Question:
Can some of you folks tell me if Fasting and pilgrimage is an obligation in Christianity?
jessica
2010-05-27 15:01:18 UTC
Please back up your answer with a quote. I am doing research and cannot find where the bible states that fasting is an obligation, same for the pilgrimage.

And also, where does the Bible make reference to Easter and Christmas. They also don't seem to be mentioned in the bible. I understand that the Bible is very symbolic but I'm working on a paper and need to know the rules of what I mentioned above.

Thank you
Four answers:
paradise is near
2010-05-27 15:07:29 UTC
well first you will not find anything in the bible about christmas and Easter because these are pagen holidays and you will have to get info on those some where else. But here is some info about fasting.



In Bible times, people fasted for various reasons that met with divine approval. Some fasted to express extreme sorrow or repentance for sins (1 Samuel 7:4-6), to implore God’s favor or seek his guidance (Judges 20:26-28; Luke 2:36, 37), or to sharpen one’s concentration while meditating.—Matthew 4:1, 2.



The Bible, however, also refers to fasts that God did not view with favor. King Saul fasted before consulting a spirit medium. (Leviticus 20:6; 1 Samuel 28:20) Wicked people, such as Jezebel as well as the fanatics who planned to kill the apostle Paul, proclaimed fasts. (1 Kings 21:7-12; Acts 23:12-14) The Pharisees were well-known for their regular fasting. (Mark 2:18) Yet, they were condemned by Jesus, and they failed to impress God. (Matthew 6:16; Luke 18:12) Likewise, Jehovah ignored the fasts of certain Israelites because of their bad conduct and wrong motives.—Jeremiah 14:12.



These examples show that it is not the act of fasting in itself that pleases God. However, many sincere servants of God who did fast met with divine approval. So should Christians fast?



Is Fasting Obligatory for Christians?





The Mosaic Law ordered the Jews to “afflict [their] souls,” that is, to fast, once a year on Atonement Day. (Leviticus 16:29-31; Psalm 35:13) This was the only fasting that Jehovah ever commanded his people to do.* Jews who lived under the Mosaic Law would have obeyed that command. But Christians are not required to observe the Mosaic Law.—Romans 10:4; Colossians 2:14.



Although Jesus did fast as the Law required, he was not known for this practice. He told his disciples how they were to act if they chose to fast, but he never commanded that they fast. (Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14) Why, then, did Jesus say that his disciples would fast after his death? (Matthew 9:15) This was not a command. Jesus’ words simply suggest that at his death his disciples would feel deep sorrow and would lose the desire to eat.



Two Biblical accounts of early Christians who did fast show that if with good motive a person chooses to abstain from food, this is acceptable to God. (Acts 13:2, 3; 14:23)# Christians, then, are under no obligation to fast. Yet, a person who chooses to do so should be alert to certain dangers.



Beware of the Pitfalls

One pitfall to avoid regarding fasting is self-righteousness. The Bible warns against adopting “mock humility.” (Colossians 2:20-23) Jesus’ illustration of the proud Pharisee who felt morally superior to others because of his regular fasting leaves no doubt that God rejects such an attitude.—Luke 18:9-14.



It would also be a mistake to publicize the fact that you fast or to fast because another person tells you to do so. According to Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus counseled that fasting should be a private matter, between you and God, and that you should not announce it to others.



“The kingdom of God does not mean eating and drinking, but means righteousness and peace and joy”

One should never think that fasting somehow compensates for sinning. To be acceptable to God, a fast must be accompanied by obedience to his laws. (Isaiah 58:3-7) Heartfelt repentance, not the act of fasting itself, is what leads to the forgiveness of sins. (Joel 2:12, 13) The Bible emphasizes that we receive forgiveness by Jehovah’s undeserved kindness expressed through the sacrifice of Christ. It is impossible to earn forgiveness through any works, including fasting.—Romans 3:24, 27, 28; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8, 9.



Isaiah 58:3 illustrates another common error. The Israelites suggested that Jehovah owed them something in return for their fasting, as if by fasting, they were doing God a favor. They asked: “For what reason did we fast and you did not see, and did we afflict our soul and you would take no note?” Many today likewise think that because of their fasting, they can expect God to perform some favor for them in return. May we never imitate such a disrespectful and unscriptural attitude!



Others believe that it is possible to earn merit by submitting the body to discomfort through fasting, whipping themselves, or the like. God’s Word condemns this notion, showing that “a severe treatment of the body” is “of no value in combating” wrong desires.—Colossians 2:20-23.



A Balanced View





Fasting is not obligatory; nor is it wrong. It may be beneficial in some circumstances if the dangers mentioned above are avoided. Fasting, however, is not the focus of acceptable worship. Jehovah is “the happy God,” and he wants his servants to be happy. (1 Timothy 1:11) His own Word says: “There is nothing better for them than . . . that every man should eat and indeed drink and see good for all his hard work. It is the gift of God.”—Ecclesiastes 3:12, 13.



Our worship should be characterized by joy,
greenshootuk
2010-05-28 09:14:04 UTC
Easter is the name in English of the ancient Christian celebration of the Resurrection of Christ. The Resurrection is in the Bible (e.g. Matthew 29:1-7). It was originally named after the Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) being, according to the bible, when it happened (Luke 22:1). It still is in most languages. In Latin, still the primary language of the Catholic church, it is Pascha.



Christmas is the celebration of the Nativity, the birth of Christ. It is our response to the message of the Angels "I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people" (Luke 2:10). We respond with joy, we rejoice and, like the shepherds, at Chistmas we glorify and praise God.



Fasting and pilgrimage are not obligatory for all Christians. However, we are called to imitate Christ as far as we can. He, according to the bible, fasted for 40 days in the desert (Mt 4:2); this is recalled in the ancient Christian custom of the Lenten fast. Jesus also gave instructions about fasting in, for example, Matthew 6:16. The apostles fasted (Acts 13:2). Some denominations have decided that their members ought to follow their good example.



Pilgrimage is not obligatory but is, from my experience, a great thing to do (www.studentcross.org.uk)



Of course, if you are actually a JW or similar WUM, this will all be wasted on you.
PrettyEyes
2010-05-27 22:21:24 UTC
The bible does speak about Christmas and God doesn't condone such a pagan ritual..



"Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good" Jeremiah 10:1-5



Christmas came into effect for the pagan rituals and to represent the birthday of Nimrod the king. But some think it is the birth of Christ which is untrue.



Easter is not condoned as well..



You can read why in Jeremiah chapter 44: 17- 25 Easter originated from the ancient gods and goddesses " the queen of heaven" the eggs represent fertility.



Most so called Christians celebrate these days knowing God doesn't condone this.. and the bible surely doesn't say Christ was born on Christmas as well. But they have taken this custom for themselves ignoring the pure fact God doesn't condone the worship of other gods.
Cadillacman
2010-05-27 22:03:07 UTC
yes, I can.


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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