Holidays to celebrate or not?

[Massorite]

You got that right young man. Everything we do at Christmas and Easter comes from pagan worship. Even though we are not pagans we proform pagan ritual in the name of Jesus. How do you think Jesus feels about that? We are instructed in the word of God not to have anything to do with anything that has anything to do with paganism. Which means that decorating trees is a sin no matter what reason we do it for. Attending sun rise services come from worshiping the sun at sun rise and has nothing to do with the resurrection of Jesus.

Ezekiel 8:16-17 read verse 18 as well.

And He brought me into the inner court of the Lord’s house, and behold, at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and alter, were about five and twenty men, with their back toward the temple of the Lord, and their faces toward the east; and they were worshipping the sun toward the east. Then He said to me,” Have you seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here?

One can only face the east and worship the sun at sun rise.

Jeremiah 10:1-5 Hear the word which trhe Lord speaks to you, O house of Isreal. Thus says the Lord; Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, For the Gentiles are dismayed at them. For the customs of the peoples are futile; For one cuts a tree from the forest, The work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They decorate it with silver and gold;They fasten it with nails and hammers so that it will not topple. They are upright, like a palm tree, and they cannot speak; They must be carried, because they connot go by themselves. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, nor can they do any good. ---------- Folks are so hard core about celebrating the Holiday that the NIV has changed the word "Axe" to the word "Chisel" but who cuts down a tree with a chisel? Many on this web site have argued against what I teach but scripture is scripture and one can call paganism/ritual any which way they want and it is still paganism/ritual in the eyes of God and according to his word.

[BlessedByTheBest]

i celebrate Jesus Christ everyday.

whether or not that day happens to be a man-made holi-day is irrelevant, because a Holy day is an everyday occurrence in my walk with Him.

for what it's worth though, i do not celebrate Ishtar, i celebrate Passover, in remembrance of God's chosen being freed from slavery which serves as a type of how i have been freed from the bondage of sin.

i do not celebrate "Christmas", i celebrate giving when "'tis the season", in remembrance of the perfect and self-less love of God in delivering mankind a Saviour.

you see, even Dr. King's day can be utilized to spread the love of Christ, and one day.. in that new Earth..his dream will become a reality.

[Qnts2]

You got that right young man. Everything we do at Christmas and Easter comes from pagan worship. Even though we are not pagans we proform pagan ritual in the name of Jesus. How do you think Jesus feels about that? We are instructed in the word of God not to have anything to do with anything that has anything to do with paganism. Which means that decorating trees is a sin no matter what reason we do it for. Attending sun rise services come from worshiping the sun at sun rise and has nothing to do with the resurrection of Jesus.

Ezekiel 8:16-17 read verse 18 as well.

And He brought me into the inner court of the Lord’s house, and behold, at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and alter, were about five and twenty men, with their back toward the temple of the Lord, and their faces toward the east; and they were worshipping the sun toward the east. Then He said to me,” Have you seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here?

One can only face the east and worship the sun at sun rise.

Jeremiah 10:1-5 Hear the word which trhe Lord speaks to you, O house of Isreal. Thus says the Lord; Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, For the Gentiles are dismayed at them. For the customs of the peoples are futile; For one cuts a tree from the forest, The work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They decorate it with silver and gold;They fasten it with nails and hammers so that it will not topple. They are upright, like a palm tree, and they cannot speak; They must be carried, because they connot go by themselves. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, nor can they do any good. ---------- Folks are so hard core about celebrating the Holiday that the NIV has changed the word "Axe" to the word "Chisel" but who cuts down a tree with a chisel? Many on this web site have argued against what I teach but scripture is scripture and one can call paganism/ritual any which way they want and it is still paganism/ritual in the eyes of God and according to his word.

Jeremiah 10:1-5 Hear the word which trhe Lord speaks to you, O house of Isreal. Thus says the Lord;Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, For the Gentiles are dismayed at them. For the customs of the peoples are futile; For one cuts a tree from the forest, The work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They decorate it with silver and gold;They fasten it with nails and hammers so that it will not topple. They are upright, like a palm tree, and they cannot speak; They must be carried, because they connot go by themselves. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, nor can they do any good

The Hebrew word translated as workman is actually a craftsman, which includes a person who carves. They were cutting down trees, and then a craftsman was carving idols and decorating them with gold and silver.

Of course, in scripture, it is repeated commanded not to mold or grave (carve) an image. So these verses are speaking against making a graven or molten image.

For succoth, a booth was built and often decorated with fall vegetables and fruit, as well as branches cut from trees. It is not the cutting and decorating which is against the law, but the forming into an image.

Edited March 17, 2013 by Qnts2

[GoldenEagle]

I've been thinking about this too Neb. I heard the following yesterday...

Key points from Grace Awakening by Chcuk Swindoll - "The Grace to Disagree...and Press On, Part 1":

Reference: Acts 15

Having a grace state of mind doesn’t mean life automatically becomes a superharmonious downhill slide. Embracing grace ...doesn’t change our address from the real world to Fantasyland. Even though we, in grace, pursue righteousness and peace and joy and commit to building up one another in love, we will still face conflicts on occasion. We will still have to live with disagreements. Human nature, being what it is, will occasionally get in the way. Opposing opinions will surface, family members will see things differently, and coworkers will clash, even when both parties desire to do the will of God. As people of grace, our goal is not to force everyone to agree but to press on in spite of disagreements.

Key Points...

1. Disagreements are inevitable. (Different views, opinions, etc.)

2. Even the godly will not always agree. (Paul and Barnabus?)

3. In every disagreement there's two ingredients:

A) An issue revolving around principles of life, Scriptures, my experience, and my upbringing.

B) Differing viewpoints depending on a person's personality.

4. In many (if not most) disagreements each side has valid points.

Nice.

Also, listened to this at the end of last week. It was great!

The Grace to Disagree...and Press On, Part 3

Thursday, February 21, 2013

References: Acts 15

Having a grace state of mind doesn’t mean life automatically becomes a super harmonious downhill slide. Embracing grace doesn’t change our address from the real world to Fantasyland. Even though we, in grace, pursue righteousness and peace and joy and commit to building up one another in love, we will still face conflicts on occasion. We will still have to live with disagreements. Human nature, being what it is, will occasionally get in the way. Opposing opinions will surface, family members will see things differently, and coworkers will clash, even when both parties desire to do the will of God. As people of grace, our goal is not to force everyone to agree but to press on in spite of disagreements.

Acts 15:36-41

36 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” 37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Barnabas and Paul had a major disagreement on John Mark.

Paul and Barnabas never worked together as partners again.

-------------------

1. Always leave room for the opposing point of view. (Few things are sick and immature than a closed mind.)

2. If an argument must occur, don’t insult and never assassinate. (Don’t attack someone’s character.)

3. If you don’t get your way, get over it. (Sometimes that means one party takes it on the chin.)

4. Sometimes a permanent separation is the best way to solve a disagreement.

-------------------

Chuck uses a personal example of his relationship to his brother. Chuck’s brother is a 5 point Calvinist. Chuck is not. They are not close. Yet Chuck still loves his brother. In the end they will both be with Christ in eternity.

Important: God reserves the right to bless those who disagree with me.

[Guest]

Attending sun rise services come from worshiping.... paganism/ritual in the eyes of God and according to his word.....

Passover

Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Revelation 5:12

Is At The Root Of All Creation

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11

And Although Believers Have Been Known To Worship Jesus

Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.

I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.

For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.

Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth. Psalms 57:8-11

Even

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. Daniel 6:10-11

At Every Sunrise

But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. Psalms 59:16

IMO I Rather Doubt

I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. Psalms 89:1

Very Many Non-Churched Pagans (Godless Ones) Will Attempt To Do So

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Psalms 103:1

And Therein May Lay Your Point Dear Brother

~

Be Blessed Beloved Of The KING

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. Numbers 6:24-27

Love, Your Brother Joe

[missmuffet]

I celebrate Christmas because it is the date our world has set aside to honor the birth of jesus.I celebrate Easter because it is the date our world has set aside to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.I am not into Santa Clause or the Easter Bunny.Only for the Worldly.

[ibldcars4u]

It is a fine line with the holidays. Looking at it if one was to say no x-mas, or no easter for children,they might get the wrong impression about Religion, Faith, or God in general. Seeing other children celebrating it and receiving candy,gifts,etc and they would not receive any because you would not celebrate it,in my opinion might push them away,or make them grow up thinking thats the reason why I didn't get to have that holiday. Its just my opinion,maybe after going over it,pray about it and ask God for help to get peace of mind over making the right decision. Good luck

[OneLight]

It is a fine line with the holidays. Looking at it if one was to say no x-mas, or no easter for children,they might get the wrong impression about Religion, Faith, or God in general. Seeing other children celebrating it and receiving candy,gifts,etc and they would not receive any because you would not celebrate it,in my opinion might push them away,or make them grow up thinking thats the reason why I didn't get to have that holiday. Its just my opinion,maybe after going over it,pray about it and ask God for help to get peace of mind over making the right decision. Good luck

I guess that would depend on how the parent explains the holiday, if they decide not to partake in them they way society does.

[ibldcars4u]

It is a fine line with the holidays. Looking at it if one was to say no x-mas, or no easter for children,they might get the wrong impression about Religion, Faith, or God in general. Seeing other children celebrating it and receiving candy,gifts,etc and they would not receive any because you would not celebrate it,in my opinion might push them away,or make them grow up thinking thats the reason why I didn't get to have that holiday. Its just my opinion,maybe after going over it,pray about it and ask God for help to get peace of mind over making the right decision. Good luck

I guess that would depend on how the parent explains the holiday, if they decide not to partake in them they way society does.

Exactly,it is all in the explanation and the way any parent would explain it and what changes they make if any at all to gifts,candy,etc..that make up the holiday. Just makes me scratch my head of how a bunny got added in

[OneLight]

I heard that the bunny was to represent fertility, and the egg represents a new life, both a shadow of the many new lives derived form Christ after His Resurrection.