<> I'd say it is a sin not to drink if one's teetotaling is predicated upon erroneous Biblical eisegesis.
If'n ya don't want to drink, fine. But don't tell me the Bible is referring to Grape Juice when it CLEARLY is referring to wine....sheesh<>
Grapes have yeast growing on their skins, it gives them their characteristic white sheen.
Once a grape is crushed, the yeast goes to work on the sugars in the fruit leading IMMEDIATELY to fermentation. This is why, in the abscence of wine, in emergency, a priest may crush grapes as a substitute. The yeast immediately begins to transform the sugars into alcohol.
Certain yeasts and circumstances make for EtOH production and certain yeasts and circumstances make for ascetic acid production.
The only way to slow (NOT stop---even refrigerated grape juice eventually ferments) the process is refrigerate the juice.
In Jesus' time, there was no FrigidAire. But there were many vinyards!
Jesus either drank wine or vinegar.
I doubt he drank vinegar.
Only a historical and chemical illiterate would attempt to claim Jesus only drank grape juice.
So much for the YOPIOS of those who use only grape juice in their "communion" services.