| Not all beliefs and customs are bad. But God does not approve of them if they come from false religion or are against Bible teachings. (Matthew 15:6) |
Matthew 15:6 "...he is not to 'honor his father' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition." |
But God does not approve of [beliefs and customs] if they come from false religions or are against Bible teachings. In the context of this point in the tract, I understand the term beliefs and what is being said about them - we should believe in God and what the Bible says, not something that comes from another religion. As for customs, I think the point is less clear, especially considering the following points. If the customs are forms of worship to someone other than God, then I agree that they are wrong. However, there are two other kinds of customs: those that remind and help us to worship God and those that are not forms of worship at all. I think the latter two forms are not displeasing to God (and the Biblical reference either supports or do not speak directly against these points). |
| Trinity: Is Jehovah a Trinity—three persons in one God? No! Jehovah, the Father, is "the only true God." (John 17:3; Mark 12:29) Jesus is His firstborn Son, and he is subject to God. (1 Corinthians 11:3) The Father is greater than the Son. (John 14:28) The holy spirit is not a person; it is God's active force. (Genesis 1:2; Acts 2:18) |
John 17:3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. Mark 12:29 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one...’" 1 Corinthians 11:3 Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. John 14:28 "You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I..." Genesis 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Acts 2:18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. |
There are many passages in the Bible that point to the fact that God is, in fact, a Trinity. One major verse that contributes to this point is John 1:1, which, in almost every translation of the Bible other than the one used by the Jehovah’s Witnesses, says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." The New World Translation, the translation of the Bible created in the 1950’s (over 60 years after the founding of the Jehovah’s Witness organization by a man that was neither a linguist nor a theologian) states instead, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god." Now, before I even go into the other verses in the Bible that point to the existence of the Trinity, I would like to point out the fact that this re-translation of the verse John 1:1 creates an irreconcilable contradiction within the Jehovah’s Witness faith. Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that there is only one God. Yet, this verse quite clearly states that there is another god, and the Jehovah’s Witnesses apparently believe in this other god as well. Having said all this, I will now go on to speak about the other points of contention within this point of the tract. Jesus is His firstborn Son, and he is subject to God. The point of the tract is to say that, because Jesus is God’s Son, He cannot also be God. However, this is to anthropomorphize God. We cannot imagine a father and a son being one person, because we are used to the human standard of "father" and "son" being completely distinct characters. However, for God, those rules do not apply, because He is not ruled by space and time. For a Biblical reference (other than John 1:1) that points out how Jesus was fully God, try this verse: Colossians 1:19-20 - For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Also consider John 14:7,9: If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?" In this passage, Jesus shows that He is equivalent to the Father. The holy spirit is not a person; it is God's active force. Neither of the scripture references given here actually state that the Holy Spirit is not a person. They certainly set the Holy Spirit as distinct from the Father the way Jesus is distinct from the Father, but they make no further implications. On the other hand, there are many passages in the Bible where the Holy Spirit and His activities are given "personal" characteristics, so that the Holy Spirit acts as a "person" rather than just a "force". Here are some passage to reference for this point: -Acts 2:4 - the Spirit "enables". -John 14:26 - "Councilor" - that’s a "person’s" title. -John 15:26 - "He will testify" - "He" does something as a person would do. -Galatians 4:6 - "cries out" - speaks as a person does. |
| Christmas and Easter: Jesus was not born on December 25. He was born about October 1, a time of year when shepherds kept their flocks out-of-doors at night. (Luke 2:8-12) Jesus never commanded Christians to celebrate his birth. Rather, he told his disciples to memorialize, or remember, his death. (Luke 22:19, 20) Christmas and its customs come from ancient false religions. The same is true of Easter customs, such as the use of eggs and rabbits. The early Christians did not celebrate Christmas or Easter, nor do true Christians today. |
Luke 2:8-12 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 22:19, 20 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. |
Jesus was not born on December 25. He was born about October 1... Why does this matter to the point? Most Christians understand the fact that Jesus was not born on December 25. This would be an issue if people were worshiping the day or date rather than the event that the holiday represents. Jesus never commanded Christians to celebrate his birth. This does not logically prove that Jesus commanded us not to celebrate His birth. Again, this is an illogical assumption. Christmas and its customs come from ancient false religions. I’d like to know which ancient and false religions Christmas comes from. The same is true of Easter customs, such as the use of eggs and rabbits. Clearly, the tract here is disapproving of the secular practices of Christmas and Easter - Santa Claus, the Easter bunny, etc. However, they do not speak to the issue of Christians that use these days as memorials of the things that Christ did for us - the miracle of His birth as full man and full God and the shear glory and grace of His death and resurrection and the ensuing salvation that we can enjoy. The tract even states that we should memorialize, or remember, his death. That is what most Christians use these holidays for - remembering God’s works. The early Christians did not celebrate ... Easter... In every single book of the Gospel, there is a record of Jesus rising on the first day of the week, His resurrection being discovered on that day, and the women and disciples rejoicing that day in response to his resurrection. (Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-11, Luke 24:1-35, John 20:1-20) John goes further to point out that the following Sunday (aka: first day of the week) was when Jesus appeared again to the gathering of the disciples (John 20:24-29). Again in Acts, the day of Pentecost is a Sunday (50 days after the Sabbath/Saturday of Passover Week). These affirmations led to the Christian custom of worshiping and fellowshipping on Sunday - and is a "mini-celebration" of Easter every week. It is a practice begun by the early church to remember the day of Jesus’ resurrection. One more point about Christmas and Easter: Although there is a great deal of secular activity on these holidays, there is also a massive increase in church attendance on these days. These holidays are wonderful opportunities for ministry to the secular world. |
| Birthdays: The only two birthday celebrations spoken of in the Bible were held by persons who did not worship Jehovah. (Genesis 40:20-22; Mark 6:21, 22, 24-27) The early Christians did not celebrate birthdays. The custom of celebrating birthdays comes from ancient false religions. True Christians give gifts and have good times together at other times during the year. |
Genesis 40:20-22 Now the third day was Pharaoh's birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials. He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials: He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh's hand, but he hanged the chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation. Mark 6:21, 22, 24-27 Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. ... She went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" "The head of John the Baptist," she answered. At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: "I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter." The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison... |
The early Christians did not celebrate birthdays. There is no scripture supporting this assertion. The custom of celebrating birthdays comes from ancient false religions. Which ancient and false religions were these? True Christians give gifts and have good times together at other times of the year. Where is there scripture to support this? If celebration of holidays is wrong, why are other types of celebration right? Again, in this section of the tract, there is an argument from the lack of information to a command, which is logically unsound. Because the Bible doesn’t mention people celebrating birthdays does not mean that we should not celebrate birthdays. The same is true for Christmas and Easter - a lack of information is not a forbidding. The celebration of birthdays is not a form of idol worship. It is a reminder of the joy of life that God has provided. Christmas, also, is a joyous memory of the gracious birth of Christ. Easter is a celebration of the completion and fulfillment of Christ’s work. If we were to worship dates, that may be considered a form of idol worship, but, rather, we use these days as times to worship God for a specific act. Furthermore, there are many places in the Bible where God sets up traditions for His people (Passover week and the Lord’s Supper, for example). Clearly, He has no qualms about using "customs" to remind us of His work among us. |
| Fear of the Dead: The dead cannot do anything or feel anything. We cannot help them, and they cannot hurt us. (Psalm 146:4; Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10) The soul dies; it does not live on after death. (Ezekiel 18:4) But sometimes wicked angels, called demons, pretend to be the spirits of the dead. Any customs that have to do with fear of or worship of the dead are wrong. (Isaiah 8:19) |
Psalm 146:4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10 For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even the memory of them is forgotten. ... Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. Ezekiel 18:4 For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son-both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die. Isaiah 8:19 When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? |
The soul dies; it does not live on after death. The scripture says, "the soul who sins is the one who will die." The tract states that all souls die. If it is true that souls die and do not live on, how can those who have died be raised? Furthermore, next passage mentions the dead as beings that are present for consultation (yes, the passage says that it is wrong to consult them, but it also implies that they are there). In yet another passage (1 Samuel 28), there is an actual occurrence of the spirit of a dead man being consulted (it is noted repeatedly in the passage that this is not a good thing to do, but the important note is that Samuel’s soul still lived even though his body had died). But sometimes wicked angels, called demons, pretend to be the spirits of the dead. Where is the scripture to support this? |
| Cross: Jesus did not die on a cross. He died on a pole, or a stake. The Greek word translated "cross" in many Bibles meant just one piece of timber. The symbol of the cross comes from ancient false religions. The cross was not used or worshiped by the early Christians. Therefore, do you think it would be right to use a cross in worship? (Deuteronomy 7:26; 1 Corinthians 10:14) |
Deuteronomy 7:26 Do not bring a detestable thing into your house or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction. Utterly abhor and detest it, for it is set apart for destruction. 1 Corinthians 10:14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. |
Jesus did not die on a cross. He died on a pole, or a stake. The Greek word translated "cross" in many Bibles meant just one piece of timber. According to the resources I have at my disposal (The NIV Study Bible and The New Testament Greek Lexicon at www.studylight.org) the term "cross" in the Greek does, in fact, translate to "an upright stake", but the word is also used to describe " the crucifixion which Christ underwent," and not necessarily only to mean "an upright stake". As the NIV Study Bible notes, "Archaeologists have discovered the bones of a crucified man, near Jerusalem, dating between A.D. 7 and 66, which shed light on the position of the victim when nailed to the cross." Later, it also notes: "A cross might be shaped like a T, an X, a Y, or an I, as well as like the traditional form." Therefore, according to the study of the Greek word and the study of the customs of those times, either form (a single beam or a cross beam) is possible. The Bible does not place significance on the shape of the cross on which Jesus was crucified. (I intend to research more on this point in some commentaries.) ...comes from ancient false religions. I hate to say this in what may come across as an overly-blunt and possibly rude way, but there are an awful lot of things being blamed on ancient false religions without any sort of supporting evidence. While there are many ancient religions, false religions and ancient false religions, it is not appropriate to pass off every tradition you don’t like by blaming those religions without any supporting evidence. ...do you think it would be right to use a cross in worship? There is an important phrase here: to use a cross in worship. The emphasis is on worship, not on the cross. When Christians use the symbol of a cross, they are not trying to state archeological facts (by claiming that crosses were "cross-shaped") or to encourage people to worship a symbol. Instead they are reminding themselves and others of the significance of the event that occurred on the cross. In this way, the symbol of the cross (whatever shape it may be) is useful in worship. |
| It may be very hard to abandon some of these beliefs and customs. Relatives and friends may try to convince you not to change your beliefs. But pleasing God is more important than pleasing men. (Proverbs 29:25; Matthew 10:36, 37) |
Proverbs 29:25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. Matthew 10:36, 37 "‘...a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.' Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me..." |
It may be very hard to abandon some of these beliefs and customs. After everything I’ve read in this lesson of the tract, I still don’t understand why God dislikes the celebration of holidays, especially if they are not a form of worship to someone or something other than God. |
