|
Author
|
Topic: Halloween
|
RevGB
Advanced Member
Member # 303
|
posted
Hi,
Mark 10:13-16
And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and
his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it he
was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to
come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as
a little child, he shall not enter therin. And he took them up in his
arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will
not depart from it.
Ezekiel 20:31
For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the
fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and
shall I be enquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the
Lord God, I will not be enquired of by you.
Already spoken about is the witchcraft, and such other names. Folks
there is a new Harry Potter movie, this would be considered putting your
children through the fire. Jesus said not to suffer the children from
coming to Him. It does not matter what day of the year it is! We are to
show Christ, to reveal Jesus Christ to people regardless of the day.
Churches have an accountability to God on the matter of Halloween. But
so do the Adults have a greater accountability to God for raising their
children. Children have the child like faith to believe in God, but also
they have the child like faith to believe in other things. We must be
truthful, we must train our children to follow Jesus Christ. I would not
celebrate Halloween with my children it is wrong. Instead what a great
day for witnessing Jesus Christ with a team and hit the streets. But
that is for all of us to decide, and to pray about. We are in the world
but not of it. So in appearance should we look like them on Halloween? I
say no. God instructs us to be His.
Here is an important question,
What would Jesus do on Halloween?
He would minister to
the children, and tell them about the Father, and about heaven.
God bless you all
RevG
--------------------
Driven: Not by Nails,
But By HIS LOVE
Teens In The Midst Of Jesus
http://www.arkwebshost.com/ministries/revg
Posts: 27 | From: Hawaii | Registered: Aug 2002
| IP: Logged | 
|
|
Bambi
Advanced Member
Member # 544
|
posted
quote:
Originally posted by the truth:
Also if Christmas was Jesus real birthday he should get the gifts not everyone else. God bless. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
I agree w/that statement. How many here disagree w/halloween but give gifts to friends and family on dec. 25?
--------------------
Monday Morning
Brother's Keeper
Posts: 298 | Registered: Oct 2002
| IP: Logged |
|
|
the truth
Advanced Member
Member # 548
|
posted
Hello. I dont believe in Halloween or CHristmas and boy to I get trouble from family. Number one I do think a person should hand out candy on Halloween just to hand out tracts as well. Christams number one is not the day Jesus was born. Christmas used to be a pagan holiday for the sun God and it was his birthday celebrated When Constantine supposedly converted to "Chirstianity" He made this holiday Christ birthday they same is true with Easter that is named after Isthar the goddess of fertility That why Rabbits and eggs are used because it represent fertilty. Also if Christmas was Jesus real birthday he should get the gifts not everyone else. God bless.
--------------------
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise as some men count slackness but is long suffering to usward not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance II Peter 3:9
Posts: 72 | From: In the middle of a lost land dying world | Registered: Oct 2002
| IP: Logged |
|
|
helpforhomeschoolers
Advanced Member
Member # 15
|
posted
We dont celebrate it either, and I dont even like the fall festival idea.
Dale said something in another thread I cant find it now... something to the effect that if the church has to look like the world to draw the world in... then the Church has nothing to offer the world. I agree with that 100% and I think it is applicable to the events that many churches have to counter halloween.
MAC said in another thread and I agree, with regard to this idea of our kids not feeling left out "the point is they are not missing anything".
If our kids feel like they have missed something by not celebrating halloween, then we have a problem in our home with our kids; our kids should know enough and be in relationship with the Lord enough to understand why we dont celebrate halloween.
My kids are older 13 and 17 and if I wanted to celebrate halloween, they would question where I had left my mind.
My point of posting the article from Carm, and I think it is an important point, is that this conviction to celebrate or not comes from the Spirit, without the conviction of the Spirit we are not making the decision based on the condition of our heart, but for the purpose of looking righteous before man. The later which is meaningless.
My personal opinion is that halloween is a time we should be gathered in church... but not for a festival... but on our knees in prayer against the evil that gathers on that night.
Posts: 4684 | From: Southern Black Hills of South Dakota | Registered: Jun 2002
| IP: Logged |
|
|
barrykind
Advanced Member
Member # 35
|
posted
Amen Mac..
Thats the way we see it..
All days are of the Lord and are good. If one likes to dress up why not on May 22?
If wrong i will err on the side of caution, we do not celebrate at all this holiday.
Linda made some valid points but for us we will just be cautious and avoid any activities of celebrating on this day..
--------------------
The HEART of the issue is truly the issue of the HEART!
John 3:3;Mark 8:34-38;James 1:27
Posts: 3529 | From: Orange, Texas | Registered: Jun 2002
| IP: Logged |
|
|
Miguel
Advanced Member
Member # 47
|
posted
It is not my job to judge anyone; it is of God.
However, I will be no partaker in your ideas!
In the Image of Christ
Colossians 3:8-11
"The Christian and Halloween: Trick, or Treat?"
“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.” 1 Cor. 10:21 (KJV)
Who doesn’t remember their childhood Halloween experiences? I sure do! As a child I always looked forward to the end of October. The salmon were at the end of their run in the river, and the leaves had changed color and were dropping off, making room in the trees for the following years buds. To me this meant that the time was fast approaching when I could dress up in my favorite costume, gather with my buddies, and go from house to house in hopes of obtaining my favorite candy. Yards were “decorated” with gravestones, and ghosts made of sheets were hanging from the trees. Some people dressed in their own costumes and answered the doors hoping to send chills up our spines.
The approach was always the same, in unison we would cry out, “trick or treat!” and hold our bags out for the treat that awaited us. We always waited until about dark to begin our adventure so it would conceal our trickery along the way. They were harmless tricks like the smashing of eerily carved pumpkins and the ringing of doorbells and running for cover, or maybe the soaping of a few windows along the way, or toilet papering one of the houses that were not contributing to the wealth of the goody bag. As I became older, October 31 became a night out, not of dressing up and searching for candy, but a time out with my buddies to see how much trouble I could get into without being caught. Halloween for me had become a time of mischief.
All this seems pretty harmless on the outside, like a phase kids go through, and besides, pretty much everyone does it, right? But after being born again and becoming a child of God, I began to examine this “harmless” custom in the light of the Word of God. Each one who claims to be a child of God should do this, but many people never get around to doing it. It’s easier to just “go with the flow.” I discovered that there is no trace of this celebrated holiday in the Scriptures. So, to trace Halloween to its source I had to turn to secular, pagan sources, and there I quickly followed it to its source.
Although there are conflicting views of its exact origin, it is nonetheless clear that it is was never meant to honor God, and doesn’t do so. In fact, I learned what anyone involved in the occult already knows, that it is a time when the powers of darkness are glorified. It is a celebration of the dead, those that practice wicca (witchcraft) and those of other occult practices often view this as the best time to commune with the dead.
The purpose of this article is not to debate the origins of this wicked holiday or to expose those that reverence this holiday trying to make ungodly spiritual implications. Rather it is to point out biblical principles to help us know how those of us who are genuine believers in Christ should deal with this “holiday”. The text at the beginning of this article offers us very clear insight into what God would have us do regarding the observance of something that is not of God nor has anything to do with Him. Scripture is very clear that if you are not a child of God you are a child of the devil. There is no in between, no middle ground for the undecided, and every person will be judged by whether he knows God’s Son as his personal Lord and Savior, or has rejected Him and shown himself to be a child of darkness. Our text, 1 Corinthians 10:21, makes it very clear that you cannot serve both kingdoms.
That little word “cannot” is powerful. It isn’t a suggestion. It’s not a piece of friendly advice or an opinion to take or leave as you please. It is a statement of fact. “You cannot” means it is impossible. You can only honor one, either God’s kingdom or the kingdom of darkness, by your choices and actions. Imagine two cups full of water and taking one in each hand, bringing them to your mouth at the same time to drink. What a mess you would have! Or imagine two tables set for two different occasions, try to sit at both of them at the same time. Impossible, yet this is the picture that we are given through God’s Word. The things we choose to do either honor God or they are in service to the devil.
“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret." (Eph 5:11-12 KJV)
Every year, when this wicked holiday approaches, I am amazed at the newspaper articles I see from area churches and religious organizations, advertising their upcoming “haunted house” or saying, “come and celebrate Halloween in a safe place” or, “join us for your Halloween party.” We as Christians are called to a higher calling to live holy lives(1Peter1:16) and to be separate from the world. It is wrong to take something of the world that is a abomination to God and try to “Christianize” it (the meaning of: “Christen”). Halloween cannot be christened! Ephesians5:11 tells us to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. I fear some people use the word “fellowship” simply because it sounds friendly, and never give much thought to what it really means. The phrase “have no fellowship” here means not to partake in or be part of. “Works” refers to acts, things, or deeds done, and “darkness” refers to evil powers that dominate the world. Put it all together and God is telling us not to take part in anything that the prince of this present world has set up for his glory. We shouldn’t be participating in it, and we shouldn’t be supporting it. In fact our Bible passage goes on to give us further instruction, that is, to reprove them or expose, find fault with, denounce and correct them.
Inform those with whom you come in contact concerning what is wrong with this practice. Many people find this very difficult because it causes them to be cut off from family and friends, it may cause us to question our church leaders if they are involved in these things. But God’s Word is right, even if “religiously respected” people contradict it. They did so in Israel’s day, and the prophets of the Lord decried the corrupt spiritual leadership of the nation. The key here is not what “my church” or “my pastor” does, but what the Bible says. We as Christians are to contend earnestly for the faith.(Jude 1:3) We serve a righteous and holy God and the powers of darkness are at war with Him. We are soldiers in His army, with a mission to fulfill, and we should be unswervingly loyal to Him. To take something as wicked and vile as Halloween and try to incorporate it into His church that His Son bought and paid for with His own (precious) blood is an affront and an offense to Him, and a shame to us for participating in such things. The idea of bringing pagan activities into the church and corrupting what God calls His should make us shudder, for the prophets of old denounced this very thing, as indeed they would today were they among us. “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isa. 5:20)
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (2 Cor 6:14,17 KJV)
I have heard that some Christians believe they can dress up in Halloween costumes and go out and evangelize by handing out tracts. God’s Word tells us differently, to “be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers,” and this should also apply to our deeds. It would be very difficult for someone from afar to tell the difference from one that is dressed up and seeking candy from one that is dressed up and handing out tracts. Nowhere in Scriptures do we see the Lord or the apostles taking on the way of the heathen to spread the gospel, it should be no different for us. We who are truly born again Christians, not just religious church goers, have been made righteous in Christ Jesus. We need to separate ourselves from the unrighteous works of the world, not join them and try to mix the name of our Lord with a pagan holiday. Why would one want to enter back into or continue in the things from which we have been commanded to come out and to be separate? When you separate something from the rest of the group it means it is not allowed to be mixed with the one it has been separated from.
This is the way it is for the Christian. Through the blood of Christ, true Christians have been set apart from the world. We have been saved from the judgement and wrath to come upon those who refuse to believe and obey. Halloween is a trick, not a treat. It is a dark and wicked holiday, and those that are of the light and walking in the ways of Christ Jesus should have no communion with it. Being a called out and separate people makes us a peculiar people (Titus 2:14). The world may mock and even persecute, but the Lord will glorify those that love Him and seek to do His will. Friend, if the Lord were to return on October 31st, where would He find you? Separate from the things of the world or involved right in the midst of their activities?
BRINGING OUT THE BEAUTY STEADFASTLY
Thank You
Love in Christ ![[Cross]](graemlins/cross.gif)
MAC
Job 33:18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
Job 33:28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
PS 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
![[Lighthouse]](graemlins/lighthouse.gif)
Ezekiel 33:7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
--------------------
Romans 9:11-24
Our Eschatology may vary even our Ecclesiology may be disputed among us but our Soteriology most assume a singularity and exclusivity which in biblical term is known as Quote; "The Narrow Way" and Quote!
Posts: 2792 | From: Stockton,Ca | Registered: Jun 2002
| IP: Logged |
|
|
Bambi
Advanced Member
Member # 544
|
posted
My church doesn't celebrate halloween but, we do have a fall festival....an alternative...w/rides food, games, and other things
--------------------
Monday Morning
Brother's Keeper
Posts: 298 | Registered: Oct 2002
| IP: Logged |
|
|
Susan
Advanced Member
Member # 131
|
posted
Thank you for this info. There will be no halloween in MY house!
Christmas is another for me. My kids were always taught that Santa is just a man in an outfit and he doesnt come in to our house or bring presents.
Christmas to me is pagan and now too commercialized. Neither are of God as far as I feel.
Thank you for responding.
Posts: 141 | Registered: Jul 2002
| IP: Logged |
|
|
helpforhomeschoolers
Advanced Member
Member # 15
|
posted
Susan:
My personal view is NO Halloween period; it is about evil. I believe it was brought into the church by the RCC who called it all saints day, but I think even that Idea has its problems. I tend to be very conservative and am even thinking that Christmas should not be celebrated. I dont like the idea of fall festivals either instead of Halloween or some churches hold events and people dress up loke the Bible characters. For me all of this is just our trying to justify what we already know we shouldnt have anty thing to do with. Or apeasing our kids who whine rather than just saying no, but again I am very conservative.
But I thought this article from the Carm website has a balanced approach.
The bottom line is the Holy Spirit convicts us of what God wills us to know when our hearts are open to His leading. It is a personal question that you must answer for yourself. Because your heart is the issue.
Halloween
Halloween is celebrated by millions of people as a fun time for kids, putting on costumes, and going door-to-door to get candy. But it is also known as a time of witches, ghouls, goblins, and ghosts. On one hand, some see halloween as a harmless time of fun and on the other, a ghastly and demonically inspired night to be avoided.
As Christians, there is a lot of debate on whether or not we should participate in Halloween. Is it alright to go trick-or-treating? Can we dress our kids up in costumes on that day? If we do any of this, are we celebrating an evil holiday?
Halloween's Origins
The word Halloween is derived from the term "All Hallows Eve" which occurred on Oct. 31, the end of summer in Northwestern Europe. "All Saints Day," or "All Hallows Day" was the next Day, Nov. 1st. Therefore, Halloween is the eve of All Saints Day.
Apparently, the origins of Halloween can be traced back to ancient Ireland and Scotland around the time of Christ. On Oct. 31st, the Celts celebrated the end of summer. This was important because it was when animal herders would move their animals into barns and pens and prepare to ride out the winter. This was also the time of the crop harvests. This annual change of season and lifestyle was marked by a festival called Samhain -- pronounced 'sow-ane' and means 'end of summer.' Sow rhythms with cow.
There was much superstition associated with this time of change including the belief in fairies, and that the spirits of the dead wandered around looking for bodies to inhabit. Since the living did not want to be possessed by spirits, they dressed up in costumes and paraded around the streets making loud noises to confuse and frighten the spirits away. In addition, the new year began for the Celts on Nov. 1. So, the day of Samhain was believed to be a day that was in neither the year past or the year to come. Since it was in between, chaos ruled on that day. Often, people would pull practical jokes on others as a result.
Later, around the 5th century, as the Catholic Church developed and moved into the area, instead of adding a new day to celebrate, it took over the Samhain celebration. Nov. 1st became "All Hallows Eve" where all the saints of the Catholic church were honored. A later custom developed where people would go door-to-door on Nov. 2, requesting small cakes in exchange for the promise of saying prayers for some of the dead relatives of each house. This arose out of the religious belief that the dead were in a state of limbo before they went to heaven or hell and that the prayers of the living could influence the outcome. This may have been the precursor to Trick-or Treat.
The Jack-0-Lantern apparently comes from Irish folklore about a man named Jack who tricked the devil into climbing a tree. Once the devil was in the tree, Jack carved a cross on the trunk, preventing the devil from coming down. The devil then made a deal with Jack to not allow Jack into hell after Jack died if only Jack would remove the cross from the tree. After Jack died, he couldn't go to hell, and he couldn't go to heaven. He was forced to wander around the earth with a single candle to light his way. The candle was placed in a turnip to keep it burning longer. When the Irish came to America in the 1800's, they adopted the pumpkin instead of the turnip. Along with these traditions, they brought the idea that the black cat was considered by some to be reincarnated spirits who had prophetic abilities.
So, it appears that the origins of Halloween are a mixture of old Celtic pagan rituals superstition and early Catholic traditions.
What does the Bible say about Halloween?
What does the Bible say about Halloween? Nothing. But it does speak concerning witches, the occult, and paganism.
Exodus 22:18, You shall not let a witch live.
Deut. 18:10-12, "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, 11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD…"
The Bible definitely speaks negatively about occultic practices, spirits, and witches and condemns not only the practice but also the people who are involved in it. As Christians, we are to have nothing to do with the occult. Tarot Cards, contacting the dead, séances, lucky charms, etc., are all unbiblical and can harm a Christian's fellowship with God and open the Christian to demonic oppression. Most Christians know this and avoid these activities. But, the question still remains. Since there are ancient pagan connections and present occultic connections, what is the Christian to do?
Can the Christian celebrate Halloween?
The answer is simple: Yes and No. Let’s look at the negative first.
The Christian is not to be involved with or support the occult, witchcraft, demonism, or any other thing that uplifts the occult. To do so is to contradict God’s word, dabble in demonic spirits, and invite judgment from God. If a Halloween celebration is centered on demons, devils, spirits, etc., I would say don't have anything to do with it.
On the other hand, it isn't wrong to dress up in a costume and go door-to-door saying 'Trick or Treat." Provided that the costume isn't demonic, I can't see anything wrong with this. It's just fun for the kids.
Take a look at the Christmas tree. It was originally an ancient fertility symbol. Yet, it has become a representation of Christmas and the place where gifts are placed. Are the Christians, then, paying homage to an ancient pagan fertility god? No. Not at all. They do not consider it pagan at all and are simply joining in on a cultural event and giving no honor to anything unbiblical.
In the Bible in 1 Cor. 10:23-33, Paul speaks about meat sacrificed to idols. This meat was often sold in the meat market and the question arose, "Should a Christian each such meat?"
Paul said in verse 25, "Eat anything that is sold in the meat market, without asking questions for conscience' sake." This is most interesting. He says it is okay to eat the meat bought in the market place even though that meat may have been sacrificed to idols.
Then in verses 28-29 he says, "But if anyone should say to you, 'This is meat sacrificed to idols,' do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience' sake; 29 I mean not your own conscience, but the other man's; for why is my freedom judged by another's conscience?" (NASB). Paul is saying that if you find out the meat was sacrificed to idols, don't eat it -- not because of you, but because of the other person. In other words, eating that meat won't affect you. But, it may affect the attitude of another who does not understand the freedom the Christian has in Christ.
Is it any different with Halloween (or Christmas)? No. Even though Halloween has pagan origins, because of your freedom in Christ, you and/or you kids can dress up in costumes and go door-to-door and just have fun. However, if you are not comfortable with doing this, then you should not. If you know of a person who would be stumbled by doing it, then you shouldn't either.
Posts: 4684 | From: Southern Black Hills of South Dakota | Registered: Jun 2002
| IP: Logged |
|
|
Susan
Advanced Member
Member # 131
|
posted
I found out today that the church I have been atending regularly celebrates halloween. I'm rather shocked because that is one 'holiday' I thought all Christians did not celebrate.
Your view please?
Posts: 141 | Registered: Jul 2002
| IP: Logged |
|
|
|
Printer-friendly view of this topic
