₦airaland Forum

Zikkyy: Since you guys have refused to say anything bout the origin of Easter, we cannot be discussing its root. We are actually looking at the activities associated with Easter to see if it's breach of Christ commandments. From what I know, reflections, prayers, fasting, thanksgiving, praise singing, acting out some of the activities leading to Christ crucifixion are what I see from the people around me. and I find it difficult to understand why these activities should be considered pagan.

You still have the mind to repeat this lie? As you lie that nobody has said anything about the origin of Easter, does that not imply you probably have lied too regarding other things you've said about Easter? Have a quick flip through the pages, and response accordingly to what you see regarding its origin. Again, lets see how sincere you are: please type the words 'Easter egg' and 'easter bunny' in your device's dictionary and tell us what you see. That will probably and publicly show you've omitted a lot of things in your list of Easter's activities for obvious reasons.

Anyways, italo appears to be an Easter celebrant, and he told us the origin of his celebration. I don't see anything pagan in the origin. Case close.

Are you trying to indirectly tell me you don't celebrate Easter? As a bible scholar i am sure you know how the name "Passover" came about. I am sure too you know why what Jesus instituted at Luke 22:19 is called "the Lord's Supper" KJV. May you, plea.....se ask italo to tell us why their celebration of Jesus' resurrection is called 'Easter'? I believe some curious-minded ones too would be interested in knowing this from the guy whom you say appears to be a celebrant of Easter. Your failure to ask, and italo failing to response to you will show that you guys know the truth about its root, but can't dare to say it out. I heard you saying case close when we have just started.

Zikkyy: We are discussing Easter na.

Its root!

Zikkyy: You told us that any celebration not listed as a command from God is a sin and will not be accepted by God. The reference to Nehemiah is not to justify Easter but to show your reasoning cannot be correct. The Israelites celebration was not command from God.

It is your reasoning that was wrong. You bolded the word 'festival' on my comment and rather went ahead to point to something else. That Neh. was not talking about festival.

Zikkyy: What principles? who gave you principles? Can you provide two principles that is not address with Christ commandment?

That simply shows, in obeying those two laws, a lot is involved. To show that you love God, you must not pick anything from the gutters to serve him with. Where his food is coming from means a lot to him. Hence, you must examine all things.....you remember that? You can't truly obey Jesus' commandment without paying attention to other scriptures.

Zikkyy: What is being offered at Easter? I know of prayers, praises and thanks. Is there anything missing? These are activities expected of a Christian.

It's among the things you have refused to find out, but expect others to do for you. It's usually a global event as you know, so you have a lot to do.

Zikkyy: You should rely on Christ commandment instead of some strange principles.

When you start reading the bible with a view to drawing practical lessons from every few verses you read, you will notice the difference. I know why they are strange to you. Anyone who truly loves God will not serve him with things from the gutters. Must prove that they are clean and free from paganism. Can you see that Jesus' commandment means more than what you thought?
I believe in 2Tim. 3:16 &17

Zikkyy: I don't see it as a responsibility. It's a matter of choice. If it helps develop or sustain your relationship with God, please go ahead. If you feel like having a party anytime you reflect on the effect/importance of Jesus resurrection, go ahead & enjoy yourself.

As I celebrate Easter or something else?

Zikkyy: I don't have issues with their rejoicing. It obvious you do, so I believe you have info you need to share. If you are not keen on sharing your info, let's ignore the need for additional research.

Please which rejoicing do you think I have issue with, that at Ex.32 or that of Easter?

Zikkyy: There was no need for research. Was already familiar with exodus 32.

Ok, but you know not everybody is familiar with it. So I couldn't have known if you were familiar with it or not.

I don't see condemnation either way. For me it's a matter of choice.

You're right about the bolded, it's your choice. We only advice that it should be informed, as life is involved.

Zikkyy: Am sorry, but questions like this I don't answer. You should take it upstairs.

It's not a must for you to answer all

Zikkyy: You misinterpreted me again. I am not saying the event was a festival, only the activities are not so different from what I see done at Easter.

You can't use that. ...That is one of the reasons I referred you to Ex. 32:5&6. It's too weak a reason to be used to justify Easter.

Zikkyy: There is always that possibility that one can end up doing the wrong thing. The reason one should allow the spirit to guide him/her in everything.

With all sincerity of heart, would you say that those who adopted Easter from pagan were guided by the spirit?

I don't expect God to accept all offerings.

Why won't he accept, are they not offered to him and in his name? Ok, what about easter that his son has been dragged into?[/quote]

I was hoping somebody will post something that addresses this.

Really?

You do know you are attempting to write your own law here. all this while, i thought the law is written on our hearts, never knew we still have to go by the book! what's the difference between what are saying and living under the mosaic law?

what do understand by "the law being written on our heart?"

if all your activities are based on scriptural precedent you have no business posting on NL, afterall Jesus & the apostles did not use the computer

As a Christian, have you ever read about past events in the bible, and use the lesson learnt to make an informed decision?
That is why they gave us principles that we will be guided by, no matter how long we may live, and advanced the world may be. Laws may change, but bible principles will always remain unchanged. The more you study and understand the scriptures, the more you'll acquire the principles therein and be guided by in all you do, Internet use inclusive.

Zikkyy: Exodus 32:1 (KJV)
32 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

The Israelite were not worshiping God through the calf; they were actually worshiping the calf.

Exodus 32:8 (KJV)
8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

Well done! So the people decided how to worship and feast by themselves. Remember, you know this because you have searched the scripture to be sure of all things. Your findings show all they did, in reality, was to another god, though they tagged their festival "a feast to Jehovah" ASV - This is something one wouldn't have known until he reads beyond verses 5&6.

When i first quoted only verses 5&6, I wanted you to know that mere looking at their rejoicing and offerings and the purpose of their feast were not enough to conclude that they did the right thing. Forget about hearsay, Easter had nothing to do with the resurrection of Christ. Do what you did regarding "a feast to Jehovah" ASV.

You can forget about the era before crucifixion, the law was still in operation. you don't expect them to come up with celebrations not approved by the temple, do you? it was not their responsibility to design or create celebrations. and even after, the apostles would not consider celebrations. to answer your question - Don't know of any party originating from the apostles.

Don't you think the apostles had the opportunity to have created Easter, especially each time they want to celebrate the LORD's Supper, what exactly prevented them from doing that? Now, judging from your comment, it was our responsibility to creat Easter am I correct?

Its not a question of anybody forgetting or not being wise enough. It's not a do or die thing either. Nobody will condemn you for not doing it. It might just be how the person want to worship or probably based on the value/importance that event have on the celebrant's faith

Why will nobody condemn me for not doing it? What about those doing it? Ok, what about The Lord's supper, will I be condemned for not doing it? Give thoughts to those questions.

I don't see why you chose to make that distinction between general celebration and one directed to God. I believe same rule should apply in determining right or wrong.

There are principles that guide everything we do as Christians, with general celebration inclusive.

Zikkyy: This is what i see in the post above;

1. bible verses saying we should do away with anything evil
2. your belief that easter celebration is evil
3. your refusal to provide the details of the 'evil' embedded in easter, instead advising we do our own research.

Na so? i don't see how you will be successful as a pastor/teacher if you adopt this approach. i have been waiting for you to provide the 'juicy' & 'evil' details in easter to enable me form an opinion. Do i have to bribe to get information around here?

My brother, I understand the way you are feeling on this issue. It's not easy, some of us felt the same way too. It's now left for you and your conscience. Whatever you do, wherever you are, whomever you are with, keep reflecting on all that you have been told. I was happy to hear from you that nobody will condemn me for not celebrating Easter. My advice to you is, be sure that nobody will condemn you for celebrating Easter.

Zikkyy: so the reason it's pagan its because it is recurring? that's why easter is a sin? kindly confirm before i say more.

Don't pretend, you know the reason Easter is said to be pagan. I used those questions to belie your claim that Easter is like what happened at Neh. 8:9-12. You said it was a festival, like easter except it did not take place annually like Easter. Any sane person that read Neh. 8:9-12 will know that wasn't a festival. Rather, they had the festival of booth some days later.
Easter is pagan, you know.

my understanding of your initial position was that easter is wrong because it was not commanded. please confirm that this view is still valid. cos what am reading above is that easter celebration is evil because it's done on a normal day. My interpretation of the above is that if easter activities was done on say same day with the Lord's supper, it becomes an accepted celebration. kindly confirm.

See my comment above.

if that's not what you are saying, then what the Israelite did is equally wrong cos it was not commanded by God simple.




There's not much to share. i know of activities like palm sunday (i think there is a procession or something), i know of 'Holy thursday' (i think that has to do with some feet washing).



You are the one not understanding what am trying to prove. You don't find me saying "Easter was also divinely instituted for God's worshipers". That's false accusation. what am saying with the part of my post you bolded was that doing anything in a manner contrary to specification does not equate to compliance. But it only applies to activities required for implementing that law/instruction. That instruction cannot be extended to cover other activities. for e.g. If God says rest on sabbath, that instruction cannot be applied to other working days abi?

Ok sir, but would it be correct to say that the decision to start celebrating Easter among Christian all over the world, was divinely inspired?

I don't need any proof. the celebrants says he is celebrating Jesus resurrection. It's the man that believes the celebrant is not celebrating Jesus resurrection that's required to tender evidence proving the celebrant is not telling the truth.

I am yet to see the principles. kindly share.

Why were you not contented with what the celebrants of "a feast to the LORD" at Ex. 32 :5&6 told you, but you went ahead to research further and furnished us with proofs that they were not actually doing it to the LORD as they claimed.
Whether you accept it or not, you need to proof easter. Was it not you that said nobody will condemn me for not doing it? If I will not be condemned for not doing it, what about those doing it? Are you thinking the admonition for you to prove easter is from me, it's from Paul "Prove all things ; hold fast that which is good" - 1Thess. 5:21 KJV

Zikkyy: ..and let me repeat that same rule (for determining right or wrong) will apply irrespective of the action.

Is it proper to be sure of what you eat? You have to be sure of what you give to God, a holy being.
Prove that the above is not in line with the bible principle found at 1thess. 5:21-22 "On the other hand, don’t be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what’s good. 22 Throw out anything tainted with evil." - MGB (The Message Bible)

It behoves you to carry out thorough research on easter, as others have done, to enable you see if Easter is tainted with evil.. What if your findings show Easter has evil root? The same text tells us what we must do - Throw it out! .... Supposed I am engrained in it so much that I can't let it go? James 4:17 is self-explanatory in this regard.

"So for one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, it is a sin." James 4:17 NABRE (Catholic Bible)

The above are some of the bible principles that we must be guided by in our dealings with God.

Zikkyy: What exactly is a "festival to God"? We are told the celebration happened on a day that was holy to the Lord. How is the celebration different from Easter? (other than it is not an annual event).

But a daily or weekly or monthly festival? Can you say YES to that?

They rejoiced after hearing/reading and understanding what has been made known to them. At Easter i see people do some reflections (based on their understanding of scriptures), prayers (which the Israelite would have done), fasting for some, some teachings in church then the celebrations - food & drink just like the Israelite.

At Easter festival, as you say, people today do something similar to what is described at Neh. 8:9-12. The people of that same Neh. 8:9-12 did those things at what festival? Can you mention as you have mentioned Easter? ..... Like I said before, condemning Easter does not mean condemning rejoicing, am sure you know this by now.

I did not forget the re-enactment of some of activities leading to Jesus crucifixion. Is there something am missing? please fill the gap. So what is not a festival to God, were the Israelite rejoicing, eating and drinking because they heard the words of the law as issued by Baal?

Can you please share the bolded with us?

Before nkor? it can only be done as stated in the law. if done any other way, they have not complied. I don't see any correlation between this and somebody celebrating Jesus resurrection.

Bros, it appears you have forgotten what you are trying to prove.
Can the same words in bold be as well used regarding Easter, as you claim Easter was also divinely instituted for God's worshipers? Moreover, who says Easter had anything to do with the resurrection of Christ? Can you prove this?

What i see here is you people writing your own law so you can use it to condemn an action. There would be no argument if you can show that a commandment of the Lord have been breached.

Lol... There are principles in the bible that show Easter celebration is wrong for Christians to take part in.

Zikkyy: Reading this again, ...and i remembered an event where Nehemiah, the priest and levites advised the people to party even when it was not commanded by law, and there is no evidence to show that God was angry.

Nehemiah 8:9-12 (NIV)
9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.
10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
11 The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.”
12 Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.

No one is condemning such rejoicing. If I were there I would have rejoiced with them. Check again where you bolded on my post, it's about festival directed to God, like say, Easter festival. The people's rejoicing which resulted from their understanding of the law, was it a festival to God,? Not at all!

Rather, on the second day of the assembly, the heads of the people have a special meeting with Ezra to gain insight into the Law. They learn of the Festival of Booths that should be celebrated that very seventh month, and they immediately arrange to build booths for this feast to God. Neh. 8:13-16

And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths , and sat under the booths : for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so . And there was very great gladness . Also day by day , from the first day unto the last day , he read in the book of the law of God . And they kept the feast seven days ; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly ,according unto the manner."—Neh. 8:17, 18; Lev. 23:33-36

Note the expression: "according unto the manner" KJV; "as was required. " NET ; "according unto the ordinance" ASV

I appreciate your effort, please keep searching the scriptures, perhaps, you will suddenly come across a festival directed to God that men sat down, reasoned in out by themselves, in the end, the Almighty approved.

Zikkyy: @bolded, There are only two commandments; the command to love God and the command to love your neighbor. There are no other commands guiding our activities as Christians. We do a lot stuff we are not commanded to. is there a command that says we should build churches/kingdom halls & headquarters? statements like the above gives the impression Christians are to live in accordance with a list of dos & don'ts just like the mosaic law. Do you think it is possible to actually list out all the possible dos & don'ts?

Sorry, I was talking about pre-Christian Era.

I have some questions for you as well; do you consider it a sin for a Christian when we ignore the command to celebrate/eat the Lord's supper? How do we implement this command if it is not telling us how often to keep this command? would i be right to keep this remembrance on a daily basis? what about the man that adopts a monthly or annual approach?

Yes, it can be a sin if you know that is what is required of you as a Christian but you deliberately refuse to do, provided your circumstances allow.
Jesus did not specifically state how often the Lord's supper was to be done. He simply said: "this do in remembrance of me." (Luke 22:19) Paul said: "For as often as ye eat this bread , and drink this cup , ye do shew the Lord’s death till he comes." (1 Cor. 11:26) "As often" need not mean many times a year; it can mean annually over a period of many years. If you commemorate an important event, such as a wedding anniversary, or if a nation commemorates an important event in its history, how often is it done? Once a year on the anniversary date. This would also be consistent with the fact that the Lord's Supper was instituted on the date of the Jewish Passover, a yearly celebration that no longer had to be kept by Jews who had become Christians.[/quote]

I think we should first ask if there was any festival originated by the people and directed at the Lord. we can then ask if God accepted such sacrifice.

Go to Ex. 32

I need some clarifications here. what period are you considering? pre or post crucifixion? and when you say events, are referring to celebrations?

Before his death and after resurrection. To be more specific, celebration that was done to God - that was connected to his worship.

This is the only celebration Christians are commanded to do, okay. Are you now saying it's a sin to celebrate (feast) marriages? or it is a sin to celebrate when your wife gives birth? please reply.



Paul told the Corinthians to rejoice always and give thanks in all circumstances. The circumstances and the events to rejoice over were not listed. If God can leave this to their discretion, why will it be difficult for him to allow man decide what to celebrate. Jesus attended parties, even though he did not command that these should be done, and he had no problem with people doing it. When he gave the story of the prodigal son, there are no indications he considered as sin, the party celebrating the return of the prodigal son. Apostle Paul & Silas were invited to the house of the Jailer in Acts 16 to celebrate the jailer's new found belief, they celebrated with him without considering the fact that there was no command for such celebrations. If God can leave the celebration of a sinner being brought to the family of believers to the discretion of man, why would it be difficult for him to allow man to decide if he want to celebrate Jesus resurrection?

The only commandment for commemoration or remembrance of Christ death. Recall that in that post, the expression, "this do in remembrance of me" was in bold. Do we attend marriage feast in remembrance of Christ's death? NO! I quoted Paul just to prove that the early Christians did just the way Christ did. They could have said, 'let bring in Christ's resurrection into this', but they did it not. The question I asked was, could it be that they forgot? Better still, were Christians then not wise enough? This celebration we are talking about is directed to God, as part of our worship. If I were talking about celebration generally, would I not contradict myself when I said God wants us to be happy and rejoice all the time?

My brother, my advise to you is that you celebrate the freedom you have in Christ.....and don't forget to send me an I.V

Thank you![/quote]

Are you saying it is now a sin to do anything we don't read the apostles doing? please confirm.

I never said so, unless you failed to get the sense of what I was saying. However, if the things we do violet any bible's principle, it can be a sin.

What Paul is talking about here is the Lord's supper. He delivered his understanding of the Lord's supper. He is not saying he delivering all that is commanded to do in the form of celebration. You need to read the chapter for better understanding.

Has been addressed.

I agree. and some people actually rejoice and celebrate all the time, but you know very few people can fund daily celebrations. That is not to say they don't rejoice over Jesus resurrection on a daily basis.


Don't mind that man jare. By telling me not to go beyond what is written, he was indirectly telling me i can only celebrate the Lord's supper. Even though he is my friend, am still not happy with him for saying i cannot celebrate a good thing



A good number of the stuff we do are man-made, ...and being man made is not basis for determining a good or bad thing.

Nobody says so.

Omenuko: I see, so if we use you definition of worship:



Then the mere fact of standing and holding one's hand to the chest to salute the flag during the singing of the national anthem is worship (i.e., worshiping the national flag - idol worship)...the act of performing the yoruba doba'le or the east asian bow to a person is an act of worship (i.e., worshiping individuals - worshiping man)...the act of kneeling, kissing, or even touching royalty or esteemed individuals is worship (i.e., worshiping earthly kings). Surely, your definition of worship is too broad, because by merely giving respect or honor to anything, idea, or person will fall into your category of worship.

Devotional things = things you do that are connected or related to religious service. Example, prayer and your church songs are devotional things. If you pray or sing before an image as part of your religious service, that is worship.

If you bow, prostrate, kneel, kiss etc as a form of greeting, depending on your custom, they are nothing but greetings. On the other hand, if you do the same things, even before the same person(s) as part of your devotional things (religious service), they are no more greetings, but worship.

Can you please expand on how the Bible declares all of the above, including your assessment of catholic veneration, as sinful.

Yes, but before we go into the bible let understand what 'worship' entails. Can you kindly consult your dictionary for the meaning of 'devotional' to enable you understand my definition/ explanation better and as well tell me what you think worship is?

Zikkyy: Not yet. have not gone beyond my interactions with my neighbor.



It will not be different from the hundreds/thousands of pagan worship around. I hope you know that the worship was not directed at the Almighty. The calf was the god worshiped.



i believe the hundreds/thousands of pagan worships today has their origin from the time of Noah & his children, so its expected.



Its difficult due to time constraint. would be happy to work with what you have. but if i have time by end of the week, i might do some study.



Maybe you need to rephrase your question. Not so sure i understand it.

To answer your question i would say "it depends". If my offerings, eating, drinking & dancing was directed at the calf, it makes no difference if done in isolation. but if my offerings was made to God my eating and drinking was done with God in mind, i see no relationship with what been done by others. Their "feast to the calf Lord" is definitely not the same as my "feast to the lord"

More are involved than just having God in mind. What if you have God in mind but you do what He has not told you to, wrongly thinking he will accept; or use the wrong procedure? There are cases in the bible where persons did things with God in mind, but in the end, God disapproved. God does not accept all offerings given to Him, especially if it has connection to unholy acts.

Zikkyy: reading this question gives the impression that any church celebrating Easter is actually worshiping the Assyrian goddess. If my interpretation is correct, do you have evidence to prove this? I remember a poster saying he was celebrating Jesus resurrection, maybe he was not telling the truth. Kindly confirm.

Does Easter celebration have any connection with Assyrian goddess? That is the question you should first ask. For your evidence, turn the pages of history about Easter celebration the way you turned to other verses in Ex 32 and discovered calf worship in connection to 'a feast to Jehovah' at verses 5&6 ASV . His celebration of Jesus' resurrection was based on which scriptural precedent?

Zikkyy: I understand. I observed that error as well.



I like to confirm that i don't support idolatry, and at the same time i don't criticize for the fun of it or based on hearsay. I like the scriptural references you provided and would like to say that is also what i practice. for e.g. 1 Thess. 5:21 says as follows...

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good

This is my belief as well. and that is why i will always disagree with my JW brothers. If i assess an action as good or right then i will accept it (i.e. aligns with the commandment to love God and neighbor). it differs from the teachings (by truthislight & co) that i cannot rejoice even if it is good or right to do so in fact 1Thess 5:16-18 says that we should rejoice always and continue to give thanks....

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Your Mark7:6.8 reference does not imply that Jesus is against tradition. The pharisees were just a bunch of pretenders. What is wrong is a tradition that nullifies God's commandment.

Yes, everything is summarized into the love of God and neighbor. The question is, how do we show we love God, by doing what we are not commanded to, even though it seems good in our eyes. Think about God's dealings with the Isrealites and all the festivals. Which of those festivals came out of the people's originality, and had God's acceptance?

In Christian Era, think about Jesus' dealings with his disciples and all their disciple making work. Can you point to any crucial event or activity that took place out of the originality of the disciples?
A night before his death, he instituted a memorial service with them - The Lord's supper. According to Luke 22:19, Jesus commanded "...this do in remembrance of me". Scripturally speaking, this is the only celebration Christians are commanded to do. Paul and co in the first century did it too, without adulteration.

Does it appear to you that the celebration of the resurrection of Christ is something God and his son would have left to the discretion of man, if they wanted us to celebrate. Why did the Apostles not do it, they forgot? ...".For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you , That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread....this do in remembrance me." 1Cor. 11:23,24; there was no room for Easter. Paul delivered to them the way he had received.

God is a happy God, he wants us too to be happy and rejoice all the time, not waiting until a certain period of the year is reached. I have gone through your comments with truthislight and have not seen where he said you cannot rejoice, even if it is good and right to do so.

Any doctrine that lacks scriptural support is man-made.

Zikkyy: It depends on what you meant by 'patterned after'. Don't forget there are a lot of similarities between pagan worship and worship of God's people (especially before Christ). e.g. Baal worshipers offered bulls to their Gods just like the Israelite offered to the Almighty. If by pattern you meant something like group se.x for e.g., i will agree with you.

So one need to understand what is done at Easter that would make God reject such celebration. My neighbor for e.g. spent the period of lent in fasting & prayer mode and the Easter period celebration appeared normal to me. I find it difficult to reconcile such behavior as Assyrian & Babylonians se.x practiced.

Hello Zikkyy, should I assume you've researched on Easter as you promised so that it'll not amount to you defending what you know little or nothing about? Recall that I asked about its history.
Supposed "a feast to the LORD" survived to our time do you know the form it would take? Other lands and religion that would later adopt it would modify same to suit their form of worship.You referring me to your neighbor and others is like me referring you to Ex. 32:4&5. If you mention calf, I'll mention Assyrian goddess. You knew it involved calf because you read wider. Why not do same regarding Easter to see if it involved Assyrian goddess. Brother, I will be interested in your findings,

Just a question: supposed you took part in making "a feast to the LORD", while others sang and danced around the calf, you did not, but ate, drank, danced on your own and made offerings, would you have been absolved?

Omenuko: The Catholic Church teaches that Jesus is to be worshiped because he is God. The Church also teaches that the Blessed Virgin Mary is to be honored because she did the will of God. Note: Jesus is God and Mary is a created being. Please provide Church teaching where it states we should worship Mary.

Those devotional things you or your leaders do whenever you or they stand, kneel, sit, lie etc before an image or images fall under the heading of 'worship'. The worshiper doe not need to tell the worshed saying: "I am worshiping you, before the act is termed, 'worship'". Prayer is a form of worship, did you know? The pictures you see above this post are pictorial representations of what am trying to paint.

The reason they give you for honoring /worshiping Mary makes me begging to feel Elizabeth, the mother of John, the baptizer of Jesus did not do the will of God.

Omenuko, if you were to choose between the teachings of the Catholic Church and those of the Bible about Mary and Jesus, which would you go for?

Nevertheless, if you know you love your life and future, let nothing hold you back from acting swiftly on the following:

"And I heard another voice from heaven , saying , Come out of her, my people , that ye be not partakers of her sins , and that ye receive not of her plagues . For her sins have reached unto heaven , and God hath remembered her iniquities ". Rev. 18:4 - 5.

truthislight: Am fine o!

How about you, hope well?
Good to see you doing the good work.

Am fine too.

Zikkyy: You need to read the my post all over, so you understand what I was saying. I am yet to do any serious research on Easter to enable any serious discussion on its root. My post was simply stating what I would do to determine if any action I take is right or wrong. You guys came in here accusing some people of idolatry. And I asked if you have enough evidence to prove they are worshipping idols. If a celebrant says he is celebrating Jesus resurrection, you must have some proof before telling him his celebration is all a lie. Do you judge him by his actions or based on the ground that he used a name, you somehow linked to some idol. the celebrants in exodus 32 illustration were judged by their actions.

Zikkyy, sorry about that, i think there was an omission of the word "should" b/w "we" & "examine" in your statement that read: "..and i agree that we examine.." , so that gave me impression that you've already carried out the research.

Admittedly, I like your openness, but I'll enjoin you to carry out thorough research on it as you have said, and be open-minded while doing that. Scripturally, Idolatry is more than bowing before an image, hence the need to always examine the things we do, according to that 1Thess. 5:21 and Jesus' statement at Mark 7:6-8. Cheers!

Zikkyy: I cannot speak for the celebrants...and Ex. 32:5&6 cannot be the basis for determining a celebration is acceptable to God. I did not tell you I was going to make a golden calf and celebrate.

It does not have to be a golden calf, fashioned after Egyptian gods before it has God's disapproval. Supposed it was patterned after Assyrian and Babylonian goddess of sex and fertility, and was tagged, "a feast of the resurrection of the son of God", spiced up with food, drinks and some perfunctory sacraments, would He still reject it?

truthislight:

smh for you.

All i can tell you is, life is involve in this things.

Bros how u dey? It's been long!

Zikkyy: We all agree that we should examine all things, and i agree that we examine easter celebration to be sure it is not rooted in paganism. My question to you is this; have you done your investigation and found that Mr. Ube is in fact celebrating another god while pretending to be celebrating Christ?



when it comes to celebrations, i don't find a list of the dos and don'ts for Christians in the bible. personally, am guided by Christ's two commandments on love. The question i will ask myself is this; if am rejoicing and celebrating Jesus resurrection, have i gone contrary to the commandment to love my God? if not then am on the right track.

"A feast to the LORD" at Ex. 32:5&6, was it not a celebration? It was "a feast to the LORD" KJV, but did the LORD accept it, would any of the celebrant said he does not love God?

It's interesting to know you've made thorough findings about Easter, that it has no pagan root. Please can you share this findings with us, knowing it's about God, thus, life is involved?

Zikkyy: The definition will tell you the purpose:

1. Guideline:
a). a detailed plan or explanation to guide you in setting standards or determining a course of action
b). a rule or principle that provides guidance to appropriate behavior

source: the freedictionary

also: a general rule, principle, or piece of advice. source: oxford dictionaries

2. Checklist: a list of all the things you need to do or consider. source: Macmillan dictionary

guideline is advisory while checklist details a complete listing of everything that needs to be done. you are very correct to say the apostles letters serves as guide.

...and you can stop shaking your head now

Helo Zikkyy, God's word should be our guide as you concur, in fact, Jesus on many occasions said, "for it is written...". At Mark 7:6-8 he even quoted the book of Isaiah saying, "...They worship me in vain, teaching as doctrine the commandments of men..." NET

In part, 1Thess. 5:21 says we should "Prove all things..." KJV or "Examine all things...". NET
Now, in view of all that has been said about Easter, isn't it wise & scriptural that we examine easter to be sure it is not rooted in paganism? Jesus says our worship of God will be in vain if...

What detailed plan or explanation in the scripture guides the celebration of Easter; in other words, easter is guided by which scriptural principle?

Water, blood, and spirit bear witness to the fact that "Jesus is the Son of God". How?

John first says that Jesus came by means of water. Water was a witness bearer because when Jesus was baptized in water, the father himself expressed His approval of him as His Son saying, "this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17)

Christ was also shown to be God's Son with the blood he poured out in his death as "a ransom for all". (1 Timothy 2:5, 6)

Moreover, the descending of the spirit upon Jesus at his baptism witnessed to the fact that Jesus is God's Son. (Matthew 3:16; John 1:29-34) The same spirit enabled Jesus to carry out his commission and perform powerful works. (John 10:37, 38; Acts 10:38) And then, by the same spirit God resurrected him.—Matthew 27:50-54.

Ubenedictus: i said "where there is no law there is no sin"
besides u didnt show any scripture that questioned any celebration! U remember ur main plea was "overstepping"?

How come you know the very one I was talking about, the one u pretended u stopped @ paragraph 1. Go & respond 2 those scriptures let see. I know u'r scripture-shy, but let me still try; show me where it is written: "where there is no law there is no sin". Please don't fail me this time.