CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK: We have been challenging people to research the claims of the tradition of the Christmas story by researching from both the Bible and an Encyclopedia. I am claiming that our Lord Jesus Christ was not born in December and that most of what we do in the season of Christmas has nothing to do with our Lord. Can I prove such a claim that our Lord was not born in December and that the traditional Christmas celebration we all know is not found in the Bible? If He was not born in December when was He born and is it important?

However, if I am expected to prove that Christmas is not the birth of Christ and that Christmas is not a Christian holiday, then I expect the same examination from you who are reading. I will need your proof that Christ was born on Christmas and that Christmas is a Christian holiday. This would be concrete evidence and not from feelings, emotions or the pat answer of "well, I believe." 

When this subject of Christmas is questioned in any way many Protestants and Catholics become quite emotional. I have said in many of my teachings that much of what we believe was taught through the traditions of man and we have become emotionally attached to it. A person cannot argue intellectually or Biblically about a doctrine that is emotionally based. Not matter what facts are presented, the mind is make up because of how one FEELS about it. That is why I started out requesting that each reader goes to an encyclopedia and study the history of Christmas. 

Many have become firmly entrenched concerning the December 25th date in spite of overwhelming historical and Biblical facts showing another date. Many are emotionally and mentally tied to Christmas because they simply enjoy the season and over time have developed family traditions associated with the holidays. I'm all about family time and family traditions and I think we need them. I just don't need a holiday that is man-made to have the family time or the traditions.

Some feel that the actual day of Christ's birth is irrelevant. Most believe that Christmas, is founded on the premise that Jesus was born on December 25th. These people believe any Christian who is  truly striving to follow the Bible will celebrate Christmas as Jesus' birthday and that "He is the reason for the season." 

I know that the doctrine of seasons, days, feasts, and holidays can be an emotional topic for some people. I use the word doctrines because there are three different sources for established doctrines. There are doctrines of God, doctrines of man, and doctrines of demons. When we address the topic of seasons, feasts, and holidays we need to be honest about the origin and practices of such feasts and holidays. I have seen churches split and families divided over simple issues related to feasts and holidays as to which ones to celebrate and how they should be celebrated. The key to knowing the truth about God’s established feasts is the same key for knowing all doctrines, and that is to have hearts to hear and to be teachable about what the WORD of GOD says, nothing less and nothing more. More coming later.

You said Father to let my yes be yes and my no to be no, but I have spoken to quickly in making vows, promises, or oaths to people. I ask forgiveness for broken promises, oaths, and vows to everyone whom I spoke these too. I speak in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ a God-blessing over everyone who received a broken oath, vow, or promise from me. I also take charge over every oath, vow, or promise that was spoken to me that was broken and unfulfilled, and I forgive those who spoke those promises.

I speak forth in the name and authority of Jesus Christ a complete severing from every occult, cord of bondage, or form of oppression, which has been established over me, or has been able to lay a stronghold in my thoughts, emotions, will, or body. I speak against any curse, vow, hex, spell, or, incantation assigned to me and my household. In the name of Jesus Christ I proclaim their works broken and nullified now. I release the blessings of God revealed by His Word and I declare liberty in all of my personhood.

Any item I bought, any gift ever given to me, anything in my home which may be cursed or linked to the demonic or linked to faiths and beliefs that attack the Word of God, I ask in the name of Jesus Christ, for the curse on that article to be nullified and the link to that person or to the demonic to be severed. I speak by faith that it becomes clean to be used for the Glory of God. By the name of Jesus Christ I ask Father for the blood of Jesus Christ to wash over every article which is in my home and on my property and I ask for these things including myself to be blessed and purified under Your anointing work by Your Word, Your Holy Spirit, and by Your blood.

This is my fifth post on the blood atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have already looked at the false "JESUS DIED SPIRITUALLY DOCTRINE" (JDS). I strongly recommend that you google search this doctrine to read more about it and a list of modern day Pastors and TV Evangelists who embrace this will appear. Brace yourself with this revelation. In a lot of attacks on the blood atonement it is not always what the preacher/teacher says each week, but what is absent from his teaching each week. The work and importance of the cross will be a message absent from their teaching.

The next doctrine that attacks the blood atonement is called MORAL GOVERNMENT THEOLOGY, or MGT. Let me give you a few teachings on this false doctrine and again I recommend that you google search MGT and see the large list of modern day TV evangelists, Pastors and Teachers embracing this false doctrine. Then look on your book shelf and see how many books you have from them. Remember that the Word of God says that Satan comes as a shining light and a lamb to deceive many. These doctrines (JDS and MGT) are subtle yet deadly.

One of the most disturbing doctrines of MGT is that it teaches that the atonement of mankind does not need the work of the cross. In other words, according to MGT, our Lord Jesus Christ died needlessly and in vain on that cruel cross. They would say that the perfect life of Christ was enough for us to be redeemed and all we need to do is to model that life. That teach that God would never use wrath to get rid of sin or the blood and death of Christ to punish sin. 

MGT would say that the love of God and the willingness of God to forgive are greater than His desire to punish sin. This is the motivation for the teaching that states that "God's love is greater than God justice."  Therefore, MGT teaches that our Lord Jesus Christ did not need to go to the cross to die and that the cross is not a victory but a loss. MGT teaches that for someone to believe that our Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay our ransom is a deception form the devil. MGT does not believe that Jesus paid our sin debt. They say that for a believer to accept the blood atonement ransom teaching and that God allowed Christ to be killed on a cross makes God vindictive and bloodthirsty.

Again, this is not an isolated teaching by a few people. This is a major problem within the body of Christ among major weel-known people who are deceiving millions.

One of the dangers within the body of Christ in the day which we live is an abundance of false doctrines. The problem lies in the fact that they are “dressed up” in a way that they are not recognized by the average Christian.  MGT is one such doctrine. Make yourself aware of the plans and schemes of the enemy

This is my fourth post on the blood atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We stated in earler posts how the doctrine of the blood atonement is under attack. It is becoming less and less of what Christ did for us on the cross and more of what we can do for ourselves. Thus, the great increase of self-help books available for Christians. Also we here more about our salvation and victory being tied to the resurrection of Christ and not about the cross. 

There is a false doctrine being taught by some of the largest churches and most well-known TV personalities that is a direct attack against the cross and the blood atonement. It is called the JDS or Jesus died spiritually doctrine. It would say that the cross was a failure because when Jesus died physically on that cross, He also died spiritually and ceased being God. They would say that Jesus went to hell as a lost man, and was chained and tortured. They would say that Jesus had to be BORN AGAIN the same way we as lost men and women needed to be born again. They would also say that our salvation happened when Christ raised from the dead because that was His salvation. He could not redeem us until He was redeemed. They teach that the only victory from Christ in those three days would be the resurrection and that we get our salvation from His resurrection. This doctrine is false and undermines the Deity of Christ and the blood atonement. God is not dead, we all know the song. However, God has never died!

We have already looked at the ATONEMENT FOR THE SOUL and the REMISSION OF SINS, which is brought to us through the blood of Jesus Christ. 

We will now look at LIFE AND PEACE. The atonement of our Lord is life and brings life. There can be no remission of sins without the shedding of blood.

Romans 5:1 ESV Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

People are always looking for life, a greater quality of life, and peace. This is even true among those who are Christians who suppose to know life and peace in Christ Jesus. We have a promise that if we truly want life and peace we can find it in the blood of our Lord. 

It must be applied and acknowledged not by just theological mental assent but by internalizing the truth. When we internalize this truth we will know that we have cleansing and resurrection power in us by the work of the cross. As believers we do not have a past because it was nailed to the cross and covered by the blood. To have God's life (ZOE) we must first die to our own life.

LIFE & PEACE SCRIPTURES:

Proverbs 3:1-2 ESV My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, (2) for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.

Romans 8:6 ESV For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK: Many have had the Christmas story told to them year after year their whole life. Therefore, if someone comes along and challenges what we have been told they had better have a good argument. I will take my time each day and build my case. I welcome any comments in the comment section. I will build line upon line, precept upon precept, using both Biblical truth and historical facts. How I or anyone else FEELS about Christmas is not a Biblical or historical basis for debate. Our personal experiences over the years will not be viewed as a basis for the Christmas challenge. I will do my best to maintain integrity in bringing nothing but truth and facts without regard of personal  traditions or beliefs.

We are approaching the time of the year when many people and cultures in the world celebrate the supposed birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. The jingles, the Christmas songs on the radio and television, and of course our feel-good movie classics invade our sanity earlier every year. The Christmas decorations and the store advertisements now start before Halloween.  Everywhere we go, the holiday cheer comes across with the greeting of “Merry Christmas.” It seems to be inescapable from Thanksgiving to New Years day. For many though, this is a season which starts in glee and joy, but in the end becomes a struggle. Many just wish it would rush by and be over.

Yet it is also a season that requires some of us to be on our guard. Since I do not celebrate Christmas, or give Merry Christmas greeting, I often stick out in a crowd. Such a different viewpoint about Christmas creates curiosity and suspicion in some and anger in others. This curiosity is especially confusing for some since I have been a Christian since 1974 and a Pastor since 1977. Many ask why I do not keep the Christmas celebration and traditions of celebrating Christ’s birth since I believe in Jesus Christ. I respond that our Lord Jesus Christ was not born on December 25, or any other date in December. I also add that according to Scriptures, it is our Lord’s death, burial, resurrection, and return that we are to remember, which we do with the Lord’s supper, and that there is nothing remotely in Scriptures on the celebration of His birth.

1 Corinthians 11:24-26 KJV 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

I will get to the meat of the argument. A little here and a little there. But first I challenged you to go to your encyclopedia and read about the history of Christmas.

CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK: First, I want to ensure the readers of this post that I am not an atheists. I am a Spirit-filled retired Baptist Pastor. I do a lot of reading, studying and I am an author of many books. Honesty, I am not always excited and emotionally fulfilled at the truth of God's Word in which I uncover. But God's Word is absolute and He never asks me how I might feel about it. After 42 years of pastoring there are two truths about people that remain constant. (1) "People will believe everything you teach as long as you teach what they already believe." (2) "People are more EMOTIONALLY bound to a belief than they are INTELLECTUALLY bound to it. This is why people say "I don't care what the Bible says or what you are teaching, this is what I feel to be right."

We are in our 2nd week of December and the stores are full of shoppers getting ready for the big day. I would like to issue a challenge to those who are curious for truth and facts. This challenge is not for the intention to bring condemnation, guilt, or accusation, so don't allow yourself to get mad. This is my way of getting some people educated about the upcoming season. Here goes. I challenge anyone to study the Word of God in Matthew 2 and Luke 2 with an open mind and find any "reason for the season." Then go to other sources and study the history behind the holiday. Find out what is truly worshipped on December 25th. Try not to be overcome with the emotional and mental ties of the season that might blind the truth. Look on the web, the Encyclopedia, or other sources.

Why do I do this? I refuse to keep silent when well-meaning believers consistently and emotionally state that "Jesus is the reason for the season", or that "Jesus' birthday is December 25th", or that we should not use "X-mas" because we are taking Christ out of His birthday and season.

WARNING: Don't research this if you already have your mind made up about Christmas and nothing anyone can say will change it. Or if your argument is "I've heard it all, and nothing changes what I believe." Remember, we as believers are responsible to God for truth received, to act on it. I know some may unfriend me on Facebook, social media platforms, and my website over this, because after all, it is easier to unfriend me then to take an honest look at the holiday we worship. But please don't. If you disagree with me, just consider me an over-zealous religious fanatic that will move on to another Biblical topic soon.

This is my third post on the blood atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have already said that His blood brings about the ATONEMENT for our soul. Today I make the argument that there is no remission (freedom, pardon, deliverance, and liberty) of sins without the shed blood of our Lord. 

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 ESV (23) For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, (24) and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." (25) In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." (26) For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

Our Christian bookstores are filled with "self-help" books trying to fix the old Adamic nature. Somehow the church has gotten the idea that we can have our sins "dealt with" without the shed blood of our Lord and we just need to be a more moral people. God did not send our Lord to repair old Adam, but to replace him. God did not send our Lord to make man moral but to make man righteous. 

We as the body of Christ have somehow adopted a teaching that our sins are pardoned, forgiven, and delivered by an activity in which we control by the way we think, feel, or choose.

We have remission of our sins only through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Any thought that we have anything to bring to the table for our salvation is birthed out of the doctrine of "humanism" and robs from the grace of God. It is ALL ABOUT HIM, and not about us.

We are free from sin, (no longer a slave to sin) because of the work of the cross in the shedding of the blood of the Lamb of God. The church body has been given an ordinance that pictures the work of the cross.  We mentally and emotionally acknowledge the work of the cross and salvation by grace by taking the Lord's Supper (Communion).

Matthew 26:26-30 ESV Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." (27) And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, (28) for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (29) I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." (30) And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Father, because the Person of the Holy Spirit is in me, I claim Is. 61:1. The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

Therefore, I ask Father for this day to be a day of liberty to anything I am captive, the opening of the prison doors in any area, which I am bound and the breaking of any curses from my life. In the Name of my Lord Jesus Christ, I by faith proclaim every curse against me null and void and declare every assignment the devil has against me because of a curse, or condemnation, cancelled.

By the spiritual authority I have by right of son-ship, I command every evil spirit involved with enforcing a curse against me, against my marriage, against proper relationships with my spouse and children, against my finances, against my health, against my home and property, and against my possessions, to be cast away from me now to roam in dry and arid places.

I thank God for the teaching of the blood atonement throughout the Scriptures. We know from the Word that life is in the blood. I do not have forgiveness of sins just because I asked Jesus into my life. I have forgiveness because of the cleansing power of the blood of the perfect lamb of God.

Leviticus 17:11 ESV For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.

Deuteronomy 12:23 ESV Only be sure that you do not eat the blood, for the blood is the life, and you shall not eat the life with the flesh.

Hebrews 9:22 ESV Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

In Rom.5:11 the word reconciliation is also the word atonement in the Greek.

Romans 5:10-11 ESV For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. (11) More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Over the next few studies I will be sharing some thoughts concerning the blood and it's redeeming factors. The first truth is that it is the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ that brings about an ATONEMENT FOR MY SOUL.

Atonement: at-one-ment. 

The word "atonement" means "To purge, cleanse, annul, exchange, cancel, appease, and forgive. Why am I teaching this. I am teaching this because there are false doctrines in the body of Christ attacking the blood atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ. One such doctrine teaches that Jesus did not need to go to the cross to die, and that He died for nothing. It teaches that we are saved from His perfect life and that God would never demand a blood sacrifice for sin. Remember, I said that this is being taught each Sunday in pulpits across our land in Protestant churches.