The Bible has not mentioned birthday as a requirement for a believer and there is no portion in scripture condemning it. It's clear whether a believer celebrates or don't celebrate birthdays, it doesn't impact their spiritual ladder. However bible record two birthday parties, one in the Old Testament and the other in the New Testament:
Birthday In the Old Testament:
Pharaoh Genesis 40:20 (Two
days later, on his birthday, Pharaoh had a special dinner prepared for all his
servants. Of all his servants he gave special attention to the chief cupbearer
and the chief baker.)
Birthday In the New testament:
Herod
Matthew 14:6 (When Herod celebrated his birthday, Herodias’
daughter danced for his guests. Herod was so delighted with her that he swore
he would give her anything she wanted.)
Looking at the above scriptures, many bible scholars
think the above characters Herod and Pharaoh are pagans. Pharaoh's chief baker
was beheaded on his birthday Genesis 40:19 (In the next three days
Pharaoh will cut off your head and hang your dead body on a pole. The birds
will eat the flesh from your bones.”) mean while John the Baptist was also
beheaded during Herod's birthday (He had John’s head cut off in prison.
In Matthew 14:10 Herod cut the head of John the Baptist (Mat 14:10 He had John’s head cut off in
prison.) So this two
bloody birthday experiences mean it's not good for Christians to celebrate
birthdays. The question still remains, “Should Christians celebrate
birthdays since the bible didn't command it?
Though the primary context of Romans chapter 14 is about
worship days, it partly relates to this subject. Let's read Romans 14:5-6
(One person decides that one day is holier than another. Another person
decides that all days are the same. Every person must make his own decision.
When people observe a special day, they observe it to honour the Lord. When
people eat all kinds of foods, they honour the Lord as they eat, since they give
thanks to God. Vegetarians also honour the Lord when they eat, and they, too,
give thanks to God.
Therefore whether a Christian celebrates birthdays or
not it's alright, what matters is what they do on the day in question. Well,
Pharaoh' and Herod are Pagans and they chose to shed blood on their birthdays
but it would be good for Christians who chose to celebrate birthdays to gather,
feast, share testimonies and fellowship.
1 Corinthians 10:31-32 (So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do
everything to the glory of God. Don’t cause
others to stumble, whether they are Jewish, Greek, or members of God’s
church.)
Let Christians who choose to celebrate birthdays be in
peace with the ones who chose not to celebrate since its optional and a day not
commanded by the scriptures to celebrate as a must.
Thanks
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