Should Christians observe the Jewish feasts?

Question

Did the feasts get abolished or are we still required to observe them? I'm trying to figure this out, but don't know where to look.

Answer 1

Hi, Mtrqoa:

You can keep any festival in commemoration of fulfilled prophecy and it is not a sin. In fact, the early church kept the Passover in commemoration of Christ's sacrifice for humanity on the 14th of Nisan for several centuries--Rome, under protest of the eastern church, changed it to Easter Sunday.

But it is not binding as noted in Colossians 2:14 "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross."

Those abolished "Sabbaths" were symbols of future events. It may be noted that the O.T. says that in the new creation, humanity will keep the feast of Tabernacles. That never completes because it commemorates a memorial of how bad we had it before God saved us. Also, the law that defines sin, God's 10 commandments, is still binding, and Isaiah 66: 23 tells us it will be kept through eternity by "all humans."

Jesus is the Messiah that abolished the daily ministration of priests under the Levitical law. A Bible code proves this point: http://abiblecode.tripod.com

Shalom, peace in Jesus, Ben Yeshua

P.S. If you have any more questions, please contact me by e-mail.

Answer 2

The answer is simple. The convenant that was made with the Jews was made with the Jews. No other race or group (even before Jesus) was required to keep them. There were people who were non-Jews that had covenants with God before the time of Jesus, and they did not keep them either. Noah and Job are two examples.

As Christians, we do not come under the Jewish covenant. Rather we have a separate covenant that is based on the death and resurrection of Jesus. The Jewish covenant, with its feast and rituals, looked ahead to Jesus and the convenant he would make with the rest of the world. Read the book of Hebrews sometime. That is the main subject of the book.

So as Christians, we are not required to observe the Jewish festivals. However, as they are a part of our heritage, and point to Christ and his coming, we can observe them if we want. Many Christians, including myself, have taken Passover meals, just to learn about them and to see where our faith came from.

Those who still hold to the Jewish covenant are still required today to keep the feast and other laws (koshers, etc). But the rest of us, who have come in through the Christian covenant, are not. But we are free to do it if we want.

Answer 3

Christians are not 'required' to observe the Jewish 'holy days' (some of which are 'feast days' and others are 'fast days') ... but if you want to be 'a truly informed Christian' you might want to 'experience' the Jewish Passover feast (the 'Last Supper' was a Passover feast), and also the other 'feasts and fasts' of Judaism. Try going to a good 'Reformed' Jewish Synagogue and telling them that you are a Christian who wants to 'experience' the Jewish feasts and fasts to help you better understand both their religion and Christianity ... they will be GLAD to help you.

Answer 4

I think that falls under legalism and traditionalism, so its not required. But if you feel led to observe them, that is great and you can certainly do that. When it becomes a have to kinda thing, it creates bondage.
I do know a lot of Christians that do observe all Jewish holidays and feasts, because they say that since they have been adopted into God's family, they want to know and experience their family customs.

Answer 5

Jesus fulfilled all of the feasts for the Body of Christ. However, the Feast of Tabernacles will be celebrated during the Millenial Reign. Zechariah 14:16 describes this Feast, that's observed by all who survive the Tribulation (both Jew and Gentile):

Zechariah 14:16 And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.

Please note that this Feast is celebrated by the living, NOT the Bride of Christ. Its fulfillment occurs when God the Father dwells on earth. (See Rev. 21:3)

Ezekiel also mentions several Feasts which will be celebrated by Jews who survive the Tribulation; however, these Feasts aren't observed because they are yet to be fulfilled. Instead, they are observed for the same reason why the animal sacrifices are reinstated during the Millenial Reign: because they "point backward" to Jesus' sacrifice.

However, because the Feast of Tabernacles is yet to be fulfilled, I am aware of some congregations that celebrate it. I think John Hagee's congregation in TX is one of them.

Answer 6

I have stood on both sides of this question. My family went through about 2 years of following the Hebrew roots movement, keeping sabbath and all of the feasts, and eating clean. We were pretty staunch about it too and thought it was an abomination not to do so. Due to a series of surreal events that took place in our Hebrew roots community, we took a step back and began asking the questions all over again. For every New Testament passage that speaks to the Law, there is another passage that proclaims our freedom from it. Jesus claimed that the greatest commandment is to love God and then to love one another. He didn't speak to keeping feasts or to observance of the Law. Jesus had plenty of time in his ministry to tell us that we must do better at adhering to the intent of the Law, but instead, he spoke about the Kingdom of God and about relationships. I'm not going to throw out passages on this issue, because I think it's important that you allow the Spirit to teach you on this. There are two camps, and both can conclusively prove to you scripturally that their side is right. There must be something more, and you need to seek that out with our God. For us, our experiences were beneficial to a point, but we found over time that the keeping of the Law breeds pride in men. "I'm closer to YHWH because I understand the secret knowledge that you just aren't mature enough to get yet." or "Christianity is the whore of Babylon that has corrupted the faithful..." I've really seen, heard, and lived the very best and the very worst of both camps. At this point, my family is content to honor the Law. We would never teach in conflict with it, but we also would never teach in conflict with the whole of scripture that places it all in context. We eat clean, except for an ocassional shrimp, and we don't walk in condemnation when we make that choice. We do not necessarily keep the feasts, but we will be teaching a two-day conference at Sukkot this fall.

Continue asking the question until you are satisfied that your answer has come from God. But just understand that this topic can be proven conclusively by men on BOTH sides of the issue, which means that it can not be proven conclusively after all. If you are taught by God and not just following men, you can find a way of honoring the feasts and living in balance with the whole of scripture.

Good luck!

Answer 7

I believe that Christian should.

I want to have some help with observing the feasts and festivals, but have no resources in my area either.

I believe the feasts were abolished by anti-Semite church fathers years ago, likely starting with Augustine.
------------------------------

Edit: my view is based on the apostles continuing in the Jewish traditions after Jesus had ascended to Heaven, as well as Paul, being a devout observers while preaching the good news about Jesus.

Answer 8

Most Jewish feast instituted by Moses were symbolic of the coming of the Messiah. Since Jesus has already died on the cross we need not observe Jewish feast.

Answer 9

I think Christians should observe the Eucharist, since it's the only thing Jesus commanded his followers do in remembrance. I am a Gentile, so I wouldn't be obligated to part take in them. However, if you are of Jewish decent, then I think you are still obligated to follow the laws of moses and the Eucharist.

Answer 10

jewish feasts are according to the rules of moses so there is nothing wrong in observing jewish feasts.