Expert: Brenda Martin - 12/19/2007

Question
QUESTION: There is a group of (Black) people who call themselves Black Hebrews & they observe the holy days as listed in the OT & keep the weekly Sabbath (sundown Fri. to sundown Sat.)...and believe themseelves to be practicing the "truth".  Are they wrong or right & why?  They say they believe Jesus died for them, have been baptized in His name, yet they continue to try to keep the "law"...so, are they a cult or what?

ANSWER: Hi Linda, you asked--"THEY KEEP THE WEEKLY SABBATH AND BELIEVE THEMSELVES TO BE PRACTICING THE "TRUTH".  ARE THEY WRONG OR RIGHT & WHY?"

There are many faiths that “keep the sabbath” & sadly they are all on the “broad road” that Jesus spoke about in (Matthew 7; 13,14)

Let me explain why they are wrong—

When Christ came and gave his perfect life as a sacrifice, what happened to the Law? It was removed. “We are no longer under a tutor,” Paul explained. (Galatians 3:25)

“Christ by purchase released us from the curse of the Law,” Paul said. (Galatians 3:10-14)

So the Bible also says: “Christ is the end of the Law.”—Romans 10:4; 6:14.

What the Bible says at Galatians 4:8-11 and Colossians 2:16, 17 shows that Christians are not under God’s law given to the Israelites, with its requirement to keep the weekly Sabbath and to observe other special days in the year. That keeping a weekly Sabbath is not a Christian requirement can also be seen from Romans 14:5.

Jesus introduced a “new covenant,” based on the better sacrifice of his own perfect human life. Christians come under this new covenant and are subject to Christian laws. (Hebrews 8:7-13; Luke 22:20)

THEY SAY THEY BELIEVE JESUS DIED FOR THEM, HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED IN HIS NAME, YET THEY CONTINUE TO TRY TO KEEP THE "LAW"...SO, ARE THEY A CULT OR WHAT?

A cult is a religion that is said to be unorthodox or that emphasizes devotion according to prescribed ritual. Many cults follow a living human leader, and often their adherents live in groups apart from the rest of society. The standard for what is orthodox, however, should be God’s Word, for instance, Jehovah’s Witnesses strictly adhere to the Bible. Their worship is a way of life, not a ritual devotion. They neither follow a human nor isolate themselves from the rest of society. They live and work in the midst of other people.

Yet many folk say JW’s are a cult but they are mistaken also. I wouldn’t describe these folk as a cult, but nevertheless we are either on the broad road leading to destruction, or the “narrow road that leads to life” anyone who keeps the sabbath is on the broad road because they are not worshipping God in the way he has directed.

All the best
Brenda


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Brenda:

Thank you so much for your quick reply.  The answer you gave was what I also think but you put it to words a lot better than I have been able to do.

However, at the end, you said JW's strictly adhere to the Bible.  Are we referring to the KJV (that is the one I read and follow as God's True Word)?  The JW's I have had contact with in the past read from this book with a green cover...I forget what it was called & they also said Jesus was a phrophet (sp?), not the Son of God, but a man just like any other man.  So, is that what all JW's believe or what?

And these "Black Hebrews" (as they refer to themselves) do not live apart from society & they "blend" in too.  They claim they are the "true" Israel from old and through time they have been "lost" and are just now regaining "true" knowledge of who they are & who they ancestors are.  These are American Negroes (I am also Black, so Negro is used here by way of explanation for your understanding)...so I cannot fathom how they figure they are the original Jews/Israelites.

I know a couple of ex JW's who are now members of my church (Apostolic Faith) & they say that they believe the JW religion to be a cult.

And what about the WatchTower?  I have seen this booklet so many times and it does not seem to include anything but White people in the Kingdom>  And what about this 144,000 being the number of people who fill finally be saved?

I do not know, so I am asking enlightenment here.  I had read so many of your responses to other people's questions and you appear to have a wonderful knowledge of the KJV Bible....that is what prompted me to ask you the questions I had.

I know you are probably busy...so answer when you have an opportunity.  Thank you.

Linda

ANSWER: Hi there Linda, you said--"JW'S STRICTLY ADHERE TO THE BIBLE.  ARE WE REFERRING TO THE KJV (THAT IS THE ONE I READ AND FOLLOW AS GOD'S TRUE WORD)"

“ALL” bibles carry the same message, I was a Protestant for years & used the KJV, when I left to make a study of the bible for myself it was the KJV I used, & the Witness used the NWT, I gave up using the KJV simply because it is in 17th century language (thee, thou, art) it is much easier to understand a bible written in our modern English.

So yes, JW’s strictly adhere to God’s word as is found in ALL bibles.

When you think about it; why would a “God of order” whose “will is that all sorts of men be saved” confuse his written word? It is only logical that he would make sure his message to mankind remained intact don’t you think?

THE JW'S I HAVE HAD CONTACT WITH IN THE PAST READ FROM THIS BOOK WITH A GREEN COVER

Many years ago we had a bible with a green cover, so maybe it is that you saw.

THEY ALSO SAID JESUS WAS A PROPHET, NOT THE SON OF GOD

No you must be confusing us with someone else, I know the Muslims believe Jesus was just a prophet, but Witnesses believe what the bible says, so Jesus IS the “son of God”

"BLACK HEBREWS" SO I CANNOT FATHOM HOW THEY FIGURE THEY ARE THE ORIGINAL JEWS/ISRAELITES.

mmm no neither can I, but even if that were true, the Jews are no longer God’s chosen people, Jesus said to the jews; “your house is abandoned to you” after all they put God’s son to death. The bible tells us that “Spiritual Israel” took over from natural Israel.

I KNOW A COUPLE OF EX JW'S WHO ARE NOW MEMBERS OF MY CHURCH (APOSTOLIC FAITH) & THEY SAY THAT THEY BELIEVE THE JW RELIGION TO BE A CULT.

Well they would say that wouldn’t they, they have to convince themselves that what they had was NOT the “truth” or how else could they get through life.

THE WATCHTOWER DOES NOT SEEM TO INCLUDE ANYTHING BUT WHITE PEOPLE IN THE KINGDOM

I’ve read the Watchtower for over 30 years & it’s always featured people of all races in its pages. In fact the meeting that I attend on a Tuesday in someone’s house has 4 black Witnesses (from Ghana), & they look forward to the same future that I do.

Here is an excerpt from a WATCHTOWER—

“As with the ancient fulfillment—the return of the Jews to their homeland—the current fulfillment of 2 Peter 3:13 involves people who submit to rulership by the new heavens. You can find millions today who are gladly submitting to such rulership. They are benefiting from its educational program and striving to follow its laws found in the Bible. (Isaiah 54:13) These make up the basis of “a new earth” in the sense that they form a global society of all nationalities, languages, and races, and they work together in submission to the reigning King, Jesus Christ. A significant fact is that you can be part of this!—Micah 4:1-4." end of quote

144,000 BEING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO FILL FINALLY BE SAVED?

No, salvation is given to a “great crowd” of an unlimited number (Rev 7;9) this un-numbered great crowd of “other sheep” (John 10;16) look forward to everlasting life on a paradise earth (Psalms 37; 29)

However there are a class of people who are called “spiritual Israel” these ones number 144,000 & look forward to going to heaven to rule with Jesus over the “new earth” (Rev 5; 9,10)

I look forward to hearing from you.

All the best
Brenda



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Brenda:

Again thank you for your very prompt response. I am putting together a notebook to study and the questions I ask you and will ask in the future will be included in my study materials.  Your answers are so easily understood and to date, although I "knew" some of these things, I have not been able to "orate" them as well as you have.  Thanks!!

Now, re: the EX-JW's I referred to...you said they "would have to" convince themselves....I kind of think that they were perhaps involved with a "sect" who had gone "off-line" in their "religion"...otherwise your reply seems to insinuate they could possibly go somewhere else next because they found the Apostolic Faith lacking.

Anyway...I don't agree that "all" bibles are God's Word.  There are many "bibles" that take SOME of God's word and add SOME of men's "wisdom"....so therefore, (in my estimation), a person needs to be careful of where they are receiving the Word from.  

As for the Watchtower, perhaps it has changed...the one's I have seen and read (years ago) had people who were "brown" but it appeared (to me) these "brown" people were an afterthought to the authors and the "coloration" added to appear to include all races.  Maybe nowadays they do have all peoples...good for them.  I had the idea that the WT would have all White people in the 144,000 and I had no idea where the rest of the world would go.

I am so glad you have studied in the KJV.  I also enjoy the Amplified and the NIV as they are written in (what I refer to as) plain English.  They are a great study tool to make the old world language in the KJV understandable...however, I am careful to make sure that the authors of the "plain English" versions have not changed anything in their translations.  And I use the Strong's Concordance, too.

Now, a couple of questions:  What about Christmas, Easter & New Years holidays?  Is it wrong to "celebrate".  I don't care about New Year Celebrations one way or the other.  Easter...I know Jesus did not die on Friday & rise on Sunday AM..(it is not 3 days & 3 nights)...please use your excellent skills to put on paper a correct concise answer I can use when talking to other people about the Bible and Christmas...I say "come on folks...Jesus GREW UP, he is no longer the "Baby Jesus" as he is (more) often portrayed...."....so my household does not celebrate Christmas in that fashion.  We (along with the world) celebrate Jesus' coming into the world and what He did for us, etc.  We exchange gifts & have a pretty Xmas tree...but we don't teach my grandchildren there is a "Santa" & all the fol de rol that goes with the world's ideas about this time of year.  Does the Bible condemn (all) (or any portion) of the aforementioned?
How about women wearing pants to church.  I am not talking about tight fitting immodest apparel...but literal "pant suits" that are tailored & fit properly.  Is this a sin?  I know a Christian woman should dress in a fashion that does not portray her as "loose" (to use a catch-all word).
I have seen cults that insist the women cover themselves from head to toe (and you, too, I'm sure have seen them)...so what is the Bible's stance on this point?  Or does it have one other than women dressing modestly?

And then what about the men who insist on keeping archaic behaviors and apply them to women?  Do the Bible warn these men about this being wrong or what?  I think it is wrong that men would do as they please but insist that women keep a certain code of behavior (and dress).

Brenda, thank you so much.  I am so glad God brought me to your website.  I often "surf the Net" looking for sites such as yours to better my understanding of the Bible.

Linda

Answer
"WHAT ABOUT CHRISTMAS, EASTER & NEW YEARS HOLIDAYS?  IS IT WRONG TO "CELEBRATE""

Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t celebrate them because—

Christmas as a celebration is not based on the Bible;

1. Its not the correct date--Luke 2:8-11 shows that shepherds were in the fields at night at the time of Jesus’ birth. The book Daily Life in the Time of Jesus states: “The flocks . . . passed the winter under cover; and from this alone it may be seen that the traditional date for Christmas, in the winter, is unlikely to be right, since the Gospel says that the shepherds were in the fields.”—(New York, 1962), Henri Daniel-Rops, p. 228.

2. The date comes from a pagan source--The Encyclopedia Americana informs us: “The reason for establishing December 25 as Christmas is somewhat obscure, but it is usually held that the day was chosen to correspond to pagan festivals that took place around the time of the winter solstice, when the days begin to lengthen, to celebrate the ‘rebirth of the sun.’ . . . The Roman Saturnalia (a festival dedicated to Saturn, the god of agriculture, and to the renewed power of the sun), also took place at this time, and some Christmas customs are thought to be rooted in this ancient pagan celebration.”—(1977), Vol. 6, p. 666.

3. Those Magi were actually astrologers from the east. (Matt. 2:1, 2, ) Although astrology is popular among many people today, the practice is strongly disapproved in the Bible. Would God have led to the newborn Jesus persons whose practices He condemned?

4. God objects to his people sharing in celebrations that have unchristian roots;- Compare Exodus 32:4-10. Notice that the Israelites adopted an Egyptian religious practice but gave it a new name, “a festival to Jehovah.” But Jehovah severely punished them for this. Today we see only 20th-century practices associated with holidays. Some may appear harmless. But Jehovah observed firsthand the pagan religious practices from which these originated. Should not his view be what matters to us?

Illustration: Suppose a crowd come to a gentleman’s home saying they are there to celebrate his birthday. He does not favour the celebration of birthdays. He does not like to see people overeat or get drunk or engage in loose conduct. But some of them do all those things, and they bring presents for everyone there except him! On top of all that, they pick the birthday of one of the man’s enemies as the date for the celebration. This is exactly what is being done by Christmas celebrations.

Easter & New Year are the same, they are both of pagan origins—

The Encyclopædia Britannica comments: “There is no indication of the observance of the Easter festival in the New Testament, or in the writings of the apostolic Fathers. The sanctity of special times was an idea absent from the minds of the first Christians.”—(1910), Vol. VIII, p. 828.

In the book The Two Babylons, by Alexander Hislop, we read: “What means the term Easter itself? It is not a Christian name. It bears its Chaldean origin on its very forehead. Easter is nothing else than Astarte, one of the titles of Beltis, the queen of heaven, whose name, . . . as found by Layard on the Assyrian monuments, is Ishtar. . . . Such is the history of Easter. The popular observances that still attend the period of its celebration amply confirm the testimony of history as to its Babylonian character. The hot cross buns of Good Friday, and the dyed eggs of Pasch or Easter Sunday, figured in the Chaldean rites just as they do now.”—(New York, 1943), pp. 103, 107, 108; compare Jeremiah 7:18.

New Year-- According to The World Book Encyclopedia, “The Roman ruler Julius Caesar established January 1 as New Year’s Day in 46 B.C. The Romans dedicated this day to Janus, the god of gates, doors, and beginnings. The month of January was named after Janus, who had two faces—one looking forward and the other looking backward.”—(1984), Vol. 14, p. 237.

WE EXCHANGE GIFTS & HAVE A PRETTY XMAS TREE; DOES THE BIBLE CONDEMN (ALL) (OR ANY PORTION) OF THE AFOREMENTIONED?

“Exchanging gifts”-- The practice of Christmas gift giving is not based on what was done by the Magi as they did not arrive at the time of Jesus’ birth. Furthermore, they gave gifts, not to one another, but to the child Jesus, in accord with what was then customary when visiting notable persons.

The Encyclopedia Americana states: “During the Saturnalia . . . feasting prevailed, and gifts were exchanged.” (1977, Vol. 24, p. 299) In many instances that represents the spirit of Christmas giving—an exchanging of gifts.

Xmas tree-- The Christmas tree has its roots in paganism. Says “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” page 33: “The use of the fir seems to have originated at the winter solstice celebrations of the pagan German tribes in the Black Forest.” “The Two Babylons” by Alexander Hislop points to origins all the way back in pagan Rome and ancient Babylon.

The Christmas tree “has precious little to do with Christian celebration and a lot to do with the stubborn survival through the millennia of pagan rituals of winter light and rebirth.” (The Boston Herald) “Trees with trinkets hanging on them were part of the pagan festivals for centuries.”—Church Christmas Tab.

So because of their pagan origins JW’s don’t put up a tree or do gift exchanging.

“Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness? Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what portion does a faithful person have with an unbeliever? And what agreement does God’s temple have with idols?” (2 Cor 6; 14-16)

HOW ABOUT WOMEN WEARING PANTS TO CHURCH; WHAT IS THE BIBLE'S STANCE ON THIS POINT?

JW women in general don’t wear trousers to the meetings, but there are a few exceptions due to health problems, Witness women keep in mind scriptures such as—“I desire the women to adorn themselves in well-arranged dress, with modesty and soundness of mind, not with styles of hair braiding and gold or pearls or very expensive garb, but in the way that befits women professing to reverence God.” (1 Timothy 2:8-10)

WHAT ABOUT THE MEN WHO INSIST ON KEEPING ARCHAIC BEHAVIOURS AND APPLY THEM TO WOMEN?  DO THE BIBLE WARN THESE MEN ABOUT THIS BEING WRONG OR WHAT?

Oh yes the bible has plenty to say about the roles of men & women,

A relative headship is assigned to man, particularly in the family and in the Christian congregation. God has NOT given to man absolute authority over woman; man must answer to his head, Jesus Christ, and to God for the way that he exercises such headship. (1 Cor. 11:3)

Furthermore, husbands are commanded “to be loving their wives as their own bodies” and to ‘assign honor’ to their wives. (Eph. 5:28; 1 Pet. 3:7) The sexual needs of a husband are not put above those of his wife in God’s arrangement for married couples. (1 Cor. 7:3, 4)

This means that a husband should give his wife special attention, including tenderness, understanding and reassurance. He needs to ‘assign her honor,’ as the Bible says. He does this by taking her into consideration in all that he does. In this way he will earn her respect.

All the best
Brenda