03/09/2022
Why doesn’t Oak Grove Baptist Church observe Ash Wednesday or Lent as many other denominations do?
In answering this question, it’s important that we not say, “I think…” or “In my opinion…” The answer must be derived by, “What does the Bible Say?”
What is Ash Wednesday and Lent? Ash Wednesday derives its name from the placing of ashes on the foreheads of participants. Generally, the minister dips his finger in a mixture of ash and “holy water” or olive oil and places it on the forehead of the participant by forming a cross while stating the words "Repent and believe in the Gospel" or the dictum "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." The ashes are generally the remains of the burned palm leaves from the previous year's Palm Sunday celebrations. The Roman Catholic church began this practice some say as early as the 6th Century. This begins the 40 days of spiritual preparation for Easter Sunday referred to as Lent. In observing Lent, the participant determines something of a sacrifice to remove from his daily activities until Easter. However, if you believe in this practice, consider the whole ritual, and not just Ash Wednesday and Lent.
Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent). As this is the last day of the Christian liturgical season historically known as Shrovetide, before the penitential season of Lent, related popular practices, such as indulging in food that one might give up as their Lenten sacrifice for the upcoming forty days, are associated with Shrove Tuesday celebrations. The term Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday", referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrove_Tuesday
I don’t know about you, but you won’t find me nor any of my close Christian friends partying at a Marti Gras celebration.
In not observing Ash Wednesday, some may simply say that it is not biblical. Some may say, “I’m not Catholic and don’t want anything to do with it.” But are either of these answers a reason not to fast and pray? The bible does not mention this ritual, nor make a reference to anything similar. However, the bible does encourage us to fast and pray. So, some say, why not make this a ritual that is a good thing for the soul of a Christian? Why would a church object to its observance? I am not Catholic, but it is by faith in the saving grace of God through Jesus Christ that saves us, whether we align ourselves as Baptist, Catholic, Methodist or any other Christian denomination. (Eph 2:8-9)
Let us hear what Jesus says concerning prayer and fasting.
Concerning Prayer:
Matthew 6:5-7
New American Standard Bible
5 “And when you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they will be seen by people. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 But as for you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.7 “And when you are praying, do not use thoughtless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words.
Concerning Fasting:
Matthew 6:16-18
New American Standard Bible
16 “Now whenever you fast, do not make a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they distort their faces so that they will be noticed by people when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 17 But as for you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by people but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
The Pharisees during the time of Jesus were the self-appointed leaders of the Jewish Worship and doctrine. Jesus warns his disciples on numerous occasions not to be like them. The Pharisees were experts concerning the Jewish laws as given to them through Moses. However, Jesus pointed out to all his followers that there is more to keeping the law than the physical requirements. You must also seek to understand and keep the spiritual application as well. From these two instructions by Jesus Christ, can you see any problem with observing Ash Wednesday and Lent? Ash Wednesday and Lent are not instructions from the Word of God but are man-made traditions. Even though they have good intentions there becomes a spiritual problem when observing them.
As we search deeper concerning the commands of God versus man-made traditional laws, observe the following account of a conversation between a Pharisee and Jesus:
Tradition and Commandment
Matthew 15:1-11
New American Standard Bible
15 Then some Pharisees and scribes *came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” 3 And He answered and said to them, “Why do you yourselves also break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘The one who speaks evil of father or mother is to be put to death.’ 5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever I have that would help you has been given to God,” 6 he is not to honor his father or mother.’ And by this you have invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7 You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy about you, by saying:8 ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me.9 And in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”10 After Jesus called the crowd to Him, He said to them, “Hear and understand! 11 It is not what enters the mouth that defiles the person, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles the person.”
Can you see a problem when the tradition of men becomes equal in man’s eyes to the Law of God?
I think if you seek the meaning of these passages of scripture and compare their meaning to the observance of Ash Wednesday and Lent, you can understand why historically Baptists and a few other denominations have decided not to observe this tradition.
My friends, be respectful of the practices of others. However, do not use them to measure someone’s spirituality, orthodoxy, or commitment to God. Jesus says, it’s better to not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. In other words, keep your giving, prayers, and fasting between you and God. Don’t use these good things to gain admiration or the applause of men. One final word concerning sacrificing some work, comfort, or deed to prepare your heart for Passover. We are told by the Word of God to observe Passover (not Easter) throughout all generations. There is a difference between the two. Be a seeker of God’s Word and seek it out. Any sacrifice to God is meant to better man not God. How would sacrificing candy or chewing gum for example have any good work for your soul? Mt 15:11 “It is not what enters the mouth that defiles the person, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles the person.” Consider, giving up your time watching TV for 40 days prior to Passover and replace that time with reading God’s Word, or give-up listening to secular music for 40 days and listen only to hymns or Christian music, or give-up playing any video games for 40 days and dedicate that time to a personal relationship between you and the Father. Better yet why not do all these things? Why do this only for 40 days before Passover? Why not fast and pray regularly? Some mighty works only come to fruition by doing both! Mark 9:14-29
This is the Gospel message: That Jesus Christ who was fully God and fully man came for the redemptive purpose of saving your soul from eternal death and damnation. His sacrificial death on the cross was for the saving of mankind, and in so doing He fulfilled all the law and the prophets. He is the Passover Lamb of God. He had the power to lay his life down and the power to take it up again. He is risen!
Hebrews 2:3
3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?
Thank you for your time,
Bro. Gaylan Turner
Retired Pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church
Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent), observed in many Christian countries through participating in confession and absolution, the ritual burning of the previous year's Holy Week palms, finalizing one's Lenten sacrifice, as well as eating pancakes and other sweets.[...
