Oh Pagan Tree

[kittylover0991]

Just a thought, isn't this what the devil is wanting for so-called Christians today? I think was Paul in 2 Tim 3 who said that there were people who were preaching Christ in different fashions, for different reasons, but here's the thing: Christ was being preached.

The devil also preaches Christ. Do we accept his gospel along with the rest?

Forgive me.... I was trying to find the passage, but I guess it wasn't 2 Tim 3... I woudl have to try and find it again.

[Guest man]

Just a thought, isn't this what the devil is wanting for so-called Christians today? I think was Paul in 2 Tim 3 who said that there were people who were preaching Christ in different fashions, for different reasons, but here's the thing: Christ was being preached.

The devil also preaches Christ. Do we accept his gospel along with the rest?

Forgive me.... I was trying to find the passage, but I guess it wasn't 2 Tim 3... I woudl have to try and find it again.

I very rarely ever post just a chapter and verse number.

When I post something from the Word, I will post the verse and let people see for themselves. I don't want someone to simply take my word for it. If it's in the Word, I want them to see it.

Just a thought.

[leftoverture]

Just a thought, isn't this what the devil is wanting for so-called Christians today? I think was Paul in 2 Tim 3 who said that there were people who were preaching Christ in different fashions, for different reasons, but here's the thing: Christ was being preached.

The devil also preaches Christ. Do we accept his gospel along with the rest?

Forgive me.... I was trying to find the passage, but I guess it wasn't 2 Tim 3... I woudl have to try and find it again.

I very rarely ever post just a chapter and verse number.

When I post something from the Word, I will post the verse and let people see for themselves. I don't want someone to simply take my word for it. If it's in the Word, I want them to see it.

Just a thought.

Man. . .your post seems a bit rude to me.

Kittylover: I believe the verse you were thinking of is Philippians 1:17-19: 17The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.[a] 18But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

Good job on remembering the concept. I always have trouble remembering which verse, too. But this is an important concept for us in these days.

[kittylover0991]

Thank you man and thank you left overture.

I think man is doing possible the same thing many people woudl have done. I was in a bit of a rush and didn't have the chance to post the verses, though I normally do.

Thank you for hte references!!! I really appreciate it!! I thought it was the passage that the pastor at my college had been preaching out of, but it was a different one lol Thank you so much. that's definitly it

[Guest man]

Man. . .your post seems a bit rude to me.

Yeah, I get that alot.

Philippians 1:17-19: 17The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.[a] 18But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

This is from the NKJV.

Philippians 1

16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains;

17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.

18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

Good job on remembering the concept. I always have trouble remembering which verse, too. But this is an important concept for us in these days.

Do you believe the message doesn't matter as long as Christ is included?

[kittylover0991]

Phl 1:12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things [which happened] unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

Phl 1:13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other [places];

Phl 1:14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Phl 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

Phl 1:16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

Phl 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

Phl 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Phl 1:19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

It is about the furtherance of the gospel.

[Guest shiloh357]

so back in the old testiment when the jews sacrificed to god it was the same as the pagans ??? or maybe not ,,, maybe its the heart that determins what it means or maybe some ppl see the tree as a icon that thru a seed a tree grows like our faith starts as a seed then grows ,,, like jesus was the seed and christianity grew ,,, like the mustard seed grew till the branches was great ??? i dont know man ,,, when we put up our tree we talk about jesus and sing happy birthday to him and it just dont seem all that pagan to me i mean if i was sacrificing a goat and singing to baal i could see yer point ,,, but maybe some ppl think they are a little more holy than others and instead of seeing the goodness and the happyness a harmless tradion can bring they slam it just like the pharasee of old just a thought ,,love in christ arrow from god

Aboslutely awesome post.

Just a thought, isn't this what the devil is wanting for so-called Christians today? I think was Paul in 2 Tim 3 who said that there were people who were preaching Christ in different fashions, for different reasons, but here's the thing: Christ was being preached.

Here's the thing... this argument over hte Christmas tree is petty. If you believe it's wrong, if that is how the Lord has convicted you, than that's great. If not, then this is truly petty argument, time consuming, and it takes away from honoring and glorying Christ.

Our goal in life shoudl be about pleasing God, not arguing about Harry Potter books and Christmas trees. I am about sick of people arguing instead of getting the gospel of Christ out. Isn't the devil so good at what he does to get us focused on a tree, about what some people have claimed it to stand for, instead of thinknig about the God of the Bible?

God can use ANYTHING for his glory. Use a Christmas tree or don't. It's about pleasing God, not winning an argument.

Actually, there is more at stake here than it appears. See you have false teachers like Massorite who believe and has so stated on this board that everyone who celebrates Christmas is going to hell.

They come here with their false teachings and heap condemnation upon anyone who doesn't agree with them and submit to their demands. They are are legalists and wolves who come into our midst in sheep's clothing pretending to be believers when in fact they are nothing but pretadors that threaten the flock.

I agree that the whole Christmas issue is not that big of a deal and it would ordinarily nothing to simply ignore people like Massorite as no one believes anything he has to say anyway. But when he starts claiming others' salvation is in jeopardy and that anyone who doesn't listend to him will be in hell, Massorite has taken this to a whole new level and his arguments must be refuted and discredited for the lies that they are, and other believers must be encouraged to disregard and ignore his false, poisonous demon-inspired teachings.

[kittylover0991]

Hey,

Alright, I don't know how Massorite is, but if what you are saying is truly the case, then absolutely no arguments there. Looking at the false doctrine put forth, Legalism truly is saying that it's Christ+something= salvation, and to say that if one celebrates Christmas, then he is going to hell, then that is in fact works salvation, and a false doctrine. Not to mention blasphemy....

I havent 'been on the boards in a good number of months due to schooling, but a doctrine like that does that need to be refuted, and others warned.

[Guest shiloh357]

Phl 1:12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things [which happened] unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

Phl 1:13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other [places];

Phl 1:14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Phl 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

Phl 1:16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

Phl 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

Phl 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Phl 1:19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

It is about the furtherance of the gospel.

That does not apply here. Massorite, anti-aging and others are not preaching Christ. They are heaping condemnation on others over a lot of bogus history and a false gospel. The gospel is hindered not furthered by anything they teach. You need to understand what Paul was referring to.

Paul was talking about those who preached for personal gain, and public recognition. See, Paul had enemies who questioned his authority to be an apostle (that is covered in 2 Corinthians) Paul references these people and even though they are "preaching" for personal gain and recognition as well as to discredit his ministry, Paul did not dispair because as long as Christ was being preached, and the gospel was going forth, Paul knew that God could use that preaching despite the false motives of his enemies.

[Guest shiloh357]

Before the time of Moses, in the false pagan religion of Baal Worship (sun

worship), every December the 25th was celebrated as the rebirth of the false

sun god baal. To celebrate this, the people would hang little round balls on

the trees as symbols of the sun, and they would give gifts to one another.

The pagan religion of baal worship spread into different lands, using

different names for the false gods and false goddess. Baal worship got into

the pagan roman religion of ancient rome, and some of the traditions and

feast days of the roman religion got into roman catholicism.

Christmas, which is basically named after a mass for Christ is a roman

catholic holiday, and the pagan tradition of giving gifts on Dec. 25 and

hanging balls on trees got into this holiday. - But, it is a pagan practice

and it really has nothing to do with the birth of Jesus Christ.

Anti-aging, there is absolutely no legitimate historical references to back up your claims here. We have no archeology that shows images of ancient Babylonians with decorated trees and such. No archeology in connection to Baal worship has ever uncovered any such thing.

Christmas trees did not come into existence until the middle ages in Europe and were not even a widespread tradition until hundreds of years later.