We're Not Putting X-Mas Trees Up! - Page 106

Evang.Benincasa · #**1051** 12-25-2008, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquila

Yes. But I assure you there is nothing spiritual about a Christmas tree. I'm a big believer in spiritual warfare, and I assure you I've never met a "Christmas tree spirit". You go ahead and fight those goblins if you like. Right now, there are bigger fish to fry.

How can you say there are bigger fish, when you don't understand the bait fish?

mfblume · #**1052** 12-25-2008, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquila

Brother Benincasa, you're going to extremes. A Christmas tree is nothing but a seasonal decoration TODAY. It has no pagan meaning to it TODAY. I don't know a soul who bows down and worship's one TODAY. It's just a festive decoration.

By the way, I'd never consider you a "conservative".

Amen.

There's nothing any different in having a christmas tree than eating meats offered to idols, unless you've got a weak conscience and empower an idol to become an actual god! Let's read Romans 14 and 1 Cor 8, for goodness' sakes.

nahkoe · #**1053** 12-25-2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfblume

Amen.

There's nothing any different in having a christmas tree than eating meats offered to idols, unless you've got a weak conscience and empower an idol to become an actual god! Let's read Romans 14 and 1 Cor 8, for goodness' sakes.

I get this idea that some of you think this is all in the person's head who thinks an idol is more than a piece of wood/stone/etc? Am I right?

mfblume · #**1054** 12-25-2008, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nahkoe

I get this idea that some of you think this is all in the person's head who thinks an idol is more than a piece of wood/stone/etc? Am I right?

Paul said eating meat offered to idols is simply eating meat. An idol in actuality is nothing. To WORSHIP an idol is sin. Nobody worships what they know is "nothing". But eating meat offered to an idol, and realizing the idol is nothing, is just eating meat offered on my plate.

Evang.Benincasa · #**1055** 12-25-2008, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfblume

Amen.

There's nothing any different in having a christmas tree than eating meats offered to idols, unless you've got a weak conscience and empower an idol to become an actual god! Let's read Romans 14 and 1 Cor 8, for goodness' sakes.

You don't understand the scripture. Paul isn't giving license to go around eating meat in a pagan temple, nor is he advocating the saints visiting a pagan temple. This is the reason why Paul comments that he would eat NO MORE MEAT as long as the world standeth, if what he was doing would offend a new converts. Also the words of Christ when He makes His statement about if anyone would offend one of these little ones. Paul also refuse to take offerings 1st Corinthians 9, because he thought it would hinder the work of the Lord.

1Cor 10:14-33

"Wherefore, my dearly beloved, FLEE FROM IDOLATRY. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, THEY SACRIFICE TO DEVILS, and NOT to God: and I WOULD NOT THAT YE HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH DEVILS. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, AND the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, AND of the table OF DEVILS. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? All things are lawful for me, BUT all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, BUT all things EDIFY NOT. Let no man seek his OWN, but every man another's wealth. Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, EAT NOT for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, NOT seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may BE SAVED."

The apostle presents a simple teaching about those who know better should set an example for those who do not. We seek the welfare of others and not ourselves, we use not our liberty as a cloak to do wrong but to do right.
Paul makes the statement that we are not to mingle the cup of the Lord and His table with the cup and table of devils. The pagans also had meat offerings and drink offerings (cups of blood) and Paul didn't want these practices confused with those that were held by the Jewish Law.
The Gentiles were told in Acts 15, to abstain from their old pagan practices.
Please allow the Bible to interpret itself with the whole council of the scriptures, instead of takig it out of context. You will find that the truth is easily seen.

in Jesus name

Brother Benincasa

www.OnTimeJournal.com

nahkoe · #**1056** 12-25-2008, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfblume

Paul said eating meat offered to idols is simply eating meat. An idol in actuality is nothing. To WORSHIP an idol is sin. Nobody worships what they know is "nothing". But eating meat offered to an idol, and realizing the idol is nothing, is just eating meat offered on my plate.

I'm not talking about the meat offered to idols.

I'm talking about the idea y'all seem to have that an idol is nothing.

Nevermind. It'd be too long of a debate. I just figured it out on my own. I'll just leave y'all to what you believe now.

nahkoe · #**1057** 12-25-2008, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

1Cor 10:14-33

"Wherefore, my dearly beloved, FLEE FROM IDOLATRY. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, THEY SACRIFICE TO DEVILS, and NOT to God: and I WOULD NOT THAT YE HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH DEVILS. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, AND the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, AND of the table OF DEVILS. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? All things are lawful for me, BUT all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, BUT all things EDIFY NOT. Let no man seek his OWN, but every man another's wealth. Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, EAT NOT for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, NOT seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may BE SAVED."

That's a powerful passage.

RandyWayne · #**1058** 12-25-2008, 07:41 PM

I hope everyone's December 25th was a good day.

Sept5SavedTeen · #**1059** 12-25-2008, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

I hope everyone's December 25th was a good day.

It was a lazy day... Nothing was opened, and I couldn't convince my family to order Chinese food.

-Bro. Alex

ChTatum · #**1060** 12-25-2008, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sept5SavedTeen

It was a lazy day... Nothing was opened, and I couldn't convince my family to order Chinese food.

-Bro. Alex

1 Tim. 3:4-5 (KJV)
One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; [5] (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

Might as well put up a tree......

Totally TIC.