Is Christmas Christian?
2:17 Is Christmas, even Christian?
5:01 Did the Lord Jesus or his apostles teach somewhere that every December 25th, Christians should hold a mass in celebration of the alleged birthday of Jesus?
5:32 It’s not then because we’re anti-Christian, that we excuse ourselves from celebrating Christmas, but because rather, the holiday itself is anti-Christian and as much as its origins and practices are unbiblical, right?
10:25 What evidence can they present in the Catholic Church that the early Christians celebrated Christmas?
12:35 So there’s a lot more guessing actually going on there than any of them guessed, right?
13:20 Why then are there so many millions of in fact billions who have been misled into thinking and believing that on December 25 they have to celebrate Christmas?
13:53 Are you telling us here that Christmas then is nothing more than the order or the command of the Catholic Pope?
14:22 What does that show us then?
14:47 What else is important for you to know about Christmas? Dear friends, is there any more bad news? Are there any other important facts?
15:44 Is it just us who was saying that? Or is there anyone else?
23:29 Why we should not take part in the Christianized pagan festival Christmas many are probably wondering now, if celebrating the so-called Christmas is not the way to honor Christ. Then tell me. Brothers, what should our viewers do next?
25:03 What curses are you referring to? What’s the curse?
25:49 What does all of this have to do with how important the birth of Christ is
to members of the Church of Christ? What’s the connection to that?
26:46 Who did Christ die for?
28:05 Is there nothing at all, nothing at all that we can do to honor the birth of Christ?
[Show open]
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INC International Edition
Brother Bob Pellien: It’s that time of the year again, Christmas a much anticipated holiday that so many celebrate. Well, there are those who want nothing more than to exchange gifts and be jolly. There are others who put more meaning into this holiday. For them. December 25 is the birthday of the Lord Jesus Christ. And Christmas is their way of honoring him.
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TODAY’S TOPIC: “IS CHRISTMAS CHRISTIAN?”
Brother Bob Pellien: But our question is this, ‘Is Christmas truly Christian?” And is celebrating Christmas really what the Bible teaches us to do to honor Christ. I am Bob Pellien. And that’s what we will talk about today, right here on the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition.
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Bob Pellien
San Francisco, California
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Bob Pellien: And joining us today in our discussion is Brother Eric Waterman in Manila, Philippines. Brother Eric, welcome to the program.
Brother Eric Waterman: Good day Brother Bob.
Brother Bob Pellien: Also joining us in the United Kingdom there Brother Rommel San Pedro, Brother Rommel.
Brother Rommel San Pedro: Hello, everybody, Brother Bob.
Brother Bob Pellien: Welcome. Welcome to our discussion, Brother. And also joining us from Vancouver, Canada, Brother Felmar Serreno. Brother Felmar thanks for joining our discussion
Brother Felmar Serreno: Pleasure as always, Brother Bob. Hope everyone is well.
Brother Bob Pellien: You know, Brothers, since we here in the Church Of Christ, don’t celebrate Christmas, you know, you can just imagine the kind of backlash that we receive about that. Sometimes members of the Church Of Christ are criticized by maybe their co-workers or even their own families who feel so strongly about celebrating Christmas. Among the barrage of remarks is this question, “Is your religion anti-Christian?” So we hope dear friends before anyone might jump to such conclusions, let’s give our panelists a fair chance to explain where we’re coming from concerning why we don’t celebrate Christmas. So let’s go through to you first Brother Felmar, is Christmas, even Christian?
Brother Felmar Serreno: Well, if it is Brother, and as much as true Christians based their faith on the Bible, so Christian-professing people who celebrate this holiday should be able to show that Christmas is from the Bible.
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Felmar Serreno
Vancouver, Canada
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Felmar Serreno: However, that just isn’t the case. Take for example, what Catholics have to say in this book entitled Religion, Doctrine and Practice. Now this was written by Francis B. Cassilly. It was published by the Loyola University Press in 1934. It has a nihil obstat from Austin G. Smith, and an imprimatur from Samuel Cardinal Stritch, who was Archbishop of Chicago at the time. Now for those who might be unfamiliar, a nihil obstat and an imprimatur basically is a certification from the Catholic Church, that a book contains nothing objectionable to the doctrines of the Catholic Church, and that the respective book was given permission by Catholic authorities to be printed. So in this edition that I have, this is what we can read on page 304.
[Religion, Doctrine and Practice, by Francis B. Cassilly, Chicago: Loyola University Press, 1934, Page 304]
The word Christmas is composed of ‘Christ’ and ‘Mass,’ and the feast is so-called because on that day the Mass commemorating Christ’s Nativity is celebrated. The celebration is held on December 25.
Brother Felmar Serreno: So in this Catholic book, we quoted from, the word Christmas is derived from the words ‘Christ’ and ‘Mass,’ because the mass commemorating Christ’s nativity or birthday is celebrated on that day. So Brothers, there’s something that we should notice here, which is that the word itself “Christmas” is not in the Bible. Rather, it is a term that was created by the Catholic Church.
Brother Bob Pellien: But why would they make that up? Why would they do that?
Brother Felmar Serreno: Because like what we read, they believe that December 25, is the birthday of the Lord Jesus. And so on this date for Catholics, the mass commemorating Christ’s nativity is celebrated as this Catholic book states.
Brother Bob Pellien: You know, some of our viewers though, they may have more questions now than what we began with, like, kind of how did the Catholic Church come to believe that December 25th is really the birthdate of Jesus? Did they read that from the Bible? And what about this yearly mass to celebrate Christ’s alleged birthday, did the Lord Jesus or his apostles, did they teach at any time somewhere that every December 25th, Christians should hold a mass in celebration of the alleged birthday of Jesus? Is that where they got it from?
Brother Rommel San Pedro: Brother Bob, we can safely say that the Bible contains zero records of any instance, when the first second or other succeeding birthdays of Christ was celebrated, much less with the Catholic mass or Santa Claus and everything else that is related to Christmas.
Brother Bob Pellien: See, So Brother Rommel, it’s not then because we’re anti-Christian, that we excuse ourselves from celebrating Christmas, but because rather, the holiday itself is anti-Christian and as much as its origins and practices are unbiblical, right?
Brother Rommel San Pedro: Exactly. And there’s more compelling proof of that, to be presented in our study today.
Brother Bob Pellien: So to you, our dear viewers, stay tuned right here because you have the right to know what this holiday is really all about.
Brother Rommel San Pedro: That being said, Brothers, others may be wondering right now, if all this means that the birth of Christ is not important to us? Well, to answer that head on, of course, the birth of Christ is important to us, and to all members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. To prove that, let’s first understand, what does the Bible say, that did take place when our Lord Jesus Christ was born? In Luke 2:7 to 14:
And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And an earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
[Luke 2:7-14 New King James Version]
Brother Rommel San Pedro: So clearly dear friends, the Bible records the birth of Jesus. So it is something that is important to us, it would be wrong to assume it is not.
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Rommel San Pedro
London, United Kingdom
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Eric Waterman: So Brother Rommel, from what we read, we should notice that the angel said to the shepherds who were there at that time, they were keeping watch over their flock out in the fields. What did the angel who brought the news about Christ’s birth proclaim? The angel said, ‘Good tidings of great joy.’ Therefore, the birth of Christ Jesus, the Savior, is indeed something to rejoice about. Based also on those verses that you read, Brother Rommel, even the heavenly host, or the angels in heaven, praise God because of it. So of course, we, as members of the Church Of Christ, feel exactly the same way. We are filled with joy every day over the fact that the Savior was born to us, sent to us by the Lord God, that Savior being none other than our Lord Jesus Christ.
Brother Felmar Serreno: Brother Bob, if I may jump in please because I think there’s something else that everyone should notice about the Bible verses that we just read.
Brother Bob Pellien:. What’s that Brother?
Brother Felmar Serreno: Well, there are no mandates. There are no guidelines there, or in any Bible verse for that matter, which instructs us to celebrate Christ’s birthday year after year, on December 25. And so it really makes you wonder if Christmas is a legitimate Christian activity, then why are there no records of it in the Bible?
Brother Bob Pellien: I see your point there, Brother Felmar. Well, why don’t we ask them though, the Catholic Church in as much as well, they’re the ones who came up with the term Christmas in the first place, right? What evidence can they present that the early Christians did in fact, celebrate Christmas? Dear friends, that’s where we will continue. We’ll answer that and more right after this short break, stay with us.
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INC International Edition
Brother Bob Pellien: Welcome back to the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition. Today we’re asking, Is Christmas Christian?
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Bob Pellien
San Francisco, California
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Bob Pellien: And Is it celebrating Christmas really what the Bible teaches us to do to honor Christ? We left off with this question, Brother Felmar. We were discussing it with you. What evidence can they present in the Catholic Church that the early Christians celebrated Christmas?
Brother Felmar Serreno: In response to that Brother Bob, if I may read for everyone, what can be found in this book, The Externals of the Catholic Church. Now this was written by John F. Sullivan, who was a Monsignor, or a distinguished priest in the Catholic Church. It was published out of New York by JP Kenedy & Sons. This edition was published in 1951. It has a nihil obstat from John A. Goodwine and imprimatur from Francis Cardinal Spellman, who was Archbishop of New York at the time, on page 204. This is what we can read:
[The Externals of the Catholic Church, A Handbook of Catholic Usage, by Rt. Rev. Msgr. John F. Sullivan, D.D. New York: JP Kenedy & Sons, 1951, Page 204]
Celebration in Ancient Times. How old is Christmas Day? One would naturally think that the anniversary of so great an event as the birth of the Son of God would have been a day of religious joy from the earliest years of the Church; but it is clear that this was not the case. There is no mention of it in any of the oldest lists of Church festivals.
Brother Felmar Serreno: So going back to your question, Brother Bob, are you ready? So the answer to your question Brother Bob is there is no evidence. According to this Catholic book, there is no legitimate Bible-based evidence that any religious feast was held by the early Christians on December 25. This book clearly states and if I can quote again, “there is no mention of it in any of the oldest lists of Church festivals.”
Brother Rommel San Pedro: Actually, Brother Felmar, if you go on reading there. The history of the Catholic Church reveals that there was diverse opinion among themselves regarding when exactly the Lord Jesus was born. Some place it on the 20th of April, others estimate it was on the 20th of May, while others insist it might have been the sixth of January.
[The Externals of the Catholic Church, A Handbook of Catholic Usage, by Rt. Rev. Msgr. John F. Sullivan, D.D. New York: JP Kenedy & Sons, 1951, Page 204]
There was a great diversity of opinion among ancient authorities as to the birthday of our Blessed Savior. Many writers, especially of the Eastern Church, assigned an entirely different season of the year from that observed at present. St. Clement of Alexandria quotes some who placed it on the twentieth of April or the twentieth of May, and a very common belief in the Orient was that our Lord was born on the sixth of January.
Brother Bob Pellien: Whoa, whoa, wait a second, Brothers. So there’s a lot more guessing actually going on there than any of them guessed, right?
Brother Eric Waterman: Good question, Brother Bob. Before we answer, let’s read this first, in a book called True Christianity. This is written on page 410:
[True Christianity, John J. Pasquini, The Catholic Way, Universe Inc., 2003, Page 410]
The thirty-fifth pope Julius I, founded the archives of the Holy See and decreed that Christmas should be celebrated on December 25.
Brother Eric Waterman: So to answer your question, Brother Bob and did anyone guess correctly right that the exact birthday of the Lord Jesus Christ?
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Eric Waterman
Manila, Philippines
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Eric Waterman: As far as the Bible is concerned, they all guessed wrong. Why? Because the Bible is clearly silent concerning the exact date when our Lord Jesus Christ was born.
Brother Bob Pellien: Wait a minute, why then are there so many millions of in fact billions who have been misled into thinking and believing that on December 25 they have to celebrate Christmas?
Brother Eric Waterman: Well, Brother Bob, as we have just read dear friends, you can blame Pope Julius the First for that. Why? Because according to history, it was the 35th Pope of the Catholic Church, Julius the First who decided himself that Christmas should be celebrated on December 25.
Brother Bob Pellien: So, my dear Brothers, are you telling us here that Christmas then is nothing more than the order or the command of the Catholic Pope?
Brother Rommel San Pedro: Well, yes Brother Bob but history itself and get a load of this, Pope Julissa I reigned as pope from the year 337 to 352 AD, which was the fourth century. It was only in the fourth century, when the celebration of Christmas on December 25, was decreed by the Catholic Church.
Brother Bob Pellien: What does that show us then?
Brother Rommel San Pedro: Well, Brother Bob it shows us that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Apostles in the first century Christians truly have nothing to do with a concoction of the Christmas holiday. Why? Because their time was the first century. Mind you, the last book of the Bible was also finished by the end of the first century whereas Christmas wasn’t ordered by the Catholic Church until the fourth century.
Brother Bob Pellien: Dear viewers, what else is important for you to know about Christmas? Dear friends, is there any more bad news? Are there any other important facts? Let’s go to you Brother Felmar.
Brother Felmar Serreno: Well, there actually are more surprising facts that people should be aware of. You see, Catholic publications also state that the choice of the date was influenced by the fact that it was on December 25 as well, that the pagan Romans since the time of Emperor Aurelian, had celebrated the feast of their Sun God, S U N. Sun God, Sol Invictus the unconquered sun. So for all things Christmas, such as caroling, lanterns, candles, Christmas trees, mistletoes, wreaths and Santa Claus. Guess what they’re all inspired by? Pagan practices and pagan traditions.
Brother Bob Pellien: But Brother Felmar, is it just us who was saying that? Or is there anyone else?
Brother Felmar Serreno: Oh, no Brother. These are facts that are available on the internet, on YouTube, in many books, even though certified by the Catholic Church. Like an example is The Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs, which was written by a priest named Francis X. Wiser.
Brother Bob Pellien: But Brothers, in light of these facts, Christmas then is what is said to be a Christianized pagan festival as unpleasant as that may sound to others. That’s the truth of the matter.
Brother Eric Waterman: Brother Bob, and to our dear friends, and even to the detractors, who are still with us to this point of the program. First of all, thank you for making the time and effort to hear us out on this important topic. And hopefully by now you can see where we’re coming from. We did not join in the Catholic celebration of the so-called Christmas on December 25th. Why? Because, well, for starters, we don’t take orders from Popes. In the same vein, we don’t take directions or inspiration from pagans or people who worship idols, and not the one true God. We believe that the one true God is the Father who is in heaven. And lastly or thirdly, not a few times that our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, as well as the apostles preach against paganism, and idolatry. So how could a Christianized pagan festival bring honor to Christ in any way?
Brother Rommel San Pedro: This is precisely why we have nothing to do with it. Because for us in the Church Of Christ, what we follow are the commandments of God that were taught by Christ, which are written in the Bible.
Brother Bob Pellien: Right. So if celebrating the so-called Christmas Brothers, if it’s not the way to honor Christ, then dear friends, what is? Stay tuned. We’ll answer that when the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition returns.
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INC International Edition
Brother Bob Pellien: Welcome back dear viewers of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, International Edition. As we continue our discussion today, asking, if Christmas is Christian?
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Bob Pellien
San Francisco, California
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Bob Pellien: We understand that everything that’s been presented so far, well, it may be shocking news to some of you, our viewers. These revelations that Christmas, in fact, is not Christian at all, but in fact, a pagan festival that was Christianized. But you’re not alone, dear friends. You are not alone. Take for example, Mary Guevara from National City, California, who was raised inside the Roman Catholic Church. Here in this video clip, she shares her experience upon learning the truth behind Christmas, and in fact, other holidays as well. Take a look.
[Video starts]
{Source: INCTV]
Mary Guevara: And as they taught that lesson, I was in shock.
Everything that I had been taught about Easter and Christmas, everything that the Catholic Church had told us it was okay and acceptable is not only unacceptable, it wasn’t even biblical, which I have felt for a long time. And I remember sitting in the chapel, crying, just crying, because I couldn’t believe my mother would teach me something that’s so against the teachings that our Lord God will give us within his own scriptures. What does the rabbit have to do with God? What does eggs have to do with God? Can you tell me that? Or even Christmas? What does the tree have to do with the birth of Jesus Christ? What does Santa have to do with the birth of Jesus Christ? I felt like these churches were partaking in something that man decided to make and interpreting the Bible and going against its own teachings. And that to me was wrong. So my favorite answered prayer would be I finally got that deep connection I so prayed for for many years just to have that deep connection with God. And when Brother Earnest invited me to come to the Church Of Christ, it was finally answered. I had finally received what I’ve always dreamed.
What makes me happy is every day I can spend another day in the service of our Lord God. I actually am excited and I wait for each worship service so that I can see what lessons are being taught. Even in my offices that I hold within the church, I’m excited to go perform, because it means so much to me. Everything I can do for Him, to help Him and to live in His world. It’s my pleasure to do His work.
[Video ends]
Brother Felmar Serreno: You know, Brothers, I’m really glad that we’re having this conversation today, because it’s an important and necessary conversation that not many are willing to have. But if not for conducting a thorough examination about Christmas, like what we’re doing on today’s show, many people like Mary Guevara would still be ignorant. Although it was very upsetting for her to learn that she was actually lied to all those years.
Brother Eric Waterman: Brother Felmar, but who can blame her right? After all, many like Sister Mary Guevara were devoting themselves to something that they thought was for their holiness, when in fact, it was the opposite. But even from an economical point of view, think of all the finances, time and energy that could have been put to a better use.
Brother Bob Pellien: But you know, I don’t think others realize just how dangerously commercialized in fact, Christmas has become. Let’s take a look at another video clip about that very point.
[Video starts]
[Source: INCTV}
Sarah Navin: Post Christmas guilt not only for calories consumed, but over-indulgent spending
Woman: I spent a lot and never encountered anything. I just basically spent.
Sarah Navin: Finder found many of us will still be paying for Christmas well into the new year, and a quarter of those won’t settle the debt until May.
Taylor Blackburn: For the average credit card holder in Australia who carries debt. That balance is about $6,000.
Sarah Navin: Bankwest and CT are both offering balance transfer deals over more than two years for a $5,000 debt. That’s an interest saving of around $1,500 on typical credit card rates. But those suffering from a financial hangover are urged to stick to payment deadlines.
Alycia Gawthorne: After pay made more than $48 million in profit on late fees alone in the last financial year.
Sarah Navin: Australian spent an estimated $28 billion on credit cards this December alone, and the splurge continues with post Christmas sales, making many fall further into the debt trap.
Man: We shouldn’t even be here really.
Sarah Navin: Well, fast money can be tempting, short term loans can come back to bite.
Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon: If you fall prey to so-called loan sharks, you could end up paying an effective interest rate of 400%.
Man: I learned my lesson from when I was a youngster.
Sarah Navin: To be completely debt free. One of the top resolutions three days into the New Year, Sarah Navin, 7 News.
[Video ends]
Brother Bob Pellien: So for all the ground we’ve covered Brothers concerning why we should not take part in the Christianized pagan festival Christmas many are probably wondering now, if celebrating the so-called Christmas is not the way to honor Christ, then tell me, brothers, what should our viewers do next?
Brother Eric Waterman: To answer that question, Brother Bob, it’s necessary for us to explain from the Bible just how important the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ is to us as members of the Church Of Christ. And let’s read that answer here and what the Bible said in Galatians chapter 4, the verses are 4 down to 5:
But when the time was right, God sent his Son, and a woman gave birth to him. His Son obeyed the law, so he could set us free from the law, and we could become God’s children.
[Galatians 4:4-5 Contemporary English Version]
Brother Eric Waterman: So according to the pronouncement of Apostle Paul, Christ was born to give freedom to those who are slaves to the law. Why is it important that we who are slaves to the law, be given freedom? So that we could become God’s children. If we go to verse 10, it is explained that what people need to be freed from is God’s curse, which is upon those who have disobeyed the law, which is upon all those who have disobeyed the Law of God.
Those who depend on obeying the Law live under a curse. For the scripture say, “Whoever does not always obey everything that is written in the book of the Law is under God’s curse!
[Galatians 3:10 Good News Bible]
Brother Bob Pellien: But wait a second, what curses are you referring to? What’s the curse?
Brother Rommel San Pedro: The curse for those who have disobeyed God’s commandments or committed sins can be read about here in Romans 6:23:
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
[Romans 6:23 New King James Version]
Brother Rommel San Pedro: But which death is the full payment of sin? Here in Revelation 20:14:
Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
[Revelation 20:14 New King James Version]
Brother Rommel San Pedro: So the full payment of sin is the second death, or everlasting punishment in the lake of fire.
Brother Bob Pellien: Oh, wait, wait, wait just a minute. What does all of this have to do with how important the birth of Christ is to members of the Church Of Christ? What’s the connection to that?
Brother Felmar Serreno: Brother Bob, it’s because according to Romans, chapter 5, verses 8-9, it was the Lord Jesus Christ who freed us or redeemed us from the curse of the law. How did Christ redeem the people from the curse of the law? He died for their sins so they could be justified through His blood.
But God has shown us how much he love us–it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us! By his blood we are now put right with God; how much more then, will we be saved by him from God’s anger!
[Romans 5:8 Good News Bible]
Brother Bob Pellien: So what the Bible is teaching us here then is that whoever it is that Christ died for, they are the people who should really celebrate. The only people who can truly honor Christ. Because through Christ’s blood, they were redeemed and saved from having to pay for their sins in the lake of fire. That is certainly something to be joyous about. So, here now is the question Brothers, who did Christ die for? Let’s go to you, Brother Eric. Who is that?
Brother Eric Waterman: Well, Brother Bob, since we inside the Church of Christ based all of our answers and beliefs on the Bible, let’s read what’s in the Bible. In Acts chapter 20, the verses 28 of the Lamsa translation, we can read:
Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with His blood.
[Acts 20:28 Georege M. Lamsa]
Brother Eric Waterman: So Brother Bob, according to the Bible, it is the Church Of Christ that Christ died for. It is the Church Of Christ that was redeemed and purchased with His precious blood. And this is why the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, bears very good and great significance to all of us as members of the Church Of Christ. Why? Because it is this Church that benefited from Christ’s redemption and salvation. However, we do not conform to the way Protestants or Catholics commemorate the birth of Christ, which is celebrating the festival called Christmas.
Brother Bob Pellien: So for those who are wondering Brothers, is there nothing at all, nothing at all that we can do to honor the birth of Christ? Is it nothing that we should be doing? Is there no festival mentioned in the Bible at all about the birthday of Jesus or something that we should be doing about all?
Brother Rommel San Pedro: There is a festival mentioned in the Bible that is being observed by the members of the Church Of Christ. Just not the kind that includes partying and singing and what have you. Let’s go ahead and read First Corinthians 5:7 to 8:
You must remove the old yeast of sin so you will be entirely pure. Then you’ll be like a new batch of dough without any yeast, as indeed I know you actually are. For our Passover Festival is ready, now that Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us celebrate our Passover, then, not with bread having the old yeast of sin and wickedness, but with a bread that has no yeast, the bread of purity and truth.
[Corinthians 5:7-8 Good News Bible]
Brother Rommel San Pedro: The Passover festival, mentioned by Apostle Paul, that should be observed is shouldn’t be observed this way, not the Christmas that Catholics and Protestants partisans celebrate on December 25. The Passover festival being commanded by us is to lead our life and purity and in truth, or in righteousness, every day. That is the true essence of remembering and valuing Christ.
Brother Felmar Serreno: So Brothers as members of the Church Of Christ, when we stand our ground in leading a pure way of life, that means that we do not want to waste the sacrifices, the sufferings, especially the death of our Lord Jesus Christ by which we were redeemed for the sake of our salvation. So it is through righteous living, which includes having nothing to do with festivities that are actually unbiblical. It’s through holy living, that we truly value and honor our Lord Jesus Christ.
Brother Bob Pellien: Dear friends, we’d like to thank Brothers Felmar Serreno in Vancouver, Canada, Brother Eric Waterman in Manila, Philippines, as well as Brother Rommel San Pedro in the United Kingdom, for today, giving us Bible-based answers so that as the Apostle Peter said to the members of the Church, you will be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you are living the way you are. That’s First Peter 3:15.
Brother Bob Pellien: Well, dear friends, that does it for us today here on the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition. We hope that you’ll join us again next time. I’m Bob Pellien, thanks for watching.
Brother Bob Pellien: As we come to the end of the program, we invite you to join us for a short, closing prayer.
Brother Rommel San Pedro: Our Lord God, Almighty in heaven, we praise Your most holy name. So thankful for guiding us and blessing us during the entirety of this program. All the honor and glory belong to You. We love You. We’re so thankful for the opportunity to share our faith with others. We ask that You please have mercy. And bless our beloved viewers, enlighten them, send Your Holy Spirit unto them, that they may realize that this Church belongs to You, and will be saved and the day You send forth Your Son. Praises unto You, Lord Jesus. We worship Your holy name. We love You. Please intercede our request unto the Father and beg Him to bless this work of salvation. And more souls will return to the Father and be ready for the day of Your return which is at the end of this world. Father, we believe Your peace and protection will be upon us and will continue to bless each and every one of us. We ask everything through our Lord and our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
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INCTV
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