CBCG and Legacy on Passover

A Shmura Matzo (Unleavened Bread is Used for Passover)

In their latest newsletters CGCG’s Fred Coutler and Legacy Institute’s Leon Sexton discussed Passover.

Here are some comments from CBCG:

Contrary to God’s instructions, traditional Judaism later changed the meaning of the Passover to celebrate the exodus itself—not the passing over of the firstborn. However, the Passover never commemorated Israel’s exodus from Egypt. Rather, the exodus from Egypt occurred the next night at the beginning of the 15th. “It is a night to be much observed to the Lord for bringing them out from the land of Egypt. This is that night of the Lord to be observed by all the children of Israel in their generations…. And it came to pass the very same day, when the Lord brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies, then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Sanctify all the firstborn to Me, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, of man and of beast. It is Mine.’

“And Moses said to the people, ‘Remember this day [the 15th of Abib/Nisan] in which you came out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for the Lord brought you out from this place by the strength of His hand. There shall be no leavened bread eaten. On this day [the 15th, the night after the 14th Passover] you are going out, in the month Abib’ ” (Ex. 12:42, 51; 13:1-4).

Thus, there are two days and two nights that we are to remember: 1) the Passover on Abib/Nisan 14; and 2) the Night to be Much Observed on Abib/Nisan 15, the first day—a holy day—that begins the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread (the seventh day is also a holy day). The two are separate, but related and intertwined feasts.

And it is true that modern Judaism is confused about the dates and meaning of Passover–and that is why many Jews will observe it a day late. Some Jewish scholars, however, are realizing that the Jews made some changes to distance themselves from the early Christians (please see COGaIC: Rabbinic Passover Observations)–yet many who profess Christ do not know this.

Here are come comments from Legacy concerning Passover:

The Church of God has maintained the correct evening and the correct ceremonies of the New Testament Passover. This ceremonial event consists of three parts: the foot-washing, a sign of humility and service to one another; the taking of the symbol of bread which represents the broken body of Jesus; and the wine which symbolizes Our Lord’s shed blood of the New Covenant.

Passover is a chance for us to come together in humility and focus on and remember the true meaning of our relationship with one another and with Our Lord Jesus Himself. It is a chance to forgive the past sins of our brothers and sisters and ask them to forgive us. This is the foot-washing part. Are we able to spiritually wash the feet of our brethren by forgiving their offenses toward us?

We are able to focus on the betrayal, sham trial and severe beating and humiliation of God. Did you know that Pilate tried to save Jesus three times? One of those ways was to have Him scourged and beaten which left Him bloody with strips of flesh torn off His body. One prophecy by King David said you could see his bones! Pilate did this in the hopes that the rabid crowd would be satisfied and let Jesus go. But they would only be satisfied by His death.

Passover gives us the chance to ponder the meaning of His shed blood. Jesus called it the blood of the New Covenant! The Old Covenant never offered eternal life. The New Covenant does. That is because Jesus died and our sins are erased by His substitute death. This means we are no longer under the curse of death if we bring ourselves into a New Covenant relationship with Christ. Taking the wine reminds us that we have a binding contract with Jesus Our Savior and Lord that He will honor in the Day of the Last Trumpet Sounding…

And finally, the Passover gives us a fresh start. We are all sinners…The guilt that follows the breaking of God’s laws can become burdensome and cause a wedge between us and Our God. We don’t want to face God because we have sinned. We are the same as our ancient mother and father who hid themselves from the presence of God in the Garden of Eden because of sin.

Some people have decided to get rid of the guilt by getting rid of the Law! They are only deceiving themselves. God gave us a way to get rid of our guilt by going to Him and reminding Him about the binding Covenant relationship we have with Him and confessing our sins to Him. We receive forgiveness because of Jesus’ sacrifice.

Passover is so important that no True Christian should miss it. Take it at home if you have to; and don’t make any excuses by saying you are “unworthy” to take it or because someone you don’t like will also be there. Passover is a chance to have a new beginning – a new start! Don’t waste this miraculous opportunity because of sin or holding a grudge. REPENT, and go take the Passover!

Jesus clearly taught that our Eternal Lives depend on our participation in the Passover ceremony:

John 6:53-58
“Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.”

These are very sobering words. Jesus takes the Passover very seriously because His personal sacrifice was so great!

Yes, real Christians follow the teachings and practices of Jesus and observe Passover as He did.

Sadly, most of what passes for modern Christianity does not even know that what they now call Easter was supposed to be Passover on a different date. But, of course, when the date was changed, the true meaning was lost to those who chose to accept the Roman Catholic Sunday Passover, now called Easter in English.

However, since most do not understand true Christian history, most who profess Christ do not realize why they keep Easter and not Christ’s Passover.

The Christian Passover for 2008 is this Friday, April 18th, after sunset.

Several articles of related interest may include:

Passover and the Early Church Did the early Christians observe Passover? What did Jesus and Paul teach? Why did Jesus die for our sins?
Melito’s Homily on the Passover This is one of the earliest Christian writings about the Passover. This also includes what Apollinaris wrote on the Passover as well.
Should Christians Keep the Days of Unleavened Bread? Do they have any use or meaning now? This article supplies some biblical answers.
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
What Happened in the Crucifixion Week? How long are three days and three nights? Did Jesus die on “Good Friday”? Was the resurrection on Sunday? Do you really know? Who determined the date of Easter?
Did Early Christians Celebrate Easter? If not, when did this happen? What do scholars and the Bible reveal?

The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?