Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

Colossians 2:16-23

I Googled: Why Baptists don’t observe lent:

Most of the articles that came up argue that we should observe Lent, which was shocking to see. So I thought that I would spend a little time explaining why Baptists do not and should not be participating in Lent.

When does Lent start?

Because Lent follows the liturgical calendar, the exact date that Lent falls each year changes. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which is always held 46 days (40 fasting days and 6 Sundays) before Easter Sunday.

Ash Wednesday is the day after Shrove Tuesday, which in the UK is more commonly known as Pancake Day. Elsewhere in the world Shrove Tuesday is known as Mardi Gras (meaning ‘Fat Tuesday’ in French).

What happens during lent?

These days, people around the world observe Lent in many ways. Many from more orthodox and traditional denominations will still observe the fast strictly, beginning with the wearing of ashes on Ash Wednesday and abstinence of meat, fish, eggs and fats until Easter Sunday.

Others will choose to give up just one item for Lent, more commonly a ‘luxury’ such as chocolate, meat or alcohol. It is also becoming increasingly common for people to give up other things in order to refocus their faith during this time; such as watching TV, going to the gym, even social media.

Receiving the Grace of God

All of these things are done as a means of securing the Grace of God

We have already recieved the Grace of God

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Titus 2:11

What does Shrove Tuesday mean?

Shrove Tuesday comes originally from the word shrive (meaning “absolve”).

In preparation for Lent centuries ago, those observing the fast would use Shrove Tuesday to also purify and remove from their house any of the items that they were foregoing for the 40 days.

Keto is out!

Traditionally this included meat, fish, eggs, fats, milk and sugar – so Shrove Tuesday became the final blowout before Lent began!

These ingredients combine easily to make pancake batter, hence why in the UK Shrove Tuesday is now synonymous with the making, tossing and racing of pancakes.

The gorging on rich foods on Shrove Tuesday also gives us the alternative name of Mardi Gras (meaning ‘Fat Tuesday’ in French), which in turn has grown into a whole carnival feast in New Orleans.

Why 40 Days?

 A period of 40 days is rather common in scripture. These are those references:

•     It rained 40 days and nights: Gen 7:4, 12.

•     Forty days after sighting the tops of the mountains, Noah set forth a raven and a dove: Gen 8:6-7.

•     Joseph mourned the death of his father Jacob for a period of 40 days: Gen 49:33 – Gen 50:3.

•     Moses on Sinai for 40 days: Exo 24:18, 34:28, Deut 9:9-11.

•     Moses pleads for Israel 40 days on Sinai: Deu 9:18-25, 10:10.

•     Canaan spied on for 40 days: Num 13:25, 14:34.

•     Goliath taunted Israel for 40 days: 1 Sam 17:16.

•     Elijah fasted and journeyed to Horeb for 40 days: 1 Kings 19:8.

•     Ezekiel bore the iniquity of Judah for 40 days: Eze 4:6.

•     Jonah warned Nineveh of judgment in 40 days: Jonah 3:4.

•     Jesus fasted in the wilderness for 40 days: Matt 4:2, Mark 1:13, Luke 4:2.

•     Jesus was seen for 40 days after His crucifixion: Acts 1:3.

The choice of 40 days seems to have stemmed from the story told to us in the Gospels of Luke, Mark, and Matthew, where Jesus fasted for 40 days in the desert, being tempted by the Devil. Those who participated in Lent were to fast, as Jesus had, for 40 days.

The 40 days of lent, have no connection to the fasting and testing of Christ in the wilderness.

The tempting of Jesus in the wilderness occurred at the start of his ministry, he was crucified buried, and risen Three and a half years later.

Why we don’t participate in Lent

•     Baptists only practice what is explicitly commanded in the New Testament

•     only Two ordinances are observed

1.    Baptism of the believer

To identify with the death burial and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ

Not for salvation, but as a public profession after salvation

2.    Lords supper

To remind believers of the death of the Lord Jesus. The believer should also take time during this ceremony to evaluate his own spiritual condition, confessing and repenting of sin if necessary. The Lord’s Supper should be a serious time of reflection and worship, producing joy and thanksgiving in the believer’s life.

 The pagans worshipped nature and the false god “Baal”, Tammuz (Nimrod) the Babylonian sun god. They believed he had control over lengthening of the daylight hours, from Winter to Spring. 

The festival of Tammuz would occur forty days prior to the Festival of Easter, “Ishtar” – pronounced Easter, who was worshipped as the “Mother of God and Queen of Heaven”. This was a lustful celebration to the fertility god.

The forty days before Easter was a mourning period over Tammuz, a deified mortal, whose death the women annually lamented with idolatrous acts.

¹² And ye shall know that I am the LORD: for ye have not walked in my statutes, neither executed my judgments, but have done after the manners of the heathen that are round about you.

Ezekiel 11:12

And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I sat in mine house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell there upon me. Then I beheld, and lo a likeness as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of his loins even downward, fire; and from his loins even upward, as the appearance of brightness, as the colour of amber. And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy. And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, according to the vision that I saw in the plain. Then said he unto me, Son of man, lift up thine eyes now the way toward the north. So I lifted up mine eyes the way toward the north, and behold northward at the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry. He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations. And he brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, behold a hole in the wall. Then said he unto me, Son of man, dig now in the wall: and when I had digged in the wall, behold a door. And he said unto me, Go in, and behold the wicked abominations that they do here. So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, pourtrayed upon the wall round about. And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, with every man his censer in his hand; and a thick cloud of incense went up. Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth. He said also unto me, Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations that they do. Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD’S house which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz. Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these. And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD’S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east. Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose. Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them. He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand. And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar. And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer’s inkhorn by his side; And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city. And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in thy pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem? Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not. And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head. And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me.

Ezekiel 8:1-18

 Baal, Tammuz, Ashtoreth, Astarte and Ishtar are all connected with pagan sun worship. Note that Lent is a moveable observance, connected to and preceding the festival of Easter.

Lent is observed for the 40 days prior to Easter and is fixed based on the sun and the Spring or Vernal equinox.

 So the 40 days of Lent is connected with the Babylonian goddess Ashtoreth / Astarte / Ishtar (the origin of the word Easter), and the worship of Tammuz. Unlike Lent, both of these can be found in scripture:

Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD’S house which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz. Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these. And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD’S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.

Ezekiel 8:14-16

And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven.

2 Kings 23:5

And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entering in of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathanmelech the chamberlain, which was in the suburbs, and burned the chariots of the sun with fire. And the altars that were on the top of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the LORD, did the king beat down, and brake them down from thence, and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron. And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile.

2 Kings 23:11-13

Ishtar, who was now worshiped as the “Mother of God and the Queen of Heaven”, continued to build her mystery religion.

• She claimed that Tammuz was killed by the wild pig, and that some of his blood fell on the stump of an evergreen tree, and the stump grew into a full new tree overnight. This is why the evergreen tree was sacred to the Babylonians.

• She also proclaimed a forty day period of time of sorrow

 During this time of sorrow:

•     no meat was to be eaten – this is what has become known as Lent

•     Worshipers were to meditate upon the sacred mysteries of Baal and Tammuz, and to make the sign of the “Tau” (a cross) in front of their hearts as they worshiped.

•     They also ate sacred cakes with the marking of a “T” or a cross, on the top. (Hot Cross Buns)

•     Every year, on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox, a celebration was made.

•     It was Ishtar’s (Easter) Sunday and was celebrated with rabbits and eggs.

•     Ishtar also proclaimed that because Tammuz was killed by a pig, that a pig must be eaten on that Sunday.

Argument for Lent made by some:

Baptists do not celebrate lent because it is not Biblical. You will not find any mention of Jews or Christians observing an annual period of 40 days of fasting and abstinence preceding the festival of the Passover, yet most of the “Christian” world observes a 40 day period called Lent, which precedes Easter Sunday. 

1. Because the majority of Christians practice Lent

The first reason that they cite, is that since the majority of Christians practice Lent, Baptists should just get in line and do the same. This is a false statement based on a survey that was completed by LifeWay Research:

NASHVILLE (Baptist Press) — During the season of Lent, some Americans give up chocolate or another favorite food. Others dump guilty pleasures like binge-watching television or social media.

Three-quarters of Americans (76 percent) say they don’t typically observe Lent, according to a survey from Nashville-based LifeWay Research released on February 15th.

The proponents say that joining the multitudes is in some way a good step toward solidarity in faith and ministry.

Even if their statement were true, that is no reason for a Christian to observe anything, we are commanded in the Bible to be separated.

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18

2.  The Inability to appreciate the Cross

Their second claim is that we are unable to appreciate Jesus’ resurrection unless we experience suffering ourselves. And that Fasting is an appropriate way to identify with Jesus’ suffering for us.

What a ridiculous statement; How is giving up social media or even a few meals, going to compare to the suffering of the cross?

Read Matthew chapter 27 again and tell me how this statement could possibly be believed by anyone:

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watched him there; And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

Matthew 27:27-50

You don’t get God’s attention simply because you afflict yourself

Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.

Isaiah 58:3

In fact the first time it was observed was in the early fourth century. Before this there is no conversation of a required affliction and deprivation of oneself in preparation to commemorate the resurrection of Christ. In fact, the pagan practice of wounding and maltreating oneself was a common practice in Baal worship

And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken. And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.

1 Kings 18:21-28

3. We need time each year to repent

The third reason that was cited, is that we need time each year where we dedicate time for spiritual reflection and contemplation. We need to experience spiritual renewal and Lent can act as a break for our souls.

The claim is that the last day before Lent, (shrove/fat Tuesday) is a day of self-examination where Christians should consider what sins they need to repent of and what changes to their life or spiritual growth they will focus on during the fast.

You need to repent more often than just once a year as part of some tradition. You should repent of sin the moment that the Holy Spirit brings it to your attention, don’t wait for a special day of repentance

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

We are commanded to judge ourselves on a daily basis, not just once a year

This is a daily judgment that a believer must exercise upon themselves. You do not have to be anywhere special to perform a self-judgment. You do not have to wait for a specific day to perform self-judgment, in fact, you should self-judge yourself constantly.

As a believer, your sins have been paid and covered by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ;     however, your sin can will cause a rift between you and the Lord if they are not dealt with

For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

1 Corinthians 11:31

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Ephesians 5:26

This washing should be performed daily to foster a good relationship with the Lord. Just as Aaron and the priests needed to wash before entering the tabernacle

Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein. For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD:

Exodus 30:18-21

 Those who continue the practice of Lent do so

 First, out of ignorance of the practice and what it really represents. 

 Secondly, they are misguided in the doctrine of salvation, believing it takes more than Grace through Faith to receive salvation.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

They miss the truth that our justification before God is not in our attempting to appease Him, but our faith brings us to peace through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Romans 5:1

 They continue because they have no real faith in the work of Christ as the propitiation (suitable substitute)

And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 2:2

They don’t have a handle on the promise the Holy Spirit offers that secures our redemption

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Ephesians 1:13

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Ephesians 4:30

We do not celebrate Lent because

•     Its roots are in paganism

•     Its foundation is not biblical

•     We should be observing spiritual disciplines more often than once per year

Our hope at Irvington Bible Baptist Church is that this podcast provided some encouragement and has helped you to develop a closer relationship with the LORD Jesus Christ.