Re: Celebrating birthdays
Two days ago a Western brother said that several serving ones from the workers’ house were at a birthday party with his family. He invited the serving ones from the workers’ house to rejoice with them on his child’s birthday. We should not bring worldly customs into our midst. In taking the way of the Lord’s recovery, we have not celebrated birthdays for the past thirty years. We are not without fault, but some Western missionaries should be criticized. They have come to the East to do the Lord’s work, but they are also damaging the Lord’s work. To celebrate their children’s birthday and even invite serving ones to participate is a fleshly act that will damage the Lord’s work.
—The Administration of the Church and the Ministry of the Word
Verses 3-4:That was before the twelve disciples were sent forth to preach the word. Herod married his brother's wife and thus committed adultery. John spoke frankly to him. From this we see that we should not be careless concerning sin. This is the only place in the Bible that mentions the celebration of a birthday. To celebrate birthdays is not very good, for it easily gives rise to trouble. Sin easily enters when men indulge in pleasures. Herodias was obviously an adulteress. John was put in prison on account of her, for John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have her" (see also Mark 6:18).
—STUDY ON MATTHEW
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