The Doctrine of Christmas

Christmas comes from two words, "Christ" and "Mass," which makes it the mass of Christ. Volunteer Pastor-Teacher Ryan Bareng breaks down the doctrine of Christmas in 10 minutes.

The Meaning of 25 December (aka. Christmas)

Nowhere in Scripture is “Christmas” mentioned; it is neither alluded to nor defined. And since Scripture lacks a “doctrine of Christmas,” the holiday/celebration must be defined by the extra biblical framework from which it surfaced. Christmas is literally, “the Mass of Christ” created by the Roman Catholic Church to counter the ancient pagan holidays that designated 25 December as their day of debauchery. It was a day to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in the face of those who wanted to indulge in self. Today, Christmas is frequently associated with parties, gift exchanging, shopping malls, jolly music, bright lights and an old chubby man with a white beard and a hearty laugh.

Rather than focusing on Christmas as we know it, let us focus on the Birth of Christ, how it fulfilled major prophecies in the Old Testament and how Believers can turn this traditional holiday into an opportunity to share the good news of Eternal Life, which is an available free gift any day of the year.

The birth of Christ marks the apex of all humanity and the fulfillment of messianic prophecy. The dating system, which we know and use revolves around the birth of Christ. The time before Christ is known as B.C. and after his birth is designated A.D. (anno Domini, Latin for “The Year of our Lord”). All government and military documents use this dating system (ex. The US Constitution and any Military award). Just take a look at your own birthday year, which marks roughly how many years older you are than baby Jesus. The point is, Jesus was born a long time ago and the world has never been the same.

This “Christmas” be sure to share the gift of Eternal Life with someone who needs it. The message is simple: Jesus was born in Bethlehem from his mom, the virgin Mary. This even was the fulfillment of many Old Testament Prophecies that spoke of Yeshua Ha Meshiach or Jesus the Messiah/Christ. The Bible says God gave loved the World unconditionally so much he gave his only Son (Jesus) that anybody who believes in him would not perish but would have Eternal Life. Do you believe this? If you do, you have Eternal Life and you will be with the Lord Jesus for all of eternity.

Have a wonderful December 25th!

CHECK DISC - Ephesians 5:17-18

THE TEXT

17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.
Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

EXEGETICAL IDEA (what it meant):
Subject: What illustration does Paul give the Ephesian Saints concerning understanding the will of the Lord?
Complement: Paul gives the Ephesian Saints an illustration of being under the influence of the Spirit instead of wine.

CONTEMPORARY IDEA (what it means):
Subject: What illustration does the Bible give Believers concerning understanding the will of the Lord?
Complement: The Bible gives Believers an illustration of being under the influence of the Spirit instead of wine.

Bumper Sticker Idea: Know the Lord’s Will; Know Filling; No Understanding of the Lord’s Will; No Filling.

Doctrinal Category: Doctrine of the filling of the Spirit

Exegetical Outline

I. Paul exhorts the Ephesian Believers in two ways.
    A. Paul exhorts the Ephesian Believers to not be foolish.
    B. Paul exhorts the Ephesian Believers to understand what the Lord’s will is.
        1) Paul commands the Ephesians to not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery (asotia).
        2) Paul commands the Ephesians to constantly keep being filled with the Spirit.

Contemporary Outline

I. The Bible exhorts Believers in a couple of ways.
    A. The Bible exhorts Believers not to be foolish.
    B. The Bible exhorts Believers to understand what the Lord’s will is.
         1) The Bible commands Believers not to get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery (asotia).
         2) The Bible commands Believers to constantly keep being filled with the Spirit.

CHECK DISC Romans 5:1-5

Pastor Ryan covers Romans 5:1-5 in 10 minutes using the CHECK DISC method.

Last night we finished up the chapter entitled, "A Transformed People." In one section, Dr. Hendricks addresses Ephesians 2:10 using the observational questions of who, what, where, when, why, and wherefore. This approach helps one stay true to the text and should be used alongside our Check DISC hermeneutic.

We also addressed the passage in Galatians 6:6-10. One verse that had everybody somewhat confused was the reaping of everlasting life. As mentioned last week, I believe that it refers to the quality of life of a believer. But what I did was tighten it up a little using the harvest imagery that Paul used in this verse.

Download the class here: 41.Basic Bible Interpretation.mp3

This month I have been teaching on the Basics of Salvation. This series will conclude at the end of November.

Those interested in receiving the entire session can request for it via email.

Here is a sample:

Basics of Salvation.mp3

Our last two classes of Basic Bible Interpretation can be downloaded onto your mp3 player or computer.

Chapter thirty nine dealt with "The Critical Step of Application."
Chapter forty we focused on "Truths that transform."

The assignment I gave was to interpret Galatians 6:6-10.

Download here:

39.Basics of Bible Interpretation.mp3

40.Basic Bible Interpretation.mp3