Passover and Pentecost differences settled!
Why do we differ on Passover and Pentecost? Is it because our
Father God left us in the dark? Has the God of law and order
left us in chaos and confusion? Are we unable to "prove all
things" from the Scriptures - as we're commanded - because we're
unable to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the correct dates to
observe God's holy days? DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
Since there are many questions on this holy subject, we must
start from the premise that God's Word is true, consistent and
does not contradict itself (John 10:35) We must look for those
basic Scriptures that are black and white and build our biblical
case upon them. Such supportive Scriptures are actually
abundantly available and the biblical evidence is
overwhelming! Let us shine the Light of God's Word on our
prayerful study with open minds, hearts and Bibles (Isa. 8:20;
John 3:19-21; Acts 17:11).
The apostle Paul was inspired to write for the record that "the
oracles of God" were committed to the Jews. The sacred
calendar is clearly a part of "the oracles of God" (Ex. 12:2;
Lev. 23:4). The purpose of the sacred calendar is for the
Jews to determine and declare when the holy days of God
are to be observed.
Jesus clearly revealed which Jews were responsible for these
holy matters. Jesus declared that "the scribes and the
PHARISEES sit in Moses' seat" of AUTHORITY (Matt. 23:2).
God has ordained that the Jews preserve His Word on the Law,
Prophets and Writings - despite themselves (Rom. 3:2-3). God
will not renege on giving Judah this special calling and
precious gift (Gen. 49:10, Rom. 11:29).
God has also ordained that Church officials can make binding
decisions based upon biblical legal precedents, affecting
Church issues (such as discussed in Acts 15 at the
Jerusalem council of elders), that do not undermine the
foundation of the Church - the Law and the Prophets (Rom. 11;18;
Eph. 2:20). God has not given Church leaders a license to "kill"
the brethren by destroying them doctrinally, uprooting and
overturning foundational truths, or "playing God" by stealing
divine prerogatives! (Matt. 5:17, 19; 2 Thess. 2:3-4).
The correct dates to observe God's holy days should not be a
Church issue, having been settled by God thousands of years ago
and preserved throughout the ages by faithful Jews.
So why do we differ on Passover and Pentecost? Because some have
refused, rejected, denied and attempted to dismiss the
biblical testimony! (Rom. 1:18; 3 John 9-10). We don't
differ because God's forgotten or neglected to properly instruct
His children in His ways (Deut. 6:7). We don't differ because
we're unable to prove from the Scriptures, beyond a reasonable
doubt, what's right and what's wrong.
"Come now and let us reason together, saith the LORD" (Isa.
1:18), "for the LORD has a controversy with His people, and He
will plead with Israel" (Micah 6:2).
We differ because some have questioned God's right to choose the
Jews to preserve the Bible and doubt God's ability to see that
they fulfill their serious responsibility (Ex. 4:11; Isa. 45:9).
We differ because some won't submit to the biblical fact
that Jesus clearly decreed that the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat
and attempt to usurp that authority by forcibly installing the
Sadducees in that position instead. God destroyed the power-base
of the Sadducees when the Temple was destroyed but preserved the
Pharisees. The Sadducees are history! We must make sure that we
support God's chosen and not find ourselves in the enemy camp.
(I Kgs. 2:27,35; Acts 5:39).
God's Church, as a general rule, has stubbornly followed the
blind Sadducean dates for Passover and Pentecost. That is to our
shame! We must reject the rebellious traditions of men for the
commandments of God, otherwise God will reject us as His
Priest-King (Mark 7:7-9; 1 Sam. 15:23). It's that serious!
Some, knowing better, continue to enjoy bitter strife and
envying, getting caught up in proud personality clashes rather
than humbling themselves before the Word of God ( 2 Tim.
2:23-26; Jas. 3:13-18). Truth is truth. It shouldn't be a matter
of "I'm right and you're wrong," but what does God's Word say?
God is truth. None of us owns the truth, only God does. Any
truth that we might have God's revealed it to us (1 Cor. 4:6-7).
We're not to take credit for it - all credit goes to God (2 Cor.
4:7).
Thankfully, a growing number of the brethren are beginning to
see that the Bible does prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, which
holy dates God would have us to observe. Therefore, may we
celebrate God's holy days as He would have us to - "in spirit
and in truth" - and praise Him for restoring this truth
to His Church!