Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, parties and celebrations are events that often mark significant religious, social, or personal occasions. These gatherings can range from solemn religious feasts to joyous personal celebrations. The Bible provides numerous examples of parties, each with its own purpose and significance.
Old Testament CelebrationsThe Old Testament is replete with examples of parties and feasts, many of which are commanded by God as part of the religious life of Israel. One of the most significant is the Passover, a feast commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt. In
Exodus 12:14, God commands, "This day is to be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD; as a lasting ordinance, you are to celebrate it for the generations to come."
Another example is the Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, which is a time of rejoicing and thanksgiving for the harvest.
Leviticus 23:39-41 instructs, "On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the produce of the land, you are to celebrate the feast of the LORD for seven days. On the first day there shall be complete rest, and on the eighth day there shall also be complete rest. On the first day you are to take the branches of majestic trees—palm branches, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook—and rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days."
New Testament GatheringsIn the New Testament, parties and gatherings often take on a more personal or communal aspect. Jesus Himself attended various social gatherings, including the wedding at Cana, where He performed His first miracle by turning water into wine (
John 2:1-11). This event underscores the importance of joy and celebration in the Christian life.
The parable of the prodigal son in
Luke 15:11-32 also highlights the theme of celebration. When the wayward son returns home, the father throws a lavish party to celebrate his return, saying, "Let us eat and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found!" (
Luke 15:23-24).
Christian FellowshipThe early church placed a strong emphasis on fellowship and communal gatherings.
Acts 2:46-47 describes the early believers: "With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people."
These gatherings were not only social but also spiritual, as they provided opportunities for teaching, prayer, and mutual encouragement. The communal aspect of these gatherings is further emphasized in
Hebrews 10:24-25, which exhorts believers to "consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Warnings and CautionsWhile the Bible acknowledges the value of parties and celebrations, it also warns against excess and indulgence.
Proverbs 23:20-21 cautions, "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat. For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags."
The New Testament echoes this sentiment, urging believers to exercise self-control and moderation.
Ephesians 5:18 advises, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."
In summary, parties and celebrations in the Bible serve various purposes, from religious observance to personal joy and communal fellowship. They are occasions for rejoicing, thanksgiving, and spiritual growth, provided they are conducted in a manner that honors God and reflects Christian values.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Plural of Party.
Greek
1242. diatheke -- testament, will, covenant... diatheke Phonetic Spelling: (dee-ath-ay'-kay) Short Definition: a covenant, will,
testament Definition: (a) a covenant between two
parties, (b) (the ordinary
...3316. mesites -- an arbitrator, a mediator
... 3316 (a "mediator") intervenes to restore peace between twoparties,
especially as it fulfills a compact or ratifies a covenant....
139. hairesis -- choice, opinion
... a () . 139 ("a strong, distinctive opinion") is used in the NT of individual
"parties (sects)" that operated within Judaism. The...
2644. katallasso -- to reconcile
... 2644 (from 2596 , " to an exact point," intensifying 236 , "to change") -- properly,
change, as when twoparties when coming ("changing") to the position....
4224. potos -- a drinking bout
... drinking, carousing. Word Origin from pino Definition a drinking bout NASB
Word Usage drinkingparties (1). carousal, banqueting. From...
5480. charagma -- a stamp, impress
... stamp, sign. 5480 -- properly, an engraving (etching); (figuratively) a
mark providing , like a symbol giving betweenparties. 5480...
Library
Religious Sects andParties
... PART II CHAPTER XIX: RELIGIOUS SECTS ANDPARTIES. While the popes were thus
trying to lord it over all men, from the emperor downwards...
PoliticalParties in Connecticut at the Beginning of the...
... THE DEVELOPMENT OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IN CONNECTICUT CHAPTER XIV POLITICALPARTIES
IN CONNECTICUT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY....
Uch was the Affiliation ofParties Throughout Judea, that The
... CHAPTER IX. SECOND COURSE OF EXTENDED LABOURS IN GALILEE. UCH was the
affiliation ofparties throughout Judea, that the. opposition...
The CardParties
... CHAPTER V The CardParties.... The cardparties at which John and his father
were often present furnished John with much of his material....
After Having Given Audience to BothParties, the Emperor Condemned...
... Book I. Chapter XX."After having given Audience to bothParties, the Emperor
condemned the Followers of Arius and banished them....
I Prefer, He Says, to Receive Christ's Baptism Where BothParties...
... Book I. Chapter 5. " 6. I prefer, he says, to receive Christ's baptism
where bothparties agree that? "6. I prefer, he says...
Petilianus Said: "But if These are theParties...
... Petilianus said: "But if these are theparties?... Petilianus said: "But if these are
theparties, the name of member of a party is no prejudice against us....
Of the Consistency of the Accounts Given by Matthew, Mark, and...
... Prologue. Chapter XV."Of the Consistency of the Accounts Given by Matthew, Mark,
and Luke on the Subject of theParties Who Insulted the Lord. 52....
Continuance of the Arian Controversy. Eusebius' Relations to the...
... Section 7. Continuance of the Arian Controversy. Eusebius' Relations to the Two
Parties. The Council of Nic??a did not bring the Arian controversy to an end....
Of the Calamity of the Second Punic War, which Consumed the...
... Book III. Chapter 19."Of the Calamity of the Second Punic War, Which Consumed
the Strength of BothParties. As to the second Punic...
Thesaurus
Parties (13 Occurrences)... (n.) Plural of Party. Multi-Version Concordance
Parties (13 Occurrences). Mark
3:25 and if a family splits into
parties, that family cannot continue. (WEY).
...Mediator (7 Occurrences)
... word is used in the New Testament to denote simply an internuncius, an ambassador,
one who Acts as a medium of communication between two contractingparties....
Split (36 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To divide or break up into parts or divisions, as by discord; to separate
into parts orparties, as a political party; to disunite....
Judge (297 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A public officer who is invested with authority to hear and determine litigated
causes, and to administer justice betweenparties in courts held for...
Mediation
... 2. (a.) Hence, specifically, agency betweenparties at variance, with a view
to reconcile them; entreaty for another; intercession. Int....
Empire (8 Occurrences)
... em'-pir: I. OUTLINE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE 1. Roman Empire a Result of Social Conflict
2. Coming of Monarchy (1) Exhaustion ofParties (2) Inability of Either...
Issue (59 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) A point in debate or controversy on which theparties take affirmative and
negative positions; a presentation of alternatives between which to choose...
Daysman (1 Occurrence)
... used in the King James Version (Job 9:33) the word means an arbitrator, umpire,
referee; one who stands in a judicial capacity between twoparties, and decides...
Mediate (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (v.) To coordinate negotiations between twoparties....
5. (v.) To interpose betweenparties, as the equal friend of each, esp....
Pharisees (86 Occurrences)
... Pharisees, Sadducees and Essenes, therefore implying that then and in this connection
they had been prominent, although no notice of any of theseparties is to...
Resources
Should Christians go to parties? What does the Bible say about partying? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Abrahamic Covenant? | GotQuestions.orgShould a Christian have a bachelor/bachelorette party? | GotQuestions.orgParties: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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