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For some time now, i have had some concerns on the above topic. Catholics claim to be the mother church and therefore having the pope as the vicar of God who can make are mar laws. In this sense, i learnt they changed the day of worship from sabbath in the bible to the contemporary Sunday. however, some protestants (seven day adventisits) claim that the right day of worship is sabbath (saturday), that sunday was a day devoted to worshiping the god of sun in those days. What is the biblical day of worship? listen to this statement from the Roman Catholic "Our Sunday Visitor, Feb. 5, 1950" qouted by charles skinner as "practically everything Protestants regard as essential or importat they have received from the Catholic church. they accept Sunday rather than Saturday as the day for public worship after the catholic church made the change. but the Protestant mind does not seem to realise that in observing Sunday, in keeping CHRISTMAS AND EASTER, they are accepting the authority of the spokesman for the church - The Pope". excerpt from "Come out of her, My People" by Charles skinner.
Pls, your honest answer will do a lot helping me.
Best regards.
adebanji
Comments
The OT biblical day would be Saturday. There are claims that we truly worship on Sunday because Christ rose on Sunday. Although I accept this as legitimate [Luke 24], I believe there is enough evidence to think that the Roman Catholic church is responsible for the forcing of worship on Sunday; the day the early Roman pagan sun gods were worshiped. This is found in the Decree in Council of Laodicea which is found in "A History of Councils of the Church" (pg. 316):
"Christians must not judaize by resting on the Sabbath, but must work that day, resting rather on Sunday. But if any be found to be judaizing, let the be declared anathema from Christ."
So our first reaction might be, "Whoa, I don't want to be a nominal Christian or follow in pagan footsteps."
However, remember why God gave them the law to keep in the first place:
Exodus 16:4 - Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not." This is why Christ came, because we can't be perfect in God's laws. We are not able to do it. This is why we have liberty in Christ. To say that any one day of worship is any more important is as absurd as saying that we must go to the OT temple. No. Christ lives within us now and no longer in the temple. We are the temple. Paul says it best himself in Romans 14:5-6:
"One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it."
Some will argue that Paul preached on the Sabbath [Acts 17:2-3]. Great. He sure did. Buy why? Because he was preaching to the JEWS [Acts 17:5] who did not believe that Christ was the Messiah, so they were still continuing their customs of Sabbath worship. Same thing in Acts 18:4 where it mentions a synagogue. Even though Paul was talking to both Jews AND Gentiles, he was speaking to them from a Jewish house of prayer.
Yes, I believe that Christmas and Easter are originally pagan festivals. Easter itself is the name used for Ishtar/Astarte. But my mentor put a good argument forth:
"As far as Christmas & Easter, I basically view them as traditional American holidays, part of our cultural heritage that unites us with our country and fellow human beings. I also see them as opportunities to share the gospel, as they have the connection to the events of the birth and resurrection of our Lord. They give me occasion to reflect on those events and worship in gratitude. So, I have no problem with celebrating them. I do not in anyway tie them to the pagan days associated with their history. In some ways, I look at this as the modern day application of Romans 14 or I Corinthians 10:14-33, where pagan gods do not exist, so we are free to partake in the food offered them so long as we do not stumble our brothers by it. I do know some who refuse to celebrate due to convictions on it, and I support their right to follow their conscience; but for myself, I have made the holiday celebrations holy by doing them unto the Lord, and have no problem enjoying cultural events that are not harmful to my christian principles. As Paul wrote, "Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind." (Romans 14:5b, NASB)"
You must go the way you are fully convinced in your own mind. Each denomination is different and in many ways takes something from early Christian history, but the Protestant movement paved the way and allowed us to do the one thing that we are meant to do, without the need of mediation from any priest: have a personal relationship with God. The Nicolaitan doctrine (nico = victory over/to conquer, laitan = laity/the people) was finally broken! [Revelation 2:6; 2:15]
p.s. And when you study Revelation in depth, it sure points eerily to the Roman Catholic church as the woman in Revelation 17 (counterfeit Church) being connected to Babylon (pagans). I'm not saying that not all Catholics aren't saved. That's God's place to judge. But nowhere are we commanded to pray to Mary or the Saints either.
Live in Christ's liberty my friend. God's commandments are written on your heart now!