Posted on 12/21/2016 8:03:51 AM PST by DouglasKC
In just eight days much of the world will celebrate and observe Christmas. In America alone 92% of the population will observe Christmas. This includes professing Christians as well as non-Christians. In fact 81% of people who are anything but Christian will also celebrate Christmas. This includes Muslims, atheists, Wiccans and various pagan earth cults.
I am part of the 8% who doesn't observe Christmas at all. Now the primary reason why I don't observe it is that I KNOW and BELIEVE that the Lord God has given us HIS days to observe and that these days have purpose and meaning. They ARE holy days. Days that are set apart for God's purpose. These days are listed in God's holy word in Leviticus chapter 23.
It's clear that Christmas falls OUTSIDE of God's commands AS DEFINED IN THE BIBLE, Christmas falls outside of God's world. It's NOT part of God's holy world IF we follow scripture.
There is the world of God. And there is the world system. There is holy....things of God. And there is worldly...things of the world.
Let's look at that point by turning to Leviticus chapter 10. In Leviticus chapter 10 the Lord is giving instructions to Aaron about how they, as a priesthood, are to treat God. In verse 3 the Lord says that anyone who comes near to God must regard God as holy. In verse 9 he tells the priests that they are not to drink any kind of alcohol when coming before the Lord...they need to have clear heads....this is serious business. And in verse 10 he tells them why.
Lev 10:10 that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean,
God wants his people when they come near to him, to be able to tell the difference between holy.....Godly things...and unholy...things that are not Godly.
There's a better English word for “Unholy”......and the New American Standard bible uses that word and I'll read that same word from that translation.
(NASB) and so as to make a distinction between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean,
That word in English is “profane”. There is holy...God's world....and profane....worldly...things not holy.
Now in the greek versions of the old testament the word that is translated here as “unholy” or “profane” is the word “bebelos”. It's Strongs number G952 and it means to step over a threshold into a place where anyone is permitted. It springs from the notion that the temple, or the tabernacle, was a holy place....a place of God...and that outside of the temple, was a common place...a profane place...a worldly place.
In fact the English word “profane” comes from the latin word “Profanus” which literally means “outside of the temple.”
Now obviously we don't worship in temples as Christians. But the concept of God and his temple are still with us and is still applicable. Corinthians chapter 3 confirms that;
1Co 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1Co 3:17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. 1Co 3:18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.
We are the temple of God. Individually and as a church. And God still has rules for holiness. There are holy things of God as defined by God in scripture. And we should hold on to and adhere to his instructions. But there are also things outside of the temple...behaviors, objects, attitudes and emotions that are not holy. That do NOT belong in the temple of God. That are OUTSIDE of the TEMPLE. And when we engage in those things we GO over the threshold of the temple. We go outside the temple. We PROFANE the temple of God.
So what does all this have to do with Christmas? Let's look at that by turning to 1 Timothy chapter 4.
1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
This is MUCH more latter then when Paul wrote it. These ARE the latter times and Paul tells us that there are some who are going to turn from the faith and be deceived and follow false doctrine. In verses 2 to 5 Paul lists some examples. In verse he says this:
1Ti 4:6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. 1Ti 4:7 But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.
Look at verse 7. It says to reject “profane and old wives fables”. Let's analyze that. Profane as we've seen are things things outside the temple of God. The “old wives fables” denote stories or customs passed on from elders. Or the traditions passed on to younger by older. In that verse the world fables is the greek word “mythos” from which we derive the English word “myths”.
So we are to reject things traditional myths that fall outside of the temple of God. Doesn't this describe Christmas?
What the myths of Christmas? Santa Claus. Flying reindeer. Elves. Jesus born on December 25th. All myths. All fables. Christmas itself, the holiday, is NOT in the word of God. Anywhere. It is NOT a holy day of the Lord God. It is outside of the temple. Thus it is profane.
We need to look at one more scripture. Let's turn to Ezekiel chapter 22. In Ezekiel 22 Ezekiel is prophesying against a fallen Israel. An Israel, that much like America today, has rejected God and turned to idols. An Israel that has abandoned all morality. In verse 26 Ezekiel turns to religion...to the conduct of the priests who claim to be priests of God.
Eze 22:26 Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy (bebelos, PROFANE), nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.
When we profane God we are putting God OUT of his temple. WE are NOT keeping him holy. Brethen, as Christians....and when we BECOME Christians....we have a duty and an obligation to God, to the Lord, to preserve HIS holiness. To recognize that there still are Godly standards of holy and profane. Our role as priests of God is to recognize God's holiness when we come before him and to discern that there are things that are NOT part of God's world, things that are NOT part of the temple of God. Brethren let us keep God and his temple holy.
There's nothing wrong with traditions except where that tradition contradicts scripture. In that case the word of God is supreme.
The article you listed quoted ", "So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter" (2 Thess. 2:15)" and other verses to make the case that church can make traditions that supersede the word of God. However scripture is clear that Christ and the early Christians authority rested in what the scriptures revealed to them.
Some examples:
Joh 5:45 Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust. Joh 5:46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.
Joh 5:47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?"
Act_28:23 So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening.
Paul used scripture, the same scripture that reveal God's holy days, to persuade people.
The Bereans as well didn't just swallow what Paul was saying, they wanted biblical proof:
Act 17:11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
If the view of the Catholic church were correct Paul could have been preaching the flying spaghetti monster and no matter how much scripture contradicted it they would have to accept it if it was a tradition.
And finally:
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
2Ti 3:17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
How can one use scripture for "reproof, correction and instruction" if it is NOT supreme to tradition?
It's an uphill battle for sure! It's always amazing to see that in these types of forums that the word of God itself is unassailable.
That's gonna leave a mark. You stabbed right in the ad hominem.
What day do you think Jesus kept? Thrall us with your ken.
Jesus kept the Jewish sabbath. The Christian sabbath need not be kept the same day. Jesus was the new covenant. New laws suggest the idea that new rules be adopted. Or that existing laws (like the keeping of the sabbath) be kept in a different way.
CC
Jesus was the new covenant. New laws suggest the idea that new rules be adopted. Or that existing laws (like the keeping of the sabbath) be kept in a different way.
They suggest it, huh? I need a little more than a suggestion to overturn when God writes something down in stone as a Commandment. So you admit Jesus kept the Sabbath and He was perfect but you don't want to do like Jesus You want to do your own thing. Jesus had a saying about that. If you love Me keep My Commandments. I think that was to establish who loved Jesus and those who loved the wide road of the world.
Yep, a viper pit. Merry Christmas. Have fun counting how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.
CC
Oh, had a little trouble getting the Word of God to justify the changing of His Sabbath. Don't worry, you're not the only one. I don't count angels on the head of a pin. And being the accuser of the brethren is a practice of Satan. Rev. 12:10
Hurry DouglasKC. (raising hand in the back row) "I know. I know". let me. let me.
Shush BBob. Let DouglasKC answer. You know it’s a trick question. It just needs to be answered in the correct manner.
New testament scripture, especially the book of Hebrews, makes it clear what has been changed under the new covenant. Boiling it down, the priesthood has changed from the Levitical priesthood to once in which Christ is the high priest. Most of that is discussed in Hebrews 7. Animal sacrifices have been changed to one in which the sacrifice of Christ is sufficient..this is discussed in depth in Hebrews 8,9 and 10. Since there was change in the priesthood all laws and ordinances related to the priesthood have been altered.
BUT the holy days of the Lord were NOT just part of the Levitical priesthood. They were not given to the priesthood but instead to the children of Israel (Lev 23:2). Various scriptures show they predate the old covenant and, according to scripture, will be observed and celebrated when Jesus Christ returns.
This is a rather large topic and I've only scratched the surface but we can discuss further if you would like.
So there is a tradition that holds some of The Law applies to the Gentiles but some of it does not. Does your tradition include the dietary laws ?
Actually you've got a wrong premise here. Gentiles have no part of parcel in the law, covenants or God's promises..including the new covenant. Gentiles do not know the God of the bible. Would you like to re-phrase the statement?
Have a nice life Bob.
CC
No, I'm a Christian. But I see that you're confused by my response so I'll explain.
Eph 2:11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—
Eph 2:12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
Gentiles, those who were NOT part of the house of Israel or Judah, have no part in the covenants. They do not know God. This is confirmed in many places in scripture:
1Th 4:5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God;
When one becomes a Christian they cease being a gentile. We become a Christian by accepting the terms of the new covenant through Christ our Lord. HOWEVER the new covenant is ONLY with the house of Israel and Judah:
Heb 8:6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.
Heb 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.
Heb 8:8 Because finding fault with them, He says:
"BEHOLD, THE DAYS ARE COMING, SAYS THE LORD, WHEN I WILL MAKE A NEW COVENANT WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH—
Heb 8:9 NOT ACCORDING TO THE COVENANT THAT I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS IN THE DAY WHEN I TOOK THEM BY THE HAND TO LEAD THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT; BECAUSE THEY DID NOT CONTINUE IN MY COVENANT, AND I DISREGARDED THEM, SAYS THE LORD.
Heb 8:10 FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS IN THEIR MIND AND WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
Note that Paul is quoting Jeremiah 31:31-33. So both the old testament and new testament agree that the NEW COVENANT is only made with the house of Israel or the house of Judah.
When we come to Christ we join ourselves to Israel through Christ and become partakers of the covenants and promises given to Israel.
Eph_2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
So that's what I meant when I said that gentiles have no part or parcel of any covenants or promises of God. By biblical definition Gentiles are not Christian and do not worship Christ since they have no part in the new covenant.
With that in mind would you like to re-phrase your statement?
And you are a name caller. He has rejected that offensive label.
There are traditions as to which laws in the Old Testament apply to Christians, especially Gentile Christians, and which are non binding on them.
Those were abolished by Christ. Eph. 2:15 and nailed to the Cross Col. 2:14 Hallelujah!
Which day of the week to meet with other Christians in worship service to God is part of these traditions.
They met all days of the week they could. However they kept the Sabbath Day holy as God has directed. Otherwise "They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men. You have disregarded the commandment of God to keep the tradition of men.” Mark 7:7,8
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