No Church or organization is without Sin

[Jeremy Mason]

i agree that love certainly becomes the dominating factor once we come to know God... but it never is at the beginning. In fact, i'd say that it is because of the promises of salvation that people take the time to learn more in the first place.... and i've seen this over and over again.

People first learn the benefits, and as their faith and knowledge grows, so does their love for God and their willingness to obey his laws. It takes time & knowledge before motivation sets in.

Perhaps for some, but I started at the starting line.

the number one thing to remember is this: 1John 5:3 For this is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome,

I see no commandment regarding birthdays or holidays.

there are requirements to be met...and those requirements are found right throughout the christian scriptures. So we can't claim that we are all going to be saved unless we are observing and obeying the commandments.

The New Testament contains all the rules Christians are to follow. Yes, I use the Old Testament to clarify or further my reference, but I see no prohibition concerning holidays or birthdays.

Its not Pharisaical to inform people of those commandments is it? It would be Pharisaical to 'add' to the commandments, i agree.

I think you are adding and therefore, Pharisaical.

Revelation 22:18 (NIV)

18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.

But when salvation is dependent upon our subjection and obedience, then its absolutely necessary to ensure that we include those things in our teachings. People need to know what those commandment are dont they?

Yes but I see people in your church adding to what already is there. You can justify your beliefs, but other people who have read the Bible are coming to the realization that shunning children's folklore is of no value. I am one of them. :yes:

Edit: I thought I was on my thread. LOL! In regards to the OP, It is clear that no church is without sin.

 

[savagewind]

i agree that love certainly becomes the dominating factor once we come to know God... but it never is at the beginning. In fact, i'd say that it is because of the promises of salvation that people take the time to learn more in the first place.... and i've seen this over and over again.

I do not understand how the salvation of a person begins with their desire for salvation. I read Jesus saying "whoever will save his soul will lose it".

Luke 9: 23 And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. 24 "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. 25 "For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?

I hear you saying to save your soul is to obey the commandments of God. If that's true then it is obedience that saves not love that saves.

 

[Pegg]

I see no commandment regarding birthdays or holidays.



The New Testament contains all the rules Christians are to follow. Yes, I use the Old Testament to clarify or further my reference, but I see no prohibition concerning holidays or birthdays.

we are not the only christians to recognize birthdays as a pagan practice. The early christians are noted for not celebrating birthdays. And even the earlies church historians mention this as a fact. For example Origin says ‘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 (like Pharaoh and Herod) who make great rejoicings over the day on which they were born into this world below.’”—The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913, Vol. X, p. 709.


Why do you think the early christians didnt celebrate birthdays?

Do you think their example is not worth anything??

 

[Jeremy Mason]

we are not the only christians to recognize birthdays as a pagan practice. The early christians are noted for not celebrating birthdays. And even the earlies church historians mention this as a fact. For example Origin says ‘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 (like Pharaoh and Herod) who make great rejoicings over the day on which they were born into this world below.’”—The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913, Vol. X, p. 709.


Why do you think the early christians didnt celebrate birthdays?

Do you think their example is not worth anything??

Back over to my thread:
http://www.religiousforums.com/foru...3-christians-birthdays-other-holidays-32.html

My apologies to the thread.