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DENOMINATIONS, CULTS, & FALSE TEACHING, HOLIDAYS, ROMAN CATHOLICISM, Should Christians celebrate Easter?, Should Christians celebrate Easter?, Should Christians celebrate Easter?

Should Christians celebrate Easter?

SHOULD CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE EASTER? IS IT NOT A PAGAN HOLIDAY?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Some professing Christians believe that we should celebrate Easter because it commemorates Jesus Christ’s resurrection. Other professing Christians believe that we should not celebrate Easter because of its pagan (non-Christian) origins and elements. In this Bible study, we will evaluate Easter from the historical and Biblical perspectives, and let our readers come to their own conclusion as to what they should do about Easter.

ORIGIN OF EASTER

According to the “Easter” article of The World Book Encyclopedia:

“Easter is the most important Christian festival of the year…. The word Easter may have come from an early English word, Eastre. Some scholars say Eastre was the name of a pagan goddess of spring, the name of a spring festival, or the name of the season itself. Other scholars believe the word Easter comes from the early German word eostarun, which means dawn. This word may be an incorrect translation of the Latin word albae, meaning both dawn and white. Easter was considered a day of ‘white’ because newly baptized church members wore white clothes at Easter observances.” (Bold emphasis mine.)

The New Encyclopædia Britannica says under its article “Easter:”

“The English name Easter is of uncertain origin; the Anglo-Saxon priest Venerable Bede in the 8th century derived it from the Anglo-Saxon spring goddess Eostre…. By the time that the Christian liturgy had begun to take shape (2nd century), the Sunday Eucharist was preceded by a vigil service of Scripture readings and psalms. In this must be seen the origin of the Easter Vigil service, one of the striking celebrations of Easter in both East and West; from being a weekly observance the vigil has turned into an annual one at Easter only. As it is now constituted in the Roman Catholic missal, this vigil consists of the new fire (a practice introduced during the early Middle Ages); the lighting of the paschal candle; a service of lessons, called the prophecies; following by the blessing of the font and baptisms and then the mass of Easter. A similar form is used in Lutheran and some Anglican churches. This pattern is quite primitive and, in its principal elements, can be traced to the 3rd–4th century. … The connection of baptism with Easter is of early date. During the church’s first centuries the whole of Lent was not only a time of penance but also the period during which the catechumens (persons to be baptized) were prepared for baptism, which was given only once a year, at Easter. For the six weeks preceding Easter the catechumens were instructed in the Christian faith, and the texts of the Lenten liturgy in the Roman Catholic missal still preserve clear indications of this practice. The catechumenate came to an end with the solemn baptisms of the Easter vigil. This is the explanation of the present practice of the long ceremony of blessing the font on Easter night and of the great emphasis on baptism and its meaning and the many allusions to it still present in the Easter services…. Popular customs. Around the Christian observance of Easter as the climax of the liturgical drama of Holy Week and Good Friday, folk customs have been collected, many of which have been handed down from the ancient ceremonial and symbolism of European and Middle Eastern pagan spring festivals brought into relation with the resurrection theme. These customs have taken a variety of forms, in which, for example, eggs, formerly forbidden to be eaten during Lent, have been prominent as symbols of new life and resurrection. The hare, the symbol of fertility in ancient Egypt, a role that was kept later in Europe, is not found in North America.” (Bold emphasis mine.)

As you can easily see from these quotes from World Book and Britannica, the apostles did not institute Easter practices and customs such as Easter candle and fire burning, blessing of fonts and baptisms, and displays of eggs and rabbits (fertility deities—this is why the Playboy symbol is a rabbit!). The New Testament Scriptures are silent about the apostles instituting special practices and rituals during Easter. These activities existed within the professing “Christian” church in the 2nd century at the earliest and to as late as the 3rd and 4th century and the early Middle Ages—decades and even several centuries after the apostles died! As per Roman Catholic tradition, many Easter customs and practices are a “development of doctrine,” and they have no Scriptural support: the Britannica says the pagan activities were “brought into relation with the resurrection theme.” That is an elegant way of saying, “Non-Christian elements from non-Christian religions were adopted to celebrate the Christian doctrine of resurrection.”

The Catholic Encyclopedia (1909) elaborates for us in its “Easter” article (bold emphasis mine):

“The English term, according to the Ven. Bede (De temporum ratione, I, v), relates to Estre, a Teutonic goddess of the rising light of day and spring, which deity, however, is otherwise unknown, even in the Edda (Simrock, Mythol., 362); Anglo-Saxon, eâster, eâstron; Old High German, ôstra, ôstrara, ôstrarûn; German, Ostern. April was called easter-monadh.”

“Easter eggs. Because the use of eggs was forbidden during Lent, they were brought to the table on Easter Day, coloured red to symbolize the Easter joy. This custom is found not only in the Latin but also in the Oriental Churches. The symbolic meaning of a new creation of mankind by Jesus risen from the dead was probably an invention of later times. The custom may have its origin in paganism, for a great many pagan customs, celebrating the return of spring, gravitated to Easter. The egg is the emblem of the germinating life of early spring. Easter eggs, the children are told, come from Rome with the bells which on Thursday go to Rome and return Saturday morning.”

“The Easter Rabbit. The Easter Rabbit lays the eggs, for which reason they are hidden in a nest or in the garden. The rabbit is a pagan symbol and has always been an emblem of fertility” (Simrock, Mythologie, 551).

“The Easter Fire. The Easter Fire is lit on the top of mountains (Easter mountain, Osterberg) and must be kindled from new fire, drawn from wood by friction (nodfyr); this is a custom of pagan origin in vogue all over Europe, signifying the victory of spring over winter. … The bishops issued severe edicts against the sacrilegious Easter fires (Conc. Germanicum, a. 742, c.v.; Council of Lestines, a. 743, n. 15), but did not succeed in abolishing them everywhere. The Church adopted the observance into the Easter ceremonies, referring it to the fiery column in the desert and to the Resurrection of Christ; the new fire on Holy Saturday is drawn from flint, symbolizing the Resurrection of the Light of the World from the tomb closed by a stone (Missale Rom.).”

Holweck, F. (1909). Easter. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved April 17, 2014 from New Advent: < http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05224d.htm >

In his classic The Two Babylons, Alexander Hislop wrote:

“Then look at Easter. What means the term Easter itself? It is not a Christian name. It bears its Chaldean origin on its very forehead. Easter is nothing else than Astarte, one of the titles of Beltis, the queen of heaven, whose name, as pronounced by the people Nineveh, was evidently identical with that now in common use in this country. That name, aas found by Layard on the Assyrian monuments, is Ishtar. The worship of Bel and Astarte was very early introduced into Britain, along with the Druids, “the priests of the groves.” Some have imagined that the Druidical worship was first introduced by the Phoenicians, who, centuries before the Christian era, traded to the tin-mines of Cornwall. But the unequivocal traces of that worship are found in regions of the British islands where the Phoenicians never penetrated, and it has everywhere left indelible marks of the strong hold which it must have had on the early British mind. From Bel, the 1st of May is still called Beltane in the Almanac; and we have customs still lingering at this day among us, which prove how exactly the worship of Bel or Moloch (for both titles belonged to the same god) had been observed even in the northern parts of this island. “The late Lady Baird, of Fern Tower, in Perthshire,” says a writer in “Notes and Queries,” thoroughly versed in British antiquities, “told me, that every year, at Beltane (or the 1st of May), a number of men and women assemble at an ancient Druidical circle of stones on her property near Crieff. They light a fire in the centre, each person puts a bit of oat-cake in a shepherd’s bonnet; they all sit down, and draw blindfold a piece from the bonnet. One piece has been previously blackened, and whoever gets that piece has to jump through the fire in the centre of the circle, and pay a forfeit. This is, in fact, a part of the ancient worship of Baal, and the person on whom the lot fell was previously burnt as a sacrifice. Now, the passing through the fire represents that, and the payment of the forfeit redeems the victim.” If Baal was thus worshipped in Britain, it will not be difficult to believe that his consort Astarte was also adored by our ancestors, and that from Astarte, whose name in Nineveh was Ishtar, the religious solemnities of April, as now practised, are called by the name of Easter—that month, among our Pagan ancestors, having been called Easter-monath. The festival, of which we read in Church history, under the name of Easter, in the third or fourth centuries, was quite a different festival from that now observed in the Romish Church, and at that time was not known by any such name as Easter. It was called Pasch, or the Passover, and though not of Apostolic institution,* was very early observed by many professing Christians, in commemoration of the death and resurrection of Christ.” (pages 103–104, Bold emphasis mine.)

While much more could be said regarding the above quotes, suffice it to say that Easter practices certainly have roots in false religion, and much of what is called “Easter worship” is nothing more than the carryover of superstitious practices that non-Christians followed centuries and millennia ago. These pagan practices have a godly appearance—they have been “Christianized”—but they have no relation to the God of the Bible and no association with Jesus Christ. The only mention of Easter in the Holy Bible—the King James Bible—is Acts 12:4, and it refers to a pagan Roman King Herod Agrippa I observing it (near the time of Passover).

Why there is so much confusion about pagan practices and Christian practices is simple to explain. Satan is the master counterfeiter: from Genesis to Revelation, the Scriptures reveal how the devil schemes to “be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:14). Whatever God does, Satan defiles that work by introducing false doctrine, distracts mankind from God’s truth by mimicking His actions, discourages God’s people from His ministry by using incorrect thinking patterns, and so on. Why? Satan wants the worship that God alone deserves (Matthew 4:8-10; Luke 4:5-8).

Consider Christmastime. Centuries before Christ, Satan had pagans worshipping the birth of the sun god in early winter—near the date that Jesus Christ (God the Son) took upon human flesh in the virgin Mary’s womb! Now, consider Eastertime. Centuries before Christ, Satan had pagans worshipping fertility deities and new life in early spring, near the date that Jesus Christ (God the Son) died for our sins and resurrected victoriously over sin, death, hell, and Satan to give us new life! (To Satan’s delight, today’s average church member is not mindful of relevant sound Bible doctrine during Christmastime and Eastertime—the devil’s distractions have never lost their efficacy!)

Let us take a few moments to briefly summarize Passover.

ORIGIN OF PASSOVER

Any person familiar with the Bible knows of Israel’s first Passover, held just before JEHOVAH God delivered the Jews from Egyptian bondage (see Exodus chapter 12 for details). In Exodus 12:1-2, we read: “[1] And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, [2] This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.”

The first month on Israel’s religious calendar is what the Bible calls the month of “Abib” (Exodus 13:4; Exodus 23:14; Exodus 34:18; Deuteronomy 16:1)—it was also called “Nisan” (Nehemiah 2:1; Esther 3:7). In Exodus 12:6-14, JEHOVAH instructed the Jews to pen up the Passover lamb on Abib 10th, to check and make sure that it was not sick or crippled, and the Jews were to kill the Passover lamb on Abib 14th (roughly equivalent to April 14th in our Gregorian calendar). This lamb’s blood was then applied to the side posts and lintel of the door of every Jewish home in Egypt. God would kill all of the Egyptians’ firstborn, but He would “pass over” and spare the Jews who had the lamb’s blood on the door. In Israel’s program, Passover is “an ordinance for ever” (Exodus 12:14).

Through the annual Passover observance, God was teaching Israel that blood had to be shed in order to redeem her, or buy her back. Israel was trapped, not only under Egyptian rule, but Satan’s rule (domination of sin)—many times the Bible calls Egypt “the house of bondage” (Exodus 13:3,14; Exodus 20:2; et al.). The Jews were slaves to Egypt and to sin, and could not function as the nation God designed them to be. The blood of the Passover lamb was a preview of what Jesus Christ would do at Calvary many centuries in the future. The Apostle Peter reminded Israel in 1 Peter 1:18-19: “[18] Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; [19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” As the Apostle Paul wrote, “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:” (1 Corinthians 5:7).

When Israel celebrated her new life on the other side of the Red Sea, a life as a free people, the pagans were celebrating the new life associated with Easter (Satan’s counterfeit religious system). Easter was Satan’s way of mocking Passover: again, Satan is the master counterfeiter, and as long as he can distract you from God’s Word to you, he is very pleased with himself (Satan gets the glory and worship when the God of the Bible does not). March-April was the time when God shed blood for Israel’s redemption, and when He gave her new life (after she crossed the Red Sea).

From the Four Gospels, we learn that Jesus Christ died around Passover (Matthew 26:2,17-19; Mark 14:1,12-16; Luke 22:18,11,13,15; John 11:55; John 12:1; John 13:1; John 18:28,39; John 19:14). In other words, Jesus died during the same holiday that had typified His death for the last 1,500 years. The blood of the true Passover lamb—Jesus Christ—was shed at Calvary. With the death of Jesus Christ at that time of year, March-April was that much more appealing to Satan to further corrupt.

During the centuries following the apostles’ deaths, the pagan festival Easter that had counterfeited Israel’s Passover gradually began to merge as Christianity was paganized to welcome new converts. Hence, today, the non-Christian and Christian elements of the Easter-Passover season have blended into one celebration within Christendom (just what Satan wanted from the beginning!). While it is often assumed that Easter celebrates Jesus Christ’s resurrection, it actually was never intended to do so. Still, very few church members even know the difference between Passover and Easter. A quote from The Catechism of the Catholic Church demonstrates how Christendom has greatly confused these two holidays:

“At the Council of Nicaea in 325, all the Churches agreed that Easter, the Christian Passover, should be celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon (14 Nisan) after the vernal equinox. Because of different methods of calculating the 14th day of the month of Nisan, the date of Easter in the Western and Eastern Churches is not always the same. For this reason, the Churches are currently seeking an agreement in order once again to celebrate the day of the Lord’s Resurrection on a common date” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd edition, paragraph 1170). (Bold emphasis mine.)

How could we possibly confuse Passover, a Biblical holiday, and Easter, a non-Biblical holiday? How can we call Easter “the Christian Passover?” Again, you can see just how paganized Christianity has become over the centuries since the apostles; what was once non-Christian is now considered “Christian” and what was once Christian is now considered “non-Christian.” How more deceived can the professing Body of Christ get? What do we expect when we throw away God’s Word, the Holy Bible, and embrace the traditions of men?

WHAT IS THE CHRISTIAN TO DO?

Our purpose here has been to enlighten you about Easter so that you can make an informed decision. It is certainly not our goal to “have dominion over your faith;” our desire is to be “helpers of your joy” (2 Corinthians 1:24). We will not dictate to you what you can and cannot do regarding Easter, but we do offer this study for your consideration. Our goal is to have your faith rest in an intelligent understanding of God’s Word, so that you may have joy and peace in believing God’s Word (Romans 15:13).

JEHOVAH, the God of the Bible, instituted in Israel a festival, Passover (the killing of a spotless lamb and its bloodshed in early spring), while they were still in Egypt (Exodus chapter 12). Passover’s annual observance reminded them of JEHOVAH delivering them from Egyptian slavery unto new life. Israel did not understand its meaning until 1,500 years later. The true Passover lamb, Jesus Christ, died and shed His sinless blood during that annual Passover feast (early spring), and He resurrected in new life to give them spiritual life and liberty. It was during this time of year that lost mankind—the nations of the world, those under Satan’s influence—celebrated fertility, reproduction, and new life by praising manmade idols and participating in shameful and ungodly activities. Easter and Passover should certainly not be confused.

As with the case of Christmas, Easter has both good and bad elements: we do not have to avoid either holiday altogether. Yes, the pagans may have “hijacked” this time of year for the devil’s glory, but we can disregard their ignorance: spring is God’s season for new life. We can still use this season to bring the God of the Bible glory by remembering that He has given us physical life, and He offers us new life (that is, spiritual life) through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection! March-April was indeed the time of year when Israel was released from Satanic and Egyptian bondage, and March-April was the time of year when Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day for our justification (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). We can trust Him alone and pass from eternal death to eternal life.

If we do choose to “celebrate” (for lack of a better word) Easter, we should remember not to be get distracted by the eggs, rabbits, denominational rites and rituals, and so on. Let us use this time of year—a time when people are most open to “spiritual things”—to share the wonderful news of the new life we have in Christ, and the new life that they can have in Jesus Christ, too, if they trust Him alone as their personal Saviour. This is the wonderful Gospel of the Grace of God, and it alone is the life-giving message that lost people need to hear—at Eastertime and every other time!

NOTE: My own research about Easter yielded too much information to be reproduced in its entirety here. The reader is greatly encouraged to search the internet to learn more about Easter’s very complex history, and not take this author’s word for anything.

 

Also see:
» Was Jesus Christ really crucified on Friday?
» Should Christians observe Passover?
» Is “Easter” a mistranslation in the King James Bible in Acts 12:4?

GRACE (CHRISTIAN) LIVING, ROMAN CATHOLICISM, Should Christians observe Lent?, Should Christians observe Lent?

Should Christians observe Lent?

SHOULD CHRISTIANS OBSERVE LENT? IS LENTEN SEASON A BIBLICAL PRACTICE?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Should we as Christians participate in Lent? Firstly, we need to define what “Lent” is, and then we need to search the Scriptures to see whether or not such an activity is taught in the Bible. As always, my goal is not to attack or condemn anyone, but to share God’s Word with you and let you come to your own conclusions about what God would have you to do. We should not blindly perform rituals simply because some religious group instructs us to do them. Compare it with the Scriptures and see what God says about the matter!

Interestingly, when the Catholic Encyclopedia speaks of Lent, it says regarding its origin: “Some of the Fathers as early as the fifth century supported the view that this forty days’ fast was of Apostolic institution. For example, St. Leo (d. 461) exhorts his hearers to abstain that they may “fulfill with their fasts the Apostolic institution of the forty days” — ut apostolica institutio quadraginta dierum jejuniis impleatur (P.L., LIV, 633), and the historian Socrates (d. 433) and St. Jerome (d. 420) use similar language (P.G., LXVII, 633; P.L., XXII, 475). But the best modern scholars are almost unanimous in rejecting this view, for in the existing remains of the first three centuries we find both considerable diversity of practice regarding the fast before Easter and also a gradual process of development in the matter of its duration. There Irenaeus says that there is not only a controversy about the time of keeping Easter but also regarding the preliminary fast. “For”, he continues, “some think they ought to fast for one day, others for two days, and others even for several, while others reckon forty hours both of day and night to their fast”. He also urges that this variety of usage is of ancient date, which implies that there could have been no Apostolic tradition on the subject. We may then fairly conclude that Irenaeus about the year 190 knew nothing of any Easter fast of forty days.” (Bold emphasis mine.)

Pay close attention to the above quote. Saint Irenaeus, a prominent church father, “knew nothing of any Easter fast of forty days.” Irenaeus, living nearly a century after the apostles, had never heard of a 40-day-long Lenten season. This practice developed later. Catholic authorities freely confess that they do not know if Jesus Christ’s apostles instituted a 40-day Lent—a 40-day Lent may not be a practice of Saints Peter, Paul, John, James, and so on. If Jesus’ apostles did not practice it, can we rightly call it “Christianity?”

Quote from a Roman Catholic priest regarding Lent: “Through prayer, repentance, and sacrifice, this time of year allows a Christian to more clearly reflect on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. During Lent, many Christians choose to abstain from certain items or activities.”

What does Scripture say about this? Do these religious rituals really help us reflect on Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection? Or, are they simply “traditions of men” as Paul called it in Colossians 2:8 designed to have us boast in ourselves and what we can do in the flesh? According to 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, remembrance of what Christ did for us is found in the Lord’s Supper, when we gather together with fellow saints to eat and discuss sound Bible doctrine, especially our life in Christ as made possible through Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. According to Saint Paul, the author of 1 Corinthians, remembrance of the finished crosswork of Jesus Christ is not found in prayer, repentance, and sacrifice. We do not remember what Jesus did for us by doing things for Jesus—that is how we remember what “good” things we do for Him! We remember what Jesus did for us by studying God’s Word, the King James Bible. Then, we reflect on what we read, for what we read in the Bible tells us all about God’s love for us in that He sent Jesus Christ to die for our sins. Jesus Christ came to pay for our sins, which no amount of good works could ever accomplish. Saint Paul wrote, “Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things” (2 Timothy 2:7). The emphasis is on the Bible, not religious duty (ceremonies, rites, rituals, et cetera).

To try to keep a set of rules and regulations in order to make ourselves acceptable before God, as with the case of the Lenten Season, is what Saint Paul openly rejected as wickedness and ungodliness. He wrote (New American Catholic Bible), “[1] Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God on their behalf is for salvation. [2] I testify with regard to them that they have zeal for God, but it is not discerning. [3] For, in their unawareness of the righteousness that comes from God and their attempt to establish their own (righteousness), they did not submit to the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:1-3). (Bold emphasis mine.)

For our Protestant readers, the King James Bible reads like this in Romans 10:1-3: “[1] Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. [2] For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. [3] For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” (Bold emphasis mine.)

Notice how Saint Paul said the nation Israel ignored Jesus Christ’s righteousness displayed at Calvary, and they attempted to counterfeit it when they performed religious rites and rituals. They placed more emphasis on what they could do for God in religion (a form/appearance of godliness), than what God had done for them through Jesus Christ! They thought they could please God, but despite their “good” works, they could not please God. They were sinners, lost and going to hell, having not understood that God only accepts what Jesus Christ does, not what sinful man does. God the Father said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased”” (Matthew 3:17 New American Catholic Bible). “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17 King James Bible). Works-religion is never enough because we can never perform perfectly.

The New American (Catholic) Bible says: “[1] Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the last times some will turn away from the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and demonic instructions [2] through the hypocrisy of liars with branded consciences. [3] They forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. [4] For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected when received with thanksgiving, [5] for it is made holy by the invocation of God in prayer.” According to Saint Paul, abstaining from foods and marriage for religious purposes are “demonic instructions!” Lenten practices, according to Saint Paul, is not how one draws closer to God, but how one draws further away from His truth. Lent, says Saint Paul, is how we fall into Satanic deception!

The New American Catholic Bible has the following footnote at 1 Timothy 4:1-5: “[1-5] Doctrinal deviations from the true Christian message within the church have been prophesied, though the origin of the prophecy is not specified (1 Tim 4:1-2); cf Acts 20:29-30. The letter warns against a false asceticism that prohibits marriage and regards certain foods as forbidden, though they are part of God’s good creation (1 Tim 4:3).” If this is not descriptive and denouncing of Lenten practices, I do not know what is!

For our Protestant readers, the King James Bible reads like this in 1 Timothy 4:1-5: “[4] Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; [2] Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; [3] Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. [4] For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: [5] For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”

Not only is Lent connected with the pagan festival Mardi Gras, and completely un-Christian (pagan), Lent is an example of works-religion, something that God’s grace is completely against. Here are a few things people are instructed to do during Lent: give up some type of food or activity, doing good deeds, praying, treating others like Jesus treated them, obeying Matthew chapters 5-7 (by the way, this was spoken to the Jews, not us Gentiles, according to Saint Matthew 15:24, Saint John 4:22, and Saint Paul in Romans 15:8.

As long as you are faithful for those 40 days of Lent, living a “holy” life, religion says that once the Lenten Season expires, you can return to the shameful activities you gave up! Some dear souls give up alcoholic beverages and/or cigarettes for forty days, and then go right back to drinking and smoking once Lenten season is over. The next year, they give up those bad habits for another Lenten Season, and then return to them yet again. This is using grace as a license to sin, and the Bible teaches that this should not be so!

Engaging in the activity of self-denial (giving something up) for 40 days is nothing godly or noble, for you are only doing that one-tenth of the year. Of the 365 days in a year, you only reserve 40 for holy living? That makes no sense. The Bible says the Christian’s life should honor God all year round, not just during Lent! How does relinquishing bad habits and living a “holy” life for 40 days bring you closer to God? Saint Paul wrote that if have you have never trusted Jesus Christ alone as your personal Saviour, you are still dead in your sins, and you cannot fellowship with God, not matter how “religious” you are or appear to be.

The New American (Catholic) Bible says: “[1] You were dead in your transgressions and sins 3 [2] in which you once lived following the age of this world, 4 following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the disobedient. [3] All of us once lived among them in the desires of our flesh, following the wishes of the flesh and the impulses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like the rest. [4] But God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, [5] even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ 5 (by grace you have been saved), [6] raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, [7] that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; [9] it is not from works, so no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:1-9).

For our Protestant readers, the King James Bible reads like this in Ephesians 2:1-9: “[1] And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; [2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: [3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. [4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, [5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) [6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: [7] That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

“Good” works are of no value if you are lost and going to hell. The only truly GOOD works is what Jesus Christ did for you at Calvary, and what He will do in and through you when you trust Him and His Word to you, Saint Paul’s epistles of Romans through Philemon. Furthermore, suppose you dedicated yourself to prayer and Christian service all year-round, not just 40 days. How much more glory could be given to the Lord’s name? Why limit “holy” living to a mere 40 days out of the year?

A Roman Catholic parishioner commented, “[Lent] is when we have to start being good.” After sinning all day on Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras), the “faithful” are urged to come to church for Ash Wednesday, to show they are sorry for their sins (as evidenced by ashes placed on the forehead), and to show they will give up a certain sinful activity for the next 40 days so they may be “holy” for Easter Sunday, that they may mimick Jesus Christ’s life. The cycle of sin and “giving it up” is repeated year after year after year, every Lenten Season, and sin is returned to time and time again. This sin-management system fails over and over, for it is repeated over and over.

Saint Paul says in the New American (Catholic) Bible: “[1] What then shall we say? Shall we persist in sin that grace may abound? Of course not! [2] How can we who died to sin yet live in it? [14] For sin is not to have any power over you, since you are not under the law but under grace. [15] What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? Of course not!” (Romans 6:1-2,14-15). Saint Paul says we should not use grace as a license to sin.

For our Protestant readers, the King James Bible reads like this in Romans 6:1-2,14-15: “[1] What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? [14] For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. [15] What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.”

Again, Saint Paul says in the New American (Catholic) Bible: “For you were called for freedom, brothers. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love” (Galatians 5:13). For our Protestant readers, Galatians 5:13 in the King James Bible: “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” Remember, Saint Paul says we should not use grace as a license to sin.

Saint Paul says in the New American (Catholic) Bible: “[20] If you died with Christ to the elemental powers of the world, why do you submit to regulations as if you were still living in the world? [21] “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” [22] These are all things destined to perish with use; they accord with human precepts and teachings. [23] While they have a semblance of wisdom in rigor of devotion and self-abasement (and) severity to the body, they are of no value against gratification of the flesh” (Colossians 2:20-23). Saint Paul condemns “do not handle, do not taste, do not touch” religion, and this is exactly what Lent is—do not eat this and do not eat that, do not do this and do not do that, et cetera.

For our Protestant readers, Colossians 2:20-23 in the King James Bible: “[20] Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, [21] (Touch not; taste not; handle not; [22] Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? [23] Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.”

Saint Paul says in the New American (Catholic) Bible: “[19] Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, [20] idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, [21] occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. [22] In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:19-23). The Catholic Bible clearly forbids “drinking bouts,” and this is exactly what Mardi Gras “reveling” is! God’s Holy Spirit is not involved in the activities listed in Galatians 5:19-21. Saint Peter forbade “drunkenness” and “carousing” (1 Peter 4:3)—what is Mardi Gras? God’s Holy Spirit would lead us to have lives filled with the activities listed in verses 22-23 all year long, not just for 40 days during Lent.

The New American (Catholic) Bible has the following footnote at Galatians 5:19-23: “[19-23] Such lists of vices and virtues (cf Romans 1:29-31; 1 Cor 6:9-10) were common in the ancient world. Paul contrasts works of the flesh (Gal 5:19) with fruit (not “works”) of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). Not law, but the Spirit, leads to such traits.”

For our Protestant readers, Galatians 5:19-23 in the King James Bible: “[19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,[20] Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, [21] Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

Quote from a Roman Catholic bishop regarding Lent: “Lent is a time of subtracting and adding. People doing penance try to eliminate from their lives those things that are contrary to the Gospel. They try to add to their lives the virtues of the Gospel. Lent is a time of preparation for the celebration of the Lord’s resurrection at Easter.” The bishop also urged his readers to follow the three “penitential practices”—prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—of Matthew chapter 6. He added, “In this season of Lent, may Christ help us to conform our lives more closely to his.” Works-religion is “a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear” (Saint Peter in Acts 15:10 in the Catholic Bible) and “weak and destitute elemental powers” (Saint Paul in Galatians 4:9 in the Catholic Bible). Contrary to the bishop’s comments, a sin-management system will help no sinner, for no sinner can ever quit sinning, and no sinner can ever make himself acceptable to God.

Contrary to popular belief, a Christian cannot grow “closer to God” because the relationship between us Christians and the Lord is based not on our performance, but relies upon Christ’s faithfulness toward us. Our performance is not the issue; Jesus Christ’s performance in and through us is what matters, for Jesus Christ alone can live His life. We cannot live the Christian life because we are not perfect. God is faithful, not us.

Notice what Saint Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:7-9 in the New American (Catholic) Bible: “[7] so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. [8] He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus (Christ). [9] God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” For our Protestant readers, 1 Corinthians 1:7-9 in the King James Bible: “[7] So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: [8] Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Saint Paul says in the New American (Catholic) Bible in 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24: “[23] May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. [24] The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it.” For our Protestant readers, 1 Thessalonians 5:23 in the King James Bible: “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”

Notice what Saint Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:13 in the New American (Catholic) Bible: “If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.” For our Protestant readers, 2 Timothy 2:13 in the King James Bible: “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.”

Again, the emphasis is on God’s faithfulness, not our faithfulness. A believer can grow in knowledge and wisdom of God’s Word to him, which is what Paul prayed for his Gentile converts in Ephesians 1:18-23, Ephesians 3:14-21, Philippians 1:9-11, and Colossians 1:9-11, but you as a believer cannot come closer to God than you already are in Christ! “God hath accepted us in the beloved [Jesus Christ]” (Ephesians 1:6) Works-religion does not have the power of God, but the gospel of grace is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18)!

In order to justify the observance of Lent, religious people will oftentimes quote “work out your own salvation” from Philippians 2:12 or tell us that Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2; Luke 4:2). In the context, Philippians 2:13 has nothing to do with fasting, penance, prayer, or almsgiving—it is talking about pride (verses 1-8). These believers in Philippi were not working for their salvation, neither were they trying to merit favor with God. This “working out of their own salvation” was simply God’s grace transforming their Christian lives for His glory. It was not something they were doing; it was something God was doing in them.

Quote from the previous Catholic priest: “A small sacrifice helps us understand a little better what Christ did for us.”

No matter how big or small our sacrifice, what we do will never, ever be worthy to be compared to what Christ did on our behalf, and how blasphemous it is to insinuate what the priest did! How dare some mortal man thinks his menial sacrifices will come even close to Jesus Christ’s sacrifice of His life! How dare people force works-religion on us, and they use the Bible to do it, too. Just because Jesus fasted forty days in the wilderness does not mean you have to do the same (Jesus was physically circumcised, so would you care to follow Jesus in this activity too?).

Friend, please listen, you are placing your own deeds above what Christ already did for you. Jesus Christ already demonstrated His love for you and His grace toward you, so why will you ignore that and go on through with vain works-religion? Why try to please God with your sacrifices and self-denial, when God says you are a sinner, unworthy of His heaven, and that God offers to save you by grace (despite your sinfulness)? For those of us who are already saved by trusting Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for our sins, let us let Him live His life in and through us, and may we not attempt to live the life that only Jesus Christ can live in and through us. You cannot do something to get God’s merit, for as a sinner, you have fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). That is why God must deal with you in His grace—His grace enables Him to do for you when you do not deserve it.

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Paul never mentioned that God’s Word would work in us 40 days out of the year; God’s Word works year-round in the believer’s heart! You should be bringing glory and honor to the Lord all 365 days out of the year (366 for leap years!).

Now, look at one final passage, which we examined earlier. “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).

Saint Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 in the New American Catholic Bible: “[23] May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. [24] The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it.”

According to Saint Paul, what will God do? Sanctify you wholly, and preserve you as blameless, as the Bible says. You do not have to perform rituals to be close to God. You simply have to place your faith in His Son Jesus Christ, and His finished work on Calvary as sufficient payment for your sins, and God will save you forever.

I gave up Lent for Lent! Will you, by faith, do the same?

Also see:

» Is Roman Catholicism true Christianity?
(LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)

» Is there any divine authority in church tradition? (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)

» Should Christians celebrate Mardi Gras? (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)

GRACE (CHRISTIAN) LIVING, PRAYER, ROMAN CATHOLICISM, To whom should I pray?, To whom should I pray?, To whom should I pray?

To whom should I pray?

To whom should I pray? Jesus Christ? Mary and the Saints? The Holy Spirit?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The Bible says we should be praying constantly, but to whom are we to pray? Rather than appealing to church tradition, why not let God through the Holy Bible tell us how to pray?

“Giving thanks unto the Father” (Colossians 1:12). “I thank my God…” (Philippians 1:4). “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). “For through him [Jesus Christ] we both [Jew and Gentile] have access by one Spirit unto the Father” (Ephesians 2:18). “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ… that he would grant you…” (Ephesians 3:14).

Firstly, whom did the Apostle Paul address? He directly addressed Father God, not Mary or any other deceased saint, in prayer.

Secondly, how did Paul reach Father God? “In whom [Jesus Christ] we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him [Jesus Christ]” (Ephesians 3:12). “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).

We approach God the Father through the merits of Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork. Jesus Christ has a perfect standing before God, and we have His righteousness because we are in Him (if we are members of the Church the Body of Christ). We cannot approach God on our own merits; thus, we must come through Jesus Christ. This is what it means to pray “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20).

Interestingly, when we pray, we are actually praying with the help of the Holy Spirit who indwells us: the Holy Spirit brings to mind the verses that we studied and believe, and He causes us to pray in line with what God is doing. “[26] Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. [27] And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27). The indwelling Holy Spirit links us to Father God in heaven, and when we pray, we are using the “mediatorship” of Jesus Christ.

So, we address God the Father in prayer, but we are using the merits of Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit helps us pray when we are “at a loss for words.”

For additional insight about prayer in the Dispensation of Grace, please study the four model Pauline prayers—Ephesians 1:15-23, Ephesians 3:14-21, Philippians 1:9-11, and Colossians 1:9-12 (These are discussed in our study “How Should I Pray?” See link below.)

Also see:
» What about unanswered prayer?
» How should I pray?
» Must I confess my sins to God in prayer?

BAPTISM, Do I need to be water baptized?, Do I need to be water baptized?, Do I need water baptism?, GRACE (CHRISTIAN) LIVING, ROMAN CATHOLICISM

Do I need to be water baptized?

Do I need to be water baptized—for a testimony, for salvation, or not at all?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Water baptism, the most divisive issue within Christendom, is rightly called “religious TNT.” There is tremendous confusion about water baptism. Who should administer it (priest, pastor, deacon)? What is the proper mode (sprinkling, pouring, immersion)? What words should be said? Who should be water baptized (adults only, or adults and babies)? How many times forward and backward? Where should it occur? For salvation, for a testimony, or not at all?  Rather than appealing to church tradition, which is contradictory among denominations, why not look at the Bible and let God tell us what He wants us to know and do? By doing so, we can bypass all the confusion!

Our Apostle Paul wrote, “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel” (1 Corinthians 1:17a). In fact, Paul actually thanked God that he did not baptize some people (verse 14)! Surely, Paul was not operating under the so-called “Great Commission” of Matthew 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Would Israel’s 12 apostles ever thank God for having not water baptized people? I trow not!

Paul wrote, “There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism” for us in this the Dispensation of Grace (Ephesians 4:5). Rather than speculating as to what that one baptism is, we can simply search Paul’s epistles for the answer. Our one baptism is found in 1 Corinthians 12:13: “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”

The only baptism that we need today is the baptism whereby the Holy Spirit—not a priest or preacher—places us into the Church the Body of Christ. This is a waterless, supernatural baptism. Paul also refers to this baptism in Romans 6:3-5, Colossians 2:12, and Galatians 3:27.

Romans 6:3-5: “[3] Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? [4] Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. [5] For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.” No physical ceremony (that is, water baptism) can put us into Jesus Christ; this baptism is a supernatural baptism.

Colossians 2:12: “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” Again, God performs our one baptism, not a priest or preacher.

Galatians 3:27: “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Again, remember, no physical ceremony (that is, water baptism) can put us into Jesus Christ; this baptism is a supernatural baptism.

Remember, “baptism” in Scripture is not always a reference to water baptism. The one baptism that you need today is already yours in Christ! When you trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour (the Gospel of the Grace of God of 1 Corinthians 15:3-4), you received your one baptism. In that instant, God the Holy Spirit placed you into a living, unbroken union with Jesus Christ. “Ye are complete in [Christ]” (Colossians 2:10). You do not need a ceremony such as water baptism to “enhance” your Christian life. Anyone who says that you do, is taking away from what God has already given you in Jesus Christ. Do not let someone rob you of your identity in Jesus Christ! Anyone who urges you to get water baptized is not encouraging you to demonstrate your “faith,” but rather is actually urging you to demonstrate your unbelief in these verses. That is serious, friend!

The one baptism necessary for salvation today in the Dispensation of Grace is the Holy Spirit baptizing us into the Church the Body of Christ, identifying us with Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for our sins. Understanding that water baptism has nothing to do with us, resolves all of the confusion and division regarding sprinkling, pouring, and immersion, adults and/or babies, how many times forward, how many times backward, what words should be said, and so on. The Bible is so simple when we simply let it say what it says where it says it.

Also see:
» Why did Paul water baptize?
» Why was water baptism necessary in Israel’s program?
» Why was Jesus water baptized?