Study of Denomintions 08/15/2010

A Study of Denominations
Cont. from last week

Concerning Observance

Binding No Observance of Christmas?

There are some today who will even bind that no one should celebrate Christmas in any form, even the social and secular aspects of it. Do the Scriptures justify such a stand?

First, it must be said that Christmas is not today nor has it ever been a "Christian" holiday. It has never fully divested itself of much of its pagan origins, and most of the traditions we associate with Christmas actually derive from only the past two hundred years. Furthermore, our modern culture has embraced Christmas as a secular holiday, a time to come together with family and to exchange gifts. Even the court system these days finds no difficulty with state recognition of Christmas; it surely is not "only" religious!

We have previously seen what Paul said about observances in Romans 14:15-16 ; he also says the following in Colossians 2:16-17 :

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day: which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's.


As we can see, Paul says that we are not to condemn or be judged based on the observation (or lack thereof) of any day or any festival. We would do well to remember this in the context of this lesson: while these observances are not authorized in Scripture, we cannot condemn their observation as sin. Therefore, no one has the right to bind the lack of observation of any holiday on another who feels that the holiday is acceptable. Furthermore, no one who observes a holiday has the right to bind that holiday on anyone who does not agree with it.

Therefore, while we ought to respect the convictions of those who do not observe Christmas in any way, and ought not put a stumbling block in their way, such persons also ought to respect the liberty of their brethren to observe the day in a secular manner, and not be quick to condemn (cf. Romans 14:3-21 ).
Observances Concerning the Lord's Death
Ash Wednesday

Toward the end of February, approximately forty days before Easter, the observance of Ash Wednesday is performed in some denominations. Often, the ashes of palm fronds used in the previous year's Palm Sunday ( see below ) are placed on the observer's forehead as a sign of penitence and the cognizance of the mortality of man. This observance is the beginning of the season of Lent.

There are no Scriptures that demonstrate the use of this observance, nor is it ever commanded in Scripture.
Lent

In some denominations, a season of Lent is observed between Ash Wednesday and Easter. The season lasts forty days, and is designed for observers to imitate Christ in the desert ( Matthew 4:1-2 ). In earlier times, observers would fast completely; later, observers would only have to sacrifice any unnecessary indulgences. Today, many are content with sacrificing one or more pleasures. Often, the observers will abstain from the eating of meat, at least on Fridays.

Although the desire to sacrifice and to fast is admirable and is Scriptural ( Acts 13:3 ), we have no Scriptures that authorize such practices for forty days before Easter. It is important to remember that binding abstinence from food was one of the marks of the falling away that was to come ( 1 Timothy 4:3 ). There is no doubt that we ought to sacrifice for our Lord; nevertheless, the Scriptures attest that our sacrifices ought to be complete and constant, and not a trifle for a short period of time (cf. Romans 12:1 , Galatians 2:20 ).
Palm Sunday

In many denominations, the Sunday before Easter is celebrated as Palm Sunday. This observance is done as an imitation of the arrival of our Lord in Jerusalem a week before His crucifixion, as seen in John 12:12-15 :

On the morrow a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took the branches of the palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried out, "Hosanna: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel."
And Jesus, having found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt."


Palm fronds are given to each observer in memory of this event. It is good to remember the events surrounding the arrival of our Lord in Jerusalem and the other events leading up to his death, but we have no indication from the Scriptures that such things are to be re-created or observed in any special way.
Maundy Thursday

Also called Holy Thursday, this day is observed by many denominations as the day before Good Friday, the day in which the Lord instituted the Lord's Supper ( Matthew 26:20-29 ). The Lord's Supper is therefore partaken on this day.

The Scriptures do mention the need to partake of the Lord's Supper ( see above ), but our only example of Christians doing so after the death and resurrection of our Lord is on the first day of the week ( Acts 20:7 ; see The Lord's Supper ). The Lord's Supper takes on an aspect of also remembering the Lord's resurrection on the first day of the week, and it is telling that there are no examples from the Scriptures of anyone observing the Lord's Supper on any Thursday. Again, while it may be beneficial to remember the events leading up to the Lord's death, we find no evidence from the Scriptures that such are to be done on a consistent yearly basis.
Good Friday

Good Friday is observed on the Friday before Easter in many denominations. This recognizes the day in which Christ was crucified, and died. There is much speculation as to whether Christ was crucified on a Thursday or a Friday; it depends if the sign of Jonah as discussed in Matthew 16:4 and the "three days" of John 2:19 are either three full days Thursday/Friday, Friday/Saturday, Saturday/Sunday) or the "third" day (first day Friday, second day Saturday, third day Sunday). Regardless, we have never been given a command to observe the Lord's death on the Friday before Easter in the Scriptures; we have been commanded to observe the Lord's death on the first day of every week by partaking of the Lord's Supper ( Acts 20:7 , 1 Corinthians 11:23-29 ; for more regarding this observance, see The Lord's Supper ).

Easter

Easter is observed between the end of March and the middle of April each year on a Sunday by many denominations as the day of the resurrection of our Lord, as seen in the Gospels (cf. Matthew 28:1-9 ). The date is supposed to be parallel with the Passover and Feast of the Unleavened Bread observance of the Jews, and therefore falls on the Sunday two weeks after the first new moon on or after the vernal equinox.

While we have no dispute that Jesus did indeed die and was resurrected in the midst of the Passover and Feast of the Unleavened Bread observance, the Scriptures never indicate that Christians are to specifically observe this event at this time nor does it provide any examples of Christians doing so. Moreover, the origin of the Easter observance does not come only from the tradition of the death of Christ; the pagans had many festivals concerning the spring equinox, for it is at this time that the Earth becomes green and alive again. The term "Easter" itself comes from the Teutonic [a German tribe] goddess Eaestre, who was a goddess of fertility. The pagan traditions of the rebirth of the land and the Christian tradition of the rebirth of Christ were thus joined by the denominations in the celebration of Easter. The fact that the Lord's Supper is on Sunday, the "Lord's day" ( Revelation 1:10 ), indicates that Christians are to observe and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord on every first day of the week.
Other Observances
Ascension-Pentecost

Some denominations also observe the forty days between Easter and Christ's Ascension ( Acts 1:9 ) and the following ten days until Pentecost (Acts 2). These observances serve to remember the power of Christ and the genesis of the church on Earth. Again, the Scriptures never teach any commandment or example to observe these days.

There are some who may attempt to establish that Christians did indeed observe Pentecost based on Luke's description of events in Acts 20:16 :

For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.


While it is interesting that Luke records the events in terms of this observance, we must also note that he speaks of the "days of unleavened bread" in Acts 20:6 . Since Paul so often associated with Jews (cf. Acts 17:1-3 ), and he was returning to the Jewish heartland, it should perhaps not surprise us that Luke is telling time on the basis of these observances. We see no indication that Luke or Paul or anyone else is actually observing either the days of unleavened bread or Pentecost; these seem to be used simply as time markers. Furthermore, we have no idea whether Pentecost is being mentioned in terms of the Jewish festival itself or in a "Christianized" form. Despite this use of the term "Pentecost," the Scriptures still remain silent on whether early Christians observed this day as the founding of the church or in any way whatsoever.
Epiphany

According to some denominations, January 6 is observed as Epiphany. This day is considered by these observers to be the day in which Christ was baptized by John ( Matthew 3:13-17 ). This is the beginning of Christ's ministry on Earth; therefore, the Eastern Orthodox celebrate Epiphany at the same level as the Roman Catholics and some Protestant denominations celebrate Christmas. Epiphany is also known as the Twelfth Day, and is observed by some denominations as the day on which the Magi from the East visited Christ (Matthew 2). On a secondary level it is also the observation of the deeds of Christ at the wedding feast in Cana ( John 2:1-11 ).

While it is good to remember these events, the specific day of Christ's baptism, the day of the wedding feast in Cana, nor the day of the arrival of the Magi are precisely fixed in Scripture, and no commandment or example exists for their observance.
Annunciation

Some denominations observe the feast of the Annunciation, or the day wherein Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be impregnated by the Holy Spirit ( Luke 1:26-38 ). This feast is observed on March 25, corresponding to the belief that Christ was born on December 25 (exactly 9 months later). Since the Scriptures are silent on when Jesus was born, by necessity the Scriptures are also silent on when Gabriel visited Mary. It is good for us to remember how Gabriel visited Mary, but the Scriptures make no command or show any example of observing this event.
Days Concerning Saints

In some denominations, days are observed for "saints." A church, like the Roman Catholic Church, will determine what day of the year a certain "saint" (for the purposes of this discussion, the "saint" is one considered canonized by the Roman Catholic Church and/or other denominations) will be honored. Furthermore, November 1 is considered to be All Saints' Day, a day wherein all such "saints" are honored. Concerning saints, please consider Roman Catholicism, II: Traditions Concerning Saints ; since the modern definition of "saint" does not concord to the Scriptural definition of "saint," neither should we expect the Scriptures to endorse the celebration of days regarding them. It can be good to consider the struggles of faith of faithful Christians that have lived since the cross; nevertheless, the Scriptures do not show that we should venerate them in any special way.

The Lord's Supper
A Study of Denominations


Statement of Belief
The Lord's Supper was instituted by Christ on the evening of His arrest,
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it; and he gave to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body."
And he took a cup, and gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, "Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is shed for many unto remission of sins. But I say unto you, I shall not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom" ( Matthew 26:26-29 ),


and He desired that it should be done to commemorate His death,

For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, how that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said,
"This is my body, which is for you: this do in remembrance of me."
In like manner also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood: this do, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me."
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink the cup, ye proclaim the Lord's death till he come ( 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 ),


and that it ought to be commemorated weekly,

And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight ( Acts 20:7 ).

Sections

● The Need for the Lord's Supper
● The Nature of the Emblems
● The Bread and the Fruit of the Vine
● When Should the Lord's Supper Be Observed?
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○ Part A: Weekly
○ Part B: On the First Day of the Week
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● The Number of Loaves and Cups
● Other Resources


The Need for the Lord's Supper
There are some denominations who teach that the Lord's Supper is not a physical event, but is a "spiritual" communion, not requiring actual bread and fruit of the vine. Is the Lord's Supper in the Scriptures a physical act or a uniquely "spiritual" one?
We can see that physical bread and fruit of the vine was taken by Christ in Luke 22:19-20 :
And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave to them, saying, "This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me."
And the cup in like manner after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, even that which is poured out for you."


Paul confirms that the Lord revealed the same to him in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 , and even speaks in detail concerning the nature of the Lord's Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 :

Wherefore whosoever shall eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord in an unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup. For he that eateth and drinketh, eateth and drinketh judgment unto himself, if he discern not the body.


If the Lord's Supper does not involve physical elements, why does Paul speak of "eat[ing] the bread" and "drink[ing] the cup" of the Lord? If the Lord's Supper is only a spiritual communion, why does Luke speak of the original Lord's Supper in the context of the Passover meal? The Scriptures indicate clearly that the Lord's Supper is most certainly a physical act that Christians ought to perform.

The Nature of the Emblems