Doesn’t Numbers 14:18 show that everyone is born inheriting the sin of their parents? (continued)

• Conclusion from the context

  • God will surely punish those who continually sin against Him.

  • God is longsuffering and merciful.

  • The person who sins shall die for His own sins.

• Other Bible principles on the subject

  • Jeremiah 31:29-30

  • Ezekiel 18:

    • Ezekiel 18:1-4 – The soul that sins shall die.

    • Ezekiel 18:5-9 – The righteous man shall live.

    • Ezekiel 18:10-13 – If a just man’s son is evil, the son shall die.

    • Ezekiel 18:14-17 – If an evil man’s son is righteous, that son shall live.

    • Ezekiel 18:24 – It’s not once-saved, always saved!

  • Romans 5:12

  • II Corinthians 5:10

What does God think about observing special religious holidays?

• Attitude check: Acts 18:23-28

• Is it possible to worship or perform some religious act and be unapproved by God?

  • Genesis 4:3-5; Hebrews 11:4; Romans 10:17

  • Exodus 32:5

  • Leviticus 10:1-2

  • I Kings 12:28, 32

  • Mark 7:6-8

  • Galatians 5:2-4

  • John 4:24; II John 1:9 – God has always cared about how He is worshiped!

• Christmas and Easter are not authorized as religious observances in the Bible.

  • The Bible records the birth of Jesus, but never authorizes us to make a religious memorial of His birth.

  • The Lord’s Supper has been authorized as a weekly memorial of His death and resurrection (I Corinthians 11:18-34; Acts 20:7).

• Hopefully we can use these holidays to stir up people’s interest in the truth!

  • Acts 17:22-24 – These holidays give us an opportunity to speak about Jesus.

• We may engage in cultural practices that do not involve unauthorized worship or religious service.

  • Circumcision

    • Galatians 2:3-5

    • Acts 16:3

  • Eating of meats

    • I Corinthians 8:1-8

• Let’s honor Christ the ways He wants to be honored, remembering the Bible’s repeated warnings not to go beyond Divine authority for religious practices (Colossians 3:17; II John 1:9). But like Paul, let’s also use whatever opportunities we have to teach and practice the truth!