God's festivals

Littlek

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I am a gentile..but I know once we are saved, there is no difference.
I want to know, is it commanded to keep God's festivals, such as Passover for myself? The more I read about man made holidays...the more I'm done with them. (Easter, Christmas, etc) and trust me..I loved Christmas so much. I did put up a tree last year, but over the last 3 or 4 years..something is gently pulling at my heart that it's not right to celebrate. Not stepping on anyone's toes, just what I feel.
 

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OK but just remember when you celebrate Passover next year with a Messianic Community just take note that you will mostly not be doing anything remotely mentioned in the Old Testament text, but actually following the liturgical tradition established by the Sanhedrin in the aftermath of Christianity and the Destruction of the temple (I'm talking about the "Passover plate" that has no lamb on it other than a rib bone that you are not suppose to eat!).
 
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Sabertooth

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I want to know, is it commanded to keep God's festivals, such as Passover for myself?
Gentile Christians have no obligation to observe Jewish festivals.

That being said, they are quite relevant to us both historically and prophetically.
  • If you want to know when to celebrate Jesus' Resurrection, it is tied to Passover.
  • Some Messianic scholars have made a good case that His birth coincides with the Feast of Tabernacles/Booths [Sukkot].
  • Pentecostals & Charismatics will readily recognize the importance of Pentecost [The Feast of Weeks].
  • And many of Paul's contemporaries believed that Jesus would be returning during a Rosh Hashanah [Feast of Trumpets, the Jewish New Year], particularly on a Year of Jubilee.
We don't need to observe any rituals, but it is good to acknowledge them.
 
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Littlek

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OK but just remember when you celebrate Passover next year with a Messianic Community just take note that you will mostly not be doing anything remotely mentioned in the Old Testament text, but actually following the liturgical tradition established by the Sanhedrin in the aftermath of Christianity and the Destruction of the temple (I'm talking about the Passover plate that has no lamb on it other than a rib bone that you are not suppose to eat!).

Okay, did not know that.
 
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Littlek

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Gentile Christians have no obligation to observe Jewish festivals.

That being said, they are quite relevant to us both historically and prophetically.
If you want to know when to celebrate Jesus' Resurrection, it is tied to Passover.
Some Messianic scholars have made a good case that His birth coincides with the Feast of Tabernacles/Booths [Sukkot].
Pentecostals & Charismatics will readily recognize the importance of Pentecost [The Feast of Weeks].
And many of Paul's contemporaries believed that Jesus would be returning during a Rosh Hashanah [Feast of Trumpets, the Jewish New Year], particularly on a Year of Jubilee.

We don't need to observe any rituals, but it is good to acknowledge them.

Thank you, I didn't know if we should or not. I guess it's no harm in studying them then. I just feel something is not right about what we celebrate, because it was not appointed by God.
 
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HARK!

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I dont get it, sorry..

Leviticus 23 gives us an overview of YHWH's Moedim.

Notice verse 2:

(CLV) Lv 23:1
Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying:

(CLV) Lv 23:2
Speak to the sons of Israel, and you will say to them, The appointed (מועדי) seasons of Yahweh, those which you shall proclaim holy meetings, My appointed seasons, they are these:

Moedim can be translated as appointments, or rehearsals.

Either translation is valid. However, it should be noted that these are YHWH's appointments. He sets appointments for us to meet with him. These are his days.
 
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Heavenhome

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I am a gentile..but I know once we are saved, there is no difference.
I want to know, is it commanded to keep God's festivals, such as Passover for myself? The more I read about man made holidays...the more I'm done with them. (Easter, Christmas, etc) and trust me..I loved Christmas so much. I did put up a tree last year, but over the last 3 or 4 years..something is gently pulling at my heart that it's not right to celebrate. Not stepping on anyone's toes, just what I feel.

I am only speaking for myself but I no longer take part in either Christmas or Easter.

I am very much for simplicity in worship which is Bible reading, prayer and singing Psalms.
There is much joy in following God in this way, as it is all too easy to fall into traditions of man.
Each must be convicted in their own heart.

God bless you Littlek.:heart:
 
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Tolworth John

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Thank you, I didn't know if we should or not. I guess it's no harm in studying them then. I just feel something is not right about what we celebrate, because it was not appointed by God.

Let me get this right.

You think celebrating Jesus's birth, his death and resurrection is not approved by God, but somehow the festival's that point to Jesus are in some way approved of by God.

Why do you worship God? How do you worship God?
Sort that out in your mind and then decide about Harvest festivals, Christmas, Easter, communion, Sunday services etc.

Remember what Jesus said to the woman by the well.

A day is coming when we will worship God in Spirit and in Truth.
 
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fm107

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I am a gentile..but I know once we are saved, there is no difference.
I want to know, is it commanded to keep God's festivals, such as Passover for myself? The more I read about man made holidays...the more I'm done with them. (Easter, Christmas, etc) and trust me..I loved Christmas so much. I did put up a tree last year, but over the last 3 or 4 years..something is gently pulling at my heart that it's not right to celebrate. Not stepping on anyone's toes, just what I feel.

Christians are not required to keep any Jewish holidays, feasts, etc - and certainly not the law. These were given to a Jewish Nation under theocratic rule, of which we have no part.

We are in the good of the principles of New Covenant which God, in a future day, will establish with that Nation.

We can learn a lot about God, moral and spiritual lessons from the the feasts, sacrifices, etc and indeed all of the Old Testament (hence why it is in our Bibles). 1 Corinthians 10:6 1 Corinthians 10:11 Galatians 4:24

The Passover, for the Christian is a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of Christ. The passover is a shadow, we now know the substance. Why go back to what is a shadow when you can meditate on the work of Christ? That's what The Passover is pointing to after all.

The other feasts also typify events, some past, others future.

We are told to worship in spirit and truth. The Old Testament tabernacle and temple was based on what was physical and what could be seen. Now we approach in Spirit. The only "feast" incumbent on a christian to keep is the breaking of bread in remembrance of the Lord's death.

As for Christmas, Easter, etc, these originate as pagan holidays (if you do the research) and I am confident that they displease God, not honour Him. There is a book called The Two Babylons if your interested in the origins of Christmas and Easter, it is an eye opening book - you'll never want anything to do with Christmas or Easter after reading it.
 
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Albion

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Let me get this right.

You think celebrating Jesus's birth, his death and resurrection is not approved by God, but somehow the festival's that point to Jesus are in some way approved of by God.
That seems right.

We are being told that Old Testament festivals are good, even though the coming of the Savior altered or finished off that era with the founding of a new church, Christ's church. But we are not to celebrate the most important and wonderful events in the history of the world, the events that commemorate what God himself did for us?

o_O
 
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HARK!

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There are numerous Scriptures that state "These are the feasts of the Lord..."

Of course,, they're different. Our celebrations are not based on others' approval but observing His feasts forever such as noted in Exp 12:14

Here is a more comprehensive list:

PESACH (Passover)

“And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to YHWH throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance FOREVER.” (Exodus 12:14)

HAG MATZOT (Unleavened Bread)

“And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance FOREVER.” (Exodus 12:17)

BIKKURIM (Feast of First Fruits)

You shall eat neither bread nor parched grain nor fresh grain until the same day that you have brought an offering to your God; it shall be a statute FOREVER throughout your generations in all your dwellings (Leviticus 23:14)

SHAVUOT (Feast of Weeks)

“And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute FOREVER in all your dwellings throughout your generations.” (Leviticus 23:21)

YOM TERUAH (Feast of Trumpets)

The sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets; and these shall be to you as an ordinance FOREVER throughout your generations. (Numbers 10:8)

YOM KIPPUR (Day of Atonement)

Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute FOREVER throughout your generations in all your dwellings. (Leviticus 23:31)

SUKKOT (Feast of Tabernacles/Booths)

And ye shall keep it a feast unto YHWH seven days in the year. It shall be a statute FOREVER in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month.(Leviticus 23:41)
 
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Littlek

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Let me get this right.

You think celebrating Jesus's birth, his death and resurrection is not approved by God, but somehow the festival's that point to Jesus are in some way approved of by God.

Why do you worship God? How do you worship God?
Sort that out in your mind and then decide about Harvest festivals, Christmas, Easter, communion, Sunday services etc.

Remember what Jesus said to the woman by the well.

A day is coming when we will worship God in Spirit and in Truth.
I didn't say they were not right, I'm saying man made holidays, not appointed by God.
 
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Albion

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I didn't say they were not right, I'm saying man made holidays, not appointed by God.
I see. Then 'Hooray' for manmade religious holidays, just so long as the reason for celebrating is valid. The birth of the Savior and also his triumphant resurrection from the dead certainly fit the bill. :)
 
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Littlek

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That seems right.

We are being told that Old Testament festivals are good, even though the coming of the Savior altered or finished off that era with the founding of a new church, Christ's church. But we are not to celebrate the most important and wonderful events in the history of the world, the events that commemorate what God himself did for us?

o_O
To me, and this is coming from my own heart, we have different views and that's okay. I feel man made holidays have too many pagan ties. Easter, and eggs together with Jesus?
 
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Littlek

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I see. Then 'Hooray' for manmade religious holidays, just so long as the reason for celebrating is valid. The birth of the Savior and also his triumphant resurrection from the dead certainly fit the bill. :)
And that's good for you, I never said that you couldn't celebrate them. I just feel in my heart..its something I shouldn't celebrate. I have nothing against thanking God for his son! But a date, set aside, with bunnies and eggs..no.
 
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