confused about the feasts

[etherea]

Hi everybody,

I haven't posted anything for a long time, but I like to come and read often. I was really happy to see this new forum, because these are things I have questions about.



The topic about the celebrating the feasts has confused me a little, but I didn't want to mess that discussion up since I think what I have to ask kind of goes in a different direction.



It seems to me that a Christian should celebrate the feasts in the Bible, because God said so, but I 'm confused about how to celebrate them. I mean, do Christians celebrate them in the same way and at the same time as the Jewish people? Or can they be celebrated in a different way or time?



Should they be celebrated along with the Christian Feasts, or instead of Easter and Pentecost, for instance? Is Good Friday the same thing as the Day of Atonement? Or maybe should some parts of the bible feasts be integrated in the church holidays? Maybe Christians should point out the fulfilled prophecies when they celebrate them, or something like that. I'm just not clear on how this all should work. I want to do what's right and honors God, I just don't know how to go about it. Is it something I could do just in my own family?



There isn't anyone around me or in my church that is interested in Jewish things, so there isn't anyone for me to ask. I've brought up the subject with my pastor on occasion, but he doesn't seem to have any more clue about things than I do.

[HelenaZF]

I think everyone makes this journey at their own pace. The Lord gently leads us to people and events and places that begin to work a love for our bibilical heritage into us in many ways.



Try to identify what is drawing you and nurture that with some small act. Sometimes, just beginning in a simple way to observe the feast days by commemorating them with a meal and a prayer with your family might be all God is asking from someone at the very beginning. As we are faithful with the little bit that He gives us, He begins to give us more and to put us in contact with others of like heart.



As this forum builds, there will also be more resources listed where you can learn about these things.



Perhaps the shabbat "feast" could be a good way to start. We offer a little booklet in the <URL url="http://z15.invisionfree.com/ZionFireFriends/index.php?showforum=49">ZionFire Shoppe called <URL url="http://zionfirefriends.com/index.php?showtopic=1363&view=findpost&p=4324907">"Shabbat Shalom". It is a collection of prayers and instructions on a way to celebrate Shabbat in your own home and begin the tradition of a family altar.

[Dave]

Etherea,



I think the main problems (and I face them as well) are culture and community.



Culture - unless you come from a practicing Jewish background the biblical festivals are not part of your culture. We are brought up celebrating christmas and easter, and so the Jewish holidays are outside our experience and understanding.



Community - we don't celebrate these festivals on our own, but with a bunch of like-minded people. Many of us are not part of such a community, often because one doesn't exist where we live.



I would tend to say that Christians should celebrate them in as similar a way as possible to the Jewish way.



Helena's suggestions are sensible as always; I would add that you could see if there is a messianic jewish congregation near you that you could join with. If you are feeling really brave you could get in touch with your local (non-messianic) synagogue and ask if you could learn from them. I've no idea what the response would be, but if you can convince them you're not a missionary they might welcome you. There is a desire in the Jewish world to promote understanding between faiths. In my country there's an organisation called the Council of Christians and Jews, and I know that they have sometimes arranged educational visits to synagogues, etc.

[HelenaZF]

Dave makes a good point about community. If there is no feast-celebration community in your area, it's going to be difficult.



I excerpted this from the other <URL url="http://zionfirefriends.com/index.php?showtopic=1623&view=findpost&p=5444829">feast topic because I think Ben said very clearly what I was trying to suggest above:
<QUOTE author="restorah">

...A believer's approach should be what the children of Israel had to do. Trust, then keep what has been revealed to them. For the children of Israel, as they crossed the Red Sea, the first and only thing that was asked of them was to keep Shabbat. This was called the sign of the covenant in Exodus. Where ever we are in the journey, we must endeavor to keep the part of the Covenant that He reveals to us. From there, as we obey, He will allow more to be revealed and understood so that we will be accountable for that, as well.

I guess we are both trying to say that it is a step-by-step process that you don't have to worry about. The Lord will lead and will not overwhelm.

[etherea]

Thanks, I like the idea of starting with shabbat. I will check out that book that was recommended.



But also, I'm learning a lot just from reading the other topics in this forum. It's really helping me understand why knowing about this is so important. I don't even know enough about it yet to ask good questions, so please keep writing everybody!