Spring Festivals

[A.W. Bowman]

I have been publishing my annual teaching on the Spring festivals established by God for His people to observe. That on-going teaching can be found at A list of related topics on the Anshey Brit Chadasha web site.

However, if anyone is interested,we can discuss the relevance of these festivals to Gentile Christians on these boards.

For example, what is the relationship between the Passover and Jesus? What is the Fast of the First Born and the Feast of First Fruits? How is it that when the girls went to the tomb, it could never have been on a Sunday - ever (The Complete Jewish Bible rendering not withstanding)! How is it that this year the Christian community could celebrate the resurrection of Jesus a full month before He was crucified? (That is a little like celebrating your birthday a month before you were born.) Why should one even consider counting the Omer (a unit measure)? And,what is so hot about celebrating the Festival of Shavu'ot?

All of those holidays are just Jewish festivals, holidays, or holy days, aren't they? Answer: Nope! Only one of these observances is actually a Jewish/Hebrew observance/celebration.

I am late in bringing this subject to this forum - sorry, because today, at sunset we have the start of the Day of Preparation, the 14th of Nissan, which according to tradition is also the Shabbat HaGadol (Joh 19:31). So, if we get off into these discussions, we will most likely be running my usual day late and a dollar short trick.

Post away if you're interested - or, just ignore it if you are not interested.

Hello, HaShaliach! Long time no post (for me anyway, ha!)

We had a wonderful Passover/Lord's Supper this weekend.

I had developed a haggadah. First one. Took me two days to do it. lol

Anyway, it was very interesting. The family really enjoyed it. Even had our son, who usually is quite the reserved type, participating fully.

One thing I noticed though... some of the family members actually liked the maror! Good grief how can that be?????

Anyway, I trust you had a nice Passover/Lord's Supper as well. God bless!

[A.W. Bowman]

Originally Posted by Eliseus

Hello, HaShaliach! Long time no post (for me anyway, ha!)

We had a wonderful Passover/Lord's Supper this weekend.

I had developed a haggadah. First one. Took me two days to do it. lol

Anyway, it was very interesting. The family really enjoyed it. Even had our son, who usually is quite the reserved type, participating fully.

One thing I noticed though... some of the family members actually liked the maror! Good grief how can that be?????

Anyway, I trust you had a nice Passover/Lord's Supper as well. God bless!

I am pleased that all went well. As to your lovely seder plate appetizer - did you soak it in plenty of horseradish? Most folks can eat enything that way - it all tastes same - hot! LOLOL

Tonight, is week one, day one of counting of the Omer. I have to wonder how many brave souls could hold out for the 49 days of that kind of self examination? LOLOL I can usually get through the "personal exam" part, it is the followup practical application that gets to me, the practicing what you profess! Mercy, now that is the kicker!

Now, all we have to get through is the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the big feast at the conclusion of the seven days of Passover.

e, springis a busy time of the year. LOLOL

Shalom Aleichem

Originally Posted by HaShaliach

I am pleased that all went well. As to your lovely seder plate appetizer - did you soak it in plenty of horseradish? Most folks can eat enything that way - it all tastes same - hot! LOLOL

Tonight, is week one, day one of counting of the Omer. I have to wonder how many brave souls could hold out for the 49 days of that kind of self examination? LOLOL I can usually get through the "personal exam" part, it is the followup practical application that gets to me, the practicing what you profess! Mercy, now that is the kicker!

Now, all we have to get through is the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the big feast at the conclusion of the seven days of Passover.

e, springis a busy time of the year. LOLOL

Shalom Aleichem

Please explain more about Shavuot/Pentecost. I am finding much conflicting information on the web (primarily with the method of counting and when and such, which I am least interested. I am more interested in the New Covenant applications of the Counting and the 50th day, and ideas on how best to use it as a teaching tool for the family.)

[A.W. Bowman]

Originally Posted by Eliseus

Please explain more about Shavuot/Pentecost. I am finding much conflicting information on the web (primarily with the method of counting and when and such, which I am least interested. I am more interested in the New Covenant applications of the Counting and the 50th day, and ideas on how best to use it as a teaching tool for the family.)

If interest comes back for the counting of the Omer then this post might be of some help Counting the Omer

We will be investigating Shavu'ot by next week. And, how all of these festivals are then tied together and where/how Jesus fits into all of this.

[Sister Alvear]

I would like your Bible studies on this subject if possible...thanks

[mfblume]

Not to debate (yeah right!) but here are my thoughts:

Gal 4:10-11 says Gentile believers were wrong in keeping Hebrew feasts since they were ELEMENTS or ELEMENTARY SCHOOLINGS for the Hebrews ONLY BEFORE Christ came. After Christ came, Israel was not even under the schoolmaster. These days, months and years were Hebrew holy days and months and years in context of Gal 3:21 through chapter 4.

Paul said they'd get under the same bondage under which they were when in idolatry when they did SERVICE to idols, to go underneath the elementary schooling of Law. Hence, Gal 5:1 associates bondage with Law. Israel was KEPT BACK from faith by law.

Galatians 3:23 KJV But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

but because feasts were ELEMENTARY SCHOOL lessons, they are jam-packed full of spiritual realities we must keep! But in themselves they were ABC building blocks. Showing principles. And the realities in the Spirit are astounding!

Originally Posted by mfblume

Not to debate (yeah right!) but here are my thoughts:

Gal 4:10-11 says Gentile believers were wrong in keeping Hebrew feasts since they were ELEMENTS or ELEMENTARY SCHOOLINGS for the Hebrews ONLY BEFORE Christ came. After Christ came, Israel was not even under the schoolmaster. These days, months and years were Hebrew holy days and months and years in context of Gal 3:21 through chapter 4.

Paul said they'd get under the same bondage under which they were when in idolatry when they did SERVICE to idols, to go underneath the elementary schooling of Law. Hence, Gal 5:1 associates bondage with Law. Israel was KEPT BACK from faith by law.

Galatians 3:23 KJV But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

but because feasts were ELEMENTARY SCHOOL lessons, they are jam-packed full of spiritual realities we must keep! But in themselves they were ABC building blocks. Showing principles. And the realities in the Spirit are astounding!

1Timothy 1:8 But we know that the law [is] good, if a man use it lawfully;

The feasts were most certainly shadows of Christ and His glorious Work. I don't know any true Christian who would deny that.

That is a far cry, though, from saying 'Gentiles should not celebrate the feasts'. First of all, in the New Covenant, THERE IS NEITHER JEW NOR GENTILE. So there is no such thing as a 'Gentile Christian' or a 'Jewish Christian' except in reference to what a person was BEFORE they became a Christian. In Christ, ALL things are made new...

Our family has observed PAssover for several years (I think you already knew that, brother Blume...?) This is the first year we actually followed anything remotely approaching a traditional method of doing so.

We kept it for the two purposes given in Scripture - to teach our children, and in remembrance of the Lord.

It served as an excellent opportunity to teach by both word and example (action) the history of Deliverance, Passover, the Lamb, applying the blood, the final sacrifice of Christ, the Lord's Supper and what it connotates (one cup, one loaf - the afikomen - which represents one covenant, one body, one sacrifice of which we all partake, etc etc etc.)

Jesus kept PAssover, and said 'Do this in remembrance of me', which is just what we as a family have tried to do, and will continue to do.

Moses said the Passover was to be kept in remembrance of the deliverance from Egypt. Our Lord said we were to keep that memorial ( the memorial in remembrance of the Exodus) IN MEMORY OF HIM. Paul said that by doing so we show forth His death until His return.

To suggest that 'Gentile Christians should not keep PAssover' is simply to suggest that 'Gentile Christians should not keep the Lord's Supper', because the twain are the same.

[A.W. Bowman]

Originally Posted by Eliseus

1Timothy 1:8 But we know that the law [is] good, if a man use it lawfully;

The feasts were most certainly shadows of Christ and His glorious Work. I don't know any true Christian who would deny that.

That is a far cry, though, from saying 'Gentiles should not celebrate the feasts'.

To suggest that 'Gentile Christians should not keep PAssover' is simply to suggest that 'Gentile Christians should not keep the Lord's Supper', because the twain are the same.

Sorry, I missed this post, but I think you captured the essence quite well.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Eliseus

1Timothy 1:8 But we know that the law [is] good, if a man use it lawfully;

The feasts were most certainly shadows of Christ and His glorious Work. I don't know any true Christian who would deny that.

That is a far cry, though, from saying 'Gentiles should not celebrate the feasts'.

I cannot see Paul intending anything else in gal 3 through 4.

First of all, in the New Covenant, THERE IS NEITHER JEW NOR GENTILE. So there is no such thing as a 'Gentile Christian' or a 'Jewish Christian' except in reference to what a person was BEFORE they became a Christian. In Christ, ALL things are made new...

That wads what I meant by speaking to Galatians. They were FORMERLY Gentiles. That was the context of Paul's words to them.

Our family has observed PAssover for several years (I think you already knew that, brother Blume...?) This is the first year we actually followed anything remotely approaching a traditional method of doing so.

Actually I am unaware of who your family even is. lol.

We kept it for the two purposes given in Scripture - to teach our children, and in remembrance of the Lord.

It served as an excellent opportunity to teach by both word and example (action) the history of Deliverance, Passover, the Lamb, applying the blood, the final sacrifice of Christ, the Lord's Supper and what it connotates (one cup, one loaf - the afikomen - which represents one covenant, one body, one sacrifice of which we all partake, etc etc etc.)

Jesus kept PAssover, and said 'Do this in remembrance of me', which is just what we as a family have tried to do, and will continue to do.

The Lord's Supper was BASED UPON Passover, but I do not think it was Passover. Passover foreshadowed the work of the cross, which the Lord's Supper revealed. We take COMMUNION many times throughout the year. Not just AT PASSOVER time in the spring. In Fact, Communion is said to be "as oft" as the church did it. IOW< it did not restrict it to passover time. So I do not think it is Passover in the strict sense you may be implying it is.

Moses said the Passover was to be kept in remembrance of the deliverance from Egypt. Our Lord said we were to keep that memorial ( the memorial in remembrance of the Exodus) IN MEMORY OF HIM. Paul said that by doing so we show forth His death until His return.

To suggest that 'Gentile Christians should not keep PAssover' is simply to suggest that 'Gentile Christians should not keep the Lord's Supper', because the twain are the same.

I disagree for reasons noted above. When we have Communion we do not announce that we are having Passover. We have the Lord's Supper which is based upon the foreshadow of Passover, which supper is in itself symbolic.

But I think you may have missed my point. Paul was speaking about keeping these days HOLY. Christians have no HOLY DAYS, MONTHS or YEARS. That was the context. Feasts of Israel were only HOLY DAYS, required by Law to be kept holy. We simply are not under that legality.

I hope that clarifies things.