Monthly Archives: November 2025

BIBLE, BIBLE QUESTIONS, CHRISTIAN LIVING

WHAT IS THE PARABLE OF THE WINE BOTTLE? — BOB PRICHARD

The weeping prophet Jeremiah told the parable of the wine bottle to the nation of Israel. Israel turned away from God repeatedly, and did not realize the consequences of disobedience. They thought they would continue to prosper, but God warned them that judgment was coming. He spoke of Israel saying, “This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing. For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear” (Jeremiah 13:10-11). Their pride was their downfall.

Jeremiah told them: “Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Every bottle shall be filled with wine: and they shall say unto thee, Do we not certainly know that every bottle shall be filled with wine? Then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, even the kings that sit upon David’s throne, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, with drunkenness. And I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, saith the LORD: I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy them” (Jeremiah 13:12-14). There may have been a common proverb about Israel that “every wine bottle shall be filled,” indicating that Israel would be very prosperous. God wanted Israel to know, however, that the wine of God’s wrath would fill the wine bottle. 

How fitting that Jeremiah described God’s wrath upon a disobedient nation with destruction as that which comes in drunkenness. Israel thought it would enjoy the pleasures of a full wine bottle, but God warned that the wine bottle brings destruction, as fathers and sons dashed together for destruction. The carnage on today’s highways by the drunk driver is testimony to the fact that the wine bottle still brings destruction. The effects of the use and abuse of alcohol are devastating to families daily in our nation. Those who use alcohol hurt not only themselves but family, friends, and other innocent victims caught in the wake of destruction associated with drinking. Solomon warned, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1).

Despite Israel’s wickedness, God offered hope if they would listen to his admonition.  “Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness” (Jeremiah 10:16). The warning continued, however, “But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the Lord’s flock is carried away captive” (Jeremiah 10:17). History tells us that unrepentant Israel went into captivity. Pray that our nation will repent of its pride and wickedness.

BIBLE QUESTIONS, CHURCH

IS THE CHURCH OF CHRIST A DENOMINATION? — BOB PRICHARD

A frequent follow-up question to “Are you a Christian?” is “What denomination are you?” “Denomination” is not found in the Bible, and the idea is based on sectarianism and division. “Denomination” is not simply an incidental name, but a choice to be divided from other believers who do not share the same sectarian doctrines. Religious denominations are divisions among people who may all claim to follow the same Lord and same Bible but cannot agree because of their denomination.

As Jesus prayed for His apostles before His arrest, he said, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:20-21). Jesus wanted unity among His apostles, and among “them also which shall believe on me through their word.” He prayed for the unity of everyone who would believe the teaching of the apostles (whether through their direct preaching or through the written word of the Bible). This unity is not possible, however, as long as the divisive denominational system exists.  

The denominational system has developed with various creeds, manuals, handbooks, hierarchies, and systems of organization, which have grown more and more complex over time. Years ago many men and women understood that the denominational system was a violation of God’s will, and sought to leave the denominations so that they could restore the “undenominational” church of Christ of the New Testament. By being just Christians, without being associated with any denomination, they believed that they could better serve and obey God. That is why the modern day churches of Christ are undenominational. They have no creed but the Bible, no denominational or church hierarchy over the local congregation, and no authority for faith and practice other than the Bible. They are not “Church of Christ Christians,” but simply Christians.

There were “seeds of denominationalism” in the church at Corinth. Paul wrote, “it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:11-12). Some at Corinth were not satisfied to be Christians only, but wanted to be “Paulite Christians,” or “Apollosite Christians,” or “Cephasite Christians.” Paul asked, “Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” (1:13). They had divided the church into warring factions. Paul emphasized the seriousness of the situation by saying he was glad he had only baptized a few at Corinth, so few could claim to follow Him, instead of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:14-16). Of what denomination were Peter and Paul? They were just Christians, and not members of any denomination. The church of Christ, if it truly is the church we read of in the New Testament, cannot be a denomination and at the same time pleasing to the Lord.