Pentecostals, the use of alcohol and Jesus’ turning the water into wine (Jn 2:1–11)

Abstract

Background: For many Christians, particularly within African classical Pentecostalism, alcohol consumption is prohibited or discouraged. Consequently, little attention was given to the implications of Jesus’ first miracle involving wine. Those who engage with the sign in John 2 may find it difficult to reconcile its nature with Jesus’ mission. Unlike miracles prompted by suffering or need, this inaugural sign reveals Jesus’ glory and leads his disciples to believe in him (Jn 2:11).
Objectives: This article examines the claim that the Bible prohibits all alcohol use and that biblical wine was merely grape juice. It explores whether this interpretation can be justified, given the narrative of Jesus’ first sign in John’s Gospel.
Method: The authors employ a grammatical-historical exegetical method, drawing on textual criticism, historical context, and literary analysis. They analyse African Pentecostal arguments for alcohol abstinence and reassess John 2’s doctrinal and practical relevance to the Pentecostal view.
Results: The miracle symbolises Jesus’ mission, bringing blessing, reconciliation and a new era of abundance. Through the unexpected gift of wine, the sign conveys a deeper theological meaning with a rich symbolic significance.
Conclusion: John 2 invites readers to embrace God’s grace through faith in Jesus’ transformative power. Biblical arguments for alcohol prohibition are unconvincing when his first sign is properly interpreted.
Contribution: The discussion assists classical Pentecostals in developing an understanding of the miracle by avoiding a superficial interpretation of the text because of the contentious nature of alcohol. It encourages meaningful engagement with the passage by elucidating its theological significance.