Jewish Customs And The Christian Church (27 March 2009 - revision 5) This lesson is about why Christians today, in large part, do not practice Jewish ordinances and feasts mentioned in the Old Testament. We will examine Scriptures which clearly show us why it is optional and not mandatory to practice the Jewish feasts and ordinances. This includes concerns about the Sabbath day. There are groups, including Messianic Jews and cults, which are teaching that some Jewish feasts and ordinances must be practiced, yet the Scriptures indicate such are either optional or not needed. This lesson will help you better explain to others why the Bible does not support what these groups are teaching. Examine these Scriptures for yourself and draw your own Biblical conclusions. Note: For ease of reading the NIV, RSV, and/or NRSV is used instead KJV. I welcome the reader to check Bible quotes with the KJV when in doubt. My own research has shown that the meaning is the same across the various Bible versions used in this document. Messianic Jews (Christian Jews) will often say all English Bible versions are wrong; subsequently, Messianic Jews (and some cults) have rewritten the Bible in order to Correct the errors the Holy Spirit apparently made through the Christian Gentiles of the Early Church ( Gentile is any non-jew). Because the Apostle Paul is perceived as having taught against many of the Jewish traditions, many Messianic Jews have decided Paul was a False Apostle. These groups, therefore, disregard most of the New Testament which Paul wrote under the Inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Because the Jews rejected their Saviour (Romans 11:7-32), we must remember that God gave the Christian Gentiles the primary role to advance the Gospel and become the Church. God formed the Bible canon through the Christian Gentiles. The question becomes: Is God able to direct the formation of the Bible under Christian Church of the Gentiles or not? If not? Then the Providence of God doesn't seem to count for much among Christian Gentiles of our Lord's Church on earth. Galatians 2:14 (NIV) - When I saw that they [Peter and his friends] were not acting in line with the Truth of the Gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? [instead of using the word customs, the KJV says: Why compel, thou, the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? With either translation, the meaning is still effectually the same.] See Galatians 2:11 through 21 for the details. It is clear the word custom includes all aspects of Jewish customs or culture ( live as do the Jews ). This obviously does include the various feasts celebrated by the Jews. Paul understood that it was unreasonable to expect Christian Gentiles to learn about various Jewish ordinances and feasts and participate in them. Why? Because, in many cases, a Gentile needed to be a proselyte Jew before he would be allowed to participate (or be permitted on the Temple grounds)! This meant the Gentile would need to be circumcised (see Genesis 17:11 and Exodus 12:48). Circumcision as an adult could lead to death! It was a dangerous painful surgical practice. Now, what is true for Christian Gentiles, should also be true for Christian Jews, because it is reasonable to expect all the principles of Christianity to be equally true for both Christian Jews and Gentiles - so that we live as one new humanity: Ephesians 2:15/16 (NRSV) - He [Jesus] has abolished the law [Torah] with its commandments and ordinances, that He might create in Himself one new humanity [RSV says: new man ] in place of the two [Jew and Gentile], thus making peace, (16) and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. Much of the WHOLE point of the putting an end to the ritual practice of Jewish traditions of the Law (the first five books of the Old Testament: the Torah), was so the Saviour could Unite all people under His Son; thusly, putting an end to thousands of years of various wars between the Jews and Gentiles! Putting an end to the age-old Abel and Cain feud! Page 1
In Galatians 2:14 (quoted earlier), Paul is basically saying that Peter often honored aspects of Jewish culture when he was with Jews in order that he might be better accepted by them (11-13). Paul did not like the apparent "Double standard" of Peter. Why? Because we are either free from the law or not; if free, then we should live under the grace (unmerited favor of Christ). The practical social application was this: that the ritual Work of Circumcision was not needed for Christians: regardless if Jew or Gentile. The means or mechanism of Circumcision changed: it was no longer to be accomplished by a Jewish priest in a physical temple building, but such is now to be accomplished by the High Priest of Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit dwelling in the Christian Believer (as explained in Romans 2:28/29)! This is why God ripped the Jewish Temple curtain in half, then later destroyed the Jewish Temple in about 70AD. All people have DIRECT access to becoming Proselyte Jews of God through Circumcision of the heart by the Holy Spirit! This is why the human body is now as a Tempe in 1st Corinthians 6:19. Also, New Testament Scriptures indicate, or strongly imply, that the Jewish feasts and ordinances are not needed anymore because the need for them was ended by Christ (Jesus "Accomplished the original need for the Law; see Matthew 5:18 and Ephesians 2:15 above). Some people say some of the feasts were supposed to endure forever (example: The Feast of Tabernacles in Leviticus 23:39-43); yet we know God can and does change His mind about whatever He declared or promised in some earlier time (see Exodus 32:14; Jonah 3:10; Matthew 5:38/39; and Matthew 5:33-37). Which Jewish feasts should remain and be honored is hot debate among some Christian groups, yet the Scriptures seem to tell us that some rituals (perhaps all) are not applicable to the Church in a mandatory way. Common sense seems to tell us that many of the Jewish feasts and ordinances are not required simply due to changed circumstances. That is. to perform many of them will require violating the Old Testament instructions for performing them; but such violations are NOT granted by Scripture (also, civil law will not generally permit the slaughtering lambs and applying lamb blood around the door of one's home; there is not a Holy Temple to attend in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover as required in the Old Testament). Romans 14:5 (RSV) - One man esteems one day as better than another, while another man esteems all days alike... Romans 14:5 is a likely reference to pagan religious aspects. However, it is nicely explained in Colossians: Colossians 2:16/17 (NIV) - 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. (17) These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the Reality, however, is found in Christ. These verses make it clear that aspects of pagan cultures and Jewish cultures need not be included in the Christian Church. This even includes the Sabbath itself (ews also considered the other days of the week Sabbath days for those religious festival taking several days to occur). Some people say these verses are referring only to pagan ordinances and festivals. This is not true, because the Sabbath is Jewish! Also, earlier in the chapter (Colossians 2:8-4), Paul mentions Circumcision and Human tradition. Circumcision was a Jewish tradition under the Old Testament. This suggests that Paul was exhorting the Christian Gentiles to disregard the judgmental attitudes of those who insist on practicing various pagan or Jewish rituals (including the various Jewish Feasts ). Regarding Sabbaths and Sundays: everyday should be the Christian's Sabbath or "Sunday." It was not uncommon for Early Church Christians to meet nearly every day for fellowship and worship (Acts 2:46; Early Church history also indicates this). The Lord's Supper was weekly according to Acts 2:42, Acts 20:7, and 1st Corinthians 16:2 (also confirmed in Early Church history according to Didache, Justin Martyr, and Everett Ferguson)! The Christian standard for worship and fellowship is actually higher than that of the Orthodox Jew living according to the social and religious traditions of the Torah (Law). Page 2
Let's examine additional discussion in Galatians which explain Paul's desire to prevent Jewish customs from being declared as mandatory, and brought into the Christian Church: Galatians 4:8 through 10 (NIV) - Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods: (8) But now that you know God; or, rather, are known by God: how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? [of the world and the rules of men] Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? (10) You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! Verse 10 is a reference to the pagan culture (to include idol worship); and Paul is also, perhaps, referencing the Jewish culture (given the overall-all context of Galatians). Paul was saying that the Gentile converts need not, should not, follow the pagan customs (feasts and celebrations) which took place on certain days, months, or years. This likely included Jewish cultural aspects mentioned in Colossians 2:16/17 (including the various feasts and observances given in the Old Testament). We already know that the Jewish food purity ordinances ("clean" and "unclean") were ended by Jesus in Mark 7:19 (also see Romans 14:20 and 1st Timothy 4:3-5). Galatians 4:17 (NIV) - Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them. Galatians 4:17 suggests there were some would-be leaders trying to lead the Gentile Christians into the ways of Jewish culture and/or lead the Gentiles back into the ways of pagan culture (idol worship and related feasts). There was clearly a problem with many Jewish Christians NOT wanting to stop doing what was part of their cultural identity as Jewish people: the rituals of the Law (Torah) in the Old Testament. Galatians 4:21 (NIV) - Tell me, you who want to be under the Law [Torah], are you not aware of what the Law says? In Galatians 4:21 we see a mention about Christian Gentiles who are wanting to practice the Jewish customs as expressed in the Torah (Old Testament Law). Paul disagrees with this. A return to the Law would be a form of bondage and fall from grace (Galatians 5:4 below). Galatians 5:1 through 5 (NRSV) - For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery [of the rituals of a poor system; see Hebrews 8:7]. (2) Listen! I, Paul, am telling you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. (3) Once again, I testify to every man who lets himself be circumcised, that he is obliged to obey the entire Law [Torah]. (4) You who want to be justified by the Law have cut yourselves off from Christ; you have fallen away from grace [the Law doesn't save or justify by rituals when in Christ]. In Galatians 5:1 through 5, we finally discover Paul's primary concern about the Christian Gentiles: they were being drawn into Jewish culture by dubious would-be Jewish authorities (Galatians 4:17). These Jewish Christian authorities wanted the Christian Gentiles to be circumcised in order to become Proselyte Jews (see Genesis 17:11 and Exodus 12:48); this would socially permit the Christian Gentiles to practice other aspects of Jewish culture which take place on certain "Days, months, and years" (Galatians 4:10). We can see from the other Scriptures in Galatians that Paul is not just concerned about circumcision, but he is concerned about other all aspects of Jewish culture; he is concerned about all pagan cultural aspects; and he is concerned about all religious feasts and ordinances, both Jewish and pagan. Again, Paul is saying that Christians need not honor these rituals of the Old Testament, because Christians are under grace and justified by grace, not the Law (as ordinances from the Old Testament to gain atonement for sin for continued fellowship and favor from God). Page 3
In American culture, there are many movements* which demand we honor the Jewish feasts and ordinances, yet the Bible makes it clear that this is not necessarily practical or needed. * Examples would be: "Worldwide Church of God" (this cult was formed by the false prophet Herbert W. Armstrong); Seventh Day Adventists (another cult... well meaning as it may be); and various "Messianic" movements. For obvious reasons, some "Messianic" movements even consider Paul to be a "False Apostle." We know there are times when we must honor the customs or beliefs of other Christians who do not yet know the full extent of their freedom in Christ. We honor such things so that these immature Christians do not stumble in their faith by feeling that they must violate their conscience in order to live as Christians (see Romans 14:14 below). Romans 14:14 (NRSV) - I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 1st Timothy 4:3 through 5 (NIV) - They [errant teachers] forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. (4) For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, (5) because it is consecrated by the Word of God and prayer. Some Christian Jews were offended that Christian Gentiles would purchase unclean meat (example: pork) at the market. Other Christian Jews were offended that Christian Gentiles would eat meat which came from a temple sacrifice of a false god (only part of the animal was sacrificed; the meat was often sold at the market). Romans 14:20 (NRSV) - Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for you to make others fall by what you eat. These two verses apply to every thing, not just food! See below: 1st Corinthians 8:9 (NIV) - Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. [as immature Christians: either Jew or Gentile] 1st Corinthians 10:32 (NIV) - Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the Church of God. 2nd Corinthians 6:3 (NIV) - We put no stumbling block in anyone s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 1st Corinthians 6:12 (RSV) - All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything. 1st Corinthians 10:23 (RSV) - All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up. Finally, in spite of Paul's various teachings in Galatians, and his dispute with Peter, we see that Paul did sometimes honor some Jewish customs: these included aspects about vows (Acts 18:18 and Acts 21:21-26), He circumcised Timothy for fear of the Jews (Acts 16:3), and He attended certain feasts (Acts 20:16 or 1st Corinthians 5:7 through 8). While Paul and Jesus did practice certain Jewish feasts and ordinances; they, by their actions, are not saying these Jewish traditions must be brought in the Christian Church in a mandatory manner. So why did Paul practice some of the Jewish rituals? Some of the previous Scriptures explain this, but also consider this: Page 4
1st Corinthians 9:18 through 23 (NIV) - Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. (20) To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. (21) To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God s law, but am under Christ s law), so as to win those not having the law. (22) To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. (23) I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. Our actions should be about loving each other; about loving the lost and leading them to Jesus; about how to bless each other; about how to serve each other; about bringing glory to God and reflecting His glory through our actions. We are to love others and edify them (Romans 2:4). Our love may even come at our own expense physically (even with pain). Our love should be unconditional for others, even if we disagree with some of their beliefs or behaviors. Why? Because we are to bear the differences/burdens/sins of each other (Galatians 6:2; Matthew 18:21 through 22; Colossians 3:13; James 5:9; Philippians 2:3; and Romans 14:1). Romans 14:7 through 8 (RSV) - None of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. (8) If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord s. Philippians 2:3 (KJV) - Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory [selfish ambition]; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem [or highly regard] others better [or more supreme] than themselves. James 5:9 (NRSV) - Beloved, do not grumble [complain] against one another... Romans 14:1 (RSV) - As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. 1st John 4:7 (NRSV) - Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Wrapping it up: The Body Of Christ does celebrate certain Feasts. Examples are Easter and Christmas. There is nothing wrong in adding others: perhaps a Christian form of Tabernacles, but only if we don't lose perspective as Christians. Feasts do not force God's favor upon us; they are ONLY about helping us to focus on adoring Him in loving worship; and remembering what He has done for us, and in us, through His Son. Page 5