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Have you ever wondered why you do what you do when it comes to funerals? Where did this custom come from and did God ordain the rituals that man practices?
We do know this:
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Colossians 2:8)
Since we are to prove (test) all things and hold fast to what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21) as well as abstain from all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22), let's look into the traditions of what man practices for funerals and see if it proves to be something good to hold fast to, or has the appearance of evil that we are to abstain from.
Funerals are ceremonies or observances held for a dead person. The ceremonies are to honor, respect, sanctify, and remember the deceased. Where did this come from? Did God ordain these such rituals and traditions that we call a funeral?
What we see in God's Word about dealing with the dead is to be buried in the ground or in caves and tombs. Buried means to inter or bury, and instructs no association with the rituals we see today. Abraham buried Sarah in a cave (Genesis 23:19), David was buried (2 Kings 2:10) John the baptist was laid in a tomb (Mark 6:29) Jesus was laid in a tomb (John 20) Lazarus was buried in a cave (John 11:39).
We see in the Old Testament that it was unclean for people to be touching dead bodies except for immediate relatives doing what must be done for the dead body. After Jesus came and defeated death there are no references that touching a dead body is unclean, except what we may be doing to it. We see (John 11:44, John 20:7, Acts 5:6) that dead bodies were wrapped in linens before being buried and in Genesis 50 that Joseph and his father were embalmed, which means to spice or make spicy. They wrapped and spiced Jesus when He died.
Let's think about this: Jesus who was God and man, died on the cross for the atonement of mankind's sins but nowhere do we see God instructing elaborate rituals of what to do with His body. It was simply wrapped in linens, spiced and placed in the earth (cave). In Deuteronomy 34:6 we see God buried Moses and didn't even let anyone know where.
The rituals we have going on today are all based on man's traditions that come from pagan roots. God's Word says in Jeremiah 10 not to do as the heathens do and Dueteronomy 18 not to do the abominable things of the ungodly nations.
So where did many of these rituals originate? God's Word shows us it didn't come from Him but history shows us they came from the pagans and most are in reference to false spiritual practices.
What we see today is not the simple burying of a dead body. Tremendous amounts of money is spent prepping the body for burial such as doing the hair, makeup and clothing and putting it in an expensive box. Bodies are flaunted before an audience (wakes), flowers laid on the body, candles are lit, bells are rung, holy water sprinkled and feasts or festivals are held after the religious service of music and prayers. History shows the pagan origins of such practices and God's people are not to do as the pagans.
Christians are to be called out and separate.
Luke 9:60
Let the worldly bury their dead and if a believer dies, put him in the ground and give glory to God through the rest of your life lived for Him as your sacrifice and reasonable service. (Romans 12:1-2)
Let us know if we can help you.
www.dontperish.com
Have you ever wondered why you do what you do when it comes to funerals? Where did this custom come from and did God ordain the rituals that man practices?
We do know this:
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Colossians 2:8)
Since we are to prove (test) all things and hold fast to what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21) as well as abstain from all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22), let's look into the traditions of what man practices for funerals and see if it proves to be something good to hold fast to, or has the appearance of evil that we are to abstain from.
Funerals are ceremonies or observances held for a dead person. The ceremonies are to honor, respect, sanctify, and remember the deceased. Where did this come from? Did God ordain these such rituals and traditions that we call a funeral?
What we see in God's Word about dealing with the dead is to be buried in the ground or in caves and tombs. Buried means to inter or bury, and instructs no association with the rituals we see today. Abraham buried Sarah in a cave (Genesis 23:19), David was buried (2 Kings 2:10) John the baptist was laid in a tomb (Mark 6:29) Jesus was laid in a tomb (John 20) Lazarus was buried in a cave (John 11:39).
We see in the Old Testament that it was unclean for people to be touching dead bodies except for immediate relatives doing what must be done for the dead body. After Jesus came and defeated death there are no references that touching a dead body is unclean, except what we may be doing to it. We see (John 11:44, John 20:7, Acts 5:6) that dead bodies were wrapped in linens before being buried and in Genesis 50 that Joseph and his father were embalmed, which means to spice or make spicy. They wrapped and spiced Jesus when He died.
Let's think about this: Jesus who was God and man, died on the cross for the atonement of mankind's sins but nowhere do we see God instructing elaborate rituals of what to do with His body. It was simply wrapped in linens, spiced and placed in the earth (cave). In Deuteronomy 34:6 we see God buried Moses and didn't even let anyone know where.
The rituals we have going on today are all based on man's traditions that come from pagan roots. God's Word says in Jeremiah 10 not to do as the heathens do and Dueteronomy 18 not to do the abominable things of the ungodly nations.
So where did many of these rituals originate? God's Word shows us it didn't come from Him but history shows us they came from the pagans and most are in reference to false spiritual practices.
What we see today is not the simple burying of a dead body. Tremendous amounts of money is spent prepping the body for burial such as doing the hair, makeup and clothing and putting it in an expensive box. Bodies are flaunted before an audience (wakes), flowers laid on the body, candles are lit, bells are rung, holy water sprinkled and feasts or festivals are held after the religious service of music and prayers. History shows the pagan origins of such practices and God's people are not to do as the pagans.
Christians are to be called out and separate.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:17-18)
By participating in pagan rituals, we are going against God's Word.
Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. (1 Corinthians 10:21)
Glory in all things is to be given to God, not a deceased person. Such person is either in heaven because in his life he repented (Luke 13:3) was born again (John 3:3) became a new creation (2 Corinthians 5) and was obedient (Hebrews 5:9) until the end (Matthew 10), or he is in hell for his unrepentance.
Take the words of our Savior....
Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. Luke 9:60
Let the worldly bury their dead and if a believer dies, put him in the ground and give glory to God through the rest of your life lived for Him as your sacrifice and reasonable service. (Romans 12:1-2)
Let us know if we can help you.
www.dontperish.com