Letters
- "4,000 Years of Christmas?"
- Reporting news and world events
- The Christian Sabbath
- Thoughts on water baptism
- Should readers cancel when they disagree?
- Spreading the true gospel to others
I wanted to thank you for your recent article on the Christmas holiday. I read about the true origin of Christmas for the first time in your magazine last year. I never knew before that our Christmas traditions were rooted in pagan customs. I was so surprised that I had to research it for myself. But I found everything you had printed to be true. I no longer celebrate Christmas. I do not want to participate in anything that is associated with, adopted from, or rooted in pagan customs or idolatry. The Bible explicitly forbids such relationships.
But what has surprised me more is the number of Christians who do know this and it doesn't bother them in the least! I have actually had fellow Christians tell me that it is not considered lying to teach your children about Santa Claus. I just wish the rest of the world would open their eyes and see Christmas for what it really is and stop trying to justify it.
—M.M., Chester, Georgia
As a Southern Baptist and born-again Christian, I have enjoyed your magazine.
But one thing I see disturbs me. Too many of your articles are approached purely from the intellectual side. Your article on Christmas was like this. Maybe Christmas and Easter came from pagan rituals, but isn't it wonderful that God has through Christians defeated Satan and turned them into Christian holidays? Many, many things we do are spiritual and make no sense to the secular person. We must let God lead even when it doesn't make sense to us, and if we do, we'll be triumphant. It does not matter in the least that December 25 was not the true birthday of Christ.
—S.E., Bowdon, Georgia
The problem with such arguments is that truth does matter! Our Creator made human beings in His image (Genesis 1:26-27), conferring on us the precious privilege of rational choice—an attribute of God Himself.
He wants us to make decisions based on the plain instructions in His Word, the Holy Bible, not on misguided emotions and feelings emanating from manmade religious fables and traditions contrary to Scripture.
Jesus Christ tells us we must worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Truth is based on historical fact. Deuteronomy 12:30-32 plainly tells us not to add or adapt pagan practices to our worship of the true God. The New Testament indicates that pagan customs are equated with demon worship (1 Corinthians 10:20-21). Our free booklet Holidays or Holy Days: Does It Matter Which Days We Keep? explains these biblical principles in much greater detail.
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Reporting news and world events
I want to thank you for the very helpful and clear way that your organization reports on world events and news in your various publications. I often find your reporting to be much more honest and frank than the news channels, newspapers and magazines.
—L.E., Internet
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I've been keeping holy the Sabbath (Saturday) for some time now, only because of my reading the Bible. I thought that I was the only Christian in the world that was doing this. I've struggled with it for years because all those around me are Sunday worshippers. They think I'm nuts, but they don't dare say it.
—D.T.D., Sr., Sutersville, Pennsylvania
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I found a very intriguing article on your Web site. You said something in the article that caught my attention. Many Christians believe that baptism is not an important part of being saved—that it is more of a gesture to show the world your commitment to God. From your comment it looks like you believe that baptism is essential. I am extremely interested in hearing what you believe the Scriptures instruct on how to be saved.
—M.F., Internet
Many New Testament passages affirm the central importance of water baptism. Some of the more prominent are Mark 16:16, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved," and Acts 2:38, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized ..." For a much fuller exposition, please request our free booklets The Road to Eternal Life and Transforming Your Life: The Process of Conversion, both of which have major sections on baptism.
I am 15 and I know that at this age I am considered young. I do still have a lot to learn from life. But from all the literature I've read off your Web site, I believe I might qualify for water baptism. I cannot find anything about when you are ready to be baptized. I wonder if you can help me with this issue.
—Reader on Internet
Yours is a question that many young people have. It has been addressed in an article in Youth United (now called Vertical Thought magazine). You can access the article, "When Should You Be Baptized?" on the Web at www.churchofgodtwincities.org/lit/vt/ym07/baptized.htm.
I am a new Good News reader. I have been interested in becoming baptized for three months now with a very strong desire. I would like you to arrange a private appointment.
—B.M., London
We are very glad to arrange a meeting for you with one of our ordained ministers.
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Should readers cancel when they disagree?
I got the November-December issue of your magazine a few days ago. I don't know who you are, but I do know you are Antichrist. In my mind you are surely some of the children of Satan. I will keep this issue to show people how the Antichrists are working in our country today. A number of other stories in your magazine that I have seen, I know to be false. Do not send any more.
—B.M., Frankford, Missouri
We have removed your name from our mailing list. And yes, some of the articles that appear in The Good News are shocking. We encourage our readers not to simply accept what we say but to follow the example of the Bereans, whom the apostle Paul commended because they "searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). Those who want a better understanding of the Antichrist should be sure to read the lead article in this issue.
I want to thank you for sending me The Good News. The most I have ever learned from any religion was from this magazine and the Church of God. Every story is backed up with passages from the Bible for those who are in doubt. The Good News lets me make my own decision whether to believe it or not. I want to close by saying to all those who ask to be removed from your mailing list: Why not take some time to do some comparing before you make that decision?
—A.C., Dallas, Texas
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Spreading the true gospel to others
Thank you so much for your truly enlightening magazines and the many informative booklets you have sent me. Your Bible Study Course is also very thorough and educational. Even though you graciously never ask for contributions, I wish to submit this check in appreciation so you may continue to spread the truth about many beliefs that are not the true hallmarks of Christianity.
—L.P., Seattle, Washington
Published letters may be edited for clarity and space. Address your letters to The Good News, Box 541027, Cincinnati, Ohio 45254, U.S.A., or E-mail gninfo@ucg.org (please be sure to include your full name, city, state or province, and country).
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