B. McCausland wrote:
You are departing from truth by following your deceitful reasoning.
Your argumentation would not hold any court of justice and shames sound thinking. Resisting truth is a trait of reprobate minds. 2 Timothy 3
Christ death we are told to remember, not his birth.
"Only fear the LORD, and serve him in *truth* with all your heart:"

B. McCausland wrote:
It is obvious that your personal preference is blinding Scripture knowledge,
"... as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come."
Remembrance according to God's intend is not subject to date.

sc wrote:
Show me where the birth of Jesus is on the date comparable to 12/25 in Scripture before you call me names.

sc wrote:
Lurker, at the very least it is disingenuous...ultimately, sinful...using partial truths for the incarnation of Jesus

John UK wrote:
But the first, now that is where men have a problem

The reading of the Scriptures with godly fear, the sound preaching and conscionable hearing of the Word etc.... are all parts of the ordinary religious worship of God: beside religious oaths, vows, solemn fastings, ***and thanksgivings upon special occasions, which are, in their several times and seasons, to be used in an holy and religious manner***.

The words within the *** give ample justification to reformed folk who wish to voluntarily observe occasions, times and seasons for the purposes of thanksgiving in a holy and religious manner.

This also accords with

Rom 14

4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

John UK wrote:
Notice in these paragraphs, things like "doctrines and commandments of men" and "contrary to his word" and "destroy liberty of conscience" and "pretence of Christian liberty".
There is much more to Christian liberty than we perceive initially. It is most certainly not a liberty to oppose God regarding things clear in his word, or to sin freely.

John UK wrote:
Hey, thanks to June, sc and sister B for your comments and encouragement after I was set upon by a band of ruffians yesterday.

June A. Nadolny wrote:
I share with you a case in point from the life of C. H. Spurgeon

For the benefit of those who want to cut through his blather, here is a very clear article on the issues:

http://www.mountainretreatorg.net/articles/christmas1.html

"In the January 1551 letter, Calvin explained that the Geneva authorities had done away with festive days before he arrived in the city whilst openly confessing that he did –personally speaking- celebrate “the birth of Christ”.

In the March 1551 letter, Calvin hit out at those who criticized certain churches which opted to commemorate the festive period. According to the Geneva Reformer, such questions were “matters of indifference”. Each church could take the best decision after mediating long and hard upon the issue at hand. In other words, the church has the liberty to decide whether or not to celebrate Christmas. But by no means should any church slander another congregation which takes the opposite course."

From: http://evangelicalfocus.com/magazine/2144/Luther_Calvin_and_Zwingli_on_Christmas

The author of the piece concludes:

John UK wrote:
No, No, BO
You said, "Thanks for confirming that you view all these matters as sins, which was my only point." And this was in reference to my post, which said:

Oh yes, you're the only pure one wanting to serve God and we're all sinners who do as we please. We get that message from every post of yours.

John UK wrote:
I would be so interested to hear how you got from that post that I regard all these four matters as sins. Thank you.

Likewise there is no command to sing hymns (the scripture us of the term you believe is a tautological reference to the Psalms) and therefore singing uninspired songs is in your book a sin.

Likewise, there is no command in the bible to use instruments in worship and the use must therefore according to you be a sin.

etc..

It all flows from the principle you stated that makes Christmas a sin.

BTW: for those interested, opposing views from others who to my knowledge hold to the Regulative Principle of worship will be found at:

https://calvinistinternational.com/2016/04/26/have-yourself-a-regulative-christmas/

https://thedecablog.wordpress.com/2013/12/20/christmas-and-christianity-part-1/

https://thedecablog.wordpress.com/2013/12/23/christmas-and-christianity-part-2/

John UK wrote:
If BO would care to post his Bible proofs for the church to:
1. Have its regular worship services on Sunday
2. Sing (uninspired) hymns (with examples from NT)
3. Sing with instruments (with examples from NT)
4. Celebrate the Lord's Supper with little cups (distributed to individuals) and leavened bread, and the whole service lasting less than 15 minutes (with examples from the NT)
I would be most interested. Thank you.

Lurker wrote:
So Christmas is sin because it's manmade? And the only way to perceive it as sin is to read between the lines of the first two commandments with enlightened eyes to get into the mind of God?
Every born again Christian has the mind of Christ who is God. So what makes you so special that you can see Christmas as sin but the rest of us can't? Will SC, June and BMC go on record and agree with you that Christmas is sin?

1. Sunday worship
2. Singing of Hymns,
3. Use of any instruments in worship, and
4. Celebrating the Lord's supper other than as a dinner

B. McCausland wrote:
Open forums as this often reveal character beyond theology, the actual reality in this particular thread being that nay-sayers state their objections against the season out of conscience sake, and the other side does not like it.

B. McCausland wrote:
Ad hominem practice having many antecendents in Scripture then occurs providing occasion for the flesh to act up:
" they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake ..." so they attacked Stephen's person to death.
False hermeneutics regretfully turn up often also; while differently to the spotless Christ, the ultimate defence against oponents is to hurl against female participants, applying the rules of a church setting to an open forum, and human nature repeats itself.
The great benefit of all is the learning and growth element, which interaction provides, as iron sharpens iron, trusting Christ likeness may increase through it all.

John UK wrote:
Alas, today's church does not turn the world upside down.

Unprofitable Servant wrote:
For unto you is BORN this day in city of David, a SAVIOR (Hallelujah!! Praise be to the Father, thank You Jesus, bless You Spirit!! PraiseYou O God Thank you for such love, mercy and kindness Born so that He may save His people from their sin!! This hell deserving sinner now can become a heaven bound redeemed one by Your grace and for Your glory!! Hallelujah !! Help me to bless you with all my soul) which is Christ the Lord (Glory to God!! Help me faithfully love, serve and worship You, O my God, Praise the Lord)
Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift