Baptism is one of the most important moments in a Christian’s life. It’s a public declaration of faith that symbolizes your identification with Christ and commitment to live according to His teachings.
But once you’ve been baptized, does that mean you’re immune to the struggles that come with temptation, such as the desire to drink a lot of alcohol? If that were the case, you wouldn’t be wondering if getting drunk after baptism is a sin.
This question raises concerns about how we, as Christians, should behave post-baptism and the role of alcohol consumption in our lives. To shed light on this matter, we’ll look into the Scriptures and explore different perspectives on alcohol and drunkenness.
The Role of Baptism in the Life of a Believer
Before we look into whether or not getting drunk is a sin, it’s crucial to first understand what baptism represents in Christianity.
Christian baptism isn’t just a ritual. It’s an ordinance and a powerful, public declaration of our faith and commitment. When we get baptized, we’re pretty much announcing that we believe in Jesus. We’re saying, “I reject my old life and habits. I now choose to live for Christ.”
Baptism is a symbol of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But, even more, it’s a picture of our own journey: death to sin and being raised to a new life in Him. Paul puts it perfectly in His letter to the Colossians.
“having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.”
Colossians 2:12 (ESV)
The act of being immersed in the water represents putting sin to death and coming out of the water symbolizes the pure, holy life that follows salvation. As Romans 6:4 puts it,
“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
To be clear, baptism isn’t what makes you saved. It isn’t the power of God unto salvation. You are saved by your believing in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
“For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth, one confesses and is saved.”
Romans 10:10 (ESV)
“And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…”
Acts 16:31 (ESV)
However, baptism is an outward sign of the inner transformation that took place in your heart the moment you believed.
“So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”
Acts 2:41 (ESV)
“And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.”
Acts 8:38 (ESV)
“And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.”
Acts 16:33 (ESV)
“Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.”
Acts 10:47-48 (ESV)
What Does the Bible Say About Drinking Alcohol?
There’s a common misconception that the Bible completely forbids alcohol. But when you closely study the Bible, you’ll find that drinking alcohol isn’t in itself a sin. In fact, wine was a regular part of daily life in biblical times. Jesus Himself turned water to wine (John 2:1-10). He also gave it to His disciples during the last supper and drank it Himself (Matthew 26:27-29).
Alcohol Can Actually Be a Blessing
The very thought of alcohol being a blessing probably blows your mind. But the Bible does present it as a blessing. For instance, in Psalm 104:15, the psalmist praises God, who gives “wine to gladden the heart of man.”
Here are a few more verses that illustrate this point:
“Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.”
Ecclesiastes 9:7 (ESV)
“Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress.”
Proverbs 31:6 (ESV)
“On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.”
Isaiah 25:6 (ESV)
The Old Testament is also replete with instances of God promising to give wine to His people as a blessing and to take it away as punishment.
“I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine…”
Amos 9:14 (ESV)
“He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil…”
Deuteronomy 7:13 (ESV)
“And in that day the mountains shall drip sweet wine…”
Joel 3:18 (ESV)
“The Lord answered and said to his people, “Behold, I am sending to you grain, wine, and oil, and you will be satisfied; and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations. The threshing floors shall be full of grain; the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.”
Joel 2:19, 24 (ESV)
“You shall plant vineyards and dress them, but you shall neither drink of the wine nor gather the grapes, for the worm shall eat them.”
Deuteronomy 28:39 (ESV)
“It shall eat the offspring of your cattle and the fruit of your ground until you are destroyed; it also shall not leave you grain, wine, or oil…”
Deuteronomy 28:51 (ESV)
But wait a minute. Before you run off with the idea that God’s will is for you to drink alcohol freely with no limits, let’s make something clear. While the Bible doesn’t prohibit drinking alcohol, it does warn against getting drunk.
The Sin of Drunkenness
So, let’s be clear: drinking in moderation isn’t inherently a sin. However, what about getting drunk? Let’s look at what the Bible says.
“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.”
Ephesians 5:18
“Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.”
Proverbs 20:1
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
“Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and valiant men in mixing strong drink.”
Isaiah 5:22 (ESV)
As you can infer from the above scriptures, drunkenness is, in fact, a sin. Why?
In Ephesians 5:18, Paul tells us, “Do not get drunk on wine, but be filled with the Spirit.” Here, the Bible compares two things: alcohol and the Holy Spirit. What do these two have in common? Both have the power to influence our thoughts and actions but in totally different ways.
When we drink too much, we lose control over ourselves. On the other hand, being filled with the Holy Spirit helps us gain control, especially over our emotions and behavior.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy…, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV)
Now, here’s the thing. You can’t be controlled by both alcohol and the Holy Spirit at the same time. When you get drunk, you hand over control to alcohol. And anything that takes charge of our minds, will, and emotions becomes like a false god. The Bible calls that idolatry, which is a sin.
Jesus made it clear: “You cannot serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). When we get drunk or high, we submit ourselves to a master that’s not our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. So, how can we claim to follow Christ and still embrace drunkenness?
Here are some other warnings on the consequences of drunkenness as contained in scripture:
Poor Decision-Making and Impaired Judgment:
“It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.”
Proverbs 31:4-5
God’s Judgement:
“Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may run after strong drink, who tarry late into the evening as wine inflames them! Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and valiant men in mixing strong drink.”
Isaiah 5:11, 22
Economic Hardship:
“Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.”
Proverbs 23:20-21
“… he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.”
Proverbs 21:17
Mustn’t serve in church leadership:
“Therefore, an overseer must be above reproach,… not a drunkard…”
1 Timothy 3:2-3
“Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine…”
1 Timothy 3:8
Let’s now look at scientifically backed consequences of alcoholism.
Health Deterioration:
Drinking too much can have a negative impact on your brain, heart, immune system, etc. A study by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) also shows that it causes cancer. Remember, your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
Broken Family Relationships:
According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), kids who stay with a relative who misused alcohol are more likely to have emotional trouble than those who grew up in homes without alcohol abuse.
Another study showed that for every liter of alcohol consumed per capita, divorce rates increase by 20%. It also found that 92% of domestic violence victims reported that the attacker had been under the influence of alcohol or drugs on the day of the assault.
Considering how much God values family, anything that will destroy yours is definitely against His will.
But What About After Baptism?
Now that we understand the Bible’s position on drunkenness let’s now answer the question: is getting drunk after baptism a sin?
Baptism is meant to signify a new life in Christ, a life that’s guided by the Holy Spirit and shaped by the teachings of Scripture. After we get baptized, we’re expected to live according to the principles of love, humility, self-control, and righteousness. This means that while drinking alcohol in moderation is not sinful, getting drunk—whether before or after baptism—contradicts our call as believers to live a life of holiness and self-discipline.
What About Our Freedom in Christ?
Now, you might be thinking, “Aren’t we free in Christ?” After all, in Galatians 5:1, Paul says, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
However, we must do well to remember the Bible’s caution in 1 Peter 2:16.
“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.”
Paul also reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:31 that,
“Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
This is a reminder that we must examine our motives when it comes to drinking alcohol. Do we do it to escape life’s challenges? Is it to fit in, or just because we like the taste? When we check our motives, we can stay true to our values and guard our hearts. Being intentional about why we drink can help us make choices that reflect our faith and keep us grounded in what truly matters.
Another thing to consider is how our choices affect others, especially fellow believers. If having a drink could lead a brother or sister in Christ into drunkenness, then it’s better to abstain.
“Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.”
1 Corinthians 8:13 (ESV)
There are many people who struggle with alcoholism, even within the church. Some of these people have chosen to stay away from alcohol to maintain their sobriety. When we drink around them, we might be tempting them to fall back into old habits, and that’s not something we want to do.
Conclusion
As we’ve already detailed above, getting drunk after baptism is, in fact, a sin. It goes against the teachings of Scripture on self-control and holiness.
However, it’s important to note that baptism doesn’t instantly free you from temptation. But guess what? God has promised a way out. It doesn’t matter how hard your struggle with alcoholism is; you can overcome it if you are saved with Jesus.
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV)
So, it is possible to live above drunkenness. And, if you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out to a pastor or fellow believer for help.
Written by Juliet (Chisom) I.