THE FEASTS OF THE LORD IN THE BOOK OF ACTS

 The Strong's Concordance gives the word Easter as meaning Passover.  So it doesn't have anything to do with Christ's crucifixion.  What I mean is the Passover was observed the night Christ was arrested.  So the celebration of his death shouldn't be called Easter. (My opinion)

The information for this article I took from an article written in Good News a paper from the United Church of God. It was published October 2, 2003 and entitled "The Feasts of the Lord in the Book of Acts".

Regarding the study on The Feasts of the Lord, there is a need to study the history of the first 30 years of the Christian Church as recorded in the scriptures.  What Holy Days did they keep?  It's very surprising how many of "The Feasts of The Lord" are mentioned in The Book of Acts.

In the Book of Acts the writer of the article says, We don't find in The Book of Acts that the Feast Days had been changed or abolished or other days substituted in their place. In my opinion since Christ had came to the earth, was born, and crucified, he became  the lamb to be slaughtered for the ultimate sacrifice. After his death and resurrection, there was no longer a need for sacrifices. This occurrence did away with the sacrificial laws in the Laws of Moses.  Although the feasts days, which I believe were for the Children of Israel who came out of Egypt in their time, the feasts weren't  for the Christians of the New Testament.  Although they are mentioned in the New Testament it doesn't mean Paul took part in the feasts but still being observed by possibly the Christians.  In my opinion the mention of the feasts is for a time line of what was happening in Paul's journeys to the Seven Churches mentioned in The Book of Acts.

The first feast mentioned is found in Acts 2:1  "When The Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord, in one place." I think this was a lesson on the history of God's people.  Not the Christians observing the Day of Pentecost. I will have to admit some Christians could have been observing the feasts mention.

In Acts 12 two of the feasts are mentioned, The Passover and The Days of Unleavened Bread. Read Acts 12:3 & 4. Again the scripture does not say Paul was observing these two feasts.  It seems as if some of the early church was observing them.  In the Book of Acts you do not find God or Jesus commanding the early church to observe the feast days mentioned in the Old Testament.

In the Book of Luke you will read the account of Paul's journey.  Luke mentioned and describes Paul's travels and mentions that Paul sailed after the Days of Unleavened Bread were over.  The writer of the article says this shows Paul stayed to observe them in Philippi before continuing on his journey.  I believe this account was being used as a time frame.

I need to stop at this point for now. Even though I am using my left shoulder and hand it is causing pressure and pain to my right shoulder.  I need to rest.

Catch you tomorrow

*STARLIGHT*


In Acts 20:16  For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the Day of Pentecost. The scripture doesn't say Paul wanted to be there to observe the Day of Pentecost.  The scriptures do not mention Paul or the disciples observing the Days of Unleavened Bread either.  The author noted that if these feasts were only for the Jews and abolished for the Christians, they would not have been mentioned in Acts.  I disagree.  I still believe that in Paul's time some of the Christians were observing the feast days but it wasn't necessary for them to do so. Again take note I believe it was showing the time line of Paul's journey.

In the Book of Luke another feast is mentioned. The Day of Atonement during Paul's travels.  Note Acts 27:9 & 10  Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was to dangerous, because the fast was now already past Paul admonished them, verse 10  And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage...  The Day of Atonement was a day of fasting.  The Day of Atonement was past.  (Time line) 

The Book of Acts is a historical chronicle of the first years of the christian church.  The author of the referenced article states that the feast days hadn't been changed or abolished.  But it doesn't say to me that they should still be observed after Christ death on the cross.  If they were still to be observed, I believe Christ would have left his disciples instructions on how to observe them in their time as he did about other happenings of the church after he ascended back to heaven.

The author states he found information from the Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Vol.8, pg. 828 that confirms the first christians continued to observe the Jewish festivals, in a new spirit, as a commemorations of events which those festivals had overshadowed.  I am not saying this information isn't correct.  I am saying just because some of the early church christians still observed the feast days, it doesn't prove all christians did or that Paul himself did. 

The Book of Acts doesn't mention the Holy Days observed by the Jews.  The Feast Days and Holy Days or High Sabbath Days are not the same. 
There were High Sabbaths as well as the Weekly Seventh Day Sabbath that God sanctified, hallowed and commanded us to Keep weekly on the Seventh Day of the week which is Saturday on our calendars. It was the Roman Catholic Church who states that they changed the day of worship from the seventh day Saturday to the first day of the week Sunday.  That is man changing dates and times.  This was not God. They were asked who gave them authority to do this.  They say we did it because we could.  You can find that in the history of the Roman Catholic Church and in their catechism. 

Over the years, I have continually studied this subject of should Christians today observe the Jewish Feasts Days in our time.  I have also asked the question if we are to observe them, why didn't Christ leave us instructions on when they should be observed and how?  To this day no one has given me the scriptures to back this up.  I am given the same scriptures by everyone that tries to give me an answer.  They do not show a command to observe them or any instructions on when and how to observe them.  So for me and my house we will serve the Lord and not observe the Jewish Feast Days.

This is my belief on this subject.  I am not telling anyone that it is wrong for them to observe these days.  Or nor am I judging them.  I do not feel this is a salvational issue. It is between them and God.  He is the JUDGE!  What is upsetting to me is those who judge me and tell me I am lost because I do not observe them. Judge not, lest you be judged.

*STARLIGHT*

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

WHEN WAS THE MESSIAH BORN?

It is only natural for a person to adhere to conducts and beliefs that are biblically defensible.    Be ready always to give an answer to every man  that  asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."   (1 Peter 3:15).                                 Christmas celebrations are generally observed to honor the supposed date of the birth of the Messiah.  But the facts are that Christ was not born on December 25.        " Christmas . . . was, according to many authorities, not cele-brated in the first centuries of the Christian church, as the Christian usage in general was to celebrate the death of remarkable persons, rather than the birth of Christ. ("Christmas",  Encyclopedia Americana).  How then, did the Romish Church fix on December 25th as Christmas-day?  Why, thus: long before the fourth century, a...
Read more

THE BOOK OF REVELATION

Many people stay away from the Book of Revelation because they find the symbolism frightening or confusing, or both!  But the Book of Revelation was meant to be a book of comfort to those caught up in the persecution at the end of the first century, says Ms Frances Taylor.  Christians in "Rome" had been blamed by Nero I for destroying much of the city.  They were often called "cannibals" because of their Eucharistic celebrations where they shared the "body and blood of Christ."  (they symbolically used bread and fruit of the vine for the body and blood.)   Domitian was another Emperor who persecuted the Christians at the end of the century; he was most likely the emperor who earned the designation "666".  The number 7 is very often mentioned in this book, which is the number that symbolizes completion and when in threes, God.  Domitian was considered the Satan, who clamed to be God, and fell short for the Christian, the greater danger was the los...
Read more

THE LIFE OF SAUL/PAUL

            Paul was born a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin.  He was also a Roman Citizen.  He was born in the Roman City of Tarsus.  In those days people had dual names.  Before he was known as apostle Paul, he was known as Saul of Tarsus.  Saul was his Hebrew name, Paul was his Roman name.  As Saul before his conversion he sought out the believers in Jesus.  He would hunt them down, bind them up and take them to Jerusalem to be killed.  Jesus did not change his name at his conversion.            Saul went to the high priest asking for letters to allow him entry into the synagogues at Damascus, so he could hunt down men and women that professed to be believers in Jesus. As he began his journey, he traveled down the road to Damascus.  As he drew near to the city, suddenly a light from heaven shone around him.  He fell to the ground and he heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul why are t...
Read more