Monday, July 7, 2008

Many people have used the verse Colossians 2:16 to prove that they do not have to observe any Feasts of God (Sabbath, Passover, Unleavened Bread, etc.). Let’s take a look at this verse to get an idea of why people would think that.

Colossians 2:16- “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”

Now it is very easy to take this verse and say that we don’t have to keep any of God’s feasts if you don’t understand the context of this verse and also the second sentence of this verse.

At this time, Apostle Paul was speaking to Christians in Colosse. Colosse is located in present day Turkey and at the time, the Christians there were being persecuted because the popular beliefs at this time were influencing Christ’s teachings. Eastern mysticism and asceticism (belief that abstinence from certain physical activities such as eating or drinking will allow some sort of mind-body transformation) were the main philosophies that were intruding on Christ’s teachings.

Apostle Paul was not telling the Church of God in Colosse to stop keeping God’s feasts, he was telling the church not to let other people judge them because they keep God’s feasts.
Let’s confirm through the Bible. We have to see if Paul was really instructing the people not to keep God’s feasts.

Acts 17:2- “As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,”

Paul’s custom was to keep the Sabbath, he was in Thessalonica at this time for only three weeks so he was at this synagogue for only three weeks. Let’s see another verse for confirmation.
Acts 18:4- “Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.”
Clearly keeping the Sabbath was a custom of Apostle Paul. However, was it just Apostle Paul’s custom?

Luke 4:16- “He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him.”

Jesus Christ’s very own custom was to keep the Sabbath. Christ came to show us the example of how to worship God (John 13:15). Then we should in fact keep the Sabbath day because it God’s true day of worship.

Jesus kept the Sabbath 2,000 years ago, our Heavenly Father Christ Ahnsahnghong also kept the Sabbath, and now our Heavenly Mother continues to keep the Sabbath as an example for us.

Colossians 2:16 says that these feasts are a shadow of the things to come and that the reality is found in Christ. Jesus Christ kept the Sabbath and our Heavenly Father Christ Ahnsahnghong also kept the Sabbath. Then we must follow Christ who is the reality. Thanks to Christ Ahnsahnghong and Heavenly Mother for showing us all the truth in the Bible and giving us understanding.

0 comments: