Today is the Passover. Thus, the Loop 287 church of Christ wishes to announce our First Annual Passover Festival. Join us in the memorial feast. We will have plenty of roasted lamb, bread, and herbs for everyone (Ex. 12:3-9). Dress ready for travel (Ex. 12:11). We will smear lamb’s blood on car hoods in place of doorways in homes (Ex. 12:7).
Sadly, some may think we are serious. We are not! To observe the Passover feast today would mock the Son of God and His sacrifice for the sins of the world. He is THE Lamb of God, our Passover (Jn. 1:29; 1 Cor. 5:7). As people who understand that Christ is the one we follow, not Moses, we reject the keeping of the Passover feast of the Jews. How about you?
Some people reject the Passover, but go back to Moses’ law for authority to observe the Sabbath (Ex. 20:8). They say it is a command for all men to keep for all time. In this, they fail to acknowledge the old covenant, the ministry of death, was done away (2 Cor. 3:3-13; Col. 2:14). Too, they have misunderstood the Sabbath command was given to Israel–none other (Ex. 31:13-17). Of course, the Sabbath command is never given in the New Testament of Jesus Christ; rather, Christians are to meet upon the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2).
Many people will refuse to keep the Passover, but go back to the Law for authority to have a priesthood (Ex. 28:1-4). Countless churches have a clergy-laity distinction. Some people call the clergyman a “priest,” others “reverend.” Still, some make a distinction between the congregation and its preacher and designate him as “pastor”; all others are “laymen.” Like Sabbatarians, these people fail to understand that the Law was nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14). The “clergy-laity” distinction is not found in the New Testament of our Lord; rather, we see all Christians are priests (1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 1:6).
Do you reject the Law’s Passover as authoritative today? If so, do you also reject the Old Testament commands of Sabbath keeping and a priesthood? If not, why not? Paul said if you accept part of the Old Law, you must accept all of it (Gal. 5:3).
Steven F. Deaton