Tithing took place before Jacob and is still on...

akaahs:
You shall not bow down to them or serve them (Ex. 20:45); Alas, this people have sinned a great sin; they have made for themselves gods of gold(Ex.32:31). It is right to warn people against the sin of idolatry when they are committing it. But calling other Christians most especially Catholics idolaters because they have images of Christ and Saints is based on misunderstanding or ignorance of what the Bible says about the purpose and uses (both good and bad) of statues. God forbade the workship of statues, but he did not forbid the religious use of statues. Instead, he actually commanded their use in religious contexts!
In Ex. 25:18-22; 26:1; 31, for example, God commands the making of image of golden chorus. This heavenly image, of of course, is not worshiped by the Israelites. Instead, the image dispose their minds to the supernatural and draws them to God. God also command the making of broze serpent. One had to look at the broze statue of the serpent to be heale, which shows that statues could be used ritually, not merely as religious decoration s. The image of the bronze serpent is not an idol to be worshiped, but an article that lifts the mind of the supernatural (Num.21:. Solomon s temple contains statues of cherubium and images that were used in worship(1 Kings 6:23-36;7:27-39;8:6-67). it was only when the people began to worship the statuein 2 Kings 18:4 that they did incur Gods wrath, and the King destroyed it. The command prohibiting the use of graven images deals exclusively with the false worship of those images. The only image of God that Catholics worship is Jesus Christ, who is the "image" (Greek "eikon" of the invisible God (col.1:15).
God's commandment in Deu.5:8- "thou shall not make a graven image'' is entirely connected to the worship of false gods. God does not prohibit images to be worship, but He prohibits the images themselves to be workshiped as idols. Christions, especially Catholics use images in worship and devotions; we do not use ''idols''. The different lies in what we believe about them. An ''idol'' is something made that is not simply used in worship, but itself is the object of worship. Sacrifices and obligations are offered to idols, since sacrificed is the root of any true worship. An image is something that is used in worship, but is not itself the object of worship. Sacrifices and oblation are not offered to images.
I hope these write up 'll enlighten our Protestants brethren. I 'll be posting on the issue about Why do catholics venerate the virgin Mary, the issue of Tithe, How we got Chrismas, Christmas Tree and Santa Claus.

Oh! So you're saying that the worship and honour of statues is allowed simply because of that of the Golden calf? You already countered yourself with this;

In Ex. 25:18-22; 26:1; 31, for example, God commands the making of image of golden chorus. This heavenly image, of of course, is not worshiped by the Israelites. Instead, the image dispose their minds to the supernatural and draws them to God. God also command the making of broze serpent. One had to look at the broze statue of the serpent to be heale, which shows that statues could be used ritually, not merely as religious decoration s. The image of the bronze serpent is not an idol to be worshiped, but an article that lifts the mind of the supernatural (Num.21: . Solomon s temple contains statues of cherubium and images that were used in worship(1 Kings 6:23-36;7:27-39;8:6-67). it was only when the people began to worship the statuein 2 Kings 18:4 that they did incur Gods wrath, and the King destroyed it.

You have clearly saved me the trouble of what I needed to clear. By the way, I wasn't particularly referring to the Catholic Church, but since you feel they champion the course in statues and worship of these objects, then it is good you pointed it out. Perhaps they don't worship statues but do they bow down to them? A polar question is asked here and a simple yes/no would suffice.

sonofthunder:
Tithing took place before Jacob and is still on...

It started with Jacob. Abraham didn't really know God to the level of worship until he was 99 years old (Genesis 17:1). The said tithe he paid was to a king who doubled as a priest and it was never to God. I'd love it if you can share why you think the tithing practice is not archaic and exclusive to the then Israel.

Sanchez01:

It started with Jacob. Abraham didn't really know God to the level of worship until he was 99 years old (Genesis 17:1). The said tithe he paid was to a king who doubled as a priest and it was never to God. I'd love it if you can share why you think the tithing practice is not archaic and exclusive to the then Israel.

so the Israelites were tithing to Eli and co?
age is not a factor in serving God, there's no segregation.
the priest that Abraham tithed to, is he a priest of Baal or of the Most High God?

Sanchez01:

It started with Jacob. Abraham didn't really know God to the level of worship until he was 99 years old (Genesis 17:1). The said tithe he paid was to a king who doubled as a priest and it was never to God. I'd love it if you can share why you think the tithing practice is not archaic and exclusive to the then Israel.

Abraham worshipped a God that he knew and had faith in... gen 12:8 and gen 13:4.
also when Abraham offered sacrifices unto God, was it because God was hungry and needed food? or why? because I'm terribly shocked by your assertion of Abraham not knowing God to the level of worship.

sonofthunder:

so the Israelites were tithing to Eli and co?
age is not a factor in serving God, there's no segregation.
the priest that Abraham tithed to, is he a priest of Baal or of the Most High God?

Where did I mention such? Abraham tithed to a King who doubled as priest. I mentioned Jacob is the first man to tithe and I supplied a reference. You made a comment that Tithing had been before Jacob. With your new question, are you implying that there was Israel before Jacob himself? To your second question, do you tithe to your pastor or to God? Please respond and answer your question yourself.

sonofthunder:

Abraham worshipped a God that he knew and had faith in... gen 12:8 and gen 13:4.
also when Abraham offered sacrifices unto God, was it because God was hungry and needed food? or why? because I'm terribly shocked by your assertion of Abraham not knowing God to the level of worship.

I marvel. If Abraham had known God very well like you claim, how come Gen 17:1 does not precede Gen 12:8 and 13:4

Sanchez01:

Where did I mention such? Abraham tithed to a King who doubled as priest. I mentioned Jacob is the first man to tithe and I supplied a reference. You made a comment that Tithing had been before Jacob. With your new question, are you implying that there was Israel before Jacob himself? To your second question, do you tithe to your pastor or to God? Please respond and answer your question yourself.

so you do not believe that Abraham's tithe was to God?

sonofthunder:

so you do not believe that Abraham's tithe was to God?

Did the Bible mention that he tithed to God or to Melchizedek as seen in Gen 14:20? Please answer honestly without trying to twist the Scriptures.

Sanchez01:

I marvel. If Abraham had known God very well like you claim, how come Gen 17:1 does not precede Gen 12:8 and 13:4

maybe Abraham only sacrificed to and sought thin air.

Sanchez01:

Did the Bible mention that he tithed to God or to Melchizedek as seen in Gen 14:20? Please answer honestly without trying to twist the Scriptures.

that means the Israelites never tithed to God (if I should go by what you are saying, in fact its impossible for anyone to do so be it Jacob or anyone).
better still maybe I should ask, who is Melchizedek?
also when the Israelites tithed, did they tithe to the priests/high priests or to God?

sonofthunder:

maybe Abraham only sacrificed to and sought thin air.

I'm amazed. I should have known you're one of the tough dogmatic Christians I referred to. Bye.

Sanchez01:

Did the Bible mention that he tithed to God or to Melchizedek as seen in Gen 14:20? Please answer honestly without trying to twist the Scriptures.

Melchizedek received tithes from Abraham.
now can you try and answer some of my questions.

Sanchez01:

I'm amazed. I should have known you're one of the tough dogmatic Christians I referred to. Bye.

okay then

Na wa o... To be candid, my eyes opened as I read through this. I don't even know what to say. Sanchez, this is so on point.

Lalasticlala please come and put this where it belongs to help Christians.

ojoyentalk:
Tithing started with Abraham
Jacob continued it
Jesus commended it

Could you please show us? It would be nice if the truth on where the Bible stand concerning tithing is clarified.

ojoyentalk:
Tithing started with Abraham Jacob continued it Jesus commended it

Please provide Bible passages from the Scripture to prove this.

onyekaegbo:
Na wa o... To be candid, my eyes opened as I read through this. I don't even know what to say. Sanchez, this is so on point.

Lalasticlala please come and put this where it belongs to help Christians.

Funny, it can be difficult to deal with. It is not really easy dispelling what you've been taught and trained with since childhood, but then again, if it is not preached by Christ, then it should be done away with.

winner01:
If another date was chosen. Skeptics will still find a god to attribute it to. We have 365 days and there about 5000+ gods.
Personally, i see nothing wrong in celebrating Jesus anyday. He owns all days.

Why not kukuma celebrate him everyday!, since he owns all days. why go through the stress of finding just one day for the celebration?, a celebration we where not even commanded to observe, and no precedence set by the disciples to celebrate it!

akaahs:
You shall not bow down to them or serve them (Ex. 20:45); Alas, this people have sinned a great sin; they have made for themselves gods of gold(Ex.32:31). It is right to warn people against the sin of idolatry when they are committing it. But calling other Christians most especially Catholics idolaters because they have images of Christ and Saints is based on misunderstanding or ignorance of what the Bible says about the purpose and uses (both good and bad) of statues. God forbade the workship of statues, but he did not forbid the religious use of statues. Instead, he actually commanded their use in religious contexts!
In Ex. 25:18-22; 26:1; 31, for example, God commands the making of image of golden chorus. This heavenly image, of of course, is not worshiped by the Israelites. Instead, the image dispose their minds to the supernatural and draws them to God. God also command the making of broze serpent. One had to look at the broze statue of the serpent to be heale, which shows that statues could be used ritually, not merely as religious decoration s. The image of the bronze serpent is not an idol to be worshiped, but an article that lifts the mind of the supernatural (Num.21:. Solomon s temple contains statues of cherubium and images that were used in worship(1 Kings 6:23-36;7:27-39;8:6-67). it was only when the people began to worship the statuein 2 Kings 18:4 that they did incur Gods wrath, and the King destroyed it. The command prohibiting the use of graven images deals exclusively with the false worship of those images. The only image of God that Catholics worship is Jesus Christ, who is the "image" (Greek "eikon" of the invisible God (col.1:15).
God's commandment in Deu.5:8- "thou shall not make a graven image'' is entirely connected to the worship of false gods. God does not prohibit images to be worship, but He prohibits the images themselves to be workshiped as idols. Christions, especially Catholics use images in worship and devotions; we do not use ''idols''. The different lies in what we believe about them. An ''idol'' is something made that is not simply used in worship, but itself is the object of worship. Sacrifices and obligations are offered to idols, since sacrificed is the root of any true worship. An image is something that is used in worship, but is not itself the object of worship. Sacrifices and oblation are not offered to images.
I hope these write up 'll enlighten our Protestants brethren. I 'll be posting on the issue about Why do catholics venerate the virgin Mary, the issue of Tithe, How we got Chrismas, Christmas Tree and Santa Claus.

Dear, even our forefathers used stones, trees, mountains etc as media, and not as god per ser. Some see them as the dwelling place of god or instruments tru which God can be invoked. Catholics see those images as medium, and more so ascribe powers to them. The images, scapulars, etc have special prayers offered to them. It's is wrong. God's commandment is straight, you don't use human wisdom to give it meaning beyond what it is.
I'm happy that you said that the serpent was destroyed by king Hezekiah when he discovered that the people have started worshipping it. Who then is putting people in check now to guard against image worshipping since every body bows to it and say their prayers.
Why can't we just worship in truth and spirit as commanded than trial and error?

Bro Sanchez01, as regards church marriage, I must say that it isn't wrong. It was never condemned in the Bible.. It is as good as traditional celebration of marriage or court marriage. However, not doing church celebration of marriage does not make it spiritually invalid as some churches see it, neither is the celebration wrong as you alluded.

dolphinheart:


Why not kukuma celebrate him everyday!, since he owns all days. why go through the stress of finding just one day for the celebration?, a celebration we where not even commanded to observe, and no precedence set by the disciples to celebrate it!

I celebrate him everyday.

akaahs:
You shall not bow down to them or serve them (Ex. 20:45); Alas, this people have sinned a great sin; they have made for themselves gods of gold(Ex.32:31). It is right to warn people against the sin of idolatry when they are committing it. But calling other Christians most especially Catholics idolaters because they have images of Christ and Saints is based on misunderstanding or ignorance of what the Bible says about the purpose and uses (both good and bad) of statues. God forbade the workship of statues, but he did not forbid the religious use of statues. Instead, he actually commanded their use in religious contexts!

So God commanded their use, those commands where specific, it cannot be replicated by others to make other statues. Furthermore those commands where recorded!
now when did God tell those who make statues or images today for religious purposes to do so, where is such command recorded.

In Ex. 25:18-22; 26:1; 31, for example, God commands the making of image of golden chorus. This heavenly image, of of course, is not worshiped by the Israelites. Instead, the image dispose their minds to the supernatural and draws them to God.

less than 1% of isrealites have seen these statues or images, so the issue of them worshiping it would not come up. It is not placed in homes or door ways where everybody passes, or on streets and on mountaintop like it is done today. so the isrealites wunt even worship it cus they don't see it! are our present day images hidden.?

God also command the making of broze serpent. One had to look at the broze statue of the serpent to be heale, which shows that statues could be used ritually, not merely as religious decoration s. The image of the bronze serpent is not an idol to be worshiped, but an article that lifts the mind of the supernatural

and that same image was destroyed when people started paying undue reverence to it.

. Solomon s temple contains statues of cherubium and images that were used in worship(1 Kings 6:23-36;7:27-39;8:6-67).

1. The statues or images where not placed where anyone could see them .
2. Solomon followed written down instructions from God as to the making of these images and statues, so he did not make for himseof any image for religious purpose.
3. images made is the house of Solomon are not for religious purpose, the one for religious purpose are in the temple.

it was only when the people began to worship the statuein 2 Kings 18:4 that they did incur Gods wrath, and the King destroyed it.

It would have been good if you stated what the king destroyed. I'm of the view that the images destroyed where not worshiped, but used in worship, a practise that God did not command.

The command prohibiting the use of graven images deals exclusively with the false worship of those images. The only image of God that Catholics worship is Jesus Christ, who is the "image" (Greek "eikon" of the invisible God (col.1:15).

good to hear that the catholics worship an image!, an image of the image of God.!. This man made image has no divine commandment supporting it's production.
note: when those images where made in the old testament, nobody was said to make copies and put it in his home .

God's commandment in Deu.5:8- "thou shall not make a graven image'' is entirely connected to the worship of false gods. God does not prohibit images to be worship, but He prohibits the images themselves to be workshiped as idols.

you contradict yourself in this same post: "God forbade the workship of statues,".
its is connected to the worship of false gods and the worship of God himself. " do not make for YOURSELF" is the instruction of God. So making an image without divine instructions or command is same as making an image for yourself, no matter whose image it is or what it is meant for.
The isrealites know the God that brought them across the red sea, but they where punished for making an image of him. How much so now if one makes an image of God like you claim to do, saying," it is an image of God, not an image of false God’s. its like making your case worse.
The funny thing is that those making the images of Jesus do not even know how jesus looked like.

Christions, especially Catholics use images in worship and devotions; we do not use ''idols''.

Why do they do so?
did the disciples do so?
is it written in the scriptures that christians should do so?
where is the command that images should be made for Jesus and Mary? as we saw in the scriptures about images made during the old testament, no image relating to worship in any form was made without divine instructions.

The different lies in what we believe about them. An ''idol'' is something made that is not simply used in worship, but itself is the object of worship. Sacrifices and obligations are offered to idols, since sacrificed is the root of any true worship. An image is something that is used in worship, but is not itself the object of worship. Sacrifices and oblation are not offered to images.
I hope these write up 'll enlighten our Protestants brethren. I 'll be posting on the issue about Why do catholics venerate the virgin Mary, the issue of Tithe, How we got Chrismas, Christmas Tree and Santa Claus.

non of the above can find approval in the scriptures, you can go ahead and people will examine your explanations.

“‘You must not make worthless gods for yourselves, and you must not set up a carved image or a sacred pillar for yourselves, and you must not put a stone figure in your land in order to bow down toward it; for I am Jehovah your God.

De 4:15, 16“Therefore, watch yourselves closely—since you did not see any form on the day Jehovah spoke to you in Hoʹreb out of the middle of the fire—16that you may not act corruptly by making for yourselves any carved image having the form of any symbol, the representation of male or female,
(do you think God was talking about images of false gods here?)

De 4:23Be careful that you do not forget the covenant of Jehovah your God that he made with you, and do not make for yourselves a carved image, the form of anything forbidden to you by Jehovah your God.

De 27:15“‘Cursed is the man who makes a carved image or a metal statue, a thing detestable to Jehovah, the workmanship of the hands of a craftsman, and who has hidden it.’ (And all the people will respond, saying, ‘Amen!’)

Ac 17:29“Therefore, since we are the children of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, like something sculptured by the art and design of humans.

winner01:
I celebrate him everyday.

good, hope not with established pagan customs and unscriptural practices sha.

Sanchez01:
This piece may be hard for dogmatic Christians to digest, largely because they, as dogmatic as they are, have never been encouraged to think on their own and in turn, find out the truth concerning some of the practices I'm about to mention. Therefore, I apologize to anyone who feels slighted or angry at any/every part of my write up which I consider a "hardball". Please be open minded as you take your time to read through this piece.

1. Statues, Symbol of Christ/Mary in Churches is a sin:
God, through Exo 20:3-6 makes His intention known. If you attend a church where symbols, statues of Christ, Mary or Angels are mounted within its premises or you have one at home, then know you're on your own. Christ never commanded this and every action put up in the Old Testament concerning this was purely condemned. You have no business with that statue! (Also read: 1 John 5:21; 1 Cor 10:14). If you have a cross, statue, rosary or image depicting Christ in your home or church, then you are in the congregation of the dead.


2. The Worship of Mary:
The worship or "honour" accorded to Mary by some within the Christian fold is nothing but a misleading. Mary WAS a fortunate vessel used by God to birth Christ. She was a virgin at the time, just like most ladies of then. God could have used anyone. In short, God used anyone and that person was Mary. The Worship of Mary or mentioning her during prayer is a sin. Why? Christ gave a template fro prayer through the Lord's prayer. Mary went on to birth several other children through sexual form with Joseph.

[/color]
Notice the Halo around Mary (especially her head). That is an idolatrous practice of Christians which symbolizes deity (that she is equal with God). The Babylonians practiced the same idolatrous worship to the Queen of Heaven. Mary is NOT deity, she was a normal every-day woman. God makes CLEAR in His Word that He will NOT share His glory with another (that includes Mary).
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/bowing_to_mary_is_a_sin.htm

3. Church Marriage:
This is perhaps a practice Christ would never be happy with. Why? The church from the onset has no right joining a couple together. Never! [color=#990000] When a man and a woman agrees to marry, as far as they have sought both parents' consent, then they have God's favour and not the church's. Unfortunately, most churches prioritize this practice even more than the traditional wedding which started with Abraham's family in the Old Testament [/color]. Most ladies even live for the moment of church wedding without realizing the practice is wrong. Does it not baffle us as Christians that the wedding at Cana Christ attended was neither conducted in a temple or on a religious ground? Does it not speak volume, that despite being Christ, He did not lay any example as to how weddings should be conducted in the Scripture? Western wedding tradition has crept into the Nigerian church and our pastors are even outdoing those who started it. Amazing!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_wedding

4. Christmas:
Ah... Everyone loves this season. Who doesn't? Everyone feels it and breathes it when it is near. Unfortunately, the origin of December 25 is idolatry. Christ was never born on the 25th of December. Christ said, [color=#990000]. Christmas is not a command of God—it is a tradition of men. Christ continued, . Every year, throughout the world, on December 25th, hundreds of millions do just that! Read more on the origin of Christmas here: http://www.hope-of-israel.org/cmas1.htm

5. Tithe:
At this point, I know many will come for me. Therefore, this may be longer to drive my point home. Tithing started with Jacob and not on God's instruction, contrary to the belief of many people. [/color]Voila! And it started. But what was the original tithing system before the popular Malachi 3:10 method.

[color=#990000]

The passage above was the proper way of tithing; use your money to buy what your soul lust after and eat before God. Why pastors don't preach this, I don't know. Greed, perhaps. Christ while on earth in human form taught man all he needed to know about God's worship and living with fellow men. From prayer, to fasting, to offering, to giving, to sacrificing, etc. What did He say about tithing? Nothing! What did the Apostles teach about tithing? Nothing! As a matter of fact, Christ paid tax to an earthly government, prayed, fasted, gave, sacrificed and so on, but did He pay tithe at all? No! [color=#990000][/color]

I know many will claim "we operate both the Old and the New Testament". If this is true, how come we don't practice some of the commandments in in Leviticus 15

1. As the Old Testament practice, a woman with her monthly flow MUST not come near the Temple because she's unclean. Do churches examine this? NO! Save a few (white garments).
2. When a woman is caught in the act of adultery, the Old Testament practice was instant killing by stoning her to death. Does it happen in Christianity today? No! If we operate both Testaments, how come we cannot carry out this act? Simple! Because Christ demonstrated the perfect example - forgiveness. Under Christ, some Old practices were abolished, including tithing which is an Old Testament practice to the then Israel. It is hypocrisy to pick some parts of the Scripture that suits you and dump the rest.

There, you know which is which. Which should be abolished and which should be done away with. Happy Sunday

Some of your points are valid, but my excitement ebbed when you mentioned marriage and tithing.
How can you say Christ will not be happy with church marriage, when He said in all you do, do in the name of Jesus Christ (Col. 3:17)? where else would that happen, save for the church and by an officiating minister?

About tithing.
For your information, tithing is NOT an Old Testament commandment.
The first person who paid tithes was Abraham, and he was not a Jew. Rather his offspring formed the Jewish root. Again, he did it out of conscience, and not of compulsion. it was because men did not do it willingly that God made it a law in the Levitical days.
Check people who do not pay tithes. Gods word cannot lie. there is one way or the other that same amount is taken from them. do so carefully and conscientiously. the devourers God promised in Malachi 3 WILL NOT go unless that commandment is obeyed. God is not our mate.

dolphinheart:

good, hope not with established pagan customs and unscriptural practices sha.

No oo, except that i eat chicken.

Peritus:
Bro Sanchez01, as regards church marriage, I must say that it isn't wrong. It was never condemned in the Bible.. It is as good as traditional celebration of marriage or court marriage. However, not doing church celebration of marriage does not make it spiritually invalid as some churches see it, neither is the celebration wrong as you alluded.

I agree with the latter part of your submission. However we need to look at some things critically to drive home our point. Adultery was not condemned by Christ when a woman who was caught in the act was brought forth. He didn't condemn her like everyone wanted Him to. Is that enough justification to say adultery is not a sin because Christ didn't condemn it? Obviously NO! Church marriage has no Biblical foundation or whatsoever, it was not preached, admonished, encouraged or supported in any way. As a matter of fact, we would not be at peace should God judge us with the standard of the Old Israel. The temple (church) is sacred and should be treated as such. Not for merry making or whatever.

You would agree with me that the first man and woman were not privileged to marry in the proper way, regardless, all those who married afterwards, from Isaac, down to Hosea, a prophet of God, how many of them took the wedding rites to the temple? Even in the NT, nothing was said concerning it, yet our spiritual leaders take time out to preach church wedding as if that is why God called them. Church wedding has no spiritual significance. The principles for weddings and marriage are well captured in the Scripture.

On a final note, Church wedding rite and the traditional wedding rite are not on the same level. The traditional rite of presenting gifts to the bride-to-be's parents and the the bride herself is fully supported by the Scripture, and this practice continued from the Old Testament to the New and even to this present day. The so-called church wedding has no root in the Scriptures. How then is it as good as the traditional wedding?

poik:



Some of your points are valid, but my excitement ebbed when you mentioned marriage and tithing.
How can you say Christ will not be happy with church marriage, when He said in all you do, do in the name of Jesus Christ (Col. 3:17)? where else would that happen, save for the church and by an officiating minister?

About tithing.
For your information, tithing is NOT an Old Testament commandment.
The first person who paid tithes was Abraham, and he was not a Jew. Rather his offspring formed the Jewish root. Again, he did it out of conscience, and not of compulsion. it was because men did not do it willingly that God made it a law in the Levitical days.
Check people who do not pay tithes. Gods word cannot lie. there is one way or the other that same amount is taken from them. do so carefully and conscientiously. the devourers God promised in Malachi 3 WILL NOT go unless that commandment is obeyed. God is not our mate.

Did Christ say that word in Col 3:17 or just one of the Apostles? I could as well fornicate and get away with it as long as I do it in the name of Christ, is that correct? Perhaps I could bow to a graven image and do it in the name of Christ and truly believe I have not erred in the commandment concerning not bowing to idols. That passage is misguided and some of the Apostles who championed the New Testament have in a way contributed to many ills being practiced in Christianity today (this is definitely a discussion for another time). Let's look at it this way;

1. I know we operate Grace now as opposed to the Law during the time of Moses, but what if the Temple was so fearful just like back then when the priests would run the edges of their skirts with dangling bells before going into the Most Holy Chamber of God, knowing fully well they could drop dead at any time and the bells were the only signal they have to show those outside waiting to know if they were still alive or dead. Would anyone today say it is that sacred and feared Temple if God he or she wants to feast and make merry under the guise of a church wedding?

2. Christ chased traders out of the Temple in the New Testament simply because they abused the place of worship and chose to make it a bargaining ground of all sorts. What is the significance of the story? Simple, just like those traders whom Christ beat and chased out, anyone who uses the Temple or church beyond prayer, worship and teachings of the
Word of God has not only violated it but also abused it, just those traders did. Worst of all, Christ mentioned the manner and way in which a union is to be established in Matt 19:4 , which is exactly the same as God's in Genesis 2:24

1. Old Testament: Gen 2:24
2. New Testament: Matt 19:4
Is the church mentioned or instructed to play a role? No! Did the priests and prophets play any roles concerning marriage? No! Why then is the church concerned about this particular ritual when it's origin is in any way Biblical.

NB: Abraham was not the first to pay tithe. What he paid was a tribute: an entitlement to a king who was also a priest at the same time. He did not pay it to God. Please refer to the first page. We have talked about this extensively there.

malvisguy212:
@. I agree with everything you said except christmas, the day of christ birth may be unknown, but First, a person who was born on February 29 (leap year) only celebrate his birthday after 4 years, is it sinful to chose another day to celebrate it ? Or if your birthday fall on saturday (saturn) will you celebrate it ? In 1 corinthians 8 paul is saying we should not in anyway aknowlegde this pagan gods exist.

Does it ever bother you to think what the person you are celebrating feels about it?

Nigerians and borrowed religion.

Mehn.................God bless you immensely!

thesicilian:
On the issue of tithes, a lot of people might disagree with you as you have already anticipated.
First tithing did not begin with Jacob, it began with Abraham, when he gave tithes to Melchizedek the priest of the Most High. (Genesis 14:20)
And we're somewhat bound to follow the acts of our great patriarch if we are to enjoy his blessings as ''seeds of Abram''

But the new testament views on tithing are issues of continuing research to me, one would think that for such an important issue as tithing (as our pastors make it out to be), the New Testament Bible would be pretty clear on its stand but this is not the case

so from what u read, was it Abram that gave the priest/king tithes or the priest gave