Christian Traditions:
Fundamentals of the Christian Religion

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For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. {19} Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:18-19
  • Defining the Christian Religion

  • The Christian Denominations

  • The Christian Law

  • The Christian Calendar








    Defining the Christian Religion

    Defining a Believer

    The one central theme of salvation within the Scriptures is the acceptance of the Messiah as the Savior of a persons life. Those who have accepted Messiah become companions with their names written in the book of life. When we examine who is included within this broad definition we find there are many types of believers in Messiah, each with their own set of beliefs and traditions. The two most prominent types are probably Christianity and Messianic Judaism. Each type of believer contains at it's core doctrines that come from Scripture and doctrines that come from the traditions of man. The doctrines that come from Scripture are what unite and bond believers into the body of Messiah. The doctrines from the traditions of man are what scatter and divide the flock.

    Defining Christianity

    The Christian religion has several core beliefs that define and distinguish it from other types of believers in Messiah. Among these core beliefs are the doctrines concerning the New Covenant Theology and Dispensation, the Trinity Concept, and the Apostolic authority of the Bishops. Although exactly how each of these doctrines applies to an individual denomination varies within Christianity, the entire Christian community is effected by such core elements which have shaped it throughout the centuries.

    Defining Tradition

    Traditions are the man-made rules and regulations that change or add to the commandments of Scripture. The traditions in Christianity have formed over the last two thousand years, however a large portion of them were made in the early centuries AD through the writings, interpretations, and commentaries by those known as the Church Fathers. Some traditions are based upon the core beliefs of Christianity, but others have come by way of inclusion of rituals from other religious sources. Since that time, the commandments of Scripture have been modified or replaced with either man-made rules and traditions or with pagan forms of worship. The Protestant denominations, although protesting certain doctrines, remain largely catholic in command and observance.

    The Christian Denominations

    Catholicism and Protestantism

    The Roman Catholic Church was virtually identical with Christianity for many centuries. After the Protestant Reformation, some variations have appeared, but, even now, most of what is known as Christianity came from Catholicism. Interestingly, if the Bishops are correct in having authority over and above the Scriptures in setting the ways and means of worshipping the Almighty, then the Protestant Movement is incorrect and should not have occurred. If the Bishops do not have such authority, then the Catholic Church has corrupted true worship and the Protestant Reformation did not go far enough in removing the defilment which was brought in through tradition.

    The Day of Rest

    There is probably no greater example than the change of the day of rest and worship from the seventh day sabbath commanded by Elohim to the first day memorial of the Resurrection as the church dramatically points to this as a symbol of their authority and power. The Protestant denominations have kept this day even though many scholars have recognized the change is not found in Scripture.

    The Christian Law

    Dispensationalism

    The Christian religion views its relationship with the Almighty through the concept of dispensationalism. A dispensation is when an authority temporarily releases or exempts those under it from an obligation or rule. Depending on the denomination involved there can be one or many dispensations through history. However, there is one dispensation that the Christian religion recognizes as a whole. This dispensation is the release from the commandments and laws of the Sinai Covenant. However, the dispensational idea has several flaws with it. The biggest problem is that it suggests the Almighty is not the same yesterday, today, and forever but rather changes over time. There are some commands that are given and called 'eternal decrees'. Yet within the dispensational concept, these decrees are no longer kept. Furthermore, some dispensational theories change how salvation is achieved in different time periods through history.

    Covenant Partitions

    The Christian religion often separates the covenant law into the three major sections of moral, civil, and ceremonial laws. Then it declares that the civil and ceremonial laws have been done away with while maintaining the moral laws. One huge problem with this is that these laws are not separated in any way by the covenant itself. It is a man-made and somewhat arbitrary decision as to which laws are kept and which laws are not kept. Some also say that certain laws are only for the Jewish people. However, the covenant is for all of the Almighty's people and there is no distinction between those who are Jewish and those who are Gentile since all believers are considered part of Israel.
    Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. {18} For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. {19} Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
    Mat 5:17-19 (KJV)

    Fulfilling the Law

    The passage of Scripture used by the Christian religion to state that the covenant law has been done away with is found in Matthew chapter five. Verse seventeen of this chapter is typically interpreted to mean that the covenant law is completed by the Messiah and is, therefore, no longer needed. However, the context of the passage says exactly the opposite in that He has not come to end the law, the law will continue until heaven and earth shall pass away, and that we should teach the commandments to people. In the Greek language, the word for 'to fulfill' does not mean to finish, but rather means to give a proper interpretation or to bring to the fullest understanding.

    The Christian Calendar

    The Calendar of Scripture

    The calendar given within Scripture was set up in Gen 1:14-?? with the creation of the sun, moon, and stars. These lights in the sky and the cycles they follow are the basis of the calendar. During the act of creation, Elohim did not just speak, but rather He declared that that something should occur. In the fourth day, Elohim was not creating just any light to exist, but He was declaring for His lights to exist in the Heavens. These lights were to serve His purposes that include separating light from darkness, acting as a calendar, as signals for the festival meetings, and as signs of the time. The sun, moon, and stars were made to act as a calendar. The sun and moon separate the day and the night. The moon is also used to measure the months of the year. This is shown in the Hebrew language as the word for month, chodesh, is the same word used for the new moon.

    The Festivals in Scripture

    Emphasis is given to the use of the moon to show the months and as a reference to the special Festivals of assembly. These special times were and are prophectic of the work of the Messiah. The beginning of the year is at the time of the spring harvest approaching the time of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread which represents our Savior's first coming. Fifty days later comes the Feast of Weeks / Pentecost which represents the Messiah sending the Spirit to mankind. The Autumn Festivals such as the Feast of Booths represent Messiah's second coming yet to occur in the future. This is the framework that is given by the One Most High.

    The Greek Calendar

    The Greek calendar system is a mathematically derived calendar which divides the year into 12 months of slightly varying length. Special attention is given to the equinoxes and solstices.

    The Christian Holidays

    One of the effects of abandoning the calendar given in Scripture and accepting the secular calendar is the accepting of the pagan times of worship. There are no commands in Scripture to celebrate the birth of the Messiah, yet the celebration of the 'rebirth of the sun god' at the time of the winter solstice has been chosen as a time to celebrate the birth of the Messiah even though His birth could not have been in the winter season. Likewise, the Passover / Firstfruits offering which memorializes coming out of Egypt and foreshadows Messiah's resurrection has been moved to be on or near the spring equinox to match the timing of falso gods and blended with many pagan customs.

    Todd Elder is a believer in the Messiah who wants to help people understand Scripture and know the message of Salvation. For more information from the Christian Traditions series, please visit my website http://www.exploringsalvation.info and look under 'Scripture'.
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