万圣节 vs 万圣夜 ＞ 要分清楚！

今天人们庆祝的《万圣节》其实应该称为《万圣夜》，是指《万圣节》的前夕。《万圣节》是古时基督教信仰传到英国的时候所设立，目的是抗衡当时英国人的邪教。古时英国巫术十分倡行；每年十月的最后一日是标志著夏季正式结束，冬季来临的日子。这一日下午四时就天黑，因此他们认为是阳气退去，阴气旺盛，各种恶鬼出没，是「死者之日」。当时英国的凯尔特人会在当天戴上面具，吓走恶鬼。所以，到了今时今日就有了《万圣夜Halloween》这扮鬼的传统。

后来天主教会根据意大利本笃会的传统，把十一月一日定为《诸圣日》「All Saints’ Day」，即是《万圣节》来记念历代信徒，透过连夜祷告，希望当地人从而忘记民间的传统鬼节。

《万圣夜》其实是魔诞日，记念魔鬼撒但的诞生，是邪教徒最大的庆典，亦是他们的新年。撒但教徒从十月初就已经开始一连串的仪式。到了《万圣夜》（十月三十一日），世界各地普天同庆，沉浸在欢乐气氛之中。虽然绝大部份人只不过是觉得好玩，只不过是参加变装嘉年华派对，但其实已经参与了撒但的庆典，这对于邪教徒而言更是振奋的一天。事实上，世界各地有不少的邪教徒在这期间招揽更多的信众，叫人离开基督，远离真神。

为了应对此节日盛行的习俗，美国的教会发展出不同的方案：
1. 主动出击，带同教会的小孩上门派发福音单张和糖果而不是取糖果。

2. 在教会举办如同嘉年华会的「丰收节」，让邻近的大人小孩可到教会参加有益身心的活动，而不是四出扮鬼怪、拍门取糖果。

3. 当有小孩上门取糖果时，会将福音单张连同糖果一起给予他们。

4. 举行祈祷会至深宵，让会众参与这属灵的争战。

属神的儿女要明白，在主里我们虽享有自由，但也要分辨什么事情是合神心意，什么事情是不应参与的。要避免与撒但的庆典扯上关系，同时也为此警醒祷告，因为灵界力量的影响是真实的，属灵争战也是持续的。

撰文／丘子彬牧师


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All Saints’ Day Vs Halloween 

Halloween was established when the Christian faith was introduced to Britain in response to the British cults at that time. Witchcraft was widespread in Britain in ancient times. In particular, the last day of October every year marks the official end of summer and the arrival of winter. On this day, it gets dark at four o'clock in the afternoon, the Celts believed that the power of the darkness rises, and all kinds of evil spirits would appear. This is the "Day of the Dead". The Celts would wear masks on that day to scare away evil spirits. That’s why during Halloween today, there is this tradition of masquerading.

Later on, the Catholic Church designated November 1st as "All Saints' Day" to commemorate the saints in the past. They hoped that the local people would pray overnight for the saints of all ages, thereby forgetting the traditional ghost festival.

Halloween is actually the Devil's Birthday, commemorating the birth of Satan. It is the biggest celebration for cultists, and it is also their New Year. The Satanists would begin their series of rituals starting early October. When it comes to Halloween day, people all over the world would celebrate and immerse in a joyous atmosphere. Although most people just think it's fun, just participating in cosplay carnivals and partying, they are actually participating in the celebration of Satan. It is an exciting day for cultists. In fact, many cultists around the world recruit their members during this time, leading people to leave Christ and stay away from the One True God.

In response to the prevailing customs of Halloween, American churches have developed different counter measures:

1. Be proactive - take children to knock on doors in the neighbourhood to distribute gospel tracts and candies instead of collecting candies.

2. Hold a carnival like "Harvest Festival" in the church, so that adults and children who live in the neighbourhood can go to the church to participate in physically and spiritually edifying activities, instead of trick-or-treating around the neighbourhood dressing up in ghost costumes.

3. When children come knocking on doors trick-or-treating, give them gospel tracts along with candies.

4. Hold prayer meetings at church into mid-night in order to engage the congregation in this spiritual battle.

Children of God should understand that although we enjoy freedom in the Lord, we must also discern what is in line with God’s will and what we should stay away from. We must avoid participation in Satan's celebration, be vigilant and pray always, because the influence of spiritual forces is real and spiritual warfare is an ongoing battle.

Text／Pastor Jeffrey
pic: unsplash.com