How Jesus (Yeshua) Christ Should be Remembered:

[iris89]

Discourse on How Jesus (Yeshua) Christ Should be Remembered:

INTRODUCTION;

Many celebrate Jesus' (Yeshua's) birth on December 25 with much gift giving and merrymaking, but little thought is given to why and/or the reality of the situation.

As starters, he was not, could not, have been born on December the 25 because the scriptures clearly show as pointed out by Henri Daniel Rops, in his book "Daily Life in the Time of Jesus", relates that it was customary for the shepherds to go into the open fields with their flocks just before the Passover in the Spring and to bring them in during the Hebrew eighth month, about the middle of November, at the beginning of the rainy season. They then 'passed the winter under cover'.

In these circumstances, the 25th December cannot be the date of the birth of Jesus (a.s.). His birth must fall before the middle of November while the sheep were still in the open field.

Now why also the merrymaking that finds no parallel with the activities of the first century Christians? Let's investigate and find out why and how the date of December the 25 was settled on.

WHAT DOES THE CELEBRATION HAVE TO DO WITH CHRIST TEACHING?

All should investigate what does the celebration have to do with Christ's teachings? The short answer would be nothing. Why? Let's investigate.

Like the "World Book Encyclopedia" says, "Jesus Christ was certainly one of the most influential people who ever lived."

So many remember his birth rather than his deeds. Throughout Christendom, most individuals can recall the events surrounding his birth as given at Matthew 1:18-26, "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us. 24 And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took unto him his wife; 25 and knew her not till she had brought forth a son: and he called his name JESUS." (American Standard Version; ASV); and Luke 2:1-7, " Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled. 2 This was the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to enrol themselves, every one to his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; 5 to enrol himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child. 6 And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." (ASV).

However, they should be more concerned about his teachings and the Sermon on the Mount which is as follows at Matthew 5:1-48, "And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him: 2 and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying,

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye when [men] shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.

13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do [men] light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house. 16 Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

17 Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.

21 Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of the hell of fire. 23 If therefore thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee, 24 leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art with him in the way; lest haply the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26 Verily I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou have paid the last farthing.

27 Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body go into hell. 31 It was said also, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32 but I say unto you, that every one that putteth away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, maketh her an adulteress: and whosoever shall marry her when she is put away committeth adultery.

33 Again, ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34 but I say unto you, swear not at all; neither by the heaven, for it is the throne of God; 35 nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37 But let your speech be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil [one].

38 Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 but I say unto you, resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

43 Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy: 44 but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; 45 that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust. 46 For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others?] do not even the Gentiles the same? 48 Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (ASV).

Granted, Jesus' birth was remarkable, but his early disciples attached much more importance to what he did and to what he taught. Surely God never intended Christ's birth to eclipse his life as' a mature man.

See Part 2

 

[iris89]

HOW THE DATE OF DECEMBER 25 WAS INCORPORATED ALONG WITH THE MERRYMAKING:

To understand how the celebration of Christmas came to be in Christendom, we must understand the pagan celebration of the birth of the Sun or the Feast of Saturn [Feast of Sol Invicta, the Unconquered Sun, set in 274 A. D. (December 25)] wormed its way into so called Christianity we need to know the political and social climate of the first three centuries after the passing of Jesus (Yeshua) and his apostles, and why true faith deteriorated into compromise; and then total acceptance of pagan beliefs giving these pagan beliefs a so called Christian veneer. As Selena Fox said in her writing, Celebrating the Seasons Lore and Rituals, "Winter Solstice also known as Yule, Christmas, and Saturnalia, occurs in mid December. It celebrates the birth of the new Solar year and the beginning of Winter. The Goddess manifests as the Great Mother and the God as the Sun Child. The God also appears as Santa Claus and Old Man Winter. Colors are Red, Green, and White. This is a festival of inner renewal." Now how did Satan in keeping with 2 Corinthians 4:4, "in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn [upon them]" (ASV) get this pagan holiday turned into a so called Christian one and/or give it a so called Christian veneer? Let's find out.

By the third and fourth centuries, Christians were weary of Pagan persecution. The temptation was to compromise. Besides, the Pagan emperor Constantine needed Christians to salvage his shaky empire. Constantine embraced; howbeit only on his deathbed. However, he saw Christianity as a tool he could use to firm up his shaky empire. To this opportunity for political intrigue, and happy blend of politics and people was the chief triumvirate of Roman gods Jupiter, Juno and Minerva. Jupiter was the principal deity of Roman mythology and Juno was the next highest divinity. Minerva, the "offspring of the brain of Jupiter" was regarded as the "personification of divine thought, the plan of the material universe of which Jupiter was the creator and Juno the representative" ... Many Pagan ideas, in fact, were incorporated into Christianity. "Christianity did not destroy paganism; it adopted it" [source - McClintock & Strong's Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature, Vol. 6], and the celebration of the birth of the Sun Child was part and partial of it.

Roman Emperor Constantine needed to make his subjects feel secure if he were to maintain control of the empire; he wanted to rule a unified empire, be it pagan and/or Christian. But first he would have to find a way to end the dispute over the divinity of Jesus-was he a man or God? So he ordered his Christian bishops to meet at Nicaea in 325 A.D. to settle the matter once and for all. To do this, "he made himself the head of the church, and thus the problems of the church became his responsibilities. As a whole the Western Empire with its Roman influence, with some exceptions, had accepted Tertullian and his new theory of the Trinity in the early part of the previous century, but in the East the church adhered more closely to the older formula of baptism in the name of Jesus, or Jesus the Christ. Especially was this true with the Armenians, who specified that baptism "into the death of Christ" was that which alone was essential [source - (ENCYLOPEDIA BRITANNICA, 11th Edition, Vol. 3, (page 366)] .

Now let's see how Constantine got several pagan beliefs incorporated into so called Christianity, i.e., the Trinity, the celebration of the birth of Sun god, and Sundary as the sabbath. As previously shown, The Roman Empire at this time was being torn apart by religious differences between pagans, mostly Sun God worshippers, and Christianity. Constantine the Emporer was a worshipper of the Unconquered Sun, but he was a very pragmatic individual and saw the need to bring religious unity to his empire. The central doctrine of the pagans was the dogma of a Trinity and its associated celebration of the birth of the Sun god on December 25 that they had received from earlier pagans in Babylon (Chaldea). In this, the pagan Emperor, Constantine, saw a possibility for unifying his empire if he could only lead the majority of the Christians to accept a Trinity and the birth of the Sun god by giving it a so called Christian veneer. He knew however that he had to make them think it was their own idea. To this end, he, the Roman emperor Constantine, a pagan, summoned all bishops to Nicaea, about 300, but even though it was the emperor's direction, only a fraction actually attended.

This council went on for a very long time and the emperor worked behind the scene to get support for a Trinity and the celebration of the Sun god. This effort was not completely successful, but finally he got a majority and declared under imperial degree that this hence forth would be the central doctrinal pillar of the Christian church, which by this time was apostate. Even with this declaration by the emperor himself not all bishops signed the creed. [sources - Payne, Robert, "The Holy Fire: The Story of the Early Centuries of the Christian Churches in the Near East" (1957); BETHUNE-BAKER, J,F. "An Introduction to the Early History of Christian Doctrine". Methuen; 5th Ed., 1933 and ENCYLOPEDIA BRITANNICA, 11th Edition, Vol. 3, (page 366); David, Francis and Blandrata, Georgio, "De falsa et vera unius Dei Patris, Filii, et Spiritus Sancti cognitone" [Latin](The False and True Knowledge of the Unity of God the Father, Son, and Holy spirit), 1566 A.D.; Eklof, Todd F., "David's Francis Tower, Strength through Peace," (06-16-02); The New Encyclopedia Britannica: " Micropædia, Vol. X, p. 126. (1976); Parkes, James, "The Foundation of Judaism and Christianity," 1960; Durant, Will. "Caesar and Christ." New York: Simon. 1944. Vol. 3 of The Story of Civilization. 11 vols. 1935-75].

So the adoption of the Trinity and its associated celebration of the birth of the Sun god was the political product of an apostate church, an apostate church that allowed a pagan Roman Emporer, Constantine, to tell it which dogma to accept at the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D., and then have it rammed down their throats as blessed dogma by another Roman Emporer, Theodosius, at the Council of Constantinople in 381 A.D. This in direct violation of God's (YHWH's) word found in the Bible at James 4:4, " Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." (Authorized King James Bible; AV); and at John 15:19, " If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." (AV). Their solution was to create a creed making it illegal for anyone to believe Jesus was not the same as God by inventing the notion of a Trinity and attaching to it the celebration of the birth of the Sun god, but disquishing this by attaching Jesus/ (Yeshua's) name to the celebration in complete violation of God's (YHWH's) word. . This intellectual tower remained in full force for well over a thousand years, until the Reformation. [sources - Payne, Robert, "The Holy Fire: The Story of the Early Centuries of the Christian Churches in the Near East" (1957); BETHUNE-BAKER, J,F. "An Introduction to the Early History of Christian Doctrine". Methuen; 5th Ed., 1933 and ENCYLOPEDIA BRITANNICA, 11th Edition, Vol. 3, (page 366); David, Francis and Blandrata, Georgio, "De falsa et vera unius Dei Patris, Filii, et Spiritus Sancti cognitone" [Latin](The False and True Knowledge of the Unity of God the Father, Son, and Holy spirit), 1566 A.D.; Eklof, Todd F., "David's Francis Tower, Strength through Peace," (06-16-02); The New Encyclopedia Britannica: " Micropædia, Vol. X, p. 126. (1976); Parkes, James, "The Foundation of Judaism and Christianity," 1960; Durant, Will. "Caesar and Christ." New York: Simon. 1944. Vol. 3 of The Story of Civilization. 11 vols. 1935-75].

So now we can see what is looked upon by many as a Christian belief and a Christian celebration steming from it is anything but Christian, but just a God (YHWH) dishonoring pagan belief and celebration given a so called Christian veneer to hide the facts that it is nothing but paganism in disguise.

See Part 3

 

[iris89]

Part 3:

WHY ITS CONTINUANCE?

This celebration and the false pagan belief it stems from is the most popular, international celebration for merrymaking and marketing. Also, the customs of other winter festivals, especially those celebrated in northern Europe, were gradually incorporated into the Roman model. And in the 20th century, salesmen and marketing specialists enthusiastically promoted any custom that could generate hefty profits, i.e., it was both very profitable for the commercial secular interest and for the so called Christian churches that cared more for income than for the truth.

What has been the result? The celebration of Cluist's birth rather than the signiificance of his teachings and life have become of paramount importance. In fact, in many cases, even the mention of Christ has practically disappeared from the traditional Christmas. As noted in the Spanish newspaper El Pais, "[Christmas] is a world festival, of a family nature, and everyone celebrates what he or she sees in it." This comment reflects a growing practice in Spain and many other countries

The Christmas tree and the figure of Santa Claus are two striking examples of this trend of forgetting about Christ caused by the celebration of this disguised pagan holiday which is in keeping with exactly what the Devil desires; to wit, throughout the world while Christmas celebrations have become ever more extravagant, knowledge of Christ continues to diminishes. In essence, Christmas festivities have largely reverted to what they originally were in Roman times -revelry, feasting, and the exchanging of presents in celebration of the birth of the Sun god.

Traditional Christmas has little to do with Christ even on the surface, how should true Christians remember the birth and life of Christ? Seven centuries before Jesus' birth, Isaiah prophesied about him at Isaiah 9:6-7, " For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this." (ASV).

This was prophecy of Isaiah was echoed by the Angel Gabriel when he announced Jesus' (Yeshua's) coming birth to Mary at Luke 1:32-33, "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." (ASV). Clearly, the main significance ofJesus' birth lay in the work that Christ would accomplish as the appointed King of God's Kingdom. Christ's rule can benefit all, including you and your loved ones. This fact was highlighted at Luke 2:14, "peace on earth to those with whom [God] is pleased." (Today's English Version).

CONCLUSION AND LINKS:

All true Christians should break loose with respect accepting any pagan God (YHWH) dishonoring belief or celebration regardless of the veneer used to disguise its true nature in keeping with John 8:32, "and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (ASV); and Titus 2:1, "But speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine:" (ASV).

Links for additional information:

<http://media.isnet.org/antar/etc/AsalNatal.html>

<http://www.mlife.org/Jesus/christmas.html>

<http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org/tracts/tract3.html>

www.wiemersnet.com <http://www.wiemersnet.com/xmas.htm>.

APPENDIX:

Of course history testifies that faithful servants of God (YHWH) shunned such celebrations. For example,

"The Notion of a birthday festival was far from the ideas of the Christians of this perior in general. [source - The History of the Christian Religion and Church During the Three First Centuries, by Augustus Neander , 1848 (translated by Henry John Rose) Page 190].

And:

"In the Bible there is no instance of birthday celebrations among the Jews themselves. The example of Herod the tetrarch the celebration of whose birthday cost John the Baptist his life, cab scacely be regarded as such, the family to which he belonged being notorious for its adoption of heathen customs. In fact, the later Jews ar least regarded birthday celebrations as parts of idolatrous worship, and this probably on account of the idolatrous rites with which they were observed in honor of those who were regarded at the patron gods of the day on which the party was born."[source - Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, 1882, by John M'Clintock and James Strong, Volume I, page 817]

And:

"Of all the holy people in the Scriptures, no one is recorded to have kept a feast or held a great banquet on his birthday. It is only sinners...who make great rejoicing overthe day on which they were born into this world below."[source - The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1911, Volume X, page 709, quoting Origen Adamantius of the third century].

Only birthday celebrations or observances mentioned in the Bible were by pagans, let's look at several.

Genesis 40:20-22, "And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and the head of the chief baker among his servants. 21 And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand: 22 but he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them." (ASV); and Matthew 14:6-10, "But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst, and pleased Herod. 7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she should ask. 8 And she, being put forward by her mother, saith, Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist. 9 And the king was grieved; but for the sake of his oaths, and of them that sat at meat with him, he commanded it to be given; 10 and he sent and beheaded John in the prison." (ASV)

Lastly John 15:19 clearly says, "If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." (ASV).

Your Friend in Christ Iris89

 

[Scott1]

** MOD POST **
(23.) Long quoted posts will not be tolerated. If you want to quote an article, book, or quote please keep it to 4-6 sentences with a cite and link to the source.

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[iris89]

I am not quoting an article, I wrote all that myself.

 

[Scott1]

I am not quoting an article, I wrote all that myself.

WOW....Nifty posts.... carry on!

 

[iris89]

Hi SOGFPP vbmenu_register("postmenu_70289", true);

I am an independent researcher and write all my articles myself or with the assistance of the two greatest Koine Greek experts, Dr. Rolf Fruelie and Dr. Jason Beduhn and Bible scholar extraordinary Nat Price. My husband is a PhD. Theologian. My post tend to be long as I show proof/evidence for all I say either from scripture or from renown historical works, etc.

Your Friend in Christ Iris89

 

[t3gah]

** MOD POST **
(23.) Long quoted posts will not be tolerated. If you want to quote an article, book, or quote please keep it to 4-6 sentences with a cite and link to the source.

Forum Rules

If we users are restricted to short posts shouldn't the "New Thread" utility be changed from 10,000 characters to something else?:sarcastic

 

[Scott1]

If we users are restricted to short posts shouldn't the "New Thread" utility be changed from 10,000 characters to something else?:sarcastic

A question better asked in the Site Feedback forum or in a PM to Rex_Admin.