The Christian History of Halloween
It has become routine in October for some Christian schools to send out letters warning parents about the evils of Halloween, and it has become equally routine for me to be asked questions about this matter.
“Halloween” is simply a contraction for All Hallows’ Eve. The word “hallow” means “saint,” in that “hallow” is just an alternative form of the word “holy” (“hallowed be Thy name”). All Saints’ Day is November 1. It is the celebration of the victory of the saints in union with Christ. The observance of various celebrations of All Saints arose in the late 300s, and these were united and fixed on November 1 in the late 700s. The origin of All Saints Day and of All Saints Eve in Mediterranean Christianity had nothing to do with Celtic Druidism or the Church’s fight against Druidism (assuming there ever even was any such thing as Druidism, which is actually a myth concocted in the 19th century by neo-pagans.)
In the First Covenant, the war between God’s people and God’s enemies was fought on the human level against Egyptians, Assyrians, etc. With the coming of the New Covenant, however, we are told that our primary battle is against principalities and powers, against fallen angels who bind the hearts and minds of men in ignorance and fear. We are assured that through faith, prayer, and obedience, the saints will be victorious in our battle against these demonic forces. The Spirit assures us: “The God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly” (Romans 16:20).
Continue reading at americanvision.org
"The origin of All Saints Day and of All Saints Eve in Mediterranean Christianity had nothing to do with Celtic Druidism or the Church’s fight against Druidism (assuming there ever even was any such thing as Druidism, which is actually a myth concocted in the 19th century by neo-pagans.)"
Those words were written by a person with strong Roman Catholic leanings and vastly ignorant of the history of Scotland and Ireland… and such is James B. Jordan.
"Thus, the defeat of evil and of demonic powers is associated with Halloween. For this reason, Martin Luther posted his 95 challenges to the wicked practices of the Church to the bulletin board on the door of the Wittenberg chapel on Halloween. He picked his day with care, and ever since Halloween has also been Reformation Day."
Another bizarre and made up theory. How about Luther picking this date to protest Roman Catholicism and its bogus holidays? Have that ever crossed the mind of this liberal?
-DespevilleCould that mean that the Reformation was the result of a Halloween prank that got out of hand? After all, Martin Luther did say, 'Here I stand. God help me!"
-William D'AndreaOnly in the mind of liberals or Roman cultists.
-DespevilleDes[perville:
-Robert De LeonMartin Luther is a heretic and he reformed nothing. He only divided Christ's Body as Calvin, Zwinglio, Knox – et al – did.
You have to make a deep reading and reflection about the One, Only, Saint Catholic Church in order to learn about our Faith. But do it without Martin Luther's pride sin.
I'll pray for that.
Robert.
DeLeon,
You are so bogus, so fake, so ignorant and so prideful in your damning religiosity and labels you slap on men of God and the movement of God the Holy Spirit. You condemn yourself all the time by blaspheming against the work of Holy Spirit as you just did again and as usual with ZERO of substance and ZERO of facts.
I have a short church history lesson for your paralyzing ignorance. The greatest division in the history for any organization and particularly for the Church was done by Roman Bishop and his clergy in the name of their selfish politics and out of control pharisee egos in the year of 1054 when Roman religion expelled and excommunicated Christian Orthodox Church and labeled them as heretics and condemned them to hell and know to this day as The Great Schism.
You are so brainwashed DeLeon that you cannot even grasp and perceive known historical facts. A typical symptom of a cult immerse person.
-DespevilleSorry, Despeville, De Leon is right—and you, sir, cannot change history, period. Too bad you can't rewrite the history to suit your own foolish ideas.
-CJMThis is not a plebiscite CJM and anyone can claim to be right… It is entirely different thing to prove it and factually substantiate what you claim to be right and your religious sentiments and social longings are not it.
Roman Catholicism that you know did not exist until well in 5th century and then it was still ways in development of its nefarious and anti Gospel ideas.
Look at this quote from Council of Nicea documents debunking your myths about Roman Bishop supremacy and primacy and I am quoting from an official Roman Catholic web site. DeLeon always ignores it and I am sure you will as well but you and him must be right. Right?
'Let the ancient customs in Egypt, Libya and Pentapolis prevail, that the Bishop of Alexandria have jurisdiction in all these, since the LIKE is customary for the Bishop of Rome ALSO. LIKEWISE in Antioch and the other provinces, let the Churches retain THEIR privileges. And this is to be universally understood, that if any one be made bishop without the consent of the Metropolitan, the great Synod has declared that such a man ought not to be a bishop. If, however, two or three bishops shall from natural love of contradiction, oppose the common suffrage of the rest, it being reasonable and in accordance with the ecclesiastical law, then let the choice of the majority prevail."
Canon VI
-DespevilleCouncil of Nicea 325 AD
Roman Catholic source: http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3801.htm
CJM; What the hell do you know about history of the CHURCH. You are the one that is trying to change history————–give me a break, and enough of your lies to protect protestism, who fell away from the church. get your facts right, and don't give me this rubbish about foolish ideas, just what a real neo liberal would say.
-Devil Dog, USMC,DAV.Like what facts?… Can you actually substantiate your religiosity beyond label slapping?
-DespevilleHe is not right. The horrors committed by the Catholic church are used by bitter atheists even today to decry Christ. So if you are for the old ways, then tell us, what is your method for disemboweling pastors? Burning witches? Torturing confessions out of people? Yeshua was right when he said the gates of Hell would not prevail against Peters church. But man, are they ever trying!!
-The WolfYou can read about those Roman methods used extensively in their counter reformation genocide here:
The Deaths of the Reformers
"…Burning, however, was by far the most common method of death and destruction. Apart from the act of burning there does not seem to have been any hard and fast rules followed throughout Europe, but rather regional differences. The decision as to whether a death would be quick or slow seems to have depended on the persecutors viciousness or whim — a terrifying thought. The most lenient was to be strangled before the fire was lit. This happened to Tyndale, presumably because he was a learned scholar, although that is not given as a cited reason. This method of death was very uncommon. Two other instances were those of a widow called Wandelmuta in Belgium (4/378) and John Pointet (4/397) in Paris, who was offered the option of being strangled because he had previously cured one of the persecuting friars.
If the person was not to be strangled then they would be burnt or suffocated. Smoke suffocation may have been common, but it is not often given in the accounts. One example was that of William Hunter who ‘cast his head again in the smothering smoke [and] yielded up his life’ (6/729). The speed of death could be controlled by the nature of the fire, which can burn with a quick, great heat, using dry wood, or with a more prolonged effect using green wood. When Laurence Saunders was burned at Coventry in 1555 (5/628) green wood was used, ‘and other smouldering, rather than burning fuel, which put him in much more pain’…"
LINK: http://www.tyndale.org/TSJ/6/daniell.html
-DespevilleThe "Protestant Inquisition" is a term applied to the severities of John Calvin in Geneva and Queen Elizabeth I in England during the 1500s. Calvin's followers burned 58 "heretics," including theologian Michael Servetus, who doubted the Trinity. Elizabeth I outlawed Catholicism and executed about 200 Catholics.
Oliver Cromwell was deemed a moderate because he massacred only Catholics and Anglicans, not other Protestants. This Puritan general commanded Bible-carrying soldiers, whom he roused to religious fervor. After decimating an Anglican army, Cromwell said, "God made them as stubble to our swords." He demanded the beheading of the defeated King Charles I, and made himself the holy dictator of England during the 1650s. When his army crushed the hated Irish Catholics, he ordered the execution of the surrendered defenders of Drogheda and their priests, calling it "a righteous judgment of God upon these barbarous wretches."
-Jeff DixonThe Thirty Years' War produced the largest religious death toll of all time. It began in 1618 when Protestant leaders threw two Catholic emissaries out of a Prague window into a dung heap. War flared between Catholic and Protestant princedoms, drawing in supportive religious armies from Germany, Spain, England, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, France and Italy. Sweden's Protestant soldiers sang Martin Luther's "Ein 'Feste Burg" in battle. Three decades of combat turned central Europe into a wasteland of misery. One estimate states that Germany's population dropped from 18 million to 4 million. In the end nothing was settled, and too few people remained to rebuild cities, plant fields, or conduct education.
– When Puritans settled in Massachusetts in the 1600s, they created a religious police state where doctrinal deviation could lead to flogging, pillorying, hanging, cutting off ears, or boring through the tongue with a hot iron. Preaching Quaker beliefs was a capital offense. Four stubborn Quakers defied this law and were hanged. In the 1690s fear of witches seized the colony. Twenty alleged witches were killed and 150 others imprisoned.
-Jeff DixonYou are so ignorant Dixon… It was not about religion only. At least not all the way through. That is why at later point of the Thirty Years War Roman Catholics were fighting along the Protestants in the name of nations but of course those facts do not fit your cookie cutter simplistic and biased view of those events.
-DespevilleI mention four events and all you can muster is that the 30 Years War was not totally about religion? You even admit that religion was part of the conflict. Thank you for validating the comment.
-Jeff DixonMan's pride was the part of the conflict as it enters and corrupts the true religion and true Gospel.
-DespevilleThe very same pride that keeps you in your ignorance and hatred against God so you should understand how it works…
Do you realize that back then a heresy was not only a religious act but also an act of treason against the state? Yes, there were Protestant States that went that route as well but not for hundreds of years as Inquisition did and not on the same massive scale as Roman Catholics and controlled by them states did.
What was a norm for Roman Catholicism and counted in hundreds of years and tens of thousands of lives (being conservative here) was an aberration and abomination in Protestant history counted at best in tens of years and hundreds of lives. Did you ever study St. Bartholomew Day massacre and its fallout?
Servetus story was twisted and misrepresented by Jesuits early on to put a blemish on Genevian Reformes and Calvin. Suffice to say that Calvin was visiting Servetus in his cell every day and sometimes twice a day to take care of him. Feed him. Read the Scriptures with him and plead for his repentance so he can save his life. Your Google "knowledge" just exaggerates your ignorance Dixon…
-DespevilleSo, if Calvin read him scriptures, that justifies burning him at the stake? The four examples I provided were over a period of around 200 years, not just tens of years. There are other examples as well. However, I posted them in response to the comment from The Wolf who referred to horrors committed by the Catholic church. I showed that Protestants have committed them as well.
-Jeff DixonI apologize in advance but you are simply too ignorant and dull to discuss these matters any further.
-DespevilleFine, run away. It matters naught to me.
-Jeff DixonServetus sent Calvin several more letters, to which Calvin took offense.[20] Thus, Calvin's antagonism against Servetus seems to have been based not simply on his views but also on Servetus's tone, which he considered inappropriate. Calvin revealed the intentions of his offended heart when he stated of Servetus, when writing to his friend William Farel on 13 February 1546:
“ Servetus has just sent me a long volume of his ravings. If I consent he will come here, but I will not give my word for if he comes here, if my authority is worth anything, I will never permit him to depart alive ("Si venerit, modo valeat mea autoritas, vivum exire nunquam patiar").[21]
-Jeff Dixonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Servetus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Servetus
While I don't subscribe to Servetus' beliefs regarding the trinity (that is he did not agree with that branch of theology) This Wiki article still makes for good reading.
-TboneWhoa! File that one under the YGTBKM column.
Tell us Robert, what do you think of John Tetzel’s and Albrecht’s arrangement on the selling of indulgences?
What do you think of the revenue from indulgences being used to build St. Peters?
A heretic is one who steers people away from God’s Truths. Luther steered the populace BACK to the True Word of God…something the Roman church had let fall into shambles for centuries.
Your theological point stands no bearing in truth at all.
-DntmkmecmovertherNot to mention that indulgences albeit most of the time in a bit different form are very much present in syncretic, synergistic and works righteousness religion of Rome…
This is a description of Roman religion amongst so many other man made religious concoctions:
"But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims ANOTHER Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a DIFFERENT spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a DIFFERENT gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough."
~ 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 NASB
-DespevilleBoy, very sharp and charming. You should join the muslim in the white house——your theology has been proven false and will always be false. Luther was a Catholic priest, until he could not handle the rule of celibicy. Good luck finding some brains to your comment.
-Devil Dog, USMC,DAV.Hahhahaha stop watch the lips of your priests and actually read some church history without Rome's imprimatur on it.Schaff will do to start with… Here: http://amzn.to/rt4taA
-Despevillewould you care to send me a gift of that Schaff Church History encylopedia in hardcover edition for Christmas? I would greatly appreciate it.
-tboneSure. What is your e-mail?
-DespevilleDe Leon: while I agree that Luther separated himself and his flock from the Catholic Church, he was no heretic and he did manage to obtain some reforms–like allowing the clergy to marry! After Luther, others either splintered from the Catholic Church or Lutherans, but you are correct that the Catholic Church was the first and remains, of course the grandparent of all other religions.
-CJMAll you are is a Roman Catholic without a pope. DeLeon's religion official name is ROMAN Catholic and not Catholic and I let you ponder what that means and what that implies.
-DespevilleThank God that people like Saul of Tarsus (Paul), Peter, John, and the others were heretics (in the eyes of the Jews) because they are the ones that God used to reveal what his prophets foretold but which remained hidden from understanding until the Holy Spirit brought all things to their mind and led them in all Truth.
-PaulThank God that people like Luther and the others were heretics (in the eyes of the apostate romanist religion) or we would still be under the thumb of a man posing as christ (vicarius cristi – vicar of christ) on this earth.
Thank God, that we have the Word of God recorded and available to us so that we can search the scripture daily and compare all things to God's Word.
AMEN.AMEN.AMEN.
-DespevilleEcclesia reformata semper reformanda secundum verbum Dei.
Despeville, Gary DeMar has "strong Roman Catholic leanings" about as much as Barack Obama leans and is inclined towards Ronald Reagan and Barry Goldwater.
-PsalloPsallo,
That might be the case but what is Gary DeMar have to do with what I wrote and with the article itself?
Unless Gary DeMar changed his name to JAMES B. JORDAN…
Did you pay attention to the author of the article? I don't know what you see on your screen but this is what I see:
Written on OCTOBER 29, 2010 AT 9:40 AM by JAMES B. JORDAN
Concerning Halloween
That name JAMES B. JORDAN is also under the article with his sizable picture as well and I have to share with you that James does not look like Gary… Not a bit.
-DespevilleInteresting article. It does not address the costuming and trick or treating, nor the introduction of ghosts whitches black cats nor bats n spiders or haunted houses and such. Non of which are Christian. Where di all this come from and what does it have in common with All Hollows Day? Non I know of. All the afore mentioned are of Satanic origin, but dangerous only if performed as an act of satanic worship. It is true however that today Halloween is just a day for children to go about getting treats and make believe. But as something that has a religious connotation it is an evil practice and nonChristian.
-HarrySpiders, black cats, and bats are satanic? I'm sure glad that our cat is brown and our dog is black then. I wouldn't want to own a satanic pet.
-EricThey must be coming from a satanic pet store then
-DespevilleI am sure your wise crack is completely out of context. Surely you did not misunderstand what the other person was meaning?
-GuestNot out of context at all. I understood what he was saying, I was merely pointing out the lunacy of his statement. As people who regard God as One who speaks to us through words, we should be particularly careful about what we say and write.
-EricI have a black cat and she is the sweetest cat and is well behaved. Nothing satanic about her.
-maryallenI take your black cat over a black robe any day
-DespevilleMasquerade Balls and 'tricks' have been around for centuries. The present day 'trick or treat' began during WWII when there was a shortage of sugar; it became a tradition and is meant to be something fun for the little tykes. It has nothing to do with Pagans, Christians, Jews, or any other religious/psuedo-religious order. Why can't adults just let the small fry have fun by dressing up, going door-to-door in their own neighborhood, and let it go at that. After all, adults willl party at the drop of a hat and no one questions them!
-CJMHarry, you can't separate the two.
-PaulIf you claim to be a Christian, you must live worthy of the calling, and not as a friend of the world. That means not even giving the appearance of evil, or partaking in what others could see as your approval of an (apparent) satanic/antichristian celebration.
Here is an example of "and the second is, Love Thy Neighbor".
-Katie2011Some people just want to fight among Christians.
This item reeks of dookie and misinformation. Please check your facts before putting up questionable research presented as fact.
-PazuzuHow about putting up some facts of your own, rather than simply claiming "dookie and misinformation."
-EricThere is no misinformation in the article—do a little homework for yourself and check out the facts before shooting off your mouth.
-CJMAlso @ Despeville. "Roman Catholicism and its bogus holidays", like Christmas and Easter.
-KalevWhere did either the Protestants or the Catholics ever get the idea that their "churches" could invent holidays and ignore God's Holy Days, their meanings and them pointing directly to Christ's 1st (first three Holy Convocations) and His 2nd coming (final four Holy Convocations. That is not Jewish mythology but God commanded the Israeli's celebrate these days "forever through-out your generations". Christians who claim they believe in the God of the Bible need to be aware of these very important Biblical facts.
Here comes a Law Obedience WORKS Pseudo Salvation Judaizer again just to smuggle his vehement hatred of the Gospel of Grace greased with his ignorance… I gave you a whole explanation from one of the brightest minds in Christian Church Jonathan Edwards who rebuked your Judaizing leanings in terms of the Sabbath. None of that you understood and lets face it you did not even read the thing for you cannot follow it the arguments presented. You have no proper distinction and understanding of the relation between the law and grace. You were never taught that while in your Pentecostal Church. That is why you have swallowed the bait, the hook, the line, the rod, the reel and the hand of the sect you are in now… SAD>
-DespevilleHave you ever read "From Sabbath to Sunday" by Sammuel Bacchiocchi? He documents how the early Church did away with the Sabbath in favor of Sunday to gain favor with Rome and how anti-Semitism first raised its ugly head early on in the formation of the Church. You might do well to read this excellent work by Bacchiocchi.
-KalevI cannot read nor do I want to read every cultist out there Sammuel Bacchiocchi was a Seventh Day Adventist cultist another shade of poisonous works righteousness damning system and no wonder that his heresy is appealing to you. Seventh Day Adventists, Roman Catholics, Judaizers, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses or even Muslims share the same core of their teachings in addition to obvious problems with their Christology, Soteriology and theology of the nature of God. They all have law obedience works rightousness religious ladder set up for the fall of their climbers.
You better seriously study Galatians to begin with for Galatian heresy is a symptomatic for all of these systems including yours.
-DespevilleI know his religious affiliation is as an 7th Day Adventist (cultish) but he wrote the book as the historian he is and it well documents the history of the early Church in respect to the Sabbath. I have studied Galatians and understand it very well and unlike your anti-nomian interpretation. You are a most judgemental, hateful and condescending so called Christian I have ever come across. You make assertions and accusations against me that on there surface may seem correct but are grossly inaccurate to the core. Your show of the love of our Savior is lacking indeed. Quite foolish person you are. Reminiscent of a post-menstrual woman with a bent.
-KalevCultist,
None can disconnect his theology from what he writes, especially when he is in the cult for decades as Bacchiocchi. The rest of you rant is just your personal dislike of me which you have a right to if you please but that has absolutely ZERO to do with the biblical arguments presented by me here that debunk and decry your cult which were substantiated numerous times from your cultist website http://www.seedofabraham.net/ and writings of your cult guru Avram the Confused One.
-DespevilleAnd you are one to judge? Have you ever confronted Avram and acussed him as a cultist? If not, why?
-KalevNope. The Scripture does. Words have meanings Kalev and Avram the Confused One mixes law only with sensational "voices" of Jesus that supposedly told him to teach this law at the expense of grace.
-DespevilleHe is a former liberal Methodist who was never taught a proper distinction and relation of law and grace just like you were not. Henceforth he snapped back into mostly law just as you and the rest of the cult did.
Avram was not a liberal Methodist. I've been studying with him for over 3-1/2 years and he has never taught one must keep the Law to be saved. Saved by Grace, once saved love for God and Yeshua we wish to obey all of His commands and statues as they apply to the individual. Is it really the Christian thing to do to slander another child of God? Apparently you believe so.
-KalevApparently you have not read his testimony. Wishing to keep the law as best as one can by the empowerment of God the Holy Spirit is one thing. Teaching and stating that one keeps the law and is able to do so and maintaining that it is the essence of the true faith is another and altogether false and of Pharisee Judaizing works righteousness system condemned by Lord Jesus in so many places like John 8 for example. Sadly, Avram the Confused One is believing in the second one as long as words have meaning and they do have meaning Kalev. You have been duped and your are so blinded that you do not even see it while being so arrogant that you are willing attack me and not the biblical arguments I have presented here for you again, and again and again…
-DespevilleIf you so firmly believe in your bible, why are you celebrating the First Day of the Week (Sunday) as the Sabbath? Seems to me a bit like the pot calling the kettle black. There are many churches, including Baptists, who are retuning to the Seventh Day (Saturday) Sabbath as instructed by biblical teachings.
-CJMAMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-KalevIF you love your spouse, do you purposely do what they do not like? They might not always like what you do, but he or she still loves you and is your spouse. So this GRACE only business is NOT loving the Lord your God with all of your heart.
-torilynnThere is a lot of people involved in this ritual, even christians, my son and I so not participate. I am not implying to be better than everybody else, I am just a regular joe. The good book says " I'll honor those who honor me" Honor who? God
-IzzyI owned a black cat for 15 years His name was Wolverine and he was my companion during the bad times of my life. I sure miss him.
-Nancy SternbergMaking people "saints" is never what God wanted. We who obey Him are called "saints" in the Bible. Not just certain people. That makes them too important. (II Thessalonians 1:10) (Philemon 5) Also the church should have a Bibical name because it belongs to Jesus and not to a man, like the Church of Christ (Rom 16:16) The Church of God ( II cor 1:1) Or just plain Christian church There is one foundation I corinthians 3:11 II Cor. 11:4 II Timothy 4:3 Galatians 1:7
-LaurI Corinthians 4:14-16 God loves is so and we must love and obey HIM. Blessing to you
Will you post stories on one page so we don't have to "click here for full story"?
-celewisShould Christians Celebrate Halloween?
By Rick Reed,
Halloween is a holiday that wears a mask. On one level, it's about children dressed as clowns or cowboys collecting enough candy to scare a dentist. But, behind Halloween's harmless disguise is a darker side.
Halloween is historically linked to fears about wandering spirits and evil omens. Over the years, the holiday has continued to be associated with witchcraft and the demonic.
Though some in North America dismiss the notion of demons, the Bible does not. It tells us of a spiritual realm that is unseen but not unreal. It warns to steer clear of the devil and his demonic cohorts since they are deceptive and destructive (2 Corinthians 11:14 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. ; John 8:44 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.). Dressing up as a devil or a witch on Halloween only glamorizes or trivializes what the Bible calls demonic.
Christians don't have to be frightened on Halloween. While demonic beings are powerful, they have been defeated. When Jesus died on the cross, He not only provided forgiveness for all who believe but also disarmed demonic rowers. Colossians 2:15 (15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.d) proclaims that Jesus ''disarmed the powers and authorities…triumphing over them by the cross." Those who trust in Jesus can ''be strong in the Lord and in power of his might'' (Ephesians 6:10 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power).
So how should Christians respond? Some will choose to sit out any celebration of Halloween. Others will find ways for their kids to enjoy candy and costumes (not evil) without dabbling in the darkness. Increasingly, churches are offering fun-filled alternatives on Halloween night where kids can get treats without being tricked.
-BienThe idea of a person not being recognized for his greatness isn’t new. It happened to Jesus. “He was in the world,” John said, “. . . and the world did not know Him” (John 1:10). Why did people who had been expecting the Messiah give Jesus such a cold reception? One reason is that they were surprised. Just as people today don’t expect famous musicians to play in railway stations, the people in Jesus’ day didn’t expect Messiah to be born in a stable. They also expected Him to be a political king—not the head of a spiritual kingdom.
The people in the world prefer to worship the creation rather than a creator such as Mary (used to gave birth Jesus), Sta Claus (Star of Christmas season), Mohammed, Buddah, etc.
Salvation
The issue is not religion – but relationship. "He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." Forgiveness of sin and eternal life are not granted merely for believing in God's existence and distinguishing right from wrong. Peace with God is obtained only through faith in Jesus, who broke down the wall of separation between our holy, loving Creator and sinful man. We who were enemies and far away from God because of our sin have been brought near by the blood of Jesus Christ. In Christ's birth, God came near to us. In His death, He brought us near to Him.
-To know God and be ready for heaven,
follow these steps:
A. Admit you are a sinner.
- "There is no one righteous, not even one … for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:10,23. (See Romans 5:8; 6:23.)
- Ask God's forgiveness.
"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13
B. Believe in Jesus
- (put your trust in Him) as your only hope of salvation.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 (See John 14:6.)
- Become a child of God by receiving Christ.
"To all who receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12 (See Revelation 3:20.)
C. Confess that Jesus is your Lord.
- "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9 (See verse 10.)
Jesus Saves not the Religion
Personality is declared most fully. The sinner must come to Jesus, not to works, ordinances, or doctrines, but to a personal Redeemer, who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree. The bleeding, dying, rising Saviour, is the only star of hope to a sinner.
If you want to receive Jesus now, and accept His gift of salvation, it's a matter of believing in Jesus Christ, repenting of your sins, and turning the rest of your life over to Him. This is not a ritual based on specific words, but rather, a prayerful guideline for your sincere step of faith.
“Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become my Lord and the Savior of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.”
Christians actually Caring for each other as Christ commands us to do 1 John 3:23; Heb 10:24,
-Bien- – Suggested churches: Assemblies of God
- In US: Christian life, Experience Life, Cornerstone and all Churches who believe that Jesus Christ is the center of their church and believe in the Holy trinity- The Father, The Son, and practice the Holy Spirit. John 1:8; 12:56; 17:11,21; Zecariah 14:19
- In RP: Bethel Temple, Cathedral of Praise, Day by Day, Jesus is Lord and all Churches who believe that Jesus Christ is the center of their church and believe in the Holy trinity- The Father, The Son, and practice the Holy Spirit. John 1:8; 12:56; 17:11,21; Zecariah 14:19
- The Holy Spirit
Sometimes we forget that the Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force. The Bible describes Him as God. He possesses the attributes of God: He is present everywhere (Ps. 139:7-8), He knows all things (1 Cor. 2:10-11), and He has infinite power (Luke 1:35). He also does things that only God can do: create (Gen. 1:2) and give life (Rom. 8:2). He is equal in every way with the other Persons of the Trinity—the Father and the Son.
- The Holy Spirit is a Person who engages in personal ways with us. He grieves when we sin (Eph. 4:30). He teaches us (1 Cor. 2:13), prays for us (Rom. 8:26), guides us (John 16:13), gives us spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:11), and assures us of salvation (Rom. 8:16).
Who ever you are, Bien, you are very long winded, an self-rightous.
-Byron Potter"The issue is not religion – but relationship. "He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life."" AMEN, Bien!
-DaniNo religion huh? Then what was God the Holy Spirit talking about in James 1:27???
-DespevilleThis whole Evangelical spin about relationship is mostly exaggerated sensationalism.
Try trust instead. Trust in life and in death.
Right Bien. And I see you raised a comment from the expert on all things religious, Despeville, who is the self appointed pope on this blog site. He would do weel to heed the Scripture he quoted in his reply.
-KalevKalev,
You sad ad hominem attacks devoid of any factual substance are a said reminder of your fleshy ego driven religiosity living up to an old adage of "Homo Hominem Lupus Est"… God have mercy on you and pull you out of the cult you are in.
-DespevilleThis short ,but interesting, article is very informative..Thank you so much…
-Jackson R.Oh My, the article starts out discussing Halloween, and by the time the various posters are finished here, we have seen Luther skewered, the Catholic Church roasted, other topics raised that are irrelevant. Anyway, we should all know by now that the church was never perfect, but the fundamentals of our faith, as laid out by Christ Our Lord, are sound. Halloween, regardless of the history and circumstances of its beginning, has become a worldly holiday celebrating demons, ghosts, and violence. If one is a Christian, one should avoid celebrating this day. That is my opinion.
-John J FlanaganNicely said Joh J Flanagan
-LaurOur family also chose not to celebrate this "holiday". Many in our homeschooling group agreed. One year, we rented a local indoor play area and the management was so happy that they took down the decorations before we got there. We, in turn, treated them to pizza. Another year, it was an indoor movie night. Other times, it's just been quiet family games. No biggie.
People continually asked if our son missed "dressing up" in a costume. He looked at them like they were crazy because when he was young, he was at a daycare program that had bins of costumes for the kids. Any day he wanted to dress up, he could. And he will tell you now, that he didn't miss the candy, but then graciously offer to accept any donations as reparations.
When people have asked why we don't celebrate Halloween, I pointed out that we also don't celebrate Chinese New Year, May Day or Day of the Dead, either. It isn't an issue for us.
We do, however, acknowledge Reformation Day and Mendelssohn's Reformation Symphony (#5) is playing as I type these words.
I don't feel that I have do battle with fellow Christians over this. To me, it's the difference between denominations or orders of worship. In essentials, unity, in non-essentials, liberty and in all, charity.
-TaquoshiHalloween Innocence? Should Christians Celebrate?
Posted on October 24, 2011 by Justin Edwards
This post was originally posted in 2010, but still holds true as we enter Halloween week in 2011.
" I think there is one very simple and honest question each of us must ask ourselves as born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ – is there one single thing that is good about Halloween? No doubt there is someone already thinking I am a legalistic party-pooper trying to take “the fun” out of this “silly, harmless” “holiday” – right? I mean, after all, the kids get to dress up in fun costumes with hopes to fill their bags with their favorite candies. What could be the harm in that? Or what about a night on the town going to any number of the adult costume-themed parties, where one night out of the year you can wear that mask and be someone you’re not? A night to cut loose and dabble into the “dark side”? It’s all innocent fun right?
The traditions and history of Halloween aside, have you ever considered this day to be a time to glorify evil, sorcery, witchcraft, the occult, and the horrors of life? I ask the question again, is there a single thing that is good about Halloween? Speaking from my own experience, as a child, I wasn’t allowed to go trick-or-treating in the neighborhood, but we attended the fall festivals and the like at church. Of course, dressing up as innocent cowboys and other fictional characters made everything ok at the “harvest festival”, but what this did, in my opinion, was desensitize me to the reality of Halloween and everything it truly represents. Once I became an adult, I loved to go to all the parties, bars, clubs, and events that hosted the various ghoulish festivities.
Of course, my wild escapades into the nightlife on Halloween night was not a result of bobbing for apples as a kid, but looking back into those reckless, young adult years I see that there was indeed nothing good about those nights as I drank the night away and celebrated what could be described as nothing less than glorified sin. And I professed to be a Christian.
…"
MORE: http://revelation22-20.blogspot.com/2011/10/hallo…
-DespevilleIt's always interesting to me when people says things, like the writer above does, such as "the reality of Halloween and everything it truly represents." Well isn't this exactly what we should try to determine before making blanket statements about what should or should not be the Christian response? I'm not sure what to make of everything Jordan says in his short article (he admittedly says he isn't giving a comprehensive reply), but I will say it makes a whole lot more sense than being some ancient pagan holdover. Christ has the victory, not Satan.
Do what you want with your own Halloween/Reformation Day observances (or lack thereof), but please don't allow an argument that assumes to know what Halloween is all about guilt you or shame you into non-observance. Make your own decisions; but for Heaven's sake, don't be scared of ancient pagan ghost stories.
-EricI am not sure what are you trying to say ere Eric. The bottom line is the allegiance and what is glorying to God and I am sure you do not see any of that in Halloween. Do you?
-DespevilleWhat I'm saying is that we shouldn't be judging the history of Halloween by its modern-day appearance. It's easy enough to look around and get spooked by webs, jack-o-lanterns, and goblins and make the declaration that "there is nothing Christian about it," but it's a tad more difficult to make a positive affirmation about its origins. Jordan's approach is the right one: a conquering view rather than a defeatist one. Whether or not his history is completely accurate is certainly debatable, but his initial presupposition is correct. Christus victor!
-EricThanks for clarification. Indeed Justin put it well. How do you feel about so called "Harvest Parties" for Christains?
-DespevilleI see them as helpless indecisiveness and copying the world with Christian themes.
To further clarify: I wasn't commending the article that you posted but the original one posted by Zionica.
As far as harvest parties and Reformation Day celebrations, I think they miss the point. It is not a replacement or a substitution but a reclamation effort. Most Christians a priori hand October 31 over to a defeated foe, when they should be dancing on his grave. We should not be fearing the darkness but exposing it. Jesus told us to go into all the world and make disciples, not to sit around wringing our hands over pumpkins and vampires one day each year. This is my primary problem with the Church's modern understanding of Halloween: it puts Christians in the illogical (and unbiblical) position of being on defense when they should be on offense.
-EricActually, Des, anything apart from Bible Doctrine from God's Word is part of the cosmic system — Satan's world. We may live in the world but we are not of the world. Our focus should be on Jesus Christ; He is the issue. So do we not do anything in life but study God's Word?
-maryallenAgreed and of course we do other things but in light of the Word.
-DespevilleMy–but you certainly had your fun as a child…so once you finished sowing your wild oats as a young man, it was time to put a stop to everything because you decided everything was sinful. Well, whoever thought God or Christ does not have a sense of humor or an ability to have fun doesn't know the Holy Family very well.
-CJMIt really sounds like christians are self-rightous, an have a holyer then thou additude.
-Byron PotterMost of them posting here are as you accuse but Halloween is still of the devil and no self professing Christian should ever observe this pagan feast.
-KalevHi, Byron. Most of the people that seem that way just want to uphold the righteousness (right-thinking) of God because it brings blessing to all peoples. They know the moist holy seeming person is, at best, extremely sinful. But God looks on the redeemed spirit of His own children, and He gently and lovingly teaches us. If one is truly reborn He should renew his mind in God's Word. Then you start grasping the enormity of God's love and sacrifice for us all. This tends to make a person so glad in Christ that they just desire to live walking with Him instead of living like the world. It shouldn't be a " holier than thou attitude" in a maturing Christian. It's just that God is more fun, exciting, joyful, and intellectually stimulating that anything this world's amusements have to offer. You won't understand this unless you choose to change your life because you just want God more. There is no compulsion. You can choose as little or as much of relationship with God as you desire, even if you are redeemed from Hell. But to get Heaven brought down to Earth requires desire and effort. And it brings forth very good fruit. God was willing to take the worst end of the deal (any of us) and give His best. If that can't make you love Him nothing will.
-a true believerHow in the world does this article talk about demonic forces and evil and not seen that in what we call Halloween today? Am i ignorant here? This article makes it sound like that if you see this day as bad or evil that you are in fact binded by demonic forces.Isnt that in essense being said here? Whoa to those who make evil good and good evil,which is what i get this article is trying to do.Just sayin
-DennisI will say that I will be heartily glad when this season finally fades into Christmas. Even with as little TV as we watch, every show has been doing the vampire, ghoul and zombie thing. Yuck.
-TaquoshiI agree Taquoshi. The zombie and vampire thing is in vogue now. Homosexuality is in vogue. Violent drama is always in vogue, to appeal to the masses inclination towards violent entertainment. When the bible states that the hearts of men are inclined toward evil continually, we can see the need for us to cling to Our Savior and pray that He will incline our hearts away from an attraction towards evil. There is not much left to watch on television, but as you move the remote to various channels, if one is a Christian, keep moving your fingers until you arrive at nature shows, weather news, Christian programs, old movies, and other things that do not keep your eyes on the most brutal and vicious images on your screen. Better yet, knowing that much of the television contains ungodly material, settle down in your spare time and listen to good music and read a book. Nobody can say that living in a fallen world is easy. Temptations abound. That is why we all need the grace of God to endure.
-John J FlanaganAs you can see in my post, I totally agree. "Nobody can say that living in a fallen world is easy. Temptations abound. That is why we all need the grace of God to endure." Good point, John.
-DaniI agree. Within the past 2 years, each television network has steered away from family programming. We are now bombarded with show after show with the central theme being the occult. Just take a glance at the weekly 'line-up' of
-Daniprograms during primetime and you'll see a deluge of vampires, spell-casters, serial killers, ghost hunters, just to name a few. Some of the most popular programs are in the C.S.I. genre where the more gruesome the murder, the higher the ratings. We can thank J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter) and Stephanie Meyer (Twilight) for pushing their multi-million (or should I say 'billion') dollar creepy characters into the obsessions of young children and teenagers like an intravenous drug. All while their parents stand in line at the local bookstore for hours, because "little Krissy just loves to read now, she just can't put the book down!!". It's a sad world to live in watching our young people being desensitized to sin.
All of the above have some general opinion of Halloween, but seem to not really get the significance of the day.
-Rev. Rob DiberllTruly ‘All Hallows Eve’ is about preparation for ‘All Saints Day’, those who are believers in Jesus Christ, the
Son of God and Son of man Who died to set them free from sin, free to love and serve their ‘neighbor’, fellow-man, and thus serve the One True God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Hopefully you will all believe and be saved.
- Preacher.
Wouln't it be nice if ALL the trick& treaters remember November 1st and explain it to the rest of the world? Share their "treats" and hallow HIS Name? Most kids do not know the difference – they just want to dressup and get candies….don't freak out!
-evaI am so encouraged to see how many people know that Halloween is not harmless! This author spiritually blind. Many say the children are not harmed, but it does open the door for other things for many of them. A bit like saying that only a few cigarette smokers smoke cannabis and only a few of those take 'harder' drugs.
Draw a line in the sand, make a decision on what you will or will not do…. long before anyone invites you do it,and you are free from all the following problems down the track. I can think of a few more 'decision making' subjects.
-maryBah. The modern All Hallows Eve through Day of the Dead originated in the Gaelic Samhain, the end of the old year when the Unseelie governed the Winter until thaw, which was forecast on Imbolc and actualised by the Vernal Equinox with planting usually occurring by Estre's Festival. By Beltaine (beginning of May), the cold weather and Unseelie Sidhe would have given way to spring and the Seelie Sidhe who would govern the agriculture and hunting of the human civilisations. Most other Mediterranean civilisations had similar dating, with the last harvest occurring somewhere in late October through November and the spring thaw coming up between late March and early May. Thus the development of holidays based on hijacking existing faiths' celebrations to coerce people into switching gods…
-MalikTousSpeaking of holidays — I don't consider Halloween a holiday — during the Christmas Season we like to say, "Have a meaningful Christmas." I hope it makes people think.
-maryallenDespy's right on this, guys. Jordan is one of the leaders of the Federal Vision, a group that denies Sola Fide and other essential doctrines under a pile of postmodern half-truths. All conservative denominations rejected this heresy years ago: the PCA, OPC, URCNA, etc.; essentially all the denominations of NAPARC (National Association of Presbyterian And Reformed Churches) rejected this cult because it plagued the Reformed groups almost exclusively. All the churches of NAPARC issued papers rejecting the Federal Vison, as did most of the conservative Reformed and Presbyterian seminaries.
I can't say where DeMar comes down on this, but his promotion of a FedVis leader's viewpoint is disturbing.
-ThomAll these biblical perspectives on this subject are very insightful. From a historic perspective though, I have studied Norse and Celtic histories for many years as a kind of hobby. I was also a history major in college with emphasis on ancient to medieval history with a serious interest in military history. From my studies, the Druids were a kind of learned and priestly sect in the Celtic isles. They are difficult to track or get much information about because their teachings and practices were largely passed on through lore, song and fable. Even so, this does not mean that they did not exist. There are ancient symbols and a few writings that discuss them and that even preserve some of their tales. The druids were the tribal peacemakers and arbitors in disputes. They were also considered the seat of knowledge by the tribal elders. It is from their teachings (colleges) that the early European universities came from.
-TomWhat an outstanding article! Very clear thinking. Thanks for sharing.
-patrickBien, you may of forgotten to mention that the way to have the Holy Spirit is mentioned in:
Acts 2:38
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
38 Peter said to them, “(A)Repent, and each of you be (B)baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
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