I don't agree with Christmas. Christ is not in Christmas, only the word. There is no scripture in the Bible to back up this man made tradition. Jesus is our gift (all year long), not to be celebrated on the pagan's holiday known as Christmas. Even the pagans are mad because they say that Christians are stealing their holiday., atheist celebrate this day too. So what's up with someone calling themselves a Christian, yet they do as the world ( Man traditions). Remember the story of the Golden Calf that was made. Did that please God? Well, celebrating this so called Christmas does not either. God said don't add to or take away from his word.
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 also 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 churches in their convention.
However, many SBC churches do 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 are very tolerant with churches that are in doctrinal error such as the Protestants, Pentecosts, etc. 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 as do most SBC churches accept all denominations on a somewhat equal basis. There reasoning is that these churches at least preach the Gospel. However, a church that teaches and practices false doctrine is not preaching the Gospel, but a perversion of it.
No true Independent Fundamental Baptist 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. IFBs 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 mostly 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, administeredy by the Convention, does not follow the biblical example. The SBC totally runs their mission programs and the local church has no input, accept to fund it. This takes missions from the local church and puts it in the hands of a Convention that has little or no accountability to the churches who finance missons. The only voice a local SBC church has in what the Convention does is in sending delegates to the convention and voting. A local church has no power or influence to change anything in the Convention. The Convention is an enity unto itself. It is a fact that there are many liberals and neo-evangelicals in the Convention who hold key positions. I was raised in an SBC church and my parents, brothers and sister, and most of my kin are SBC. I tried unsuccessfully to point out some unbiblical practices and my pastor told me was wasting my time. I caught SBC missionaries lying about their work with I investigated. These are a few of the main reasons I left the SBC and became a IFB. By the way, many IFB churches have problems also.
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.
Answer: As the article states few people consider Christmas a pagan holiday. There are some people who do not celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas and if that is their decision, I do not have any problem with that.
However, many Christians who love the Lord Jesus Christ do celebrate Christmas and these are the things we modern Baptist churches do at that time.
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We read the scripture passages which record the birth of our Savior.
We sing songs about Jesus' birth.
We have a children's play which shows the birth of Jesus and with an evangelistic theme.
We emphasize in our Sunday School and preaching messages addressing the birth of Jesus Christ.
We teach our Sunday School children the story of Christ's birth and who He is and of the salvation His suffering and death for us accomplished. We preach the Gospel that if we believe and put our faith alone in Jesus Christ, He gives us His grace, forgiveness of our sins and eternal life.
We have a fellowship with each other with an empathize on Christ's birth, life, suffering, death, and resurrection.
We do not have Santa Claus or anything worldly.
Are these things worshiping some pagan god? Who really does these thing worship?
I have several times ask our people if they in any way understood Christmas was a pagan holiday. I have never had anyone say they believed they were celebrating a pagan holiday. Most do not know anything about Christmas in the past at times was illegal or having supposed pagan origins. They do not think celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ is pagan.
There are true believers who love the Lord and worship the Lord Jesus Christ at Christmas. Just because several hundred years ago some pagans used this day for their worship of idols and false gods it does not mean that is what we are doing today?
There is nothing sacred about a particular day. It is what is in a man's heart that defiles him.(Mark 7:20-23) If a child of God wants to remember Christ's birth on Dec. 25...then is that wrong simply because in Centuries long past some pagans celebrated on that day? I have never heard of pagans worshipping on December 25th today. Paul said "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" (Colossians 2:16)
Paul in 1 Corinthians 8 explains that there is nothing evil in meat itself, but placed the prohibition on eating such meat which came from the pagan temple only IF it offended a weaker brother. He said they should abstain in order not to offend or put a stumbling block before a baby Christian or the Jews who thought is was wrong. But in truth the meat was not tainted because it came from pagan temple. This prohibition was in the context of a church that had both Jews and Gentiles in their congregation so it was an issue. It is not an issue in our Gentile churches, but the principle applies.
Note what Paul stated, "Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." (2 Corinthians 3:6)
The principle God is teaching is clear. "Things" to include days are not sinful. There is nothing evil about the 25th of December. If true believers want to honor and worship the Lord on Dec. 25 and remember His birth there is no scripture that prohibits it. In 2011 the 25th of December is on a Sunday. Should we not meet on that day because someone in the past it was a pagan holiday?
You mentioned that the Puritans made Christmas illegal in the colonies. Do you know why the Puritans made Christmas illegal? It reminded them of the Church of England which they were escaping and was in truth a political action in rebellion against England and its customs. These Puritans were the ones whose church leaders ruled the colonies with an iron hand. They persecuted anyone who would not bow to their religious and civil authority by putting them in stocks and in prison. Some Baptists died as the result of their hard handed punishments, which shows lots of things were illegal in the colonies which was not wrong. They ran Roger Williams out of their colony in the dead of winter which was amounted to a death sentence. They would not allow him to preach God's truth so he went to Rhode Island and formed the first Baptist church on American soil. The Puritans baptized infants which is an unbiblical Catholic and Protestant practice. They taxed the people in the colony to finance their church and colony. These are the same people who murdered the innocent supposed witches in Salem, Mass, by burning them at the stack. Burning those who disagreed with its religious practices was the practice of the Church of England. I suppose they thought it wasn't wrong for them to murder people by burning them to death. They believed and taught a works plus grace for salvation. So they were not Baptists nor true Bible believing people. They were outwardly very pious, but their piety was what they believed would merit them heaven.
There was at Christmas time in New England the practice of "wassailing" in which people drank and were disorderly, which is the same thing that worldly people do at Christmas today. True Christians are not involved in that sinful behavior. You cannot expect lost people to appreciate the birth of Jesus Christ, whom they are rejecting.
BUT....if you feel that you should not participate in Christmas....then there is nothing wrong in your decision. Just be careful that you do not judge the motives of those who do and accuse them of celebrating a pagan holiday when they in truth are not and it is the farthermost thing from their minds. Consider this...when Bible believing Christians who love the Lord celebrate Dec. 25 whose birth day are they celebrating?