₦airaland Forum

Freksy: 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.

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.

Freksy: God does not accept all offerings given to Him, especially if it has connection to unholy acts.

I don't expect God to accept all offerings.

Freksy: Does Easter celebration have any connection with Assyrian goddess? That is the question you should first ask.

I was hoping somebody will post something that addresses this.

Freksy: His celebration of Jesus' resurrection was based on which scriptural precedent?

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?

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

Freksy: 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?

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.

Freksy: 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.

@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?

Freksy: 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.

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?

Freksy: 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?

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.

Freksy: 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?

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

Freksy: 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.

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.

Freksy: 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.

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?

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

Freksy: Why did the Apostles not do it, they forgot? ...

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

Freksy: ..".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.

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.

Freksy: 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 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.

Freksy: 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.

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

Freksy: Any doctrine that lacks scriptural support is man-made.

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.

Freksy: 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?

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.

Freksy: 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.

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

Freksy: Supposed "a feast to the LORD" survived to our time do you know the form it would take?

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.

Freksy: Other lands and religion that would later adopt it would modify same to suit their form of worship.

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

Freksy: Why not do same regarding Easter to see if it involved Assyrian goddess. Brother, I will be interested in your findings,

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.

Freksy: 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?

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"

Freksy: 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.

I understand. I observed that error as well.

Freksy: 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!

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.

Freksy: 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?

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.

Freksy: 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?

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.

Freksy: "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?

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.

Freksy: 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...

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?

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

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.

truthislight: Yes, the law was inforce when christ said those words, besides, christ was using the law to measure the pharisee since that was the standard they hard and operated.

true talk. but sure they will never understand.

*i think i should do away with comments like this, am beginning to sound like image123*

@Goshen360,

abeg carry go with the good work o jare

christemmbassey: pls i dont like this deaf and dumb arguments, open ya mouth and talk. Haba.

Lol! don't mind image123. how can the man talk when he is spent already. on the issue of tithe please address him as Pa image123 he is way past his active playing days and has lost touch with reality instead of the man to retire, he is still trying to show activity. Its like Pa Fatai Rolling Dollars playing for Nigeria at the next world cup

Image123: some folks don't understand Paul, some folks don't understand Paul. Paul na your daddy? abi na your personal properti? Clear that dirty looking log of wood in your eye first.

Alwaystrue: ^^^^^^
Before you go jumping around, contribute if you have anything to say.

@Alwaystrue, thank you jare. image123 got nothing to say other than waste bandwith

rabzy: Many of us know how masquerades are carried around in our villages with all their hideous masks, canes and symbols. We totally know it is unchristian.
What if in 50 years time or after we are dead, some xtians or the whole of christendom now are carrying masquerades and whipping themselves like they do now but they renamed the festival or even retained it somewhat like in ishtar/eastar and maybe they are now using it to remember how Jesus suffered while on earth at the hands of opposers and the masks represents the temptations from the Devil or some other lame explanations.
If we were to see them doing it, we that knew that was the name and way our egungun/masquerade festivals were conducted and celebrated would you join them, or do you think Jesus Christ who knew when these things were pagan and how it was later converted be happy to accept it.

wait a minute, are you saying pagans at at point in history celebrated Jesus resurrection? if they did, you don't think that was a step in the right direction?

truthislight: What is the purpose of a checklist and a guide?

Smh for you.

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

truthislight: Why not ask Aron and the Israelites that Decided for themself how to worship and celebrate("rejoys" ) ?

Brother truthislight, you see yourself if you know you don't have answers to my question why advise me not go beyond what is written? small request for you to confirm if rejoicing is not part what is written, you dey dodge now you want me to visit Aaron for the answer, you should have invited Aaron to advise me not go beyond what is written so i can ask him if rejoicing is not part of what is written by the way can you send Aaron an email (on my behalf) for the answer, it appears you know where to find him

truthislight: They wrote letters that served as a guide to followers of christ. No?

...and that's what the letters were for; to serve as guide to followers of Christ. the problem is that you use the letters as checklist.

truthislight: "Dont go beyond what is written".
(1cor.4:6)

which one be "Dont go beyond what is written" so somebody rejoicing over Jesus resurrection is now a sin abi? it is now a sin to rejoice abi? it is not written that people should rejoice abi? you have to show us the book you are reading o! kindly provide evidence where it is stated that rejoicing is a sin

garyarnold: Being SPIRIT LED instead of 10% led,.......

LOL this is something for image123 to consider, I know image is 10% led

frosbel: Or could it be that for these people spiritual blessings are not as significant as financial reward ?

Yes for some people. You have to solve immediate problems first. Spiritual blessing is for long term.

Bidam: You think so? ever heard of John D Rockefeller? He said and i quote “I never would have been able to tithe the first million dollars I ever made if I had not tithed my first salary, which was $1.50 per week.”
— John D. Rockefeller is a good example of consistency since you don't believe you can google him if you like.

No wonder you have been tithing recklessly you want to hammer like Rockefeller abi? So what your status now? Do you now have shares in any oil company?

Image123: Tithing is a form of giving, remember? Not all forms of giving are sustainable, that's why the practice of having all things in common didn't last. Do you practice this new testament form of giving, abi na so so mouth you get?

Remember the statement that those refusing to work should not eat. The practice of having all things in common was not meant to last. Telling people to give 10% of their income to the pastor is also not sustainable. Remove the conditions of blessings attached to tithe by pastor and you'll see the tithing population reduce. If you continue to focus on sustainability, then you miss the gospel message. Christ and the apostles were never after sustainability of giving by recommending a giving type.

The idea of giving a tenth can make some to give under compulsion and also restrict others from giving more. This is not the message from Christ and the apostles.

Image123: you forgot to add that the practice of tithing is more sustainable universally and in any time frame as compared to following the steps of dropping all our property at some apostle's feet.

Any form of giving can easily be sustained if only you can make true Christians of the congregation. Sustainability should not override the commandment for Love driven giving.

ijawkid: Oya I don change am to easter wey you know of since u dey pretend to no know who be or wetin be eoastre.....

Lol you thought zikkyy was not being truthful abi? I know sango, I know orunmila, but EAOSTRE I don't know

ijawkid: Oya I don change am to easter wey you know of since u dey pretend to no know who be or wetin be eoastre.......oya answer..what is the link between easter and Jesus....

I believe someone already told you he is celebrating Jesus resurrection. That's the only link am aware of

Alwaystrue: The intent or the reason why God instituted tithe remained, the receiver changed. That is all.

It is not just the receiver that changed, the command to give tithe was also affected. The tithe instituted by God was beneficiary specific. The nature of the tithe was also specific. God did not say anybody serving the function of priest is entitled to the peoples tithe. The tithe was the tribe of Levi inheritance, and God did not take away that inheritance when he changed the priesthood. You will be going against God's command by giving the Levites tithe to your pastor. Btw, you are not even eligible to give God's tithe.

I agree with you that the intent or reason God instituted tithe remained. your application of that intent today is a personal decision, it is not a commandment that is applicable to all Christians. You should be careful in applying God's tithe intent so it does not become a law for you. You run the risk of rejecting the spirit and conducting your giving based on laws issued by your pastor or imposed on self.

Alwaystrue: Since the below scriptures are deceit to you, do leave me to do according to God's word that I have mixed with faith. Thanks.

Genesis 14:19-20
19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: 20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

Hebrews 7:1-2
1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

Hebrews 7:8-9
8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.


Numbers 18:21
21 And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.

2 Corinthians 31:4-5
4 Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the Lord.

5 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.

Matthew 23:23
23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

I Corinthians 9:13-14
13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

2 Corinthians 11:8
8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.

Scriptures cannot be deceit. Deceit arise from interpretations. Quoting scriptures is not telling us anything. Your pastors continue to deceive you with their interpretation of the scriptures. The apostles did a good job without the use of tithe. We still rely on their letters after 2000 years! You think it was tithe that preserved the scriptures? The work of God will be done tithe or no tithe.

ijawkid: My questions them relevant die........at what time or how did Jesus end up being tied up to easter??.....ona never answer me ....

Have told you already, I don't know of any link between Jesus & EAOSTRE if you have something to say, just say it. I no go answer you again on this particular question. You are the one telling us there is a link, so tell us what that link is. Zikkyy is not aware there is a link, so how do expect him to provide the answer you want?

ijawkid: It is said that what people are celebrating is Jesus" ressurection.....so I am asking...

You see yourself? So you heard that people are celebrating Jesus resurrection, why you come dey ask irrelevant question na?

ijawkid: Zikky don't dance around this.....what has eaostre got to do with Jesus??.........

Answer me and let's move past this your questions wey you knw say Jesus no like......

It is said that what people are celebrating is Jesus" ressurection.....so I am asking::::.....what has Jesus got to do with eaostre??............what's his businees with it??....

Don't ask me questions I know nothing about I no fit do research because I want to answer your question if you know there is a connection between Jesus & EAOSTRE tell us. Anyways e be like UBE don answer your question

ijawkid: .......UBe and you(I no know wether you follow too) are celebrating EOSTRE........

Where is your proof? You were at zikkyy's place & you saw him sacrificing he-goat to EOSTRE