Q: Why don't you celebrate Christmas?

Published: December 19th, 2003

We have published a comprehensive booklet, titled, "Don't Keep Christmas," in which we explain, in detail, why Christmas celebrations are wrong and prohibited in Scripture. This booklet includes many quotes from historical records, proving that Christmas celebrations took place long before the birth of Christ. They were kept to honor pagan deities, such as the Persian sun god Mithras, who was born on December 25. By contrast, as our booklet proves on pages 23-25, Christ was not, and could not have been, born on December 25, or anywhere near that date.

Note the following quote regarding Mithras from pages 13 and 14 of our booklet, "Don't Keep Christmas," citing excerpts from an article of a popular magazine:

Q: What are the origins of April Fool's Day? Should this day be observed by true Christians?

Published: March 12th, 2004

The origin and history of April Fool's Day [also spelled as "April Fools' Day"], also called "All Fools' Day," are not entirely clear. Many explanations have been advanced to explain its origin.

Q: We read in Matthew 27:52 that many saints were raised at the time of Christ's death. How can Christ then be called the firstborn from the dead (Colossians 1:18)?

Published: July 16th, 2004

You are correct that Christ is indeed referred to as the "firstborn from the dead." Our free booklet, "Are You Already Born Again?", explains on pages 7 and 8:

"Christ... became born again when He was resurrected to Spirit. It was at that time that He became the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:29 tells us that we are to be 'conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.' We also read in Colossians 1:15, 18: 'He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation... And He is... the beginning, the firstborn from the dead.'

Q: How do you view the issue of adopting children?

Published: August 6th, 2004

Before answering this question specifically, let us briefly review why children are being adopted. Adoption in this day and age is usually done because the couple do not have children of their own and want to raise one or more children, or, if they do have their own children, they wish to add to the family fold. This last possibility requires the co-operation of the other children, since it will impact them. In addition, single parents may also want to adopt children. An unfortunate modern trend is for homosexuals and lesbians to adopt children, bringing them up to accept their "alternative lifestyle," which is clearly condemned by God in the Bible, for instance, in Romans 1:24-27. This unbiblical development only compounds the problem by the social acceptance and proliferation of more

Q: I have heard it said that true Christians may die because of time and chance. Is this your understanding, too?

Published: August 27th, 2004

It is not! Nowhere is this concept taught in Scripture. Those who have this understanding and preach it, do so against the clear teaching of the Bible. Actually, the Biblical proof that true Christians do NOT die because of time and chance is overwhelming. For a thorough discussion of this important question, please listen to our sermon on "Time and Chance," which is posted on our Webpage.

Q: In your new book, "Jesus Christ -- A Mystery," as well as in your booklet, "Don't Keep Christmas," you state that Christ was not born on December 25th. Does the Bible give any indication as to when He was born?

Published: September 24th, 2004

When considering the relevant Scriptures and some external sources, we can, indeed, find out the approximate time of Christ's birth, but it is impossible to find out the exact date.

King David had divided the priests into several "courses" or divisions -- that is, each group or "course" of priests was to serve God for a specific period of time. David had established 24 of those priestly courses. Luke 1:5-9 shows that Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, was of the course of Abijah (which courses are listed in 1 Chronicles 24) and that he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course or division. Each course lasted eight days -- from Sabbath to Sabbath.

Q: Do You Believe in and Teach Self-Defense?

Published: May 6th, 2005

We addressed this question in our new booklet, "Should You Fight in War?" We are bringing you the following excerpts:

Q: In the Bible, God gives specific instructions and commandments. But weren’t Paul’s writings driven by the prevailing culture at that time?

Published: January 6th, 2006

We must be very careful that we don’t fall into the trap of trying to say that what Paul taught was just an instruction for his time, some 2,000 years ago--and that it is not necessarily binding for us today. This wrong understanding was epitomized by an Anglican Bishop who, when challenged on a particular issue a few years ago, wrote:

"My disagreement stems partly from my understanding of the way in which I read the Bible, praying that the Holy Spirit will enlighten my understanding of what statements are unchangeable and what are conditioned by social and cultural norms of the time in which God spoke to those involved."

Q: What does Zion refer to?

Published: January 20th, 2006

The word Zion first appears in the Bible as the name of the ancient Jebusite fortress called the city of Jebus which was situated on a hill within the subsequent boundaries of Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 5:7 states: "Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David)." Note that from this original conquest, the area was enlarged: "Then David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the City of David. And David built all around from the Millo and inward" (2 Samuel 5:9; also, 1 Chronicles 11:4-9).

Q: Some state that the Church of God must not change any of the teachings established by Herbert W. Armstrong prior to his death in 1986. It is further stated that his doctrinal understanding has the weight of uncanonized Biblical truth! As a basis for this position, 1 Corinthians 11:1-2 is quoted. Our answer to this belief is set forth in the following response.

Published: March 10th, 2006

Before addressing 1 Corinthians 11:1-2, we need to give a brief background on Herbert W. Armstrong and the Biblical teaching about "apostles." Herbert W. Armstrong (1892-1986) was led by God to establish the Radio Church of God in the early 1930's--later to be renamed the Worldwide Church of God. This powerful work focused on the Biblical guidelines that characterize the true followers of Jesus Christ. Mr. Armstrong's ministry was based on the understanding given to him, and he often spoke of his personal growth in understanding. He even mentioned in his old age that he had been learning more within the last year than ever before--and as it occurred, this was the last year of his life. He continually taught what the Bible records in 2 Peter 3:18: "...but grow in the grace

Q: Would you please explain 1 John 3:2. Does this Scripture tell us that we cannot know what our destiny or potential is?

Published: August 11th, 2006

No, it does not mean that at all. Quite to the contrary, we are clearly told in Scripture, so that we CAN know, what our destiny is. We read in Ephesians 3:14-19 that it is our destiny to become spirit members within the Family of God, and that we KNOW that we are to be filled with "all the fullness of God."

1 John 3:2 does not tell us something different. In fact, this passage CONFIRMS, rightly understood, that we DO know what our destiny is. When we read this passage in context, it states:

"Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we KNOW that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."

Q: Why did God want to slay Moses after He had commanded him to free Israel from Egypt?

Published: September 29th, 2006

The question addresses a seemingly difficult passage in Exodus 4:24-26, which reads:

"And it came to pass on the way [to Egypt], at the encampment, that the LORD met him and sought to kill him. Then Zipporah took a sharp stone and cut off the foreskin of her son and cast it at Moses' [literally: his] feet, and said, 'Surely you are a husband of blood to me!' So He let him go. Then she said, 'You are a husband of blood!'--because of the circumcision."

Q: After Adam and Eve sinned by eating from the forbidden tree of the knowledge of good and evil, would they still have lived eternally, if they had eaten subsequently from the tree of life?

Published: October 20th, 2006

In order to answer this question, we need to explain first what the two trees symbolized.

As we read in the first three chapters of the book of Genesis, when God created Adam and Eve, He placed them in a beautiful garden, called the garden of Eden or Paradise. In that garden, God had planted two special trees. Although these trees were literal trees, they also had specific symbolic meaning and significance. The two trees were called the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Q: Is the Biblical story of Noah's Ark based on fact, or is it mere fiction or folklore?

Published: October 27th, 2006

The Biblical account of Noah's Ark is clearly factual. Some have advanced arguments saying that Noah could never have built the Ark, and that the Ark would not have been big enough to hold all the animals. Both objections are without foundation.

Some of the following material has been published in "The Good News" magazine, February 1980, and in "Exploring Ancient History--The First 2500 Years," Imperial Schools, 1967.

Q: Would you please explain Mark 11:24. We are told in this passage that we will receive from God all things, if we only believe. Is this promise conditional, and if it is, what are those conditions?

Published: December 1st, 2006

As we point out in our booklet, "Teach Us To Pray!", Christ's promise in Mark 11:24 is indeed subject to several conditions. In this passage, Christ is emphasizing the absolute necessity of manifesting living, unwavering and obedient faith in our lives (compare verses 22-23). Without faith that God will do what we ask Him for, we cannot expect to receive anything from Him (compare James 1:6-8). But godly faith alone is not sufficient, either. As explained in our booklet, additional necessary aspects of successful prayer include the need to ask; to ask in faith; to pray boldly; to keep God's Commandments; to bear the right kind of Christian fruit in our lives; to pray in Christ's name; and to pray always.

Q: I understand that you teach that Christians, serving on a jury, can only convict an accused if at least two eye witnesses testify against him. But doesn't modern science, such as evidence based on DNA or fingerprints, render that ancient Biblical command obsolete, which was given at a time when people had no concepts of modern scientific advancements?

Published: September 14th, 2007

First of all, our stance against serving on a jury is based on many Biblical passages, not just on the requirement of two eye witnesses. Even if two honest eye witnesses were available to testify against an accused, a true Christian should still not participate in the jury system of this world. For a further in-depth discussion of this vital question, please read our Q&A's in Updates #289 and #66.

In Update #66, we state, indeed, the following, after having discussed numerous additional principles prohibiting true Christians to serve on a jury:

Q: What did Jesus mean in John 17, verses 14 and 16, when He spoke to the Father, saying that His disciples "'...are not of the world, just as I am not of the world'"?

Published: October 12th, 2007

This statement by Jesus Christ highlights a misunderstood truth that very few have comprehended, about the purpose and message of Jesus Christ, as well as the conduct of His followers--those who would claim to be Christians.

In an earlier account, Jesus pointedly contrasted His origin to that of the Jews who heard His preaching (Compare John 8:21-30). What He addressed were their actions, their lifestyle--their very way of living. He plainly said that they were "'...OF this world'" (John 8:23); while, on the other hand, He emphatically stated that He was "'...NOT OF this world'" (Same verse).

Q: In a recent Q&A (Update #311), you said that the Bible requires the testimony of two eye witnesses to convict a person, but this seems to be incorrect. The Scriptures talk about witnesses who are testifying before the judge--not persons witnessing a crime with their eyes. Therefore, it seems that two witnesses could testify to scientific evidence or circumstances to establish a connection with a crime, including DNA, fingerprints, blood stain or similar evidence. What do you think?

Published: October 19th, 2007

To clarify, our stance against serving on a jury is based on many Biblical passages and principles, not just on the requirement of two witnesses. For an in-depth discussion on this issue, please read our Q&A in Update #289.