When God created the earth, He established laws to govern it and to make it liveable for His soon coming creation of mankind. He created laws that we cannot see, but we know exist. One such example is gravity. We can’t see it but we know it’s there and that it can hurt us if we disobey its rules. Likewise, God also established laws to govern the behaviour of mankind. These laws are not visible, and they also bring a penalty when ignored and a benefit when followed. By honouring these laws and our Creator, we are taught how to live together in peace without causing harm to others.These laws later became known as the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:1-17
After many years had passed and humanities numbers grew large, the majority of mankind living in the ancient world refused to follow God’s laws.This resulted in much pain and suffering, brought to an end by a worldwide flood and the destruction of all but eight
people. We read about this catastrophe in Genesis 6:5-8 The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that He had made human beings on the earth, and His heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground for I regret that I have made them.” But Noah found favour in the eyes of the Lord. 2 Peter 2:5 Noah was a preacher of righteousness.
Prior To The Written Law
Prior to the giving and acceptance of the law, Israel lived under God’s grace. We see two
examples in Exodus 1:5-7 The descendants of Israel (Jacob) numbered seventy in all; Joseph
was already in Egypt. Now, as the years passed, Joseph (the son of Jacob) and his brothers
and all that generation died, but the Israelites were exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly,
increased in number and became so numerous that the land was filled with them. They
abounded in God’s grace and blessings.
Exodus 19:3-4 You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles
wings and brought you to Myself.
God’s Presence in their lives depended upon their obedience.
Exodus 19:5 God’s proposal to the nation. “If you obey Me fully and keep My covenant, then
out of all nations you will be My treasured possession.“
Exodus 19:8 The people all responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has said” but
after repeated warnings over hundreds of years, they remained disobedient. The nation failed
In their commitment, and God finally scattered them throughout the Assyrian Empire. However
there was always a remnant of those who walked with God.
Why is the law referred to as Mose’s law? Exodus 20:19 The people said to Moses,“Speak to
us yourself and we will listen.“They didn’t want to listen to God, otherwise we would now refer
to the law as being “God’s Law” and not the law of Moses.
The Law And Israel
God gave His laws to the twelve tribes of Israel to separate them from all other nations. He
wanted to make the children of Israel into a special people through their obedience to the
law.
Exodus 19:5 By obeying His covenant they would become a kingdom of priests and a holy
nation. By keeping the laws of God they would become filled with peace and prosperity, and
in this way become a model nation to influence the rest of the world (Israel in the future will
fulfill this prophesied event.)
God taught them through the commandments of His holiness, while teaching them of their
weakness and sinfulness.
He wanted to develop in them a personal responsibility for their sins, by teaching them the
awful consequences of sin (Like the destruction of the old world of Noah.) God did not want
a disaster like this to happen again, so He gave His laws to help us avoid our total
destruction; but the nature of mankind draws us towards sin, pain and self destruction,
and this is why the laws and the bible are written. From the beginning to the end they testify
to our redemption. God is still creating in those who walk in obedience with Him.
Why The Holy Days?
The holy days are, like the weekly Sabbath, a constant reminder to us of our Creator’s plan for our salvation. Leviticus 23:1-36
Before God made mankind, He made provision for His Holy Days. Genesis 1:14 “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred (appointed) times, and days and years.“ (Leviticus23:2)
Ezekiel 20:11-12 I gave them My decrees and made known to them My laws, by which the person who obeys them will live. Also I gave them My Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the Lord made them holy.
Ezekiel 20:19-20 “I am the Lord Your God; follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws. Keep My Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God”.
Israel stopped keeping God’s Sabbaths when the nation divided (1Kings 11:11) and they lost the sign between them and God. Judah continued to keep God’s Sabbaths and have retained their recognition to this present time. 1Kings 12:28-33 Israel changed God’s Sabbaths and became lost. God’s Sabbaths are that important for those who walk with Him.
Why The Added Law of Sacrifice?
The sacrificial laws were established after the sins of our first parents, Adam and Eve.
Genesis 3:21 They were a divinely provided blood covering for the sins of our first parents, so they could remain in God’s presence. This was to be a form of repentance to cover sin. We see this also in Genesis 4:4, 8:20.
The sacrificial law was added because God now dwelled among His people. In Exodus He was separate from them and spoke to them from the mountain top and through Moses, but now He would dwell with them Galatians 3:19-25. So sacrifice was added to cover their transgression until the Seed (Christ Jesus) should come to whom the promise was made. It would end for those who believed the promise to be completed in Christ.
What promise? The promise to Abraham, Galatians 3:16 The promise of salvation through faith, believing in God’s word and acting on it. The promise given to Abraham 430 years before the law was written. Genesis 22:18 Through your Seed (Christ) all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed Me. Obeyed in what ways? The answer is found in Genesis 26:5 Because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, my commandments, My statutes, and My laws. (NKJ) All of God’s laws.
Galatians 3:21 Is the law against the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
Galatians 3:23-24 Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So the law was our guardian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. The law was our teacher to bring us to Christ. If we are now in Christ, should we discard the means used to bring us to Him? Abandon the law? God forbid! Romans 3:31 Do we, then nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law. Romans 7:7 I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law.
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Psalm 119:97-106 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light to my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.
If we are in Christ, then our understanding of the law is magnified through His Holy Spirit that now resides in us. Now we should have the clarity of mind to see past the overt act to the motive, and to be able see more clearly the commandments of God and the constitution of the kingdom of heaven, as given by Jesus in Matthew 5 and 7.
These same laws applied in Paul’s life many years later, just as they apply in the lives of those who strive to walk with God in this present world. Romans 7:7-24 Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Paul said, “I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law.” Those who walk with God today learn from the law in the same way as Paul, and must follow the same conditions of obedience. Others will also come to seek to know God, but how can they unless the law is taught by those who know the law today.
Israel as a nation never understood the laws of God. Deuteronomy 29:2-4 Your eyes have seen all that the Lord did in Egypt to Pharaoh, to all his officials and to all his land. With your own eyes you saw those great trials, those signs and great wonders. But to this day the Lord has not given you a mind that understands or eyes that see or ears that hear. Paul understood, but he did not have this same understanding until God opened his mind and gave him a heart to understand. Although Israel as a nation failed at that time, there was always a remnant who walked in obedience to God.
Prior to the written law, God made His holy will known. We find the first of God’s commands given in Genesis 2:16-17. Adam and Eve lived in a perfect environment, with their every need supplied by God. Given a simple command, “To obey Gods voice” and warned of the consequences of disobedience. The woman failed through deceit and the man through deliberate disobedience. (1Timothy 2:14.)
We have failed to keep God’s commands from the beginning. To restore the broken communion due to their sins, God made a sacrifice of animal blood to cover the sinners. Genesis 3:21 Sin must be covered by blood in order for us to commune with God. Hebrews 9:22 Without the shedding of blood there could be no communion. Sacrifice for sin was made by the head of each family until the law was given to Moses. That was also a reason for the first Passover, before Israel went with God out of Egypt. God could not travel with Israel until their sins were covered by blood. Therefore all Israel shared in the Passover. They all shared in the blood of the lamb. There was no leaven among the Israelites as they came out of Egypt (sin). God could now lead them out of Egypt (as He leads us out of sin through our repentance and baptism).
God created such a spectacle that the whole world new about it, by the near destruction of Egypt’s economy and military.
God does not make changes and keep His people in the dark about them. Jesus was not
murdered in a back alley in downtown Jerusalem. He was crucified on a hill, raised up and
nailed to a stake outside of the city gates, for all to see and know about. Most of the present
world has heard about this. It was carried out by the Roman authorities, the chief priests, and
the Sanhedrin. (Jewish government) He was unblemished, and innocent of all crime.
(Exodus 12:5 A lamb without defect…a perfect sacrifice)
Luke 23:5 I find no basis for a charge against this man.
Luke 23:13-15 Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to
them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion.” I have
examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. Neither
has king Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve
death.
John 8:46 He lived in perfect obedience to the law of God as given to Moses in writing. God
told us of the coming of Christ, four thousand years before it happened. Genesis 3:15. The
coming of the Seed. (Christ)
Genesis 22:18 Through your offspring (Seed) Christ, all nations on earth will be blessed,
because you have obeyed Me. This was two thousand years before the Christ came.
Galatians 3:8-9 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you”. So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. All this because Abraham believed God? No! “Because you have obeyed Me!”
James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder.
So just believing does not accomplish anything for anybody. Abraham acted on his belief.
James 1:22-24 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (God’s written law and instructions to us)
James 1:25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it- not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it- they will be blessed in what they do.
James 2:17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds”.
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
Ephesians 2:8-10 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus (through baptism) to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Such as keep His laws and his commandments, including His holy days, and be obedient to His word.)
Why did Abraham obey God? Because he believed Him. Why would we obey God and keep His laws and statues? Because we believe Him. Like Abraham, we also walk in faith by the grace of God.
John 4:23 “A time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem “….What does Jesus mean by this statement? The physical church was coming to an end. The church was the physical nation of Israel under the Old Testament. The written law of Moses and the oral laws of Jewish tradition were enforced together as the civil (letter) of the law. Now the physical enforcement of God’s law would end in His church, with the death of Jesus. Obedience would now be from the heart through the support of God’s Holy Spirit, which was given on the day of Pentecost to those who believed.
John 7: 38-39 Whoever believes in Me, as scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive.
From that time on, we obeyed God because we wanted to, and not because of some civil authority. God was no longer dealing with disobedient minds such as Adam’s and Cain’s or easily deceived minds such as Eve’s, as was the case up to Christ’s sacrifice.
John 4:22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for
salvation is from the Jews. The Mosaic laws of God continued with no change. (Does not
include traditional laws).
The Holy Spirit And The internal Church
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in the truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is Spirit,
and His worshippers must Worship in Spirit and in truth, (following the same laws). After Christ’s sacrifice the church ceased to be external, and instead became internal,
through the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit of God in those who believe, are baptized and are obedient. Acts 2:38 Repent (change) and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus
Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 16:15-17 “But what about you?“ (He asked His disciples.) “ Who do you say I am?“Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God”. Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.“
Jesus just told us that revelation in God’s church would come directly from God. Not from any flesh and blood man, as Jesus Christ would continue to work in His church to its completion, as High Priest. (Hebrews 5:9-10)
Philippians 2:13 Continue to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose. What is His good purpose for mankind?
Genesis 1:26-27 To create in His image and likeness. Mankind was created to resemble God in more ways than just appearance, but our sin has corrupted creation.
Creation was not completed in Genesis, it began! God is creating now! God’s laws are guiding those who believe Him, towards our completion.
Many laws have been given for specific times and situations, but ask yourself (if you are being led by the Spirit) are these laws leading me towards Christ?
The Work Of Christ Jesus
Hebrews 10:14 For by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those
who are being made holy. (Those who now walk in obedience to Him.)
Hebrews 10:16 “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time,
says the Lord. I will put My laws in their hearts and I will write them on
their minds.’ The question we need to ask ourselves is – is it being
written in my mind?
1 Peter 1:18-20 For it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold
that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world but was revealed in these last times for your sake.
God has been telling people of all nations of His solution for mankind’s sin, since before the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus, hundreds of years before.
Daniel 9:24 Seventy sevens are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression. What does that mean to us? Seventy weeks of seven years each. This time was set for various things to be completed, but it did give the approximate time of the arrival of the Christ (Messiah) to His people Judah. Why? To finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness. Up until the sacrifice of Jesus, there was no forgiveness for sin. It was not available to anyone. Sin was only covered by sacrificial blood temporarily. Only by covering sin in this way could God continue to work with His people. When Jesus our lamb was sacrificed, as the Creator of all things, His blood cleansed us from all sin. He paid the death penalty (the curse of the law) for the sins of His creation in our stead. Here is the change in the law brought about by God, but only for those who repent and believe the good news of the Kingdom. Romans 3:25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood – to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished.
Hebrews 8:8 But God found fault with the people. God tells us clearly that there is no fault in His law, (God does not make mistakes) but in the people. Israel failed as a nation, but a remnant continued to believe and to walk with God, keeping His laws and obeying the Holy Days.
The End Of The Temporary Added Sacrificial Laws
The sacrificial laws were not included with the original laws of God as given to Moses in Exodus chapters 20-34, as these were temporary laws (given earlier in Genesis 3:21) until the sacrifice of Jesus.
Galatians 3:13-14 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.“ He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Galatians 3:19 What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come.
Hebrews 10:8-10 First He said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” -though they were offered in accordance with the law. ( to cover sin) Then He said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will. “ He sets aside the first (law) to establish the second. By that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all. (Those who believe)
Ephesians 2:14-18 For He himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in His flesh the law with its commands and regulations. (Sacrificial) His purpose was to create in Himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away (Gentiles) and peace to those who were near (Israelites). For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. The Gentiles were not taking over the church, but rather joining those Israelites who were already in the church.
Ephesians 2:19-22 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people (Israel) and also members of His household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets (who wrote about God’s laws) with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief corner stone. (Who kept all of God’s laws as a perfect righteous sacrifice)
Hebrews 10:5-7 When Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offerings you did not desire, but a body you prepared for Me; with burnt and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘here I am- I have come to do your will, my God.’ “ These are the laws and ceremonies that are done away with in the New Testament…According to Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 10:10 By God’s will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of Jesus once for all.
Galatians 4:4 Jesus was created under the law.
John 8:46 He lived in perfect obedience to the law.
1 Peter 2:21. Leaving us an example that we should follow.
Luke 10:25-37 He enforced the laws upon the Jewish teachers, who professed obedience to them.
Hebrews 9:11-26 He fulfilled all the types of the law by His holy life and sacrificial death.
Luke 24:44-45 All things must be fulfilled that were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms concerning Me.
How Could God Strengthen Those Chosen To Follow Him?
Galatians 4:1-7 God sent His Son, who was born under the law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.. Because you are His sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts. (Hebrews 10:16)
Romans 8:1-4 Because the law was weakened by our flesh, God sent His Son to be a sin offering. He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Romans 7:6 By dying (through baptism) 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 (which was physically enforced.) Paul is not spiritualizing away the law or the holy days here. He is referring to the struggles of the flesh within each of us when we are confronted by the spiritual laws of God. He continues to say in verse 7, for I would not have known what coveting was if the law had not said, “ You shall not covet.” But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting.
This is coming from a man who thought that he had been keeping the law all of his life, but he had done so without the Spirit of Christ.
Like Job, he had heard about God, but now he could really see Him, and understanding awakened in him through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 10:2-3 They are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. This is a human failing.
Jesus explains Paul’s new understanding in Matthew 5:27. You have heard it said, ‘ You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Jesus through the power of His Holy Spirit, has lifted the written words from the page and placed them in our hearts. Our understanding of God’s law are magnified in our hearts and minds. Matthew 5: 22 Anger becomes murder in our hearts. With his new understanding of the enormity of sin, Paul writes in Romans 7:24-25, Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God who delivers me through Christ Jesus our Lord. If we have the Spirit of Christ in us, then the laws that Jesus kept so perfectly are also in us as we continue to walk as He did, with Him.
Matthew 5:17-18 Think not that I have come to change the law or the prophets: I have not come to destroy, but to fulfill. He proceeded to fulfill the Passover, replacing Himself with the bread and wine representing His shed body and blood. Through the Passover ceremony we renew our covenant with Christ Jesus each year, on the night that He was betrayed.
(1 Corinthians 11:23)
The apostle John toward the end of the first century tells us how we can know God. 1 John 2:3-4 We know that we have come to know Him if we keep His commands. Whoever says, “I know Him” but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys His word, love for God is truly made complete in them.
But there are differences of opinion as to what laws are presently applicable to those who want to obey God. It can be confusing, and we know that Satan would not want it any other way!
It is written that Abel believed God. So we know that God made His Holy Righteous will known to him. He believed God and acted on his belief. Hebrews 11:4 those listed in Hebrews 11: “as those who walked with God” had to know in which direction they were walking. (They will be in the first resurrection Hebrews 11:39-40) We know from His written word that God will never allow us to be able to say, “I did not know.” I am of course referring to those who are now called by Him, and have His Spirit to guide them in their walk. (John 6: 44, 65.)
Other than the sacrificial laws, no instructions are given in the bible with regard to change.
Some might say that there is no command in the New Testament regarding the Holy Days, but there is no command in regard to the Sabbath either.
The New Testament is a continuation of the old, and God’s laws are clearly commanded.
Were the Mosaic (God’s) laws only intended for Israel and not for gentile converts?
Does the bible say that? Do gentiles have less human nature than Israelites? Does God look on those called by Him differently? The law of God is intended for all humanity. God wants salvation for all those who have lived. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 For this is good and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (Romans 1:16, 2 Peter 3:9, Genesis 1:26-27.)
John 17:20-21 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in Me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you sent me.”
Some seem to just have a problem with Moses…
Jesus had many disagreements with the teachers of the law, but He never disagreed with Moses. Matthew 23:1-2 He said to the crowds and to His disciples, “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not do what they teach.” The teachers were not practicing what they were teaching. Jesus is encouraging His disciples to follow Moses, but not the example of the teachers. Many religious people would claim that Jesus is making a mistake by confirming and upholding the law of Moses, but they are after all the laws of God.
The First Church Council Meeting
Acts 15:20 States that the gentile converts should abstain from certain actions which were against the law of God. (sexual immorality, meat of strangled animals and from blood.) The Jewish believers knew that these things were against the law of Moses, and so there was no need to teach this in the synagogue. However these same practices were very common in gentile society, and therefore needed to be taught to gentile believers.
Acts 15:21 The teaching of the church (the law of God from Moses and the prophets) was available to new converts in the Synagogues every Sabbath. Except for the sacrificial laws, there was no change in the law among those who walked with God. Luke 4:16 Jesus attended the synagogue on Sabbath. It was His custom, and yet the synagogue was not a perfect place.
Acts 13:26-27 Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning Him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read (in the synagogue) every Sabbath.
Looking back at the church of God in the beginning, we see just another Jewish sect. Except for the Passover and God’s kingdom, they continued following the prophets and the Mosaic law.
Act 28:22 we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect. (The Jews in Rome saw the church as another sect of Judaism.)
Luke 24:45 Then He opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures. (Even though they were all Jews, their understanding of the Old Testament was not always adequate or accurate.) If we are going to teach others, then we must have a very good foundation in the Old Testament scriptures, before we can step forward into the New Testament.
According to Paul, the difference between Jewish and Christian teaching was the crucified Messiah, the work of the Holy Spirit and the teaching of the coming Kingdom of God.
Paul Kept The Holy Days
Acts 18:21 I must keep this Feast in Jerusalem.
Acts 20:16 Paul wanted to be in Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost.
Acts 20:6 We sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread.
Acts 27:9 The fast (Day of Atonement) was already past.
1 Corinthians 5:7-8 For Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Feast, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I received from the Lord what I also passed onto you; Paul’s instructions from Jesus for the new Passover ceremony.
1 Corinthians 11:1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
What Example Did Jesus Leave
John 7:10 He kept the Feast of Tabernacles.
John 7:19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law.
John 7:37 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.“ (of the Holy Spirit).
Matthew 26:18 “I am going to celebrate the Passover with My disciples at your house.”
Leviticus 23:1-2 The Lord said to Moses, speak to the Israelites and say to them: These are My appointed festivals, the appointed festivals of the Lord, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies. Some claim that God intended these days for the nation of Israel only. That is not what God said. He said these are ‘My’ appointed festivals.
The Israelites are Abraham’s seed, but so too is the true church of God.
Galatians 3:7 Understand then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham.
These special God given days are like His other laws, they are written in scripture for our benefit. They help us in our understanding of What God is doing presently in our walk with Him, so why would we even question them if we are seeking truth?
Exodus 20-34 These chapters cover the law of God which were given in three sections, Law, Judgments and Ordinances.
Exodus 20:1-17 The ten commandments, (God’s holy will for mankind) which teach us
how to love God and our fellow man. These laws are unchangeable
Exodus 21:1- 24:11 The judgments governed the social life among the people of Israel.
They helped the people in their understanding of how to live together in peace, harmony and
care with their neighbours.
Jesus gives an example of God’s judgment to the teachers of the law, Matthew 19:3-9. This
law of God on marriage has not changed and still applies today. If the same circumstances
existed today as they did when the law was given, all would still apply. God’s law does not
end or wear out!
The judgments written in the books of law today in our courts, are often used as a reference
for similar situations. They are a valuable asset to our society.
Exodus 24:12-31:18 The ordinances governed the religious life of the people of Israel. They
were concerned with the tabernacle, the priesthood and sin. The ordinances gave in the high
priest, a representative of the people with God. (Leviticus 16:6-9) Do all these laws still apply
in God’s church today? Of course not! Jesus Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed.
Acts 2:36 Let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both
Lord and Messiah. Hebrews 9:24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human
hands that was only a copy of the true one; He entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in
God’s presence. Colossians 2:14 He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of
our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; (the ordinances) He has
taken it away, nailing it to the cross. Ephesians 2:15 By setting aside in His flesh the law with
its commands and regulations (ordinances).
2 Corinthians 3:7-11 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on
stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses
transitory though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the
ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that
brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the
surpassing glory. If what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that
which lasts.
Since the sacrifice of our Lord and Saviour Jesus, the promise to those who repent and
believe is not transitory, but everlasting.
Acts 2:38 Peter replied,“ Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus
Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.“ (The gift
of everlasting life as a child of our Creator.)
We have a tendency to look back in time and to see only harsh laws of the old testament
God. The laws were given to people who had freedom to choose and decide their own path.
Deuteronomy 30:19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I
have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and
your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice and hold
fast to Him. (The nation of Israel could have had a comfortable and abundant life but they
refused to listen to God’s word, just as mankind has done from the beginning).
Acts 7:51 You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just
like your ancestors; You always resist the Holy Spirit! (The glorious laws given to people by a
loving caring Creator).
Circumcision which was instituted long before the laws and the exodus from Egypt, is a
covenant given much greater meaning in baptism.
Acts 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who
heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished
that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them
speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way
of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”
So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. (even though they were
not circumcised)
If God is making a change in what He has written for us in scripture, He makes that change
abundantly clear, just as He did with circumcision.
If we are baptized, and have the Spirit of Christ, then we should know what is expected of
us. His grace is not free or cheap, but comes at great cost to us as it did for Jesus.
Romans 6:3-4 Don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were
baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in
order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too
may live a new life.
A New Life Can Only Come Through Believing
From our very creation, mankind has refused to believe God's word, but why? Is it because
we think that we know better than God? Are we smarter than He is? When we look at the
horrible state of suffering in this world and its population, we should admit that smart is not
the word that describes mankind! Our creator wrote a book filled with instructions and laws
to help guide us towards peace and harmony, but only a remnant have believed His word
from the very beginning of our creation.
Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,'will enter the kingdom of
heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to
Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out
demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never
knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!' (These miracles happened through the power of
Jesus name and not because these people were righteous).
Luke 4:4 Jesus corrected Satan in his deceit when He quoted Deuteronomy 8:3 “Man does
not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.“
Matthew 7:24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into
practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Are we listening to the words of Jesus Christ? John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Jesus as the Word, was the same God whose word ancient humanity refused to hear
and perished as a consequence in the flood of Noah's time. He was also the God
that the ancient nation of Israel would not listen to. Perhaps they decided to listen to others
instead, and were scattered throughout the Assyrian Empire and lost, because they had
stopped keeping God's Sabbaths, His identifying signs. How about the church in the time
of Jesus? They rejected Him and His laws and were finally taken from the promised land
and scattered throughout the world.
Which brings us to this present day. Are we, the people of God, observing His laws and holy
days now? If not, don't you think we should?