RCM: Should Christians Observe the Day of Atonement?


Roderick C. Meredith (Photo by Joyce Thiel)

COGwriter

Roderick C. Meredith, the Presiding Evangelist of the Living Church of God (LCG) wrote the following in his latest commentary:

By Roderick C. Meredith…
Many of you are aware that Jews around the world will begin observing the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur in the Hebrew language, at sunset on Tuesday, September 25 this year. It is a day of fasting during which Jews all around the world abstain totally from food and water for a full 24 hours, humbling themselves before God. But did you know that many thousands of true Christians all over the world are also observing the Day of Atonement? Why would they do that?

The answer is simple. They are following the scriptural example of the New Testament Church. The church of the Apostles continued to observe the annual holy days established by God in the Old Testament, including the Day of Atonement. In the first century after the death, burial, and resurrection of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the Bible records the beginning of the Christian Church on another Holy Day, the Day of Pentecost. The Apostle Peter spoke to the assembled Jews on that day. As a result of his preaching, 3,000 people were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and the New Testament church began under the leadership of the Apostles.

Should Christians in this day and age keep the Day of Atonement? Yes, they should! Jesus and the Apostles continued to observe the holy days instituted by God. On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus observed the Passover with his Apostles and instituted the New Testament Passover symbols, which Christians understand to be symbolic of Christ, the true Passover Lamb. Jesus also observed the fall holy day season, including the Feast of Tabernacles (See John the 7th chapter). In fact, the New Testament Church began on an annual Sabbath—Pentecost. Read the second chapter of the book of Acts in your Bible. The Day of Atonement is referred to in Acts 27:9 as “the Fast,” because the Day was observed by fasting to humble oneself before God.

Let’s understand! The key question Christians need to ask themselves is simply: “Am I following the example of Jesus Christ and the Apostles?” They set us an example of true Christianity—and that way of life is recorded in your Bible. The very foundation of true Christianity is defined in Ephesians 2:19-20. Notice, “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone.” Yes, true Christians continue to follow the example of Christ and the Apostles, even in the 21st century.

On the Day of Atonement, Christians humble themselves before God remembering the awesome sacrifice of the Lamb of God, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, whose blood atoned for our sins. The Hebrew word for Atonement, kapar, literally means “to cover over.” Our death penalty has been paid for us, and our sins have been buried, or “covered over.”

The Day of Atonement also looks forward to the time when the whole world will have the same opportunity for forgiveness and reconciliation. That future time, tomorrow’s world, will usher in the rulership of the King of kings, Jesus of Nazareth—a time when all peoples and nations will submit to the Kingdom of God on earth. The Day of Atonement also signifies the time when the god of this world, Satan the devil (Ephesians 2:2) will be expelled and restrained for a thousand years. It is a supremely important and meaningful day to Christians.

Everyone needs forgiveness, because everyone has sinned. We urge you to deeply examine your life. Jesus and the apostles commanded everyone to repent and believe the Gospel. One major emphasis of the true gospel is that our forgiveness is made possible through the sacrifice of Christ and His shed blood. On the Day of Atonement, we deeply consider all that this day pictures in regard to our own personal lives now, as well as in tomorrow’s world when peace will be established and humanity will be at one with God. To learn more about this important annual festival, read our informative free booklet, The Holy Days: God’s Master Plan.

History records that people who professed Christ kept this day well after Jesus died as well as after His original apostles died as well.

Until sunset September 26  is the Day of Atonement for the year 2012.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Day of Atonement–Its Christian Significance The Jews call it Yom Kippur, Christians “The Day of Atonement”. Does it have any relevance for Christians today?
Michael’s Feasts and Fasts Quiz 15 questions, amusing wrong answer screens.
Michael’s Day of Atonement Quiz Another free on-line Bible quiz by my son Michael.
Michael’s Feasts and Fasts Quiz 15 questions, amusing wrong answer screens.
Spiritual Benefits of Fasting Jesus said, “But by Prayer and Fasting” and this article by Dr. Meredith focuses on fasting and provides his physical and spiritual fasting tips. Does fasting help prevent heart disease?
Did Early Christians Observe the Fall Holy Days? Did they? Did Jesus? Should you?
Holy Day Calendar This is a listing of the biblical holy days through 2017, with their Roman calendar dates. They are really hard to observe if you do not know when they occur :)



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