Generally around Easter and Christmas, some Christians feel led to attack these days as “pagan holidays” while the majority of Christians regard them as Christian festivals celebrating the birth and resurrection of Christ. (What the world does with them is another matter, since the focus of the world is definitely not on Christ.) In view of this there are certain biblical principles that should be applied in regarding feasts, festivals, and holy days.
A. None of the feasts, festivals, and holy days under the Old Covenant (the Law of Moses) can be celebrated strictly according to Scripture. Why? Because in order to do so either the tabernacle or the temple at Jerusalem would be absolutely necessary. They were all tied into offerings brought into the tabernacle or temple.
B. Under the New Covenant, (and as stated by Paul) these were all “shadows” and the reality is Christ: Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath [days]: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. (Col 2:16,17)
C. Under the New Covenant every believer has the liberty to either esteem one day above another, or not to do so, while abstaining from judging others. This is spelled out in Romans 14:
4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
D. The only special day for Christians is “the Lord’s Day” (Rev 1:10). Seventh day Sabbatarians simply ignore the existence of the Lord’s Day as the Christian Sabbath. But Bible-believing Christians have always regarded “the first day of the week” (the eighth day, also known as Sunday today) as the Christian sabbath. The sabbath commandment is still in effect, but it is by implication that the Lord’s Day – the day Christ rose from the dead -- has become the Christian sabbath ( a day for worship, rest, and good works). Christ Himself gave the eighth day its Christian significance by waiting until the eighth day to show Himself to Thomas, and have Thomas exclaim “My Lord and My God”. All the New Testament churches met on the Lord’s Day to celebrate the Lord’s Supper and also worship and bring their offering. This is confirmed by Justin Martyr in the 2nd century.
E. Hardly anyone today (Christian or unbeliever) sees Christmas Day and Easter Sunday as “pagan”. That may have been true about 1700 years ago, but today the whole world sees these days as Christian celebrations. However, for those believers who are bothered by these celebrations, God says that you are free to disregard them, without pointing fingers at those who observe them.
A. None of the feasts, festivals, and holy days under the Old Covenant (the Law of Moses) can be celebrated strictly according to Scripture. Why? Because in order to do so either the tabernacle or the temple at Jerusalem would be absolutely necessary. They were all tied into offerings brought into the tabernacle or temple.
B. Under the New Covenant, (and as stated by Paul) these were all “shadows” and the reality is Christ: Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath [days]: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. (Col 2:16,17)
C. Under the New Covenant every believer has the liberty to either esteem one day above another, or not to do so, while abstaining from judging others. This is spelled out in Romans 14:
4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
D. The only special day for Christians is “the Lord’s Day” (Rev 1:10). Seventh day Sabbatarians simply ignore the existence of the Lord’s Day as the Christian Sabbath. But Bible-believing Christians have always regarded “the first day of the week” (the eighth day, also known as Sunday today) as the Christian sabbath. The sabbath commandment is still in effect, but it is by implication that the Lord’s Day – the day Christ rose from the dead -- has become the Christian sabbath ( a day for worship, rest, and good works). Christ Himself gave the eighth day its Christian significance by waiting until the eighth day to show Himself to Thomas, and have Thomas exclaim “My Lord and My God”. All the New Testament churches met on the Lord’s Day to celebrate the Lord’s Supper and also worship and bring their offering. This is confirmed by Justin Martyr in the 2nd century.
E. Hardly anyone today (Christian or unbeliever) sees Christmas Day and Easter Sunday as “pagan”. That may have been true about 1700 years ago, but today the whole world sees these days as Christian celebrations. However, for those believers who are bothered by these celebrations, God says that you are free to disregard them, without pointing fingers at those who observe them.
-
4
-
1
-
1
- Show all
