The One Week Celebration Dilemma: Is It Scriptural Or Not? My Take
Romans 14
KJV
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Why this subject should worry or be of concern beats the imagination! Here is an Event that did not originate with or from the Bible! It is not a biblical creation but that of society.
It did not originate from scripture but from society like all other non-biblical events that we see around it is a matter of choice to observe it or not. We are challenged as it were to think for ourselves in things that are not explicitly stated. Each has discretionary powers; use them;
1 Corinthians 6
KJV
12+ All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
1 Corinthians 10
KJV
23+ All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
The question to ask is, is there anything biblically evil ( sinful) about it? If so this should be pointed out to help others know so they keep away from it.
This is a subject matter that can not be settled by emotions, but by facts. If any has objections he should state them and cite the relevant scriptures! It is the Bible that settles every question, debate etc, and not emotions, not our likes dislikes or preferences!
Keep in mind that where there is no law there is no sin.
Romans 5
KJV
13+ (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
For a one-week observance to be a sin, the law prohibiting it must be quoted. Reference to any non-historical church precedents as reasons against it does not hold. It does not make an act sinful! Let the Bible speak! Let the Bible says so!
Did the NT Churches observe a one-week event? We don’t know, it is not a religious event but social. It has nothing to do with salvation! Surely there will be a social arrangement regarding deaths or funerals just that they do not form part of matters concerning salvation! If they are a would have read it from the pages of Holy Scriptures
There is simply none. Salvation has nothing to do with observing or not observing. It is a matter of conscience. If your conscience tells you it is a sin don’t attend. And if you don’t, do not criticize those who do for you have no biblical book chapter or verse to support your stand.
Come to think of it! What is wrong if a secular family invites believers to come join them in mourning a deceased member of their family who incidentally happens to be a member of the Christian family?
Don’t forget every member belongs to two families, the physical and the spiritual.
A one-week observance is a family/friends affair, it is a loose social gathering anybody can attend if he/she is interested.
Any invitation to the church as a body should be treated as voluntary and not a mandatory demand or request. As a church you can refuse to honor it if there is sufficient biblical evidence to show that it is sinful!
The choice is yours. If you refuse to attend give biblical reasons why you can not join them as a Church You can choose not to attend as a church ( collective ) but as individuals! It may sound contradictory but such is the reality.
If you are a leader and you do not want to attend, that is you ; remember that the church does not belong to you but to Christ. You are a caretaker look into His constitution ( Bible) and quote the relevant laws /rules etc that He has given which forbid your participation as a church.
If you find any such law /rule politely and respectfully notify in writing or word the family why as a Church you are unable to participate!
Let not your argument be, It has not been done before, there is always a first time for doing something! Instead, show by the Bible and not your congregation’s history that the event is sinful. Sin is not what man thinks but what God says.
It is sin that displeases God and will take us to hell not our opinions, likes or dislikes. Stay away if an act is sinful according to the scriptures.
A one-week observance is not scriptural, it is not mentioned in the Bible. It originated from society. The Bible is silent on both its origin and observance therefore to observe it or not is a matter of choice. It is one of the numerous daily decisions we make concerning things we do which are not written in the Bible.
Every choice or decision has its consequences it is up to the individual to convince himself and be prepared for any backlash be it good or bad.
Arguments in favour of participating are stronger than not participating. Ask these questions When a church attends what does she do? What role is she assigned? Is it not to pray and to preach? Are we not commanded to pray for all men? Are we not tasked to preach the Word to all men everywhere at anytime etc?
1 Timothy 2
KJV
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 Timothy 4
KJV
2+ Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
We are constantly looking for opportunities to preach and teach the Word, we program a house-to-house evangelism Most of the doors we knock are closed to us, lo and behold here is an opportunity where many have voluntarily assembled at no effort or cost to you. A free time slot is given to you to speak.
You are invited to come share the Word with them; and you are saying the arrangement is not biblical so you’ll not go! Oh oh!!! Please think again and think spiritually!
Some have argued, oh they will play secular songs and drink alcohol etc. Is that your business? Will you be judged by what they do? Did they serve you with any and if they did; did you take it? Do you not know that your open rejection is a practical demonstration of your faith? Practical Christianity.
Have you not heard before that at some of such gatherings the conduct of the church demonstrated through non-instrumental singing, the teaching of the truth etc won souls to Christ? Why can’t we for once think of the positive gains that can be made more than the negative ones?
A proverb came to mind as I pen these words “ it says there are bones in every fish, yet we eat them without being choked !” we do this by being meticulous, sieving out the bones from the flesh. To the majority everything is evil and must be avoided, so a one-week observation is evil.
I have more to write but this is enough to state my position! If you are not in favour, I urge you to write your own. It was Chinua Achebe who said “ if someone writes something you don’t agree with, write your own!” instead of complaining, calling or labelling him!
My take