Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
I believe it's worthwhile to reflect upon what is meant in the above verse. What does vain deceit after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ refer to?
First we have to see if we can find in traditions where the Lord has authorized those in His word. From my understanding of scripture I can't find where God has given any commandments or authorization for religious traditions. Other the other hand I have found much to the contrary.
In a close examination of Sunday worship and Sunday being God's day of rest; that is not found in God's word at all. That would have to come under the heading of man's philosophic doctrines: wouldn't it?
Exodus 35:2 Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.
Today, many claim Sunday is the Lord's day and yet Sunday is the first day of the week not the Seventh. Saturday is the seventh day and that also coincides with the Jewish calendar.
If people were truly kept the Sabbath they would not leave their house and their food, it would be unleavened and all the food for two days time would be prepared the day before the Sabbath. If God had us placed under the law today, we would have all be stoned to death from not keeping it the way he authorized it.
Exodus 16:29 See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.
Thank God we today are not under the law but under grace and we can worship any day of the week and neither are we confined to our homes or do we prepare out food on Friday and have it unleavened for Saturday. Actually Sunday or any day is good for fellowship and Sunday of course is the one day of the week fewer people work and can fellowship. However, I believe it's contrary to God's word to remotely think of Sunday as being the Sabbath, or that God has ordained it as such. I believe that precept has come from man's philosophy that God has commanded believers to avoid.
Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Man's philosophies are built on traditions and the rudiments {Facts built on tradition instead of God's word} of the world.
The most popular religious holy day of man's religions is Christmas.
The tradition in it is awesome and none of it is either biblical or authorized by God.
Galatians 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
I believe God has made it clear; He has given us complete instructions in what he expects from believers.
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Verse 17 states that the man of God can be perfect {mature} and completely furnished for all good works from God's word {provided we rightly divide it, 2 Timothy 2:14}
Since God has given us His complete instructions in his word and since Christmas is not found in there, I do believe God's silence is His way of telling us not to do it. Here are some verses to back that up.
Romans 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
In addition, the three wise men visiting Christ in a manger is myth as well. The account in God's word says wise men and never states how many and that they honored him at his house and not in a manger.
Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Please also notice scripture never says Christ was an infant {another myth} but a young child.
The tradition of a tree is pagan and is thousands of years old.
Jeremiah 10:2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
I have heard many people tell me since there is no harm it, then it�s a good thing to do.
I tell people, it really doesn't matter what they do if they are not saved. If a person is saved and has a relationship with the Lord it matters a great deal for we all will stand before one day to give an account for our service to him. We will be judged by his word and our works tried by fire. That He has magnified above His name. My point being if God says there is no good in doing His birthday {which no one knows when} and the Lord sure told Israel not to do it; why would the Lord change His mind now?
Psalms 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
1 Corinthians 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
Please notice the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God and He will take the wise in their own craftiness.
Religion shouldn't be about us or what we want to do, but our religion should be what Christ's will is for us as believer and God has given us is will is in His word.
Also the Lord has made it clear that which is popular among men is an abomination to him.
Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Should anyone be wondering if I'm a member of the Jehovah Witness cult, that I am not. They do have to have some truth to seem of God don't they? I'm sure there are some saved souls in that cult as there are some in all cults, sects and denominations.
There are far more of man's philosophic traditions I haven't touched upon but if anyone should be interested, {I will be shocked if there is. Lol} I will gladly share.
I hope none take offense to what God's word says, but should some be please feel free to comment and I will comment back with just scripture and not pick anyone individual out for my replies.
TwoSparrows, you stated, And why not celebrate some of the old testament traditions which still apply as a shawdow of the reality of what Jesus has done for us; such as Passover and the Day of Atonement. Even the Sabbth has value in remembering that we are not saved by our works. And what about Firstfruits; recognizing Gods provision for us.
First of all, I do believe the old testament traditions were not traditions, but were ordinances within the Law and back when God was dealing with Israel as a nation, their religious worship was mostly physical worship with physical blessings. Today in the Church, Israel has been set aside temporarily until fullness of the Gentiles comes in.
The traiditions were done by the Pharisees and scribes and not by those who obeyed God for God had given detailed instructions and none included God�s law as reflected by Christ in the following verses.
Matthew 15:2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Mark 7:8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;
13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:
15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.
16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
The only godly tradition I have found in scripture is when we obey God�s instructions to follow after Christ {Obey his word as rightly divided in scripture}.
2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
That's about the only answer I know to give to your reply. Since I'm not into tradition; I'm not an expert on man's traditions.
I should have been more specific when I wrote this down.
I do not find anywhere that says one man is to pray for eveyone,Except if one is the High Priest..
What i should have said is:
When the people meet together,one man usually says ;Let's pray.
Yet that one man is the only one who prays.
They say this is done because people do not want to be embarassed,or for time sake.
These are sickology ploys to keep the people from knowing who they are in Yehsua.
And to keep them from knowing their postion and authority in Yeshua.
The word ;LET's means:
Let us,yet with these men there is no US,there is only themselves.
When this happens,are we not resurrecting the office of the High Priest again.
I thought Yeshua is our High Priest.
Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
I for one know my position and authority in Yeshua,yet He still reveals more about this to me each day.
Gary;i trust ABBA will give to you a Blessed and safe day/week
You stated, "Honestly, I had a hard time reading your whole comment. The KJV is notoriously hard to comprehend. Not only does vernacular change over time, but so does connotation. If you could use a translation like the NASB or ESV, that would be much appreciated."
If, you really want to know the content of the scriptures I gave, why not use your own bible and look up the verses? It would be an almost impossible task to give all the various versions to everyone's choice of the bible, not to mention the time involved. However, thanks for your suggestions.
You stated, "Regarding your first point about the Sabbath, picking which day is the first day of the week, and which is the 7th is like trying to pick where a circle begins and ends. Most people would say Sunday is the 7th day of the week, and treat it accordingly, so continuing to say that Sunday is the first day of the week doesn't really get you anywhere."
I don't under your confusion about which day is the seventh day of the week. Both the Julian and Jewish calendars have the same standard of Saturday being the last day of the week and Sunday being the first. Why would you become confused over an accepted standard?
Tulip, you stated, "In Matthew you see Jesus walking with his disciples, and when they pick wheat to eat on the Sabbath, Jesus does not rebuke his disciple. Coupled with the many times Jesus breaks the rules and traditions of the Jewish Sabbath, you have to admit that it seems to be okay not to follow the letter of the Old Testament Law when observing the Sabbath."
The reason Christ was able to break the rules on the Sabbath, is because he fulfilled the Law when he completed His very last act of keeping the law perfectly and never broke it. He fulfilled the last act of keeping the law when He was water baptized by John the Baptist.
Matthew 3:14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
15 And Jesus answering said unto him, suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
I hope you will look up the above verses in your own version of choice because this was where Christ completed keeping the Law. Being the author of the law and fulfilling all righteousness as stated in verse 15 gave Christ all the license He need to depart from the instructions {traditions} of the Sabbath or that of any other ordinance contained within the Law. That is why the Lord told Peter in a dream to eat the meats that were previously forbidden under the law. In addition, this made it possible for Peter to share a meal with a Gentile. Please notice Christ never changed any of His moral laws that apply to both Jews and Gentiles. Only the ordinance contained within the Mosaic Law such as water baptism, the Passover, Tithing, Head Shaving, Circumcision, and many others. I'm sure you get the picture now of what an ordinance is if you shouldn't know.
Many professing Christians observe Tithing, Water Baptism, the perversion of the Passover, coined Communion by the Roman Catholic Church and passed down to the Protestant system of religion. These same believers than consider themselves keeping these ordinances as good works and ignore the rest of them such as head shaving, circumcision {circumcision for religious purposes} the Passover many others. If the Law and if these ordinances were still in effect today they would all be stoned to death under the law, just for going outside their dwelling on the Sabbath and not eating unleavened food.
The good news is The Mosaic Law and all of its ordinances were blotted out and abolished when Christ was nailed to the cross!
There is now no profit in keeping one bit of the law, not one jot or tittle for believers are now under grace and are not to observe any of the law in any form.
Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
16 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:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
I also know this contrary to many sectarian doctrines, however, this is what God has stated.
The law was types of Christ personality and the ordinances, shadows of who Christ is, but now that He has come and fulfilled all righteousness we don't need the temporary appeasement from sin that the Law provided; for now we have the real thing, Christ's Holy Spirit to dwell in us from just believing.
Galatians 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Tulip you stated, " You have a point about the Wise Men, but I didn't know people still actually thought they came to visit him in the manger. Be careful not to mix up Secular Christmas with Christian Christmas. A Christmas tree has nothing to do with real Christian Christmas, but at the same time, while it has Pagan roots, the meaning has changed with time. As with language, the meaning of an action can change with time. Was the act of cutting down and decorating a tree sinful in and of itself, or was the actual sin the fact they were doing it to worship man-made "gods"? Time and time again, you see that Jesus is far more concerned with people's hearts. We celebrate Christmas not as a birthday party for God, but because we rejoice in the coming of our Savior, at the dawning of Hope, as a time to remember. Secular aspects have crept in over the years, but there is still a whole lot or right about the original tradition of Christmas."
You stated, "To be careful not to mix up secular Christmas with Christian Christmas,"
Can you back that statement up from God's word? If not then I take it, that is your own version of Christianity and might add the belief of millions of professing believers as well as that of the unsaved.
In reality Christmas is not found in Scripture, however the Lord has a lot to say about observing days, months, etc. and about the popularity of it with the world {saved and unsaved}.
Galatians 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Esaias the Prophet said it best about people's religions.
Matthew 15:7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Tulip you stated, "A Christmas tree has nothing to do with real Christian Christmas, but at the same time, while it has Pagan roots, the meaning has changed with time."
The tree of pagan roots in this case is Christmas, and if the roots are pagan, the tree is still pagan for God has not authorized or blessed any of it. If he did God would be a liar, for he told Israel not to follow after the heathen, for God's nature does not change.
The Lord stated it far better than I about roots.
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Tulip you stated, "As with language, the meaning of an action can change with time. Was the act of cutting down and decorating a tree sinful in and of itself, or was the actual sin the fact they were doing it to worship man-made "gods"? Time and time again, you see that Jesus is far more concerned with people's hearts.?
Tulip, I see the above statements you made were from your reasoning {our carnal minds} and not from God's word. It's interesting that you cannot justify Christmas from God's word but can only do so from your mind. Let me show you what Christ says about people's hearts and minds.
Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
I don't know your heart or your relationship with Christ so please take my above statements in general terms and they do address what happens when we justify the things of God with our minds and hearts rather from His word.
That is why in our natural state dictates we can only honor Christ with our lips and not with our hearts, because we are born with a heart far from the Lord and only He can change it though faith and not by works.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Romans 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
I believe the Lord has already given all his instructions in His word that will honor him and for believers to become mature in their faith and to make us complete in His eyes.
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
When we add to God's word as you have suggested, I believe we sin again Christ as stated in the book of Romans.
Romans 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Christ says we worship by faith and not by sight. A Christmas tree is by sight, with the pretty lights, the silver and gold trim and bulbs that hang and let's not forget the nice balsam smell and the nail and hammer, ops, the metal stand that makes it stand up right is about the biggest change in several thousand years. We mustn't forget the biggest change from pagan Babylon where the tradition of the tree originated that is the lights that blink on and off.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
As you know the Lord has given us a free will to have our religion before him in whatever way we want. I believe this is how the Lord separates the wheat from the chaff. If people would study to show themselves approved by studying the word and walking in it, the Lord will honor that for faith comes from believing God instead of doing our own thing according to our own lights. The only way we can learn God's will for our life is after we study his word and compare scripture with scripture and if we are saved, the Holy Spirit will put it together for us. Most people however go by how they feel, they reason with their minds, or the popularity of something and that leads them astray from God's word.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
1 Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. {wouldn't confidence in the flesh be what we see, feel, smell?}
I believe all the above is God's word but it's up to the individual wither they want to believe God or go by their own feelings and understanding.
