My question is: as christians do we celebrate Christmas? And what is the significance of December 25^th to Jesus Christ?  Thank you!

Sincerely,
Holly And Jolly

Dear Holly And Jolly,

Many people believe Christmas to be a spiritual holiday, but the Bible never commands us to celebrate Jesus’ birth on December 25^th (the truth is, no one knows when Jesus was born, but it was most likely in the spring or summer because the shepherds were out – Lk 2:15).  Christians are commanded to remember Jesus’ death every first day of the week (Acts 20:7, 1 Cor 11:24-25)… we are never commanded to remember His birth on an annual basis.  Christmas is not a biblical holiday.  There is nothing wrong with celebrating it as a family holiday, but it is wrong to teach that there is a biblical foundation to it.

Christmas can be traced back to the Roman pagan holiday of Winter Solstice (also known as ‘Saturnalia’ because it was in worship of the god, Saturn).  As Catholicism tried to integrate itself into a pagan Roman world, Christmas was instituted by Pope Julius I on December 25^th as a way to assimilate the pagans into a Catholic worldview.  In short, Christmas has never been a truly biblical holiday; it is a manmade tradition with no bearings upon your salvation.

I'm a new christian, but there is so much that I do not understand; one of the things that I need to know is: when I was in the Baptist church, I learned to take communion every first Sunday.  Now, I'm in a different church, and there is no communion… just once a year washing of the feet as Mary did for Jesus, so when I heard that one of the ministries on TV was giving communion last week, I also took part while at home.  Was I wrong, or should I only do feet washing?  Thank you for taking the time to answer.

Sincerely,
Clean Toes

Dear Clean Toes,

The church should take communion every Sunday.  In fact, the subject is so clear that it is an evident sign that a congregation isn’t biblically sound if they don’t take it every Sunday.  In Acts 20:7, we see that the church, including the apostle Paul, gathered on the first day of the week to take the Lord’s Supper.  We are told to follow the example of the apostles (1 Cor 11:1).  In the New Testament, the church took the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, and we should, too.

On a separate but related note, we never see feet washing as a part of the worship service of the church.  Though there are examples of feet washing in the Bible, none of those examples are a part of congregational worship.  The church you are attending is failing to take communion when the Bible says to, and it is adding feet washing as worship when the Bible never teaches that… God warns against adding or subtracting from His Word (Rev 22:18-19).

(This is a follow-up to “EGPs”)

I have to respond to your demonology answer.  Yes, I believe that demons are not subject to humans truly living in the name of Jesus, but I believe the Lord allows evil to dwell in ignorance.  I myself, along with many other investigators, have experienced scientific proof of ghosts (demons) in electronic voices and documentation.  You can’t really believe that this is just a delusion that hundreds of millions of people are experiencing.  I believe this is Satan using one of his strongest powers, which is the power of deception, to make people believe that some people stay on earth when they die instead of going either to heaven or hell.  There are many cases of possession, such as the case of Anneliese Michel and countless others.  If not for demons, what else could this be?  There has to be a logical answer to ghosts, psychics, possessions, and voodoo besides delusion.  Could it be the deception of a demon?  Thank you.

Sincerely,
Demonologist

Dear Demonologist,

There is definitely deception from demons in this world.  All false teaching and beliefs are doctrines from demons (1 Tim 4:1).  Demons do not directly interact with mankind anymore, as we mentioned in the previous post… this would include supposed ghost encounters, etc.  However, Satan and his minions are actively involved in deceiving mankind.  Demons are false gods, and they are the recipients of all false worship (1 Cor 10:20).  There is no doubt that demons are deluding mankind, but you may be barking up the wrong tree as to how they are doing it.

Our pastor told us that when the offering is taken up, you do not ask God to bless those who did not have anything to give when the person is praying over the offering.

Sincerely,
Blessingless

Dear Blessingless,

That is utter rubbish.  God tells us to pray for the sick (Jas 5:14), the poor (Ps 86:1), our enemies (Matt 5:44), etc.  God tells us to pray for all mankind (1 Tim 2:1).  Any religious leader that is telling people that those who don’t put money into the collection don’t deserve to be prayed for is attempting to shame people into giving money.  It is a horrible and reprehensible practice used by men who are greedy and covetous (1 Tim 6:10).  Don’t walk – RUN from any church that uses this sort of money-grubbing practice.

If I think the pastor is adding or taking away from the Word (for example, he says some things written in the Bible are incorrect), should I continue under him?

Sincerely,
Basic Math

Dear Basic Math,

The Bible is perfect, and we all need to be very careful not to add or take away from the Scriptures (Rev 22:18-19).  We all need to learn to not go beyond what the Lord has written (1 Cor 4:6).  The reason for this is because anyone that willfully teaches or perverts the Scriptures is bound for hell (Gal 1:6-8).  If your pastor is saying the Bible is incorrect – he is wrong.  The Bible is just fine; he is the one that is in trouble.  Leave that congregation immediately and seek a faithful church.  As you can see, all churches are not the Lord’s church.  If you would like help finding a faithful church in your area, e-mail us at askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org, and we will do our best to put you in contact with a congregation in your area.