May 31st, 2010 by Dennis Martin
This booklet is written with the idea of providing a means to get started on this study. It is by no means an effort to answer every question or give you all the answers. To truly understand, you need to do some research on your own and spend some time on your knees.
OVERVIEW
When people start attending church and seeking their Creator, one of the first things they wonder about is baptism. It is a rite of most churches and expected of all members. But what is it? Why is it done? What is the purpose? What does it mean? Are there requirements to be met first? Are there precedents of it in the Old Testament?
Why? There are references to baptism/immersion early in the Gospel accounts; John the Baptist – or John the Immerser was doing baptisms. People were going to him and being immersed in the Jordan River.
Why were they confessing their sins? John had been telling them to repent and be baptized. He was also telling them about the Savior to come.
They weren’t to be baptized just because it was the thing to do. Or because everyone else was doing it. It involved more than just saying, “I’m sorry.” The people were to exhibit evidence of their repentance.
While this was going on, before Yahshua ever began His ministry, He came down to the river to be baptized as well. At first, John did not want to do it – he felt unworthy. But Yahshua prevailed upon him.
Yahshua wanted to do everything in an orderly way and leave nothing out. He had nothing to repent of, but was leaving an example for us to follow.
SACRIFICES AND FORGIVENESS
Are there precedents for this in ancient Israel? We don’t find baptism, as we know it today in the Old Testament. What we do find is ritual cleansings. In the Law there were stringent rules of cleanliness – specific times for the people to wash themselves, clothes or other objects. The high priest had to do specific washings before and after offering sacrifices and so did the people.
Link to full article:
…REPENTANCE AND IMMERSION BAPTISM…
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May 31st, 2010 by Dennis Martin
Each spring millions of people worldwide buy their new clothes and Easter bonnets, decorate eggs for the children to hunt, and attend Easter sunrise services. They believe they are worshipping the resurrection of their Messiah. Some even look at it as a melding of the resurrection with the Jewish Passover. Is this the truth? Is any of it true? Or are some of these items a counterfeit for the truth?
Based on the premise that Scripture is the source of truth, let’s see what it says first. Then we’ll look at the observances of today.
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…EASTER – A RELIGIOUS COUNTERFEIT!…
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February 5th, 2010 by Dennis Martin
Everyone seems to love a party – a chance to have a good time and be a part of an event. Otherwise, why would such big crowds make annual visits to Mardi Gras in New Orleans or Carnival in Rio de Janiero, two locations famous for big carnivals and gatherings. Those are big, crowded, noisy parties with food, drink, costumes and parades. Sounds like lots of fun, doesn’t it? But exactly what is it? Why don’t all people celebrate like this? Is it something we, as Yahweh’s people, should be doing? Is this supposed to be a fun time? Or is there a more serious background behind these ideas and customs?……
If you have celebrated these festivals in the past or if you are thinking about doing so today, please consider these questions first.
1. Are any of these celebrations found in Scripture?
2. Where did the idea of a long carnival season originate?
3. If these events are so important, why is there no mention of them in Scripture?
4. “Bishops cast about for some celebration.” Why? Based on what authority?
5. “An imitation of a Roman sacrificial procession.” Why? That is a pagan custom of the Saturnalia.
6. “A token fast.” What is the use of value? Doesn’t that make a mockery of what Yahshua did?
7. If they really wanted to commemorate Yahshua’s 40 days fast, why not be serious and do without ALL food and drink as He did? What about doing it for 40 days?
8. Check your Bible. Can you find any mention of the following:
# A period of fasting in the spring.
# Doing penance
# Abstaining from amusements
# Burning palm branches
# Putting ashes on the forehead
# Forbidding fat or butter
# A “duty” of confession
# No meat, milk or eggs for 40 days
# Costumes or masks
# A parade………..
Then what does YAHWEH say?
Link to full article:
…MARDI GRAS – LENT – ASH WEDNESDAY – PALM SUNDAY – HOLY WEEK…
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February 5th, 2010 by Dennis Martin
IS SATAN ATTACKING YOU?
OR COULD IT BE THE RESULT OF YAHWEH’S PROMISED CURSES?
STILL YET, COULD IT SIMPLY BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF MAKING POOR DECISIONS?
“Boy, Satan is really out to get me!” Have you ever heard anyone make that statement? Or maybe “The devil really has it in for me!” Sometimes that is the belief when life events go badly – people attribute all their troubles to Satan. But when things go well, then Yahweh is blessing them. Are those two contrasts really a fact? Can all events be due to either Satan or Yahweh? Or is there more to it than that?…..
So maybe, in order to have our prayers answered, could there be some criteria that we must meet first? What name do you use? Are you abiding in Yahweh – acknowledging Yahweh, thanking Yahweh, praising Yahweh, and obeying Yahweh – daily?….
link to article:
…IS SATAN ATTACKING YOU?…
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February 5th, 2010 by Dennis Martin
VALENTINES IS IT A SYMBOL OF LOVE OR PAGANISM?
Just a day or so after Christmas, go in the stores and look in the greeting card sections. Do you find sales on leftover Christmas cards? No! You find valentines already stocked in the shelves. Why? What do valentines mean? Where did they originate? Where did the holiday come from? Is it scriptural?
As with many of the holidays, the interest and observance have grown each year and are becoming more and more important in the lives of people. As a child, I exchanged valentines with my classmates and we had a small party with cookies, candy and punch. That was it. It was not commercialized as it is today. But now the adults are involved as well. Many a man has gotten in trouble with his sweetheart because he forgot. She always expects roses or candy or a nice gift – as proof of his love. Sounds rather self-centered and selfish, doesn’t it?
As you have probably already figured out, there are no Biblical references regarding this holiday. But there are some scriptures we can consider….(to read entire article click on link below)
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