In this article I am simple presenting some of the quotations for advocates of the dual celebration of the Old and New Passover by post cross saints. I must note here that when I refer to the Old Passover I will be referring to the feast commanded by God in Leviticus 23, and all of its Old Covenant significance for the Jew at the time of its institution and until the last supper.
First of all, many of the “benefits” that have, in reason number 2 above, been ascribed to the celebration of the Old Covenant form of the Passover are actually benefits that Christians of all ages should seek: knowing God better and being close to Him, deep meaning and spiritual significance in our lives, understanding the bible and grace better. All of those things are desirous for the maturity of a Christian and can be means of our sanctification. Here are several quotes that were used in the discussion to demonstrate why persons believe that the celebration of the Old Passover is beneficial to the Christian today:
“It is beneficial to your faith and your understanding of the Bible. Passover, Communion, the Last Supper, the Exodus all have deep symbolism and meaning to our personal faith.”
“I understand more about communion, the last supper and my faith from passover seders. If you can learn more about Jesus, who is central to passover, why would you not have ‘the inclination’ [to celebrate the Passover feast]?”
“I don’t go because it’s something that is required but because I want to learn more about the God I serve... You will walk out of there knowing God a little more than when you walked in. That’s the point.”
“To take a little time and fellowship with other believers or seekers and learn more about God’s heart and grace is an experience that will only bring you closer to him. It ties so much of the OT and NT together that if you just look at it simply, you will enjoy it.”
Second, advocates of the practice make the claim that the celebration of this feast is not explicitly prohibited in the words of the New Testament, in fact, Christ celebrated it and because He commands us to continue to love the Lord God and to love our neighbor, we thus have reason also to continue to celebrate the feast of Passover.
“I want to know and to learn as much about Jesus and the Bible as I can. I wish all that say they follow Jesus would as well. If Jesus thought the passover was important enough to celebrate it the last night with the disciples, I want to learn about it.”
“many things that Jesus said, he was quoting the Hebrew scriptures. Deut 6:4 ‘Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.’ NKJV
Lev
certainly these are manners and customs that we need to keep.”
“No one can quote a verse that says we should not celebrate passover.”
“the shadows mentioned in hebrews has more to do with the offerings that with the feasts.”
“Christians have no problem or questions celebrating Christmas and Easter, though the origins and some of the customs involved are questionable. I do celebrate Christmas and Resurrection Sunday (better name than Easter/Ishtar). Passover is a biblical feasts.”
“I would, again, encourage anyone and everyone to attend a Passover Seder so they can comment based upon their own personal experience whether it is helpful or beneficial (or damaging?) to their faith, biblical knowledge and understanding. I have never encountered anyone who attended one and said well, that did not help me in anyway. Not saying they don’t exists, just never met anyone. Anyone out there have this experience? To enter into a discussion without ever attending one makes it difficult to understand the relevance I am speaking about. I am passionate about people understanding the whole Bible.”
In the next post I will begin to answer these reasons.
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