Beliefs and Customs That Displease God – ???✝️????

[Bible Speaks]

Beliefs and Customs That Displease God

???✝️????

What kind of beliefs and customs are wrong? (1)

Should Christians believe that God is a Trinity? (2)

Why do true Christians not celebrate Christmas, Easter, or birthdays? (3, 4)

Can the dead harm the living? (5)

Did Jesus die on a cross? (6)

How important is it to please God? (7)

1. Not all beliefs and customs are bad. But God does not approve of them if they come from false religion or are against Bible teachings.—Matthew 15:6.

2. Trinity: Is Jehovah a Trinity—three persons in one God? No! Jehovah, the Father, is “the only true God.” (John 17:3; Mark 12:29) Jesus is His firstborn Son, and he is subject to God. (1 Corinthians 11:3) The Father is greater than the Son. (John 14:28) The holy spirit is not a person; it is God’s active force.—Genesis 1:2; Acts 2:18.

3. Christmas and Easter: Jesus was not born on December 25. He was born about October 1, a time of year when shepherds kept their flocks out-of-doors at night. (Luke 2:8-12) Jesus never commanded Christians to celebrate his birth. Rather, he told his disciples to memorialize, or remember, his death. (Luke 22:19, 20) Christmas and its customs come from ancient false religions. The same is true of Easter customs, such as the use of eggs and rabbits. The early Christians did not celebrate Christmas or Easter, nor do true Christians today.

4. Birthdays: The only two birthday celebrations spoken of in the Bible were held by persons who did not worship Jehovah. (Genesis 40:20-22; Mark 6:21, 22, 24-27) The early Christians did not celebrate birthdays. The custom of celebrating birthdays comes from ancient false religions. True Christians give gifts and have good times together at other times during the year.

5. Fear of the Dead: The dead cannot do anything or feel anything. We cannot help them, and they cannot hurt us. (Psalm 146:4; Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10) The soul dies; it does not live on after death. (Ezekiel 18:4) But sometimes wicked angels, called demons, pretend to be the spirits of the dead. Any customs that have to do with fear of or worship of the dead are wrong.—Isaiah 8:19.

6. Cross: Jesus did not die on a cross. He died on a pole, or a stake. The Greek word translated “cross” in many Bibles meant just one piece of timber. The symbol of the cross comes from ancient false religions. The cross was not used or worshiped by the early Christians. Therefore, do you think it would be right to use a cross in worship?—Deuteronomy 7:26; 1 Corinthians 10:14.

7. It may be very hard to abandon some of these beliefs and customs. Relatives and friends may try to convince you not to change your beliefs. But pleasing God is more important than pleasing men.—Proverbs 29:25; Matthew 10:36, 37.

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2005006?q=customs+that+displease+god&p=par

[Srecko Sostar]

 Mat 1:18- "This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about : ...

Luke 2:11- "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ..."

Mat. 2:11- "On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." 

This is the third mentioned birthday in the Bible besides two you mentioned. And as we all very clearly can see it is nothing against God if people rejoicing and giving present to person that was born on particular day.

Children that has been killed by Herod are not killed because birthday party for Jesus (angels, great company of heaven, shepherds, parents, singing, gifts) but because Herod.

Thanks for good post :)))      

 

[Bible Speaks]

6 minutes ago, Srecko Sostar said:

 Mat 1:18- "This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about : ...

Luke 2:11- "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ..."

Mat. 2:11- "On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." 

This is the third mentioned birthday in the Bible besides two you mentioned. And as we all very clearly can see it is nothing against God if people rejoicing and giving present to person that was born on particular day.

Children that has been killed by Herod are not killed because birthday party for Jesus (angels, great company of heaven, shepherds, parents, singing, gifts) but because Herod.

Thanks for good post :)))      

 

@Srecko Sostar

BIRTHDAY

So Read this please, the Jews did not believe in Birthdays neither did Jesus. He instituted the only day for worship. The Memorial of His Death. Why? It was life giving to those that were His Followers. 

Notice when Birthdays began also! The day or anniversary of one’s birth; in Hebrew, yohm hul·leʹdheth (Ge 40:20) and in Greek, ge·neʹsi·a (Mt 14:6; Mr 6:21).

The Hebrews kept records of the year one was born, as the Bible’s genealogical and chronological data reveal. (Nu 1:2, 3; Jos 14:10; 2Ch 31:16, 17) The ages of Levites, priests, and kings were not left to guesswork. (Nu 4:3; 8:23-25; 2Ki 11:21; 15:2; 18:2) This was also true in the case of Jesus.—Lu 2:21, 22,42; 3:23.

According to the Scriptures, the day the baby was born was usually one of rejoicing and thanksgiving on the part of the parents, and rightly so, for “look! Sons are an inheritance from Jehovah; the fruitage of the belly is a reward.” (Ps 127:3; Jer 20:15; Lu 1:57, 58) However, there is no indication in the Scriptures that faithful worshipers of Jehovah ever indulged in the pagan practice of annually celebrating birthdays.

The Bible makes direct reference to only two birthday celebrations, those of Pharaoh of Egypt (18th century B.C.E.) and Herod Antipas (1st century C.E.). These two accounts are similar in that both occasions were marked with great feasting and granting of favors; both are remembered for executions, the beheading of Pharaoh’s chief baker in the first instance, the beheading of John the Baptizer in the latter.—Ge 40:18-22; 41:13; Mt 14:6-11; Mr 6:21-28.

While the expression “on the day of our king,” at Hosea 7:5, may possibly indicate a birthday party for the apostate king of Israel when the princes “sickened themselves . . . because of wine,” it could as easily be the anniversary day of his accession to the throne when similar festivities were held.

When Job’s sons “held a banquet at the house of each one on his own day” it should not be supposed that they were celebrating their birthdays. (Job 1:4) “Day” in this verse translates the Hebrew word yohm and refers to a period of time from sunrise to sunset. On the other hand, “birthday” is a compound of the two Hebrew words yohm (day) and hul·leʹdheth. The distinction between “day” and one’s birthday may be noted in Genesis 40:20, where both expressions appear: “Now on the third day [yohm] it turned out to be Pharaoh’s birthday [literally, “the day (yohm) of the birth (hul·leʹdheth) of Pharaoh”].” So it is certain that Job 1:4does not refer to a birthday, as is unquestionably the case at Genesis 40:20. It would seem that Job’s seven sons held a family gathering (possibly a spring or harvest festival) and as the feasting made the week-long circuit, each son hosted the banquet in his own house “on his own day.”

With the introduction of Christianity the viewpoint toward birthday celebrations did not change. Jesus inaugurated a binding Memorial, not of his birth, but of his death, saying: “Keep doing this in remembrance of me.” (Lu 22:19) If early Christians did not celebrate or memorialize the birthday of their Savior, much less would they celebrate their own day of birth. Historian Augustus Neander writes: “The notion of a birthday festival was far from the ideas of the Christians of this period.” (The History of the Christian Religion and Church, During the Three First Centuries, translated by H. J. Rose, 1848, p. 190) “Origen [a writer of the third century C.E.] . . . insists that ‘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.

Clearly, then, the festive celebration of birthdays does not find its origin in either the Hebrew or the Greek Scriptures. Additionally, M’Clintock and Strong’s Cyclopædia (1882, Vol. I, p. 817) says the Jews “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 as the patron gods of the day on which the party was born.”

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200000749#h=1

[Srecko Sostar]

1 hour ago, Bible Speaks said:

Jesus inaugurated

Jesus never told nothing against custom or people who celebrate birthday. What Bible report said that he proclaimed how celebrating birthday is a sin, against God? But he counted some other things as bad, didn't he?

Wedding rings, white dress for bride, cake, wedding anniversary (aka birthday of marriage) and similar customs have "pagan" source, but still JW members doing this all and more. So please, be kind and look both side of medal.

What today JW or anyone else have with Jewish customs and traditions? But you put all that as role models and guidance as  something that will pleased God if we imitate. Did not God all that Jewish stuffs live in fire and dust? 

And Jesus was not "ordinary" Jew. Why you compare him with other people of his time. He came to change everything from the very fundament. Not only to change but to replace all that what Jewish had. He is the first one who sit and eat and fun with sinners, HE changed The LAW with such behaviour. And you today have problem if somebody want to memorize the day of birth. Awake dear   

 

[Bible Speaks]

Birthday

Definition: The day of one’s birth or the anniversary of that day. In some places the anniversary of one’s birth, especially that of a child, is celebrated with a party and the giving of gifts. Not a Biblical practice.

Do Bible references to birthday celebrations put them in a favorable light? The Bible makes only two references to such celebrations:

Gen. 40:20-22: “Now on the third day it turned out to be Pharaoh’s birthday, and he proceeded to make a feast . . . Accordingly he returned the chief of the cupbearers to his post of cupbearer . . . But the chief of the bakers he hung up.”

Matt. 14:6-10: “When Herod’s birthday was being celebrated the daughter of Herodias danced at it and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Then she, under her mother’s coaching, said: ‘Give me here upon a platter the head of John the Baptist.’ . . . He sent and had John beheaded in the prison.”

Everything that is in the Bible is there for a reason. (2 Tim. 3:16, 17) Jehovah’s Witnesses take note that God’s Word reports unfavorably about birthday celebrations and so shun these.

How did early Christians and Jews of Bible times view birthday celebrations?

“The notion of a birthday festival was far from the ideas of the Christians of this period in general.”—The History of the Christian Religion and Church, During the Three First Centuries (New York, 1848), Augustus Neander (translated by Henry John Rose), p. 190.

“The later Hebrews looked on the celebration of birthdays as a part of idolatrous worship, a view which would be abundantly confirmed by what they saw of the common observances associated with these days.”—The Imperial Bible-Dictionary (London, 1874), edited by Patrick Fairbairn, Vol. I, p. 225.

What is the origin of popular customs associated with birthday celebrations?

“The various customs with which people today celebrate their birthdays have a long history. Their origins lie in the realm of magic and religion. The customs of offering congratulations, presenting gifts and celebrating—complete with lighted candles—in ancient times were meant to protect the birthday celebrant from the demons and to ensure his security for the coming year. . . . Down to the fourth century Christianity rejected the birthday celebration as a pagan custom.”—Schwäbische Zeitung (magazine supplement Zeit und Welt), April 3/4, 1981, p. 4.

“The Greeks believed that everyone had a protective spirit or daemon who attended his birth and watched over him in life. This spirit had a mystic relation with the god on whose birthday the individual was born. The Romans also subscribed to this idea. . . . This notion was carried down in human belief and is reflected in the guardian angel, the fairy godmother and the patron saint. . . . The custom of lighted candles on the cakes started with the Greeks. . . . Honey cakes round as the moon and lit with tapers were placed on the temple altars of [Artemis]. . . . Birthday candles, in folk belief, are endowed with special magic for granting wishes. . . . Lighted tapers and sacrificial fires have had a special mystic significance ever since man first set up altars to his gods. The birthday candles are thus an honor and tribute to the birthday child and bring good fortune. . . . Birthday greetings and wishes for happiness are an intrinsic part of this holiday. . . . Originally the idea was rooted in magic. . . . Birthday greetings have power for good or ill because one is closer to the spirit world on this day.”—The Lore of Birthdays (New York, 1952), Ralph and Adelin Linton, pp. 8, 18-20.

Wholesome gatherings of family and friends at other times to eat, drink, and rejoice are not objectionable

Eccl. 3:12, 13: “There is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good during one’s life; and also that every man should eat and indeed drink and see good for all his hard work. It is the gift of God.”

See also 1 Corinthians 10:31.

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101989214

[Srecko Sostar]

1 hour ago, Bible Speaks said:

the Jews did not believe in Birthdays neither did Jesus

I do not understand the semantic in your wording choice, selection

"I do not believe in birthday."

What is "birthday" that anyone should believe in that? :)))

[Srecko Sostar]

6 minutes ago, Bible Speaks said:

Not a Biblical practice

 

6 minutes ago, Bible Speaks said:

“There is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good during one’s life; and also that every man should eat and indeed drink and see good for all his hard work. It is the gift of God.

Dear BS, Biblical practice is very wide concept. And some Bible practice that God JHVH allowed and even commanded through the law, prophets, priests and kings is something that would not be good to practice today. Do not "force" me :))) to count bible reports about old Jew practice.

[John Houston]

Sostar, please be "forced"! I want to hear this!

[Srecko Sostar]

1 hour ago, John Houston said:

I want to hear this!

hehe, ok i will take time, not immediately, please be little patient, and will pick few things that was "biblical" practice of old Jew nation. Such things, rules, paragraphs was incorporate in the Law, and by that legislative body in Israel nation was just obey what God has said (if God said that!?) and legalised practice, custom and rules that, in fact was not, i think, something specific for nation of Israel only, but for all or many other nations way of dealing with similar life matters in those time.   

[Srecko Sostar]

Biblical practice that was legalized on the level of religious and political authority in the Israeli people.

As all Bible books are inspired, than this particular text, reports are given by authority of god through Moses and other leaders in those patriarchal days are also for benefit not only for past days but for this days too :)). But it should be borne in mind that such customs, in fact laws, war laws and other laws, are not unique to the Israeli nation alone. This was the case with the nations that existed before Israel, during Israel and after Israel.

So, that is how we come to the first question. Why does the Israeli newborn nation have, as some today presume, "exalted, superior moral laws", but in these decrees, are the same as the laws of pagan peoples.  

Go through  books, Numbers 31, Deuteronomy 13:16;  20:14; Judge 5:30, and especially for this comment i would put accent on Deuteronomy 21:10-14. After reading verses and context, ask your conscience as first step - Would you do that as male, soldier for god?? How would you respond if your family been attacked  from such soldiers? And if you female - how would you feel that strangers kill your family and took you with them as war spoil? To take you because you are beautiful and virgin, because he, soldier want you? What is inspired and divine and loving in such commands?

But, hey this is normal practice for pagans and normal "bible" practice for god's chosen people. 

Here we come to issue of slavery. . When the Bible refers to female slaves who do not “please” their masters, we’re talking about the sexual use of slaves. Likewise when the Bible spells out the conditions for marrying a slave (see Exodus 21:7-11).   We have examples as Abraham and Sara. Sara gave her female slave to be sexual slave to her husband for particular reason. We have Joseph who has been  in young age, slave for others, but later he became lord, dynast and have own slaves, and generating slavery in Egypt, in time of food shortage. We can talk also about, military slavery,  debt slavery and economic slavery  for reasons of natural catastrophes and social problems on small or grand scale. 

If someone think that slavery has been better, more compassionate, more merciful in Israel then in "pagan" nations i will put ? on that. 

To go back on the beginning of post, practice and customs in old Israel  today causing disgust and disbelief in modern people's life even, i supposed in the mind of every normal JW member. Celebrating birth of own child looks very harmless and innocent to me.

Have a good day and night without nightmares after picturing, visualize yourself bible events and customs and practice about which you will never hear, study in public talks or study editions of WT  

   

 

[Queen Esther]

We only celebrate a little the first days, when a Baby was born, bec. SO much joy   After that its finished with birthdays !   JESUS  NEVER  celebrated his birthday, NOBODY  knows this exactly day.  Maria and Joseph made it perfect !  Who are WE,  that we want celebrate it ?  JESUS is SO much bigger than all humans...  we've NO right to do that.  Only our last day is importend, if we were loyal in the Truth ! 

So we learned it from the Bible,  Jesus'  last day,  the 14. Nisan❤️  the highest ceremony for us JW !   THANK YOU JEHOVAH❤️  THANK YOU JESUS❤️

[Srecko Sostar]

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."