By Ron Halbrook
Jesus asked his opponents in debate, “The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men?” The authority behind John’s baptism was divine, not human. The works and words of Jesus himself were also from heaven and not of men (Matt. 21:23-27). The religious leaders who opposed him had only human, and not divine authority for their peculiar doctrines and practices. All religious practices and observances today must submit to the test Jesus required – is it “from heaven, or of men?” Let’s examine the Lord’s Supper and Christmas in connection with that important question.
| Lord’s Supper | Christmas |
| Authorized & Commanded by Christ (Matt. 26:26-29) | Not Authorized or Commanded by Christ – But “Of Men” |
| Two Elements Specified for Use in Observance – Unleavened Bread & Grape Juice (Matt. 26:26-28) | Nothing Revealed or Specified for Use in Observance – All Such Is “Of Men” |
| Meaning of Observance Often Explained in Scripture (Matt. 26:26-29; Mk. 14:22-25; Lk. 22:19-20; 1 Cor. 10:16-21; 11:17-34) | No Observance Appointed or Explained in Scripture – Came Later With Mixture of Pagan Religion & Traditions “Of Men” |
| Time Revealed: First Day of Each Week (Acts 20:7) | No Time Revealed – Set by Men |
| Observed by All Christians in Apostolic Age (Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23) | Observed by No Christian in Apostolic Age – Originated in Apostasy of Later Times |
| Observed by Christians as Reminder of Our Separation from Sin (1 Cor. 10:16-21) | Observed by All Kinds of People, No Matter How Sinful Their Lives |
| Not Associated With Appeal to Fleshly Appetite, Carnality, or Excesses of Any King (1 Cor. 11:17-34) | Associated With Appeal of Fleshly Appetites, Carnality & Excesses of Every Kind (Drinking, Dancing, Revelry, etc.) |
| Part of “The Doctrine of Christ” – Unites Us With God (2 Jn. 9) | NO Part of “The Doctrine of Christ” – Sinful, Makes Our Worship Vain, & Separates Us From God (Matt. 7:21-23; 15:8-9; 2 Jn. 9; Rev. 22:18-19) |
| Its Practice Produces Religious Unity Based on Truth (Jn. 17:17-21) | Its Practice Produces Religious Division Since Commanded “Of Men” |
| Ordained by Christ to Continue in His Kingdom Until End of Time (Matt. 26:29; 1 Cor. 11:26) | Not Ordained by Christ to Even Begin – Exists as Digression, Apostasy & Rebellion Against Bible Pattern – “Of Men” |
| Revealed “From Heaven” By God, Preserved in Scripture! | No Divine Revelation; Origin In Apostasy, Human Tradition, & Compromise With Pagan Idolatry – “Of Men”! |
Guardian of Truth XXXI: 22, p. 681
November 19, 1987