Biblical explanation
Israel's annual feasts commemorated God's saving acts and pointed forward to Christ's work. The New Testament identifies Christ as “our passover” and applies the feast imagery spiritually to sincere Christian living (). When the early church considered which requirements should be placed on Gentile converts, the Jerusalem council did not command them to observe the annual festivals (). Paul warned believers not to let others judge them concerning festivals, new moons, or sabbath days that functioned as shadows of things to come, because the substance belongs to Christ (). Christians may find historical and spiritual value in learning about the feasts, but they should not present voluntary observance as a means of earning salvation or a universal test of faithfulness.
In brief
Israel's annual feasts commemorated God's saving acts and pointed forward to Christ's work.
Bible references
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