I have yet to find a scripture where Jesus and/or his apostles commands the church to celebrate the day that Jesus was born. I also couldn't find in the bible that the apostles or the early church celebrates the birth of Christ. Can you please give your opinion on this subject. Should the church celebrates Christmas or not ? What does the word Christmas means ?
If you believe in God and you believe that his son died for our sins, then as Christians we are all in the same boat to that point...also, would you agree that those two facts are the most important facts to all Christians? when we move past this agreement is when we all start going in different directions on the interpretations of the bible and how each of our own personal denominations translate this awesome story... my problem is, logically speaking, not all of us are right, it only happened one way...so either one of us is correct or none of us is correct but not all of us are correct... so, again, logically speaking, why invest your time and life into a denomination? why not invest your life into just being a Christian and giving glory to God....the rest is so vague and un-sure, after all if we weren't unsure and had proof it happened according to your personal denomination there wouldn't be any others, we would all be one...
My question is, what's the point of denominations, we all (Christians) agree on the main two things, why scatter out after those two facts...is that really logical...isn't the smartest move to practice your Christian faith non-denominational? What is the missionary Baptist church doctrine? I hear them say they are independent yet in association with a certain fellowship. I hear them say they are fundamental, but to what extent?
Is Baptist a new name, a replacement for the term Christian, which was a word coined to believers in Antioch? What is this? an usurpation? Are the Baptists have the only right to be called Christians? I don't think so.
Follow up to above question: So, excluding Martyr, they were not Christians?
Follow up to above question: Were these folks' teachings considered to be orthodox at the time?
Answer: Biblical Baptists do not claim to be the only one with the right to be called Christians. The Bible is the authority and its teaching determine who is a true Christian or not. Christians are those who believe and follow the Bible, having believed in the true Jesus Christ and God of the Bible. Sadly, today, many who claim to be Christians are not, because they do not believe and follow the Word of God. Most Baptists (Independent Fundamental Baptists) are simply people who have believed and the Bible is their sole authority for their faith and practice. That is what makes a Baptist or anyone else a true Christian.
Answer: History says all these men claimed to be Christians. However, with the exception of Justin Martyr, the others held to heretical ideas that are contrary to God's word. A true believer....a Christian....believes God's word the Bible, a non-believer (lost person) does not. Jesus said in Matthew 7:16 that you will know the imposters by their fruit.
Answer: It is hard to say and really not important. What is important was what they taught and much of it was unbiblical.
Answer: Most churches that identify themselves as "missionary Baptists" are Southern Baptists. In truth they are independent churches and the Southern Baptist Convention does not decree to them what they are to do. There is a great deal of diversity within Southern Baptist churches, yet they remain in the convention. As a independent church the Convention cannot force doctrine or practice on them.
However, many SBC churches conform generally to the votes and positions of the Convention. They do not have too, but willingly accept what the Convention as a whole passes.
So, on one hand they are independent and can follow their own desires, but on the other most will accept what comes out of the Convention. There is a lot of pressure to confront to what the convention's position is.
As being fundamental, SBC churches do not identify themselves as such. They are not fundamentalists, and rarely refer to themselves as such. They use the word "conservative" which is term that denotes a lesser stand on the Bible and doctrine than the true fundamentalists does. Let me also say there are non Baptist churches that use the term "fundamentalist" who are not true Bible believing people. The news media often mistakenly calls churches such as the Pentecostals and Charismatics "fundamentalists."
One main difference and fault of SBC churches is they do not practice biblical separation as does most IFB churches. They will work jointly with church in doctrinal error in evangelistic endeavors, such as city wide campaigns. Billy Graham, the leading SBC evangelist, is a prime example. He will have workers and churches "counseling" those who come forward in his invitations who are doctrinally unsound. For example, if a person comes forward they are ask what is their denominational affiliation. If they say Roman Catholic they are sent to Roman Catholic workers. The Billy Graham crusades accept all denominations on a equal basis.
No true IFB would ever work in an evanglistic campaign with churches, or individuals who are in doctrinal error. We would never work with Catholics, Protestants, Pentecostals who believe and practice false doctrine. Most SBC churches would. IFB believe and practice (most of them) God's word "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?' (2 Corinthians 6:14)
In the SBC doctrinal statements you will find very little difference between theirs and an IFB. They have the truth and they preach the Gospel and seek to get people saved. Their doctrinal statements are sound and biblical. The main problem is they for many years have drifted away from their biblical roots and have a tendence to compromise and water down the word of God. Of course that does not apply to all SBC churches, but it does typify most of them. There are also a number of other important differences such as a great number of the SBC churches have gone to a contemporary services patterning themselves after the Charismatics and Pentecosts. This is clearly accepting worldliness. There missions program and does not follow the biblical example. The SBC totally runs their mission programs and all the local church has not input accept to fund it. This is the main reason I left the SBC and became a fundamentalist.
Answer: You are correct in that not all churches are doctrinally correct. There are many churches who teach and practice false doctrine. The reason for denominations is the differences in beliefs. The name of a denomination identifies it with its beliefs...so I think that is good. For example you know a Baptist church traditionally believes the Bible and practices scriptural baptism by immersion. A Methodist church believes on can lose their salvation (which is false) and sprinkles for baptism (which is in error). Presbyterians are Calvinists and believe God predestined some to heaven and the rest to hell and a man has not choice in the matter (which is false). These are examples so you can see the differences.
However, the Bible correctly interpreted is the only truth and we measure and test all religious beliefs by what God has said. Of course men and churches twist God's word to say what they want to...and many just ignore the Bible.
But because men sin and do wrong does not mean that God's plan is wrong. There are many people who truly love God and honestly, literally and correctly read and interpret God's word. We are not in the majority....but that has always been the way things are. Jesus said in John 3:19, "Men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil.'
And...doctrine is important. If a belief or practice is not supported by the Bible or is unbiblical...then it is sinful and God cannot bless error. Jesus in Matthew 7:
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"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:21-23)
Note Jesus said these false churches and people preached, cast out demons, did wonderful works...in Jesus' name, BUT Jesus said He never knew them and they worked iniquity.
May I suggest, that you find a good sound biblical church such as a Independent Fundamental Baptist church and visit them. See what they believe and practice and compare it to the Bible.
Note what Paul stated: "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it" (Ephesians 5:25) This makes is clear that going to church is important and that Christ gave his life for the institution of the local church.
Note what God instructs us in Hebrews...."Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:22-25)
Yes, the main thing is that a person by faith believe in Jesus Christ and receive salvation. However, note what God said.
- "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
For us to please God we must know and live by God's word. The opposite is also true. God says "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24)
Further He tells us "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10) We are to do good works...and that means being doctrinally correct also.
So attending church and living a godly life are important and God has given us a local congregation of Bible believing Christians to be our companions and for our fellowship.
In Ephesians God tells us why the local church is so important:
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"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (Ephesians 4:11-15)
So I hope I have encouraged you to seek a good solid Bible believing church where you can worship the Lord, be edified, meaning to be taught and to grow spiritually in the Lord. And where you can also have the fellowship and encouragement of other believers.
I hope this has helped some. If you have further comments or question please write. You know...the Devil wants to side track us all who love the Lord. He wants to discourage us and keep us from experiencing God's best. Let's not let him do it....
Answer: There is nothing wrong with giving gifts to each other anytime of the year. It has become a tradition at Christmas and there is nothing wrong with that. Most of the world does not celebrate Christmas as the birth of Christ because they do not believe in Him or honor Him. It is simply for most people another holiday to be enjoyed. Yes, gift were given to the Lord Jesus at His birth, and I suppose that is the origin of giving gifts to each other. However, the greatest gift we can give the Lord is first believing in Him, receiving Him as our Savior and then living the godly life He has for us. The second greatest gift we can give is to share the Gospel with others. But again, most of the world is unsaved and do not savingly believe in Jesus Christ.
Biblical Christians understand the birth of Jesus and worship Him all year. If Christians want to give gifts to each other...what is the harm? The only way anyone can serve the Lord Jesus is to serve others. The only way we can honor Him is in our witness and godly lives lived before others.
Answer: There is no biblical reference for celebrating Jesus' birth. It is purely a matter of tradition which began in the 4th and 5th Centuries. I do not have a problem with celebrating Christmas if...the emphasis is on Christ and why He came and what He accomplished on the cross.
Many say the celebration had its origins in pagan practices such as the celebration of the winter solstice. It is said that pagans, "converted" to Roman Catholic Christianity brought with them their pagan festivals and they began to celebrate the birth of Christ.
The word Christmas means Christ "mass"....referencing to the Roman Catholic mass. The word mass refers to a religious ceremony. I do not like the name "mas" but most true Christians are not cerebrating a mass....but the birth Christ. Today very few Christians who celebrate Christmas know anything about any pagan connections and simply celebrate the birth of Christ in love and devotion to Him.