What's wrong with celebrating Halloween?

There are a large number of Christians who see nothing wrong with celebrating Halloween. For them, this is a fun party and nothing more. However, there are also many Christians who refuse to participate in Halloween. Who is right? Does the Bible speak about Halloween?
Let's answer the last question first: The Bible says nothing about Halloween. However, there are many other things that the Bible does not specifically mention by name but they are bad. For example, the Bible never says: "Do not use drugs." But we all know that drugs are bad for one. In other words, there are things that are not literally stated in the Bible, but we must abstain from them.

Although Halloween does not appear in the Bible, the vast majority of believers refuse to participate in that day. We cannot close our eyes to the historical aspect of this holiday: It is historically proven that the current form of Halloween is nothing but a mixture of pagan rites of the second century BC, with pagan rites of Roman Catholicism, which They settled very well to satisfy popular taste.

In Ephesians 5.11 we have a solid basis for rejecting Halloween; there we read the following: "Have nothing to do with the fruitless works of darkness, but rather denounce them.

The cut pumpkin
The Celts celebrated the cult of the severed head, in which
They represented one of their gods. For them, the head was the seat of the soul, attributing enormous powers, such as: moving, speaking, singing, prophesying and giving fertility to the earth. The idea of ​​hollowing pumpkins, that is, making eyes, mouth and nose - so that it resembled a human face or a severed head - came from Irish and French immigrants (descendants of the ancient Celts).

Ghosts and "Jack of the Lantern" The custom of lighting flashlights and dressing in ghosts had its origin
of an old Irish legend. According to this legend, "Jack de la
Lantern "was a man who at death could not enter heaven because he was very greedy. He also could not go to hell because he did not respect the devil, but made fun of him. Therefore, Jack was condemned to wander the earth with a Flashlight until the day of the final judgment.

The costumes
The use of masks or costumes has been a very popular practice in the rites of magic and pagan ceremonies of many primitive peoples. Costumes were used to represent the spirits they invoked, for dances, for wars and other activities. However, the main purpose of using costumes was to hide the identity of the person, which highlights Satan's true desire to be worshiped. "And this is not uncommon, since Satan himself disguises himself as an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11.14, DHH).

"We have to be different" There is no doubt that God expects us to be different. The church of
Christ is not of this world and should not be "lost" in the traditions of this world, especially if they do not glorify God. Halloween has never been and will not be a tribute to the light or the things of God.

As believers, we have the responsibility to evaluate the activities we practice: although we must also evaluate: Television, cinema, sports etc. That also does not glorify God? no Do they build spiritual life? and no Do they contribute to the evangelization of this world? Or, do they look bad?



Erwin

¿Qué hay de malo en celebrar a Halloween?

Hay un gran número de cristianos que no ven nada de malo en celebrar a Halloween. Para ellos, esta es una fiesta divertida y nada más. Sin embargo, también hay muchos cristianos que se rehúsan a participar de Halloween. ¿Quién tiene la razón? ¿Habla la Biblia sobre Halloween?

Contestemos la última pregunta primero: La Biblia no dice nada respecto a Halloween. Sin embargo, hay muchas otras cosas que la Biblia no menciona específicamente por nombre pero son malas. Por ejemplo, la Biblia nunca dice: "No uses drogas". Pero todos sabemos, que las Drogas son malas para uno. En otras palabras, hay cosas que no están declaradas literalmente en la Biblia, pero debemos abstenernos de ellas.

Aunque Halloween no aparece en la Biblia, gran mayoría de los creyentes se niegan a participar de ese día. No podemos cerrar nuestros ojos al aspecto histórico de esta fiesta: Queda comprabado, históricamente hablando, que la forma actual de Halloween, no es otra cosa sino una mixtura de ritos paganos del segundo siglo antes de Cristo, con ritos paganos del catolicísmo romano, que se acomodaron muy bien para satisfacer el gusto popular.

En Efesios 5.11 tenemos una base sólida para rechazar a Halloween; allí leemos lo siguiente:  "No tengan nada que ver con las obras infructuosas de la oscuridad, sino más bien denúncienlas.

La calabaza cortada
Los celtas celebraban el culto de la cabeza cortada, en la cual
representaban a uno de sus dioses. Para ellos, la cabeza era la sede del alma, atribuyéndole enormes poderes, tales como: moverse, hablar, cantar, profetizar y otorgar fecundidad a la tierra. La idea de ahuecar las calabazas, o sea,  hacerle ojos, boca y nariz, -- de modo que se pareciera a un rostro humano o una cabeza cortada --, vino de los inmigrantes irlandeses y franceses (descendientes de los antiguos celtas).

Los fantasmas y "Jack de la linterna" La costumbre de prender linternas y vestirse de fantasmas tuvo su origen
de una antigua leyenda irlandesa. Según esta leyenda, "Jack de la
Linterna" fue un hombre que al morir no pudo entrar al cielo por ser muy avaro. Tampoco pudo ir al infierno porque no respetaba al diablo, sino que se burlaba de él. Por lo tanto, Jack fue condenado a vagar por la tierra con una linterna hasta el día del juicio final.

Los disfraces
El uso de máscaras o disfraces ha sido una práctica muy popular en los ritos de magias y ceremonias paganas de muchos pueblos primitivos. Se usaban los disfraces para representar los espíritus que invocaban, para las danzas, para las guerras y otras actividades. Sin embargo, el propósito principal de la utilización de disfraces era esconder la identidad de la persona, lo cual pone en manifiesto el verdadero deseo de Satanás de ser adorado. "Y esto no es nada raro, ya que Satanás mismo se disfraza de ángel de luz" (2 Corintios 11.14, DHH).

"Tenemos que ser diferentes" No hay duda alguna que Dios espera que seamos diferentes. La iglesia de
Cristo no es de este mundo y no debe "perderse" en las tradiciones de este mundo, especialmente si éstas no glorifican a Dios. Halloween nunca ha sido ni será un tributo a la luz ni a las cosas de Dios.

Como creyentes, tenemos la responsabilidad de evaluar las actividades que practicamos: aunque Tambien debemos de evaluar:La television, el cine, los deportes etc. que Tambien no ¿Glorifican a Dios? no ¿Edifican la vida espiritual? y no ¿Contribuyen a la evangelización de este mundo? O, ¿tienen apariencia de mal?

Erwin

How to know the will of God (Part 1)

Do not paralyze in those areas where you need specific information, when God does not give you or give you that specific information. He has given you general principles on which you can base your decisions, in an increasingly secular world, we definitely need to stay in the truth found in the Word of God.

Step No.1 Where is your heart?

As Christians, we strongly want to know and do God's will, in Ephesians 5:17 we are exhorted not to be foolish but to understand what God's will is. Therefore it is not an argument to belittle. Instead, we must all pay special attention to understand the fundamental principles that should be the basis of our decision-making process.

There are certain moments and periods in life when this becomes a challenge. Think of a crucial decision like: choosing your career, your life partner, your friends, among other things. You want God to speak to you as clearly as possible. You don't want to be sorry for the rest of your life.

The first and most important thing that all of us should do is understand if our heart is in a "good place" Being in a "good place" means examining ourselves to see if doing God's will is something important for us, if this is something that genuinely interests us. If this is your case, then your heart is in the right place.

When you want to honor God in decision making, if God is the most important person in your life and your opinion matters to you and you respect him, then without any shadow of a doubt your heart is in the right place. This is the first step towards understanding God's will for you.

God has given us free will, we have to choose the right thing, however, God himself makes us responsible for our decisions, for this reason, God tells us two essential things regarding our hearts.

1.- Keep your heart above everything, because everything we do flows from it.

2.- Where is your treasure, your heart will be also.

When you have to make an important life decision, who do you go to? Whose opinion do you value most? If the answer is God, you have taken the first step towards understanding his will.

Como conocer la voluntad de Dios (Part 1)

No te paralices en aquellas areas donde necesitas informacion especifica, cuando Dios no te da ni te dara esa informacion especifica. El te ha dado principios generales en los cuales puedes basar tus descisiones, en un mundo cada vez mas secular, nosotros definitivamente necesitamos mantenernos en la verdad que se encuentra en la Palabra de Dios.

Paso No.1 Dode esta tu corazon?

Como cristianos, deseamos fuertemente conocer y hacer la voluntad de Dios, en Efesios 5:17 somos exhortados para no ser necios sino que entendamos cual es la voluntad de Dios. Por lo tanto no es un  argumento para menospreciar. En su lugar, todos debemos prestar especial atencion para comprender los principios fundamentales que deben ser la base de nuestro proceso en la toma de decisiones.

Hay ciertos momentos y periodos en la vida cuando esto se convierte en un desafio. Piensa en una decision crucial como: elegir tu carrera, tu companero de vida, tus amigos, entre otras cosas. Deseas que Dios te hable lo mas claramente posible. No querras que lamentaras por el resto de tu vida.

La primera y mas importante cosa que deberiamos hacer todos nosotros es entender si nuestro corazon esta en un "buen lugar" Estar en "un buen lugar" significa examinarnos para ver si hacer la voluntad de Dios es algo importante para nosotros, si esto es algo que genuinamente nos interesa. si este es tu caso, entonces tu corazon esta en el lugar correcto.

Cuando tu quieres honrar a Dios en la toma de decisiones, si Dios es la persona mas importante en tu vida y su opinion te importa y lo respetas, entonces sin ninguna sombra de duda tu corazon esta en el lugar correcto. Este es el primer paso hacia entender la voluntad de Dios para ti.

Dios nos ha dado libre albedrio, nosotros tenemos que elegir lo correcto, sin embarglo, al mismo Dios nos hace responsables de nuestras decisiones, por esta razon, Dios nos dice dos cosas esenciales con respecto a nuestros corazones.

1.- Guarda tu corazon por encima de todo, porque todo lo que hacemos fluye de el.

2.- Donde esta tu tesoro, estara tambien tu corazon.

Cuando tienes que hacer una importante decision de vida, a quien acudes? De quien es la opinion que mas valoras? si la respuesta es Dios, has dado el primer paso hacia entender su voluntad.

"Why didn't Mary and Joseph call" Emanuel "to Jesus?"

Approximately 700 years before the birth of the promised Messiah, Isaiah prophesied about a virgin who "will conceive, and bear a son, and call his name Immanuel" (7:14). Years later, the apostle Matthew referred to the prophecy of Isaiah, specifying once again that, "you will call his name Immanuel" (1: 22-23). Many have wondered why this name is never used in the New Testament apart from Matthew's quotation regarding Isaiah 7: 14 — if it was assumed that the promised Son of Mary would be called "Immanuel." Why don't we read that Mary, Joseph, John the Baptist, Peter, Paul or others called the Messiah "Emanuel"?

Fortunately, as is often the case with the Word of God, the Bible is its own (and better!) Comment. To better understand what Isaiah meant by the name Immanuel, it is useful to consider what the prophet wrote two chapters later. In prophesying about the Messiah, Isaiah wrote: "His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace" (9: 6). Did Isaiah mean that the proper name of the Messiah would be "Admirable", "Counselor", "Eternal Father" or "Prince of Peace"? The answer is obvious: these names were given to describe the nature of the Messiah; They were not given as literal names. their attributes [of the Messiah-EL] would have such a nature that they would qualify these titles as appropriate descriptions of their power and work. In Hebrew, to be called, and to be, often means the same ... Using a verb in such a way is not unusual in Isaiah. According to the use in Isaiah, "it will be called" is the same as saying that it will properly bear this name, or that it will simply be.

Gabriel's conversation with Mary before his miraculous conception is also useful for properly understanding the name and nature of Jesus. Although Gabriel did not use the term "Immanuel," note how he distinguished Jesus' name from the titles with which he would be known because of His divine nature:

Then the angel said to him: Mary, do not be afraid, because you have found grace before God. And now, you will conceive in your womb, and you will give birth to a son, and you will call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father; and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end. Then Mary said to the angel: How will this be? Well, I don't know a man. Responding to the angel, he said: The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow; Therefore also the Holy Being who will be born will be called Son of God (Luke 1: 30-35).

Finally, Matthew also clarified the way God used the "name" Immanuel in the same context in which he quoted Isaiah 7:14. Immediately before and after Matthew presented to his readers the prophecy regarding the Messiah that would be called “Emanuel” (1:23), he indicated that Joseph would call (1:21) and that he called (1:25) the Messiah with the Jesus name. The fact that Matthew wrote of the "name" of the Messiah as "Immanuel" in verse 23, and as "Jesus" in verses 21 and 25, clearly shows that he understood that he gave himself a name (Jesus) literally, while the other (Immanuel) that is similar to the title "Christ" for Jesus, represented His essence.

by Erwin

“¿Por qué María y José no llamaron ‘Emanuel’ a Jesús?”.

Aproximadamente 700 años antes del nacimiento del Mesías prometido, Isaías profetizó en cuanto a una virgen que “concebirá, y dará a luz un hijo, y llamará su nombre Emanuel” (7:14). Años después, el apóstol Mateo hizo referencia a la profecía de Isaías, especificando una vez más que, “llamarás su nombre Emanuel” (1:22-23). Muchos se han preguntado por qué nunca se usa este nombre en el Nuevo Testamento aparte de la cita de Mateo en cuanto a Isaías 7:14—si se suponía que el Hijo prometido de María sería llamado “Emanuel”. ¿Por qué no leemos que María, José, Juan el Bautista, Pedro, Pablo u otros llamaron “Emanuel” al Mesías?

Afortunadamente, como a menudo es el caso con la Palabra de Dios, la Biblia es su propio (¡y mejor!) comentario. Para entender mejor lo que Isaías quiso decir con el nombre Emanuel, es útil considerar lo que el profeta escribió dos capítulos después. Al profetizar en cuanto al Mesías, Isaías escribió: “se llamará su nombre Admirable, Consejero, Dios Fuerte, Padre Eterno, Príncipe de Paz” (9:6). ¿Quiso decir Isaías que el nombre propio del Mesías sería “Admirable”, “Consejero”, “Padre Eterno” o “Príncipe de Paz”? La respuesta es obvia: estos nombres fueron dados para describir la naturaleza del Mesías; no fueron dados como nombres literales. sus atributos [del Mesías—EL] tendrían tal naturaleza que calificarían estos títulos como descripciones apropiadas de su poder y obra. En hebreo, ser llamado, y ser, frecuentemente significan lo mismo… Usar un verbo de tal manera no es inusual en Isaías. Según el uso en Isaías, “se le llamará” es lo mismo que decir que apropiadamente llevará este nombre, o que simplemente será.

La conversación de Gabriel con María antes de su concepción milagrosa también es útil para entender adecuadamente el nombre y la naturaleza de Jesús. Aunque Gabriel no usó el término “Emanuel”, note la manera en que distinguió el nombre dado a Jesús de los títulos con los cuales sería conocido debido a Su naturaleza divina:

Entonces el ángel le dijo: María, no temas, porque has hallado gracia delante de Dios. Y ahora, concebirás en tu vientre, y darás a luz un hijo, y llamarás su nombre Jesús. Este será grande, y será llamado Hijo del Altísimo; y el Señor Dios le dará el trono de David su padre; y reinará sobre la casa de Jacob para siempre, y su reino no tendrá fin. Entonces María dijo al ángel: ¿Cómo será esto? pues no conozco varón. Respondiendo el ángel, le dijo: El Espíritu Santo vendrá sobre ti, y el poder del Altísimo te cubrirá con su sombra; por lo cual también el Santo Ser que nacerá, será llamado Hijo de Dios (Lucas 1:30-35).

Finalmente, Mateo también clarificó la manera en que Dios usó el “nombre” Emanuel en el mismo contexto en que citó Isaías 7:14. Inmediatamente antes y después de que Mateo presentara a sus lectores la profecía en cuanto al Mesías que sería llamado “Emanuel” (1:23), señaló que José llamaría (1:21) y que llamó (1:25) al Mesías con el nombre Jesús. El hecho de que Mateo escribiera del “nombre” del Mesías como “Emanuel” en el versículo 23, y como “Jesús” en los versículos 21 y 25, claramente muestra que él entendió que se dio un nombre (Jesús) de manera literal, mientras que el otro (Emanuel) que es similar al título “Cristo” para Jesús, representaba Su esencia.

EG

Tithing in the New Testament

We Christians are not obligated to tithe, but from the laws of tithing we can draw guiding principles for our offering today.
Should we Christians tithe? Some believe we are obliged to do so. They bear witness to blessings received by tithing. Some of them, based on Malachi 3:10 ("Bring all tithes to the storehouse and have food in my house"), teach that we should give our tithes specifically to our church. However, others say that the law of tithing has expired, and Christians are not obligated to tithe. Are we forced to tithe? Will God bless us if we tithe? Are we obliged to give our tithe to our church? Has the law of tithing expired? What should I and my family be doing about tithing? We will look for answers to these questions in the Bible.
HISTORY OF TITHE IN THE BIBLE
TEN BEFORE THE LAW OF MOSES.
Abram gave Mekisedec, priest of the Most High God, the tithe of all the spoils obtained by defeating the four invading kings (Gen. 14: 17-20). It seems to be a voluntary act. In Bet-Jacob he promised to tithe all that Jehovah gave him on his trip to Haran (Gen. 28: 20-22). It seems to be a voluntary act, to persuade Jehovah to take care of him and bless him.
TITHE ACCORDING TO THE LAW OF MOSES.
The Israelites were forced to tithe the land and livestock to Jehovah (Lv. 27: 30-33). This tithe was for the support of the Levites (Num. 18:21). A tithe should be spent on banquets at the central sanctuary each year (Deut. 14: 22-23, 26). A third tithe (or perhaps part of the second tithe) should be given every three years, stored in the cities and distributed to the poor (Deut. 14: 28-29). Tithing is mentioned a few more times in the Old Testament:
1. Amos criticized the Israelites because they decimated believing they were pleasing to God, while committing injustices against the poor and defenseless (Amos 4: 4).
2. In the reform of Hezekiah the Israelites brought tithe from the land of cattle to the temple and deposited it there (2 Chronicles 31: 5-6). It is the tithe for the Levites (v. 4).
3. In the reform of Ezra, the Jews promised to tithe the land to support the Levites (Ne. 10:37), which they did for a time (12:47, 13:10, 12).
4. Malachi accused the Jews of stealing from God in their tithes, urged them to bring full tithe to the temple of Jerusalem (the only temple of the Jews) and promised them great blessing (Malachi 3: 8-10). It's about tithing for the Levites.
5. In New Testament times rabbinic writings indicate that the Jews gave importance to at least the first two tithes (Luke 18:12, the Pharisee's prayer). Jesus recognized that at least some scribes and Pharisees decimated everything, and that they should do it, but criticized them for believing that it would please God even when they left justice, mercy and faith (Mt. 23:23; Lc. 11:42).
6. There is no New Testament passage that urges tithing after the death of Christ. The only references to tithing in Acts-Revelation are found in Hchs. 7: 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9; they do not urge to tithe, but argue that the Melchizedek priesthood was superior to the Levitical priesthood, since Melchizedek received tithes from Abraham and, therefore, also from Levi. V. 5 indicates that tithes were part of the Law for Israel.
7. Christians who tithe today usually do not think how to apply all aspects of the law. An exception is the Church of God Universal: they send a tithe to the central offices to be distributed from there between the churches and ministers, save a tithe for an annual church retreat in a luxury hotel and give the third tithe to the poor .
ARE CHRISTIANS OBLIGED TO TITHE TODAY?
For Christians, and especially Gentile Christians, the ritual aspects of the Law (for example, circumcision, holy days, diet, purity and impurity) have expired, but ethical dimensions and attitudes toward God (for example, fear of God , love of neighbor, 9 of the 10 Commandments) still apply to us.
We Christians are not obliged to keep the specific details of the law of tithing: the percentage, where to deliver it, etc. From the laws of tithing we can derive principles and advice that can guide us today, especially in light of New Testament teachings. Let's choose two of the following to put them into practice this week:
1. We offer generously, sacrificially and with faith (2 Cor. 8: 1-3).
2. We offer to support ministers (Phil. 4: 15-16; 1 Tim. 5: 17-18).
3. We offer to help the poor (1 Tim. 5: 3; Jn. 13: 17-19).
4. It is okay to spend on banquets and celebrations to praise, thank and honor the Lord.
5. It would be wise to teach our children to tithe so that, as adults, they will decide if they will continue with that custom or offer in another way.
6. God economically and spiritually blesses those who generously offer (Lk. 6:38; 2 Cor. 9: 6-11; Phil. 4:19). Those who tithe today receive a blessing from God not for the percentage they give, but because they give generously.
7. To those who do not tithe, I recommend you try it. To those who already tithe, I recommend trying more.
Talk to the Lord about the two principles or advice you chose, asking for power and wisdom to put them into practice in the coming weeks.
Let us be faithful offering generously,