Are there any God ordained feasts I can partake in?

[Lewiz]

It does say in the book of Isaiah though "Come now, and let us reason together..."

Yes it does.......

Isaiah 1:16-20 (KJV)
[SUP]16 [/SUP] Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; [SUP]17 [/SUP] Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. [SUP]18 [/SUP] Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. [SUP]19 [/SUP] If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: [SUP]20 [/SUP] But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

God was wanting to talk to Israel about getting rid of their sins.

 

[Lewiz]

You need to give scripture showing that God speaks to us in the NT but not in the OT. Or that the OT isn't scripture.

No I don't.

I could ask a bunch of questions & demand scripture for useless arguments to make me look like sumthin'.

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

It was the covenant between the people of God and God.

The nation and kingdom and people of God was composed of both gentiles and native Israelites.

The person who came to the God of Israel came to him through the practices of the nation of Israel. Because that was the covenant that existed at that time between man and God of Israel (our God).

IMO this is just confusion. GOD's covenant was with only one nation - Israel.

 

[Lewiz]

It is not quite that simple. Just because a law or command is not mentioned in the NT it is NOT necessarily done away but may have taken on a SPIRITUAL meaning - no longer observed literal and physical as in the OT....but is in any case still valid and standing. Rom 7 has a lot to say !

If the NT takes on a spiritual meaning of something in the OT, then it would be mentioned, wouldn't it?

 

[Ralph-]

IMO this is just confusion. GOD's covenant was with only one nation - Israel.

That's how it worked. To become a part of the people of God you joined the people of God. It's no different today.

 

[Ralph-]

If the NT takes on a spiritual meaning of something in the OT, then it would be mentioned, wouldn't it?

Skip back a little. I just showed where this is more than just mentioned in the NT. 1 Corinthians 5:7-8.


Look up 'not muzzling the ox while it treads out the grain', too.

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

If the NT takes on a spiritual meaning of something in the OT, then it would be mentioned, wouldn't it?

Thankfully, Jesus did explain the true spiritual observance of the sabbath in Matthew 6:24-34.

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

That's how it worked. To become a part of the people of God you joined the people of God. It's no different today.

And they became part of the nation of Israel. Nationality wasn't bloodline, it was circumcision.

 

[Pilgrimer]

This has become a... major topic of discussion amongst close family and friends lately. Forsaking "pagan holidays" and being more in line with God's holy days. I've done some research and know that certain feasts are types, and there are anti-types and once fulfilled they are no longer celebrated (they are omitted). What feasts, if any, still exist and are we free to partake in (though not obligated to)?

My father has been watching Michael Rood from Rood Awakening and because of what he is learning (origins), he is desiring to celebrate God ordained feasts, holidays, and what not. Of course we have our canned response that you cannot dismiss certain holidays based on origin because it is the genetic fallacy, dismissing something based upon origin instead of current use or applicability. However, it is still intriguing if there are certain God ordained feasts or celebrations that we can enjoy.

I don't know... this has been a hot topic in my house (and close friends, family, etc) lately. Can some of you more informed believers enlighten me on this discussion?

Let me begin by saying that there is nothing pagan about Christian holiday observances, they all derive from centuries of Christians living out the faith in their day-to-day lives and observing those things which are the foundation and hope of the Gospel of Christ.

And second, by "God's holy days" I assume you are referring to the feasts that are enjoined in the Law of Moses, which all were given by God to point to, foretell, and teach about Jesus and New Covenant worship and fellowship. You are correct that they were types and shadows, but it is not correct to say they have been "omitted." The truth is they have been "fulfilled," and that is a tremendous difference.

The Mosaic festivals having been fulfilled means exactly the same thing as the Mosaic sacrifices having been fulfilled. Jesus' death, that one sacrifice, fulfilled every single jot and tittle that the Mosaic sacrifices foreshadowed and were given to prepare us for and teach us about. Now that they have been fulfilled by Jesus' sacrifice, those old Mosaic sacrifices are no longer required as they have all, each and every one, every jot and tittle, have been fulfilled in the one sacrifice of Jesus which is the only sacrifice necessary for the remission of sin and restoration of fellowship with God. To go back to observing the old Mosaic sacrifices (even if it were possible and God had not removed the things He provided for their observance) to go back to observance of those old earthly Mosaic sacrifices would be a repudiation of the sacrifice of Jesus as the only sacrifice necessary for complete remission of sin and restoration of fellowship with God.

It is no different with the Mosaic festivals. Every feast that was enjoined in the Law was a type and shadow that pointed forward to what we now enjoy under the New Covenant ... reconciliation and fellowship with God. The land of Israel itself was a type and shadow of that heavenly country, the Kingdom of God, to which we under the New Covenant are now citizens and joint heirs. The city of Jerusalem was a type and shadow of that heavenly city where even now Jesus sits enthroned at the right hand of the Father, all things having been made subject to him, and to which we as citizens of His Kingdom can even now enter into his gates and cross those courts and even enter into the Holy of Holies to stand in the very presence of God. Everything that the old Mosaic earthly festivals symbolized we now enjoy in reality, the perfect heavenly blessings that the old earthly things were imperfect shadows of. To go back to observing the old earthly shadows would be a repudiation of the heavenly blessings that the sacrifice of Christ has made available to us through faith.

As a fellow Christian, I would urge you to study the old Mosaic festivals not in order to observe earthly things which are mere shadows of heavenly things, but rather study them to better under the substance of the things to which they pointed, the spiritual blessings that are made available to you through the body and blood of Jesus. Even while we yet dwell in these temporary tabernacles journeying through the wilderness of this world we are blessed that we can live out what those old festivals only symbolized, we can come up to the New Jerusalem, and having been purified by the sprinkling of blood and washed by the water of life we can enter freely into God's Temple in Heaven, we can stand in His presence, and we can worship the Father and Son face to face, in spirit and in truth.

This is what it means that Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets, that Messiah brought to pass everything the Law and the Prophets promised.



In Christ,
Pilgrimer

 

[Nehemiah6]

IMO this is just confusion. GOD's covenant was with only one nation - Israel.

The Old Covenant was "with only one nation -- Israel".

The New Covenant was extended to all humanity through the blood of Christ.

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament [covenant], which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Mt 26:27,28)

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)

 

[Nehemiah6]

You are correct that they were types and shadows, but it is not correct to say they have been "omitted." The truth is they have been "fulfilled," and that is a tremendous difference.

Yes, but you failed to add that because they have been fulfilled, they are not applicable to Christians. The RCC introduced a host of pagan festivals into their observances, but the New Testament does not present any feasts or festivals, other than the Lord's Supper.

 

[Pilgrimer]

Yes, but you failed to add that because they have been fulfilled, they are not applicable to Christians.

While I understand your intent, I don't think I would go that far. I think the feasts of the Law are every bit as applicable to Christians as are the sacrifices and offerings of the Law. Not in the sense that we practice the Mosaic festivals any more than we practice Mosaic sacrifices. We don't, there is no profit in practicing those things any longer, and it is worth noting that it was God Himself who removed all the things that He had provided for the Law's observance, and as Paul says, God "took them out of the way" and "removed those things which can be shaken" so that He could establish an eternal spiritual kingdom which cannot be destroyed. And yet, these Mosaic sacrifices and festivals are applicable to Christians in the sense that we study these Old Covenant things and learn from their humble earthly symbols what riches of spiritual blessings we have been given in the New Covenant. The law is still our teacher, not just to bring us to Christ, but to teach us about him, about his kingdom, about fellowship with him and our inheritance in him. Jesus spoke of those who are trained in the Law and also skilled in the Gospel, that they are like a husbandman who brings forth from his treasure things new and old.

The RCC introduced a host of pagan festivals into their observances, but the New Testament does not present any feasts or festivals, other than the Lord's Supper.

Yes, I've heard that, but that's not what my own studies have led me to understand. I am Protestant, but I'm not anti-Catholic. In fact, after years of studying all these issues I have found that much of the rite and ritual of Roman Catholicism and other high church liturgies actually contains shadows and echoes of the ancient Jewish Temple worship, even down to the vestments being styled after those of the Jewish priesthood. I was discussing all this with someone a number of years ago who posted a photo of a Roman Catholic priest whose head dress was compared to ... I think it was Dagon? some fish-like head dress that he compared to a Roman Catholic pope or someone, not sure, but then I showed him that actually these vestments were much more likely derived from the Jewish priests, I'm appending a photo to demonstrate.

But whatever the truth, I tend to rely much more heavily on my own studies, I've found so many fanciful claims and outright slanderous accusations thrown around that I tend to be very skeptical of all the unfounded and always unsubstantiated claims about paganism and the Christian faith.


In Christ,
Pilgrimer

 

[JGIG]

There is nowhere in the Bible where it tells us to ignore the Word which became Flesh, or His instructions. The serpent tells folks to do this, but the Word which became Flesh in the person of Jesus never did.

. . . .

Actually, we are told quite clearly that we who are in Christ are dead to the instructions (law):

4 So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. 5 For when we were in the realm of the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death. 6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. (from Rom. 7)​

​

And we are taught in the New Covenant Scriptures that we must be released from the law so that we may serve in the new way of the Spirit, and if we are led by the Spirit, we are not under the Law (see Gal. 5, which is VERY clear on the matter!).

18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. (from Gal. 5)​

And if we are led by the Spirit, we are bearing the Fruit that the Spirit produces:

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (from Gal. 5)​

Note that there is no mixing of the Law and Grace; one is either led by the Spirit OR under the Law. Those who teach Torah observance (Feast, Sabbath, dietary law keeping and other commands) would like to make us think that the Spirit leads us to obey the Laws given at Sinai, when that is simply not the case. The Spirit leads us to bear the Fruit that He produces in and through us, and those things are elements of love, and as we know, love fulfills the Law (see Rom. 8:4, 13:8-13, Gal. 5:14).

Paul clarifies what it means if one is not led by the Spirit - pay close attention:

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. (from Gal. 5)​

I believe the "Feasts" that the Word which became Flesh created, are necessary for this understanding of God and His Salvation plan.

. . . .

Yet when Paul, a "Pharisee of Pharisees", preached to Gentiles, he NEVER preached the Feasts, but preached Christ and Him crucified, buried, and raised from the dead. Paul consistently built believers up in who they are in Christ and NEVER pointed to Feast, Sabbath, or dietary law keeping (obedience to the 'instructions' or God's Law), but always points to an 'obedience of the faith' - putting our faith and trust in Christ and His Work:

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,​

​

7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (from Rom. 1)​

Even clearer here:

25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. (from Rom. 16)​

In his letters to the Corinthians, Paul referred to celebrating 'the festival', but that Christ was our Passover Lamb, and then later in that letter the Lord's Supper, not the Hebrew Passover Feast is referred to.

To those in Christ, Paul preached freedom from the Law and repeatedly that we who are in Christ are not under Law, but under Grace (see Romans 6, Gal. 3 and 5 specifically).

The Feasts' purpose were to be shadows of and point to Christ and His Work; those who are now in Christ are not then pointed back to the observance of the Feasts (shadows). Is there value in learning about the Feasts and seeing how they point to Christ? Of Course! But if we are in Christ, we are under no command to observe or celebrate the Feasts given to Israel at Sinai.

We who are in Christ celebrate the Reality Who is Christ and participate in what's known as the 'Lord's Supper' in remembrance of what He has accomplished - we rest in, are thankful for, and walk in the New Life that comes from Christ alone \o/!


-JGIG

 

[AngelFrog]

This has become a... major topic of discussion amongst close family and friends lately. Forsaking "pagan holidays" and being more in line with God's holy days. I've done some research and know that certain feasts are types, and there are anti-types and once fulfilled they are no longer celebrated (they are omitted). What feasts, if any, still exist and are we free to partake in (though not obligated to)?

My father has been watching Michael Rood from Rood Awakening and because of what he is learning (origins), he is desiring to celebrate God ordained feasts, holidays, and what not. Of course we have our canned response that you cannot dismiss certain holidays based on origin because it is the genetic fallacy, dismissing something based upon origin instead of current use or applicability. However, it is still intriguing if there are certain God ordained feasts or celebrations that we can enjoy.

I don't know... this has been a hot topic in my house (and close friends, family, etc) lately. Can some of you more informed believers enlighten me on this discussion?

There has for some time been a misrepresentation put out there concerning our faith. That Jesus/Immanuel is a pagan god reworked into a Roman invention called Christianity. That Christmas, Easter, are pagan holidays, etc... If you would go to YouTube and search, "Horus Ruins Christmas", that is a very good and short video that demonstrates through actual account of the historic record that the pagan link does not exist.

This may be a good article for you to peruse. I hope it helps. Blessings.
Lesson 10: How to Celebrate God's Festivals Today
God didn't intend for people to just learn about His Sabbaths and festivals and their meanings. He wants us to celebrate them, worshipping Him and fellowshipping with other believers when we can.

 

[mcubed]

This has become a... major topic of discussion amongst close family and friends lately. Forsaking "pagan holidays" and being more in line with God's holy days. I've done some research and know that certain feasts are types, and there are anti-types and once fulfilled they are no longer celebrated (they are omitted). What feasts, if any, still exist and are we free to partake in (though not obligated to)?

My father has been watching Michael Rood from Rood Awakening and because of what he is learning (origins), he is desiring to celebrate God ordained feasts, holidays, and what not. Of course we have our canned response that you cannot dismiss certain holidays based on origin because it is the genetic fallacy, dismissing something based upon origin instead of current use or applicability. However, it is still intriguing if there are certain God ordained feasts or celebrations that we can enjoy.

I don't know... this has been a hot topic in my house (and close friends, family, etc) lately. Can some of you more informed believers enlighten me on this discussion?

All of them. Yes they are for us Jews but even Pesach, Messiah was crucified for you, and He said it will never pasaway. First Fruits, , was not Messiah the firstfruits of the dead.... The counting of the Omer, no "Christian" ever wonders why for forty nine days we count the omer and there are 49 days between Passover and Shavuot. Most people just think the disciples were scared (so they sat in some little room) and have no understand of G-d and His feast. These are the Spring feast. The trumpet will sound and Messiah WILL return, we are in are earthly tabernacle but how many will He find with us. The the Holy of Holies... If you are saved is it wrong to give 24 hours to G-d, take an inventory of your year and repent. The NT tells us to do it daily He might change you!!!!

Many will say we are no longer under the Law and WEARENOT!!!! ON MESSIAH GETS US SAVED AND KEEPS US SAVED but the Law is G-d's mechanism to bring us closer to Him. Even if you sound the trumpet like we are commanded on that day did not not take time out just for Him!?? Does not G-d deserve one minunat of your time on purpose!?!

 

[wolfwint]

All of them. Yes they are for us Jews but even Pesach, Messiah was crucified for you, and He said it will never pasaway. First Fruits, , was not Messiah the firstfruits of the dead.... The counting of the Omer, no "Christian" ever wonders why for forty nine days we count the omer and there are 49 days between Passover and Shavuot. Most people just think the disciples were scared (so they sat in some little room) and have no understand of G-d and His feast. These are the Spring feast. The trumpet will sound and Messiah WILL return, we are in are earthly tabernacle but how many will He find with us. The the Holy of Holies... If you are saved is it wrong to give 24 hours to G-d, take an inventory of your year and repent. The NT tells us to do it daily He might change you!!!!

Many will say we are no longer under the Law and WEARENOT!!!! ON MESSIAH GETS US SAVED AND KEEPS US SAVED but the Law is G-d's mechanism to bring us closer to Him. Even if you sound the trumpet like we are commanded on that day did not not take time out just for Him!?? Does not G-d deserve one minunat of your time on purpose!?!

If you as jew celebrate the from God given feasts, you should do it, as he commandet to do. For us who are coming out of gentiles this comandment is not given. Neither in OT nor in NT.

 

[Nehemiah6]

All of them. Yes they are for us Jews but even Pesach, Messiah was crucified for you, and He said it will never pasaway.

1. You have a very serious misunderstanding of "they will never pass away".

2. There are no "us Jews" in the Church. Another very serious misunderstanding.

3. ALL the feasts and festivals of the Old Covenant are obsolete.

Let me give you just one example: "... ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest..." (lev 23:10).

Where is the temple of Jerusalem? Rubble

Where is the Levitical priesthood? Abolished

Which priest will you bring the sheaf to? Impossible

So where are you going to bring your firstfruits without playing so kind of foolish game?

To me it is simply UNBELIEVABLE that anyone can try to revive the OT feasts without making a mockery of Christ.

 

[Adstar]

This has become a... major topic of discussion amongst close family and friends lately. Forsaking "pagan holidays" and being more in line with God's holy days. I've done some research and know that certain feasts are types, and there are anti-types and once fulfilled they are no longer celebrated (they are omitted). What feasts, if any, still exist and are we free to partake in (though not obligated to)?

My father has been watching Michael Rood from Rood Awakening and because of what he is learning (origins), he is desiring to celebrate God ordained feasts, holidays, and what not. Of course we have our canned response that you cannot dismiss certain holidays based on origin because it is the genetic fallacy, dismissing something based upon origin instead of current use or applicability. However, it is still intriguing if there are certain God ordained feasts or celebrations that we can enjoy.

I don't know... this has been a hot topic in my house (and close friends, family, etc) lately. Can some of you more informed believers enlighten me on this discussion?

Well if people want to keep OT feast days then it is up to them.. As long as they NEVER EVER believe that keeping such days earns them a place with God in eternity or makes them a superior Christian to their fellow Christians who keep none of those days..

 

[trofimus]

Well if people want to keep OT feast days then it is up to them.. As long as they NEVER EVER believe that keeping such days earns them a place with God in eternity or makes them a superior Christian to their fellow Christians who keep none of those days..

The question is, then, why they want to keep the OT days, feasts, festivals, when they do not believe its required or that they will be somehow "better" with God because of it.

I think that whenever any Christian or Christian-like person turns back to judaism 2000 years ago, there is always some wrong motivation or wrong information in it.

 

[Adstar]

The question is, then, why they want to keep the OT days, feasts, festivals, when they do not believe its required or that they will be somehow "better" with God because of it.

I think that whenever any Christian or Christian-like person turns back to judaism 2000 years ago, there is always some wrong motivation or wrong information in it.

Well let each person search their own hearts as to their own motivations in doing what they do.. And let people pray to God for wisdom and conviction of His Holy Spirit on the matter..

In the end God knows what each persons intentions are..

No one will be fooling God..

It is indeed absolute vanity to try..