CLEARLY FORBIDS ALCOHOL
The doctrine does not speak in uncertain language. It plainly forbids intoxicating liquors and mind-bending substances. Alcohol intoxicates the mind, weakens judgment, corrupts morals, destroys families, ruins health, and distances people from Elohim. A believer is called to sobriety and self-control, not intoxication and addiction. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; Proverbs 20:1; Ephesians 5:18).

2. ALCOHOL IS A MOCKER
The Bible openly warns that wine deceives people and strong drink causes raging. Many began innocently but later became enslaved. Alcohol first smiles, then destroys. It first relaxes, then controls. It first entertains, then humiliates. (Proverbs 20:1; Proverbs 23:29-35).

3. BELIEVERS ARE COMMANDED TO BE SOBER
A believer must always maintain a clear mind because spiritual warfare requires alertness. Alcohol clouds discernment, weakens restraint, lowers spiritual sensitivity, and opens doors to sin. (1 Peter 1:13; 4:7; 5:8; Titus 2:2).

4. DRUNKENNESS IS A WORK OF THE FLESH
Drunkenness is not a small weakness. Scripture classifies it among the works of the flesh together with adultery, fornication, uncleanness, witchcraft, hatred, murders, and revelings. Elohim clearly warns that those practicing such things shall not inherit the Kingdom. (Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

5. APOSTLE PAUL STRONGLY CONDEMNED DRUNKENNESS
Paul repeatedly warned believers against drunkenness because it destroys spiritual life and moral discipline. He contrasted drunkenness with being filled with the Holy Spirit. A person cannot be controlled by alcohol and the Spirit at the same time. (Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:10; Ephesians 5:18).

6. APOSTLE PETER ALSO CONDEMNED DRINKING PARTIES
Peter condemned excessive wine drinking, banquetings, revellings, and gatherings centered around worldly pleasure. He showed that such lifestyles belong to the Gentile world and not to believers. (1 Peter 4:3-4).

7. BELIEVERS MUST AVOID PLACES OF DRINKING AND WORLDLY DANCING
Alcoholic environments usually accompany immoral music, lustful dancing, vulgar speech, fighting, sexual sin, and reckless behavior. A believer should not find pleasure where sin is celebrated. (Psalm 1:1; 1 Corinthians 15:33; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

8. CHURCH LEADERS MUST NOT DRINK ALCOHOL
Elders, bishops, overseers, and ministers are commanded not to be given to wine. A leader under alcohol cannot properly guide souls, judge wisely, rebuke sin, or remain spiritually alert. (1 Timothy 3:2-3; Titus 1:7; Proverbs 31:4-5).

9. THE WIVES OF LEADERS MUST ALSO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL
The wives of deacons and leaders are also instructed to be sober, faithful, and not slanderers. A leader’s home should reflect holiness and discipline. (1 Timothy 3:11).

10. DEACONS WERE NOT TO BE GIVEN TO MUCH WINE
Some people misuse 1 Timothy 3:8 to suggest little alcohol is acceptable. Yet the phrase referred to the unfermented fruit of the vine commonly called wine in ancient language, because the same Scriptures condemn intoxication elsewhere. Furthermore, “not given to much wine” emphasizes freedom from addiction, indulgence, and intoxication. The Bible never encourages believers to consume intoxicating drink. (1 Timothy 3:8; Proverbs 20:1; Habakkuk 2:15).

11. THE LORD’S SUPPER DID NOT USE FERMENTED GRAPE JUICE
There is nowhere Scripture says Yahshua used alcoholic grape juice during the Lord’s Supper. He called it the fruit of the vine, emphasizing its pure source. Alcohol symbolizes corruption, while the blood of Messiah is pure and undefiled. There no mention of the so-called Church Wine (Matthew 26:27-29; Mark 14:23-25; Luke 22:17-18).

12. THE LORD’S SUPPER REPRESENTS PURITY
Leaven in Scripture often symbolizes sin and corruption. Fermentation is a corrupting process. The memorial of Messiah’s holy blood could not fittingly be represented by a corrupted intoxicating substance. Fresh grape juice properly symbolizes purity and life (1 Corinthians 5:6-8).

13. THE BIBLE SPEAKS OF THE BLOOD OF GRAPES
Scripture refers to the pure blood of the grape, showing the natural juice directly from the fruit before fermentation. This supports the understanding that the cup used symbolically represented fresh grape juice. (Genesis 49:11; Deuteronomy 32:14; Isaiah 65:8).

14. YAHSHUA NEVER PROMOTED ALCOHOLIC DRINKING
Those who accuse Yahshua of promoting alcohol misunderstand Scripture. Messiah came to save, heal, purify, and deliver humanity, not to encourage intoxication. He lived holy, spotless, and separated from sin (Hebrews 4:15; 7:26).

15. NOAH’S DRUNKENNESS BROUGHT SHAME
The first recorded drunkenness in the Bible ended in nakedness, shame, dishonor, and family tragedy. Alcohol exposed Noah to humiliation and disgrace (Genesis 9:20-24).

16. LOT’S DRUNKENNESS LED TO IMMORALITY
Lot became made drank by his daughters and lost moral awareness. Through drunkenness he fell into in**st and disgrace. Alcohol weakens conscience and judgment (Genesis 19:30-38).

17. KINGS AND RULERS WERE WARNED AGAINST ALCOHOL
Leaders were warned that alcohol perverts judgment and causes injustice. Intoxication destroys discernment and righteous decision-making (Proverbs 31:4-5).

18. PRIESTS WERE FORBIDDEN FROM DRINKING BEFORE MINISTRY
Priests serving before Elohim were forbidden from drinking wine or strong drink because holy service required clear discernment between holy and unholy things (Leviticus 10:8-11).

19. BELIEVERS ARE TEMPLES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The body of a believer belongs to Elohim. Polluting it with intoxicating substances dishonors the Spirit dwelling within.(1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19-20).

20. ALCOHOL DESTROYS THE MIND
Alcohol is a mind-altering substance that weakens reasoning, clouds judgment, impairs memory, reduces concentration, and removes emotional control. Under intoxication, many people say and do things they would never do soberly, leading to accidents, violence, crimes, broken relationships, sexual immorality, and even death. What temporarily excites the flesh eventually damages the mind and destroys wisdom, self-control, and discernment (Isaiah 5:22-24; Ephesians 5:18).

21. ALCOHOL CAUSES ADDICTION
Alcohol addiction rarely begins suddenly; it often starts innocently through SOCIAL DRINKING, but slowly traps a person into psychological and later physical dependence until they feel unable to function without it. It destroys self-control, damages families, wastes finances, ruins health, opens the door to other drugs, and leads many into sexual immorality and other sinful behaviours. What appears pleasurable at first eventually becomes bo***ge, sorrow, and destruction to both the drinker and those around them. (Proverbs 20:1; Proverbs 23:29-32)

22. THE NAZARITES WERE SEPARATED FROM WINE
Those specially consecrated to Elohim abstained from wine and strong drink as a sign of holiness and dedication. We are consecrated too therefore we should not partake of any alcoholic beverages too. (Numbers 6:1-4; Titus 2:11-12; Proverbs 20:1).

23. JOHN THE BAPTIST DID NOT DRINK WINE
John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit and separated unto holiness from birth. Scripture specifically notes his abstinence from wine and strong drink. (Luke 1:15).

24. HABAKKUK PRONOUNCED WOE UPON THOSE WHO GIVE ALCOHOL TO OTHERS
Scripture condemns those who entice others into drinking and intoxication. Selling or encouraging alcohol for gain is dangerous before Elohim. (Habakkuk 2:15-16).

25. DRUNKARDS WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM
The Bible speaks plainly and repeatedly. Drunkards who refuse repentance shall not inherit the Kingdom of Elohim. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:21).

26. BELIEVERS MUST WALK IN LIGHT
Darkness and intoxication belong together, but believers are children of light and sobriety. (1 Thessalonians 5:5-8).

27. THE VERSE ABOUT TIMOTHY DOES NOT PROMOTE ALCOHOLIC DRINKING
A controversial verse is found in 1 Timothy 5:23. Paul here advises Timothy to take a little wine because of frequent stomach problems and water conditions. This was medicinal and not recreational. The Greek term wine could also refer to preserved grape juice (1 Timothy 5:23).

28. PEOPLE MISUSE THE MIRACLE AT CANA
Some argue that Yahshua made alcoholic wine at Cana. Yet the word “wine” in Scripture can refer both to fresh grape juice and fermented drink depending on context. Since Messiah would never promote intoxication or violate holiness, the drink was not intoxicating alcohol. (John 2:1-11; Proverbs 20:1).

29. THE BIBLE WARNS AGAINST EVEN LOOKING AT WINE
Scripture warns against gazing upon fermented wine when it sparkles because it eventually bites like a serpent. The safest path for believers is complete abstinence. (Proverbs 23:31-32).

CONCLUSION
The Bible is not confused concerning alcohol. From Genesis to Revelation, intoxication is consistently associated with shame, immorality, loss of judgment, spiritual decline, and destruction. The believer is called to sobriety, holiness, discipline, and purity. Alcohol has destroyed countless lives, ministries, marriages, careers, and destinies. Many who began with social drinking ended in addiction, disgrace, sickness, violence, poverty, and spiritual ruin. The assembly must courageously return to holiness and reject every intoxicating substance. Let believers be filled with the Holy Spirit instead of alcohol. Let the Church rise again in purity, power, clarity, and righteousness before Elohim.

A POEM ON STAYING SOBER
Wine will whisper,
Then it wounds.
Wine will weaken,
Then it wounds.
Stay sober, walk in light of Elohim

Drink will dazzle,
Then it drags.
Drink will promise,
Then it breaks.
Stay sober, walk in light of Elohim

Cup will glitter,
Then it clouds.
Cup will lure you,
Then it binds.
Stay sober, walk in light of Elohim

Spirit fills you,
Never fails.
Truth will steady,
Never shakes.
Stay sober, walk in light of Elohim
****
This Post has been prepared by
Bro Mutonga (Pipeline Church, Nakuru, Kenya, East Africa, Africa)
[email protected]
+254722808047
Permission granted to freely share it widely in whatever form (Matthew 10:8)

MESSIANIC CHURCH IN KENYA: A HODGEPODGE WE MUST HONESTLY TALK ABOUT

INTRODUCTION
I am a great proponent of oneness in the Messianic Church. I sincerely look for ways through which we can create synergies around Biblical truth, love, humility, and fellowship. I long to see believers walk together in one accord as the early assembly did. Yet when we honestly examine the reality on the ground in Kenya, the Messianic Church can best be described as a hodgepodge of different teachings, beliefs, practices, traditions, camps, personalities, wounds, and contradictions. And yet Elohim is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33).
After reflecting deeply over the years, I have come to realize that many of our divisions did not begin with doctrine alone. Some began with pain, some with pride, some with money, some with misunderstandings, some with power struggles, some with sincere convictions, and others with rebellion. Unless we honestly trace our history and humble ourselves before Elohim, we may continue multiplying divisions while claiming to defend truth.

1. DIVISIONS BEGAN EVEN WITH SIMPLE PRACTICAL ISSUES
Some believers fought over whether believers should take medication or not. What should have been approached with patience, compassion, prayer, wisdom, and maturity instead became a source of division and separation.

2. THE QUESTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT CAUSED SHARP DIVISIONS
Some believed the Holy Spirit is the active Spirit and power of Elohim working in believers. Others taught that the Spirit refers only to the Holy Scriptures. Instead of sober study and humility, camps emerged and walls were built.

3. THE FEASTS HAVE BECOME A POINT OF SEPARATION
Some groups observe nine feasts, others seven feasts, others three feasts, and others only commemorate the Lord’s Supper. Instead of producing unity around the Saviour, these practices more often than not became measuring rods for judging one another.

4. EVEN THE LORD’S SUPPER IS NOT DONE THE SAME WAY
Some assemblies wash feet after the Lord’s Supper, others wash feet before, and some use one cup while others use many cups. Rather than seeing the deeper spirit of humility and remembrance, believers often ended up condemning one another, creating multiple divisions.

5. MODESTY HAS BECOME SELECTIVE
Some believers dress modestly only on Sabbath, while during the week there is little visible separation from worldly systems, fashions, and lifestyles. This inconsistency has caused confusion among younger believers and visitors and has also created divisions in the Messianic Church.

6. THERE IS A SHARP DIVIDE BETWEEN THE RICH AND THE POOR
Money has quietly shaped many congregations. Wealthy individuals sometimes receive special treatment while poor believers remain ignored, unheard, or sidelined. This has deeply wounded many sincere believers, especially in the early development of the Messianic Church in Kenya.

7. THE EDUCATED AND UNEDUCATED HAVE DRIFTED APART
Education has unfortunately become another dividing wall. Some educated believers despise the uneducated, while some uneducated believers distrust the educated. Instead of complementing one another in the Body, suspicion has replaced brotherhood. This became more visible in the 1970s and 1980s when the Church was still young in Kenya.

8. MANY GROUPS WERE BORN OUT OF PAIN AND CONFLICT
This is one of the painful truths many avoid discussing openly. Several Messianic groups in Kenya were born out of bruises, wounds, quarrels, physical fights, church wrangles, and painful excommunications. Some people were literally chased away from congregations by those in authority without mercy.

9. THE CHASED AND THE CHASERS STRUGGLE TO FELLOWSHIP TOGETHER
Those who were chased and those who chased often cannot sit at the same table together. Trust completely broke down, suspicion replaced fellowship, and every side carries its own story, pain, and justification.

10. SOME EXCOMMUNICATED PEOPLE FORMED THEIR OWN MOVEMENTS
Some groups were formed by individuals who had been excommunicated over adultery, fornication, or moral failures. Yet after leaving, they formed new movements carrying lofty ideals and appearing spiritually superior to those who disciplined them. This complicated matters further because followers often only hear one side of the story.

11. THE USE OF THE NAMES ELOHIM AND YAHWEH ALSO HAS HISTORY
Even the usage of the Names Elohim and Yahweh has a deep and complex history within the Messianic movement in Kenya. Different teachings, influences, and historical developments shaped how various groups approach these Names. This story deserves its own detailed discussion another day.

12. THE JERUSALEM AND THE NEW JERUSALEM QUESTION REMAINS A MAJOR DIVIDE
There is also a sharp division between believers focused on the earthly Jerusalem in the Middle East and those who emphasize the New Jerusalem. This matter has created deep doctrinal and emotional camps within the Messianic community. I will write a detailed post on this later.

13. TO UNDERSTAND TODAY’S CONFUSION, WE MUST TRACE HISTORY
Many younger believers do not know how the Messianic Church in Kenya developed. Without historical understanding, people end up judging situations superficially without understanding the roots beneath them.

14. A.N. DUGGER PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE
In 1953, Elder Andrew N. Dugger of the Church of God (7th Day) travelled from the United States to Jerusalem with the mission of establishing Sabbath-observing believers there. For nearly two decades he labored in Jerusalem teaching and spreading the faith. I will do a detailed account on this later.

15. THE MESSAGE FROM JERUSALEM REACHED KENYA
One of the founders of the church in Kenya, Mr. Edward Macharia, encountered literature written by Elder A.N. Dugger while working at St. Paul United Theological College in 1959. The message from Jerusalem stirred interest among many Kenyans who desired Biblical truth and Sabbath observance.

16. ELDER A.M. SHOEMAKER WAS SENT TO KENYA
In response to the growing interest in Kenya, Elder Andy M. Shoemaker was sent from Jerusalem to Kenya on Thursday, July 31, 1970, to establish the Church of God (7th Day) in East Africa.

17. SHOEMAKER VISITED DIFFERENT REGIONS
During his mission, Elder Shoemaker visited places including Githiga in Murang’a, Molo in Nakuru, and Nyahururu in Nyandarua. He baptized 284 men and women who accepted the teachings from Jerusalem and ordained ministers to continue the work.

18. SIXTEEN MINISTERS WERE ORDAINED
Among those ordained were Edward Macharia, Petero Kimani, Johana Kiragu, Isiaya Njuguna Gathuru, Ibrahim Gitonga Gathii, Francis Gathungu, Pius Ngugi, Josphat Mwangi Gachuru, Samuel Muchiri Wabandi, Charles Njuguna, Harun Muigai Nganga, Samuel Muthotho Kamau, Kimani Gitau, Obadiah Karabu, Kimani Kiano, and Joel Kaburia. I have other literature regarding additional claims, which I will also examine and write about later.

19. THE CHURCH WAS OFFICIALLY REGISTERED
The church was formally registered in Kenya on Monday, September 6, 1971, under the name JERUSALEM SEVENTH DAY CHURCH OF GOD. The addition of the word “Jerusalem” helped distinguish it from Sunday-observing churches using similar names. The original registration certificate number was 5900.

20. THE EARLY CHURCH RELIED HEAVILY ON LETTERS AND TRACTS
The Kenyan believers maintained communication with Elder A.N. Dugger through written correspondence. They received tracts, Bible lessons, Judah magazines, Bible calendars, and teachings on prophecy, Daniel, Revelation, and the history of true religion.

21. ELDER A.N. DUGGER DIED IN 1975
Elder Dugger later died in Jerusalem on Sunday morning, November 2, 1975, at the age of 88 after many years of laboring in the Holy Land and publishing the Mount Zion Reporter.

22. MANY IMPORTANT STORIES ARE STILL UNTOLD
The story of William Heuer still needs to be told. The year 1983 also remains extremely significant in the history of the Messianic Church in Kenya. Many younger believers know little about these developments. This story is still in preparation.

23. WE MUST LEARN TO SPEAK HONESTLY WITHOUT HATRED
Discussing these matters should not be for gossip, attack, revenge, or humiliation. History must be discussed honestly so that healing, understanding, repentance, and maturity can emerge.

24. ONENESS CANNOT BE BUILT ON PRETENCE
Pretending that everything is fine when deep wounds, mistrust, and contradictions exist does not produce true unity. Real unity requires truth, humility, forgiveness, accountability, patience, and spiritual maturity.

25. WE MUST RETURN TO THE SPIRIT OF BROTHERHOOD
We may differ on some practices, but hatred, pride, arrogance, mockery, competition, and bitterness should never define believers. If Elohim is truly our Father, then humility and brotherhood must return among us.

26. THE NEXT GENERATION IS WATCHING US
Young believers are observing all these divisions carefully. Some become discouraged, others confused, and others leave the faith entirely. We must ask ourselves whether our conduct is building the Kingdom or scattering the flock.

CONCLUSION
The Messianic Church in Kenya has a deep, painful, complicated, and fascinating history. It carries sincere seekers of truth, sacrificial pioneers, painful divisions, doctrinal struggles, personality clashes, and genuine spiritual hunger all mixed together. That is why today it often appears like a hodgepodge. Yet even now, Elohim can still bring healing, clarity, humility, repentance, and true oneness if believers genuinely seek Him above camps, personalities, traditions, and power.

A story still remains to be told.

This Post has been prepared by
Bro Mutonga (Pipeline Church, Nakuru, Kenya, East Africa, Africa)
[email protected]
+254722808047
Permission granted to freely share it widely in whatever form (Matthew 10:8)
.