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!
David Ben-Ariel is a Christian-Zionist writer in Ohio and author of Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall. With a focus on the Middle East and Jerusalem, his analytical articles help others improve their understanding of that troubled region. Check out Beyond Babylon.
