Lies from Behind the Pulpit

Lies and Fables told from behind the pulpit to please the flesh:

1. The "folded napkin represents the master is returning to the table" story. 

This is an untrue story. First of all, the Bible does not say the napkin was "folded" it says "...wrapped together in a place by itself." (John 20:7) And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. 

Secondly, the Jews did not use napkins at the table the way we do. Napkins were used for wiping sweat and blowing the nose and for burial cloths. There is no tradition of the master folding a napkin to show he is returning to the table, and it most certainly is not in the Bible. 

2. The "shepherd breaks the leg or legs of the wandering sheep and carries him on his shoulders" story.

This is an untrue story. You will not find this in the Bible or in Jewish history. Breaking the leg or legs of a sheep to keep it from wandering is preposterous. It would most likely kill the sheep and if the sheep did live, there is no way the Shepherd is going to haul around a 95+ pound sheep around his neck for the 3-6 weeks it would take to heal. 

3. The "High Priest has a rope tied around his ankle or waist to pull him out of the Holy of Holies in case he dies" story.

This is an untrue story. The Bible never mentions any rope being tied to the ankle or waist of the priest. The Bible does mention "bells" on the hem of the High Priests robe (Exodus 39:25) And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe, round about between the pomegranates. However; He did not wear this in the Holy of Holies. The High Priest only entered the Holy of Holies one time a year and when he did, he took off all of the fancy parts of his wardrobe and ONLY wore what God instructed him to wear: (Leviticus 16:4) He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on.

Adding anything to this would be a violation of God's Law. 

None of these cutesy stories are true, yet they are consistently being told from behind the pulpit. Preachers are to preach God’s Word not man’s made up fables. We will be held accountable for what we teach and preach: (James 3:1) My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.