Hello Elizabeth619,
Since the ceremonial offering of meats to idols produced no change in the meat, the Christian could, with a good conscience buy meat from a market that received some of its meat from religious temples. This meat had lost its “sacred” significance. It was just as good as any other meat, and the Christian was therefore not under obligation to make inquiry respecting its origin. (1 Cor 10:25, 26) The eating of it was not incorporated into their worship. If it was, it would have made them unacceptable to God.
And a Christian invited to a meal, did not have to make inquiry concerning the source of any meat served but could eat it with a good conscience. But if someone present at the meal were to remark that the meat had been “offered in sacrifice,” then the Christian would refrain from eating it to avoid stumbling others. (1 Cor 10:27-29)
The words of Jesus to the apostle John respecting the Christian congregations at Pergamum and Thyatira indicate that certain ones had failed to heed the apostolic decree in not keeping themselves clean from things sacrificed to idols. (Rev 2:12, 14, 18, 20) So there is no reason to assume that Paul was saying something different to what John did.
If 'Christians' in the early centuries adopted pagan festivals and relabelled them as Christian ones, (which is what they did) how would God feel about that?
The example of ancient Israel gives us a clue. After their release from Egypt, they adopted a pagan practice at the foot of Mt Sinai and called it a "Festival to the LORD". They got up to have a good time whilst worshipping a golden calf. They were supposedly giving worship the true God but with a pagan celebration. What was God's response to that activity? (Exodus 32:1-8) Read it for yourself.
Paul said, "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Cor 6:14-18 NIV)
Do you think he was advocating the fusion of pagan and Christian activities and teachings? Or do you see that he is clearly advocating a separation from such things?
Such separation was the criteria for God's acceptance of us as his children. This is a very serious issue for all who call themselves Christians.
Since the ceremonial offering of meats to idols produced no change in the meat, the Christian could, with a good conscience buy meat from a market that received some of its meat from religious temples. This meat had lost its “sacred” significance. It was just as good as any other meat, and the Christian was therefore not under obligation to make inquiry respecting its origin. (1 Cor 10:25, 26) The eating of it was not incorporated into their worship. If it was, it would have made them unacceptable to God.
And a Christian invited to a meal, did not have to make inquiry concerning the source of any meat served but could eat it with a good conscience. But if someone present at the meal were to remark that the meat had been “offered in sacrifice,” then the Christian would refrain from eating it to avoid stumbling others. (1 Cor 10:27-29)
The words of Jesus to the apostle John respecting the Christian congregations at Pergamum and Thyatira indicate that certain ones had failed to heed the apostolic decree in not keeping themselves clean from things sacrificed to idols. (Rev 2:12, 14, 18, 20) So there is no reason to assume that Paul was saying something different to what John did.
If 'Christians' in the early centuries adopted pagan festivals and relabelled them as Christian ones, (which is what they did) how would God feel about that?
The example of ancient Israel gives us a clue. After their release from Egypt, they adopted a pagan practice at the foot of Mt Sinai and called it a "Festival to the LORD". They got up to have a good time whilst worshipping a golden calf. They were supposedly giving worship the true God but with a pagan celebration. What was God's response to that activity? (Exodus 32:1-8) Read it for yourself.
Paul said, "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Cor 6:14-18 NIV)
Do you think he was advocating the fusion of pagan and Christian activities and teachings? Or do you see that he is clearly advocating a separation from such things?
Such separation was the criteria for God's acceptance of us as his children. This is a very serious issue for all who call themselves Christians.
Here is a list of pagan symbols. Do you by chance have photos, painting or anything of this nature in your home? What about jewelry?
Heart
Triangle
Star
Eye
Cross
Jesus Fish
Praying Hands
A wedding ring.
This is just to name a few. Even certain words, and colors could be represented as pagan.
If easter aggs, bunnies and christmas trees are not Godly, then neither are crosses, or praying hands.
If one is bad they all are.
