Yeah, this has turned into a classic pagan holiday thread. A high entertainment venue for sure.
Soon it will be Christmas Day!
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Peter who is the chief cornerstone, which means he's the one who will start off the new Judaism.
At the time, the new religion wasn't called Christianity, but it was still considered Judaism. That there were the old traditional Jews and the Hellenistic Jews. The converted Hellenistic Jews were still accustomed to some of their old ways of paganism.
Jesus spoken to Peter through a vision of merging two nations, that he must accept some of the nation's old traditions like eating unclean animals like pork. That Jesus was telling Peter whatever the pagans' practices, as long as it is done in His name but not the name of their old deities, that it has been cleansed (Sanctified). That he shouldn't reject them from the new wineskin.
And Yule is a pagan celebration, but since it's being done in the name of Jesus, it has been cleansed. And so, Jesus is saying to Peter and others, do not cause any of these little ones or beginners to fall away. But if anyone causes them to fall away, that their best moment in life that it'll be better for that person having a millstone tied around the neck being dragged to the bottom to the dark abyss.
As it says in Hosea 6:6, God doesn't care about ritual sacrifices.
Jesus told us to go and learn what this means Matthew 9:13
Absolutely TRUE.
I'm still somewhat shocked over it. People professing to follow Christ, but refusing to be part of a body of believers....
I don't understand it, and I've heard all the
Jesus is the Rock of our salvation. God is the only Rock of our salvation.
Psalm 78:35
And they remembered that God was their rock, And the Most High God their Redeemer.
Genesis 49:24
But his bow remained firm, And his arms were agile, From the hands of the
Mighty One of Jacob (From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel),
Deuteronomy 32:15
"But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked-- You are grown fat, thick, and sleek--
Then he forsook God who made him, And scorned the Rock of his salvation.
2 Samuel 23:3
"The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me, 'He who rules over men righteously, Who rules in the fear of God,
Psalm 42:9
I will say to God my rock, "Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?"
Isaiah 30:29
You will have songs as in the night when you keep the festival, And gladness of heart as when
one marches to the sound of the flute, To go to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel.
Habakkuk 1:12
Are You not from everlasting, O LORD, my God, my Holy One? We will not die You, O LORD,
have appointed them to judge; And You, O Rock, have established them to correct.
2 Samuel 22:32
"For who is God, besides the LORD? And who is a rock, besides our God ?
Psalm 18:31
For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God ,
1 Samuel 2:2
"There is no one holy like the LORD, Indeed, there is no
one besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.
Isaiah 44:8
'Do not tremble and do not be afraid; Have I not long since announced it to you and declared it?
And you are My witnesses Is there any God besides Me, Or is there any other Rock? I know of none.'"
Deuteronomy 32:31
"Indeed their rock is not like our Rock, Even our enemies themselves judge this.
Deuteronomy 32:37
"And He will say, 'Where are their gods, The rock in which they sought refuge?
Psalm 144:1
Blessed be the LORD, my rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle;
Deuteronomy 32:4
"The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.
Psalm 92:15
To declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
Psalm 62:7
On God my salvation and my glory rest; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.
Psalm 28:1
To You, O LORD, I call; My rock, do not be deaf to me, For if You are silent to me, I will become like those who go down to the pit.
Psalm 31:1-3
In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; Let me never be ashamed; In Your righteousness deliver me.
Incline Your ear to me, rescue me quickly; Be to me a rock of strength, A stronghold to save me.
For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name's sake You will lead me and guide me.
Psalm 61:2
From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Psalm 71:3
Be to me a rock of habitation to which I may continually come; You have
given commandment to save me, For You are my rock and my fortress.
Isaiah 26:4
"Trust in the LORD forever, For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.
Psalm 94:22
But the LORD has been my stronghold, And my God the rock of my refuge.
2 Samuel 22:3
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold and my refuge; My savior, You save me from violence.
Psalm 18:2
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in
whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 95:1
O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD, Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.
2 Samuel 22:47
"The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock; And exalted be God, the rock of my salvation,
Psalm 18:46
The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock; And exalted be the God of my salvation,
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 62:2
He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.
Psalm 89:26
"He will cry to Me, 'You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.'
Isaiah 17:10
For you have forgotten the God of your salvation And have not remembered the rock of your
refuge. Therefore you plant delightful plants And set them with vine slips of a strange god.
Isaiah 8:14
"Then He shall become a sanctuary; But to both the houses of Israel, a stone to strike
and a rock to stumble over, And a snare and a trap for the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Isaiah 28:16
Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly
cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.
Psalm 118:22
The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner stone.
Matthew 21:42
Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures, 'THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS
BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone; THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD, AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES'?
Mark 12:10
"Have you not even read this Scripture: 'THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone;
Luke 20:17
But Jesus looked at them and said, "What then is this that is written: 'THE STONE
WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone'?
Acts 4:11
"He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone.
1 Peter 2:6-7
For this is contained in Scripture: "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone, AND HE
WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for
those who disbelieve, "THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE VERY CORNER stone,"
Matthew 21:44
"And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust."
Luke 20:18
"Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces;
but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust."
Romans 9:32-33
Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled
over the stumbling stone, just as it is written, "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING
AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."
1 Peter 2:4-8
And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious
in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For this is
contained in Scripture: "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone,
AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name
under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
Yeah I was too when I first came here. I haven't been able to attend in a while because of care-taking a family member. But I have attended church all my life and have always had a home church.
interesting scripture from the letter to the Colossians.....
16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you with respect to food or drink, or in the matter of a feast, new moon, or Sabbath days— 17 these are only the shadow of the things to come, but the reality is Christ! 18 Let no one who delights in false humility and the worship of angels pass judgment on you. That person goes on at great lengths about what he has supposedly seen, but he is puffed up with empty notions by his fleshly mind. 19 He has not held fast to the head from whom the whole body, supported and knit together through its ligaments and sinews, grows with a growth that is from God.
While this thought seems to say that if you choose to not participate in a feast or celebration that you are expected to, don't worry if the "super religious" folks try to judge you... you follow your conscience, since Jesus has set us free from legalism...
That being said, should it not work the other way? If you wish to participate in a feast (Christmas) or a celebration, shouldn't you follow your own conscience in doing so? As long as we are rooted in Jesus, we have freedom in him....
just sayin...
I think you are referring to the lesser known "Citronella".... the pagan holiday of mosquito banishing....
That's why Jesus renamed Simon to Peter, that in Greek, it means Rock. And a cornerstone is the stone the builders use to start off with building the structure (Temple). Builders start building a building from the corner. That's the starting point. As the same way brick layers always starts off from the corner so that the bricks will not come falling down as they build the structure. The other side is used as support to prevent the bricks from falling over.
Simon was the first to recognized Jesus that's why Simon was blessed to be the cornerstone of the church. Phillip taken a while to know who Jesus is. Until after the resurrection, that's when they knew who Jesus is except for Simon. Jesus told Simon alone away from the others, did he know who Jesus is. That's why Simon felt so ashamed when he denied Jesus.
But the other disciples just thought Jesus was a prophet from God or reincarnation of Elijah and or John the Baptist.
John 14:9
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’?
John 20:27
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
John 20:29
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
In Greek: Peter is Petros. The Rock the church is built upon is petra.
Petros (Peter, a stone) and petra (a large, foundational rock or mass of rock).
See the difference?
Peter, Pedro like in petrified which means a stony substance. And Jesus was referring to Peter as being the first stone that is laid down. and upon this stone many other stones will be resting upon this cornerstone.
This structure Jesus was referring to is the Temple that is being built without hands that's being built on top of the firm foundation. The firmer the foundation, the longer the structure that is being built on it will last. That's the meaning of writing something on stone instead of parchments or rice paper
T’was the Night Before Jesus Came T’was the night before Jesus came, and all through the house, not a creature was praying, not one in the house. Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care, in hope that Jesus would not come there. The children were dressing to crawl into bed, not once ever kneeling or bowing a head. And mom in her rocker with the baby in her lap, was watching the Late Show while I took a nap. When out of the East, there arose such a clatter, I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter. Away to the window, I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw up the sash! When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but angels proclaiming that Jesus is here. With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray, I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY! The light of His face made me cover my head. It was Jesus returning, just like He said. And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth, I cried when I saw Him, in spite of myself. He comes for His own, like a thief in the night, He left without me, I’m overcome with fright. I stood and I cried, as they rose out of sight, Oh, if only I had been ready, ready tonight. Christians are gone, could the Rapture be true? I have been left behind with more than a few. The people whose names had been written with love, He gathered to take to His Father above. The gate is narrow, the path is straight, the day is now, a decision please make. Trust in the Lord, Jesus Christ is His name. Get off your duff, and get in the game. In the Book of Life, He held in His hand, was written the name of every saved man. He spoke not a word as He searched for my name, when He said, “It’s not here,” my head hung in shame. I fell to my knees, having trusted in good deeds, discovering my religion, is of the devil’s creed. And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth, I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself. Prostrate before God, is it now too late? The Lake of Fire for me, will that be my fate? In the parable of Lazarus, I learned long ago, that the place set for me, is no place to go. My anguish and suffering, what could be more severe? Separation from God, eternal torment and fear. In the words of this prose, the meaning is clear, The coming of Jesus is drawing near. There’s only one life, when comes the last call. We’ll find that the Bible was true after all. The time is now, Satan’s on the attack. So get right with God, look to the back. Take a minute now, and examine your heart. Jesus is calling you to Him, you can have a new start. If this poem has unsettled you, trust God’s word to be Faithful and True. Get right with God. Pray now, you must do! Dear Lord, I know I’m a sinner at best. Only You can heal me and give me my rest. Dear God, I know the Gospel is true. With humble heart I place my trust in You. My Lord and Saviour, You went to the cross, so a sinner like me need not remain lost. I invite You, Lord Jesus, come into me now, I accept Your free gift and before You I bow. Take control of my life, help me obey in all things, for my only desire is to serve You — LORD OF LORDS and KING OF KINGS. © Colin Driscoll
Christ's Mass (Church Service) which was followed by a feast to celebrate the birth of Christ actually is likely on the real Day itself.
I know people look to European spring and American Spring seasons....but this is the Middle East we are talking about.
Then came Boxing Day on the day after Christmas for employers to bestow undeserved bonuses and gifts on all those they employ. (Stephan first martyr)
We don't do things like this anymore.
And calls for returning away from the commercialism of Christmas have been going on for over a thousand years now. People have been "disgusted" over how the giving and receiving and purchasing of choice foods for this season have made everyone forget about Whom the season is about.
"Sigh"
What I WILL say and know that the parts of Christmas that I've always enjoyed and remembered the most is the getting ready for Christmas ....
It's the cookies, trimming a tree, the extra decorating and all the preparation we go through with the help of Children that makes it all very special. The actual Day? It's a relief of little work and not much to do except opening a few gifts, the big meal, and sleeping due to exhaustion....
Our tree will stay up until "Chili&Cheer" sometime late January to beginning of or middle of February.
But our 12 foot tree took 3 weeks to fluff and decorate. So....it's gonna take time to take down and put away...then change the curtains back and get the room set right. Then there's the other 2 trees to take down and put up.
I know people look to European spring and American Spring seasons....but this is the Middle East we are talking about.
Then came Boxing Day on the day after Christmas for employers to bestow undeserved bonuses and gifts on all those they employ. (Stephan first martyr)
We don't do things like this anymore.
And calls for returning away from the commercialism of Christmas have been going on for over a thousand years now. People have been "disgusted" over how the giving and receiving and purchasing of choice foods for this season have made everyone forget about Whom the season is about.
"Sigh"
What I WILL say and know that the parts of Christmas that I've always enjoyed and remembered the most is the getting ready for Christmas ....
It's the cookies, trimming a tree, the extra decorating and all the preparation we go through with the help of Children that makes it all very special. The actual Day? It's a relief of little work and not much to do except opening a few gifts, the big meal, and sleeping due to exhaustion....
Our tree will stay up until "Chili&Cheer" sometime late January to beginning of or middle of February.
But our 12 foot tree took 3 weeks to fluff and decorate. So....it's gonna take time to take down and put away...then change the curtains back and get the room set right. Then there's the other 2 trees to take down and put up.
Before Rome converted over to Christianity, that they worshiped pagan's deities. But they transformed some of their old traditions to Christianity. Like it was forbidden to make any engrave images of anyone or beings and to uncovered anyone's nakedness in front of others. That is why Christopher Columbus who was a Jew, never made any portraits of himself. And their holy days were converted into Christian feast days.
But it is known that Jesus was born on the day of the First Fruit offering 3 days after the Passover. And He was born again on that same day.
Santa and everything related to him is in the Bible
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
It is crystal clear, Satan deceiveth the whole world.
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
It is crystal clear, Satan deceiveth the whole world.