Can 7th Day Adventists Drink Alcohol? The Church's Stance Explained

December 10, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the World Health Organization, which the Seventh-day Adventist Church references, no level of alcohol consumption is considered safe for health. This finding supports the long-standing church position that Seventh-day Adventists cannot drink alcohol as part of their biblically-guided lifestyle.

Quick Summary

Seventh-day Adventists practice total abstinence from alcohol, a conviction based on key biblical teachings and a holistic health message that views the body as God's temple.

Key Points

Total Abstinence: The Seventh-day Adventist Church promotes total abstinence from all alcoholic beverages for its members.
Biblical Basis: This practice is rooted in biblical principles, viewing the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit and emphasizing sobriety and temperance.
Health Reform: Abstinence is a pillar of the Adventist health message, founded on counsel from Ellen G. White that advocates a healthy lifestyle.
Modern Science Validation: Recent scientific research confirms the health risks of alcohol, supporting the Adventist position that no level of alcohol consumption is safe.
Influence on Others: The decision to abstain also stems from the principle of not causing a “stumbling block” for others who may be vulnerable to alcohol's harms.

The Official Seventh-day Adventist Stance

The Seventh-day Adventist Church officially advocates for and expects its members to practice total abstinence from all alcoholic beverages. This principle is central to the church's lifestyle and health message. While acknowledging individual choice, abstinence is a significant commitment for Adventists, grounded in biblical teachings and health knowledge. This stance of complete teetotalism distinguishes Adventists from many other Christian denominations. The church's position is historical, with early leaders opposing intoxicants, and modern statements continue to affirm this.

Biblical and Spiritual Principles for Abstinence

Several core biblical and spiritual beliefs underpin the Adventist view on alcohol:

The Body as God's Temple: Based on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Adventists believe their bodies are sacred and should be cared for responsibly. Consuming alcohol, considered harmful, is seen as disrespecting this divine temple.
Self-Control: The Bible emphasizes the importance of sobriety and self-control. Abstinence helps maintain this discipline.
Avoiding Stumbling Blocks: Referencing passages like Romans 14:21, Adventists choose abstinence to avoid potentially leading others into temptation or addiction.
Priesthood of Believers: Applying the biblical prohibition of alcohol for priests and kings (Leviticus 10:8-10; Proverbs 31:4-5), Adventists believe all believers are called to a "royal priesthood" and should maintain mental clarity to serve God effectively.

The Adventist Health Message and Scientific Findings

The Adventist health message, promoted by church co-founder Ellen G. White, highlights a healthy lifestyle based on natural principles including temperance. Avoiding harmful substances like alcohol is a core element of this message. The Adventist stance on alcohol was forward-thinking and is now supported by modern medical science. Research indicates that no amount of alcohol is safe for health, supporting the Adventist belief in complete abstinence.

SDA vs. Other Christian Views on Alcohol


Feature	Seventh-day Adventist Perspective	Other Christian Denominations' Perspectives (Varied)
Core Belief	Total abstinence is the expected practice.	Views range from moderation to total abstinence.
Biblical Interpretation	Interprets warnings against drunkenness and verses on health as a call to total abstinence.	Many interpret biblical references to wine in terms of moderation.
Emphasis on Health	Views health as an explicit spiritual obligation, influenced by Ellen G. White.	Health may be part of the decision but not always a central teaching.
Social Influence	Encourages abstinence to avoid setting a stumbling block for others.	Responsibility is often on the individual to drink responsibly.
Modern Science	Uses science confirming alcohol's harm to reinforce its stance.	May acknowledge science but not incorporate it as a primary basis for modifying views.

The Reasons for Abstinence

Adventists choose abstinence for several key reasons, encompassing health, spiritual, and social dimensions:

Health: Scientific evidence shows health risks at any level of alcohol consumption. Total abstinence eliminates these risks.
Spirituality: Avoiding alcohol helps maintain spiritual clarity and connection with God.
Responsibility: Abstinence prevents causing others to stumble and acknowledges alcohol's potential harms.

Conclusion: A Conviction for Health and Holiness

The Seventh-day Adventist Church advocates total abstinence from alcohol, based on a commitment to spiritual and physical well-being. This conviction is a lifestyle choice rooted in honoring God and seeking spiritual growth. Influenced by Ellen G. White's writings and supported by modern science, Adventists see total abstinence as a wise choice for a healthy life.

For additional information about the beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, you can visit their official website www.adventist.org/beliefs/.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, while individuals have a choice, the church's official position, based on biblical and health principles, calls for total abstinence from alcohol as a core part of its lifestyle expectations.

Adventists consider alcohol harmful because they believe the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and science confirms that alcohol is a toxin with numerous negative health consequences, including increased risks for cancer and other diseases.

While it is the official position and expectation, some reports indicate that a small percentage of Adventists may consume alcohol, although this is not sanctioned by the church.

The Adventist 'Health Message' is a set of guidelines promoting a healthy lifestyle based on principles like good nutrition, exercise, and temperance, which includes avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

Adventists distinguish between fermented and unfermented wine. They interpret warnings against drunkenness and the biblical context to support abstinence, believing that fermented wine was often viewed negatively.

No, salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by adherence to dietary or lifestyle rules. However, abstinence is seen as a way of demonstrating a commitment to health and holiness.

Yes, Ellen G. White, a co-founder of the church, was a key health reformer whose extensive writings strongly advocated for temperance and total abstinence from alcohol.