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Being a Christian whose background is primary affiliation with Baptist, my background does not include observing the Leviticus 23 feasts. But as I have spiritually grown beyond being strictly “Baptist”. I do consider observing the feasts in spirit to be a good thing whether or not they are still commanded by God. Yet, to attempt to observe them in letter is impossible for a host of reasons especially when one considers animal sacrifices aspects of the feasts and controversies concerning calendars which makes the exact date of the feasts uncertain.

So then for me, the moral function of the feasts is good to keep even though the form of them is different under Christ than under Moses. For me this is the meaning of Col 2:16 and Gal 4:10. Note that this observation concerning feasts does not automatically transfer to other things mentioned in Col 2:16 and Gal 4:10. For example, when considering dietary laws, Peter’s vision as recorded in Acts 10 must be considered.

Feasts and Festivals are similar to what we call holidays. There are four categories of such holidays: Old Covenant Feasts and Festivals; New Covenant Feasts and Festivals; Jewish Holidays not specifically in the Bible such as Hanukkah, and Christian Holidays not specifically in the Bible. There are a number of American Holidays that are not intended to be Christian based. This document considers those secondarily, if at all. Note that the New Testament records some Old Covenant feasts and festivals that Jesus and the apostles participated in both before and after Jesus crucifixion/resurrection.

It is clear that Jesus and his disciples before his crucifixion observed the biblical feasts established under Moses as well as the feast established during the period between the Old Testament end and the New Testament beginning. It is also clear that the biological Jews (and most likely proselytes) disciples continued to observe these feasts after Jesus resurrection in spirit if not in letter. It is not clear if this continued observance was a matter of tradition due to familiarity and understanding at the time or commandment. It is not clear if Gentiles (non-biological Jews) were commanded to keep these feasts even if Jews were commanded to keep them.

The feast of tabernacles is mentioned in John 7:2 but this was before the New Covenant.

Another feast though not one commanded under Moses that was kept prior to the New Covenant is Hannukah. Hannukah was not commanded by God but Jews in the New Testament and even Jesus seems to have observed it (John 10:22). At least, there is no record of them condemning such observances not involving evil behavior and neither should anyone alive today. Similarly, observing Juneteenth in celebration of my people delivery by God from slavery in America is just as important as observing Passover in celebration of Israelites delivery by God from slavery in Egypt. Anyone that claims differently disrespects my people struggle for justice. I therefore reject illogical claims that any feast not commanded by God is evil.

Passover: Passover is explicitly mentioned as a feast prior to Christ death. Acts 12 mentions it after Christ death as a feast the Jews attended. However, it does not explicitly say that the apostles attended it and moreover it does not say they prescribed it as mandatory to be attended by Christians.

Passover (Acts 12:3-4): In Acts 12:4 the word translated Passover elsewhere is translated Easter. This is clearly an unwise translation no matter the rationale as the event there is clearly the Jewish Passover given the mentioning of the days of unleavened bread in the preceding verse (Acts 12:3).

Passover (Matt 26:17; Mark 14:1,12; Luke 22:1,7): The scriptures in Matt 26:17 and Mark 14:1 are different writings of the same conversation. In looking at these verses one should remember that in the KJV italicized words mean the translator added the word for readability as no Greek word actually appears in the original manuscript. So then notice that Matthew original writing leaves out the word day but Mark includes the word day as it is not italicized in Mark. Therefore, logical deduction allowed the translators to include the word day in Matthew 26:17 italicized consistent with the actual inclusion of the word in Mark 14. Also notice an analysis and synthesis of the verses listed above for Matthew 26, Mark 14, and Luke 22 show the Jews associated the phrase “day of unleavened bread” with both the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Luke 22:1 shows they considered the feast of unleavened bread to be part of Passover. When one looks at Matt 26:17 the italicized words feast of seems unwise except when one considers the presence of the non-italicized word first such that first indicates an event of more than one day which is generally thought to be the feast of unleavened bread. In Mark 14:1 I think it would have been wiser to put the italicized words the feast of in front of unleavened bread instead of Passover. Having said all of that I observe that it seems that in New Testament days the Jews for communication and practice purposes at times saw the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread as one event not two separate events. Thus, one should not make too much of a deal about the translators choice in those verses as there is nothing doctrinally in error regarding the translation.

Lord’s Supper (Communion) Not Passover: Some erroneously claim 1 Cor 11 is about celebrating the Passover. Yet, 1 Cor 11 is not the Passover. It is the Lord’s Supper as 1 Cor 11:20 explicitly says. The word not in 1 Cor 11:20 refers to the fact they were coming there for the wrong purpose in that they were coming there to eat and get drunk rather than what the event was meant for which was the Lord’s Supper. 1 Cor 11 is not in remembrance of Israel deliverance from Egypt which is what the Passover is about. 1 Cor 11 remembers Christ death on the cross for our sins. When Paul uses the word Passover in 1 Cor 5:7 he is using it as a type not as the actual feast. Same for his use of the word unleavened. It is righteous to celebrate the Leviticus 23 feasts in the spirit of the law even though one may be unable or it is inappropriate to do so in the letter of the law (2 Cor 3:6; Rom 7:6). This means I do not believe it is necessary to have animal sacrifices to celebrate the feasts. The rightness of this belief is evidenced by the apostles keeping Pentecost as reference in Acts 2:1 and Acts 20:16 both of which were after Jesus death, burial, resurrection and ascension. Indeed, people should acknowledge that under Christ the law has changed and one is not required to do many laws as they are prescribed under Moses. People should also acknowledge the New Covenant principle of not judging folks as to the if, when, where, and how of those things mentioned in Col 2:16 whether folks seek to keep them or not. The fact that God allows folks to righteously (not sin) keep the feast short of doing everything prescribed in the law means God has changed the law under Christ for there was no such allowance under Moses.

Day of Atonement (Acts 27:9?) The question mark is by Acts 27:9 because a fast is mentioned but the name and purpose of the feast is not given in the context of that verse. Theologians believe it refers to the Day of Atonement mentioned in Leviticus 23:26-32 such that the fast refers to afflicting of souls as given in Leviticus 23:32. However, the phrase Day of Atonement does not exist in the context of that verse. Moreover, the context just mentions the fast had passed. It does not say that Paul participated in it. The statement concerning the fast is descriptive not prescriptive. Indeed, the reference may have been to the ship staff who may have been Jews but not necessarily Christian Jews having not worked during the fast. In any case, the reference to fast is at most a weak reason to say Paul kept the Day of Atonement or any other feast based on Acts 27:9.

Example scriptures that speak to biological Jews keeping the sabbath and feasts under Christ include:

Pentecost (Acts 2:1; 18:21; 20:16). Pentecost is the same as the Feast of Weeks given in Leviticus 23:15-22. The word translated Pentecost in the New Testament means 50.

Weekly sabbath observance include Acts 13:42-44; 15:21.

Scriptures that indicate some measure of freedom from keeping the weekly sabbaths and annual feast are Col 2:16-17, Rom 14:5, and Gal 3:1-3; 4:8-10.

The scripture says: Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. (2 Cor 3:6).

For example, we cannot do animal sacrifices so the offerings to the Lord commanded in Numbers 28:16-25 cannot be followed in letter (as written) but one can offer to the Lord in other ways and people do it in different ways and therefore carry out the commandment concerning the Passover.

Exodus 12:17 speaks of Passover as being a perpetual ordinance. Col 2:14 speaks of ordinances being nailed to the cross. Col 2:14 does not say every ordinance is nailed to the cross nor does Exodus 12:17 say that every aspect of the Passover ordinance is perpetual. Clearly, the participation of the Levitical Priests in the Passover has ended (not perpetual). Scriptures speak of the office of the Priest as being perpetually belonging to Levites (Exodus 29:9). But we know that Jesus was of the tribe of Judah and is now the High Priest (Heb 3:1). Moreover, all believers are priests yes, all believers are priests (1 Peter 2:9).

So then for me, the moral function of the feasts is good to keep even though the form of them is different under Christ than under Moses. For me this is the meaning of Col 2:16 and Gal 4:10. Gal 4:10 may refer to either righteous or unrighteous events; in any case, it is applicable to both in terms of being rightly warned and admonished by Paul if they held any such righteous observances as necessary for salvation. Note that this observation concerning feasts does not automatically transfer to other things mentioned in Col 2:16. For example, when considering dietary laws, Peter’s vision as recorded in Acts 10 must be considered.

Closing

Finally I close with emphasizing the power and value of Colossians 2:16-17 which exhorts us not to judge one another on sabbaths and other things. It says:

¹⁶Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: ¹⁷Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Romans 14:1-23 also speak to judging another concerning celebrations such as feasts to include food and days.

Holidays not commanded by God but righteous to do when done with righteous behavior include Christmas and Easter.

Also see Biblical Feasts, Festivals, and Holidays Extended Information.

References:

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 2024 Liturgy Calendar — Added July 30, 2024 — Note Exodus 12 Passover Scriptures are read on Thursday before Easter Sunday, Page 20

JCal: Jewish Calendar 2024

The Jewish Holidays PDF Extract

Biblical, Rabbinic, and Modern Holidays

https://www.gotquestions.org/amp/Jewish-festivals.html

blogs.bible.org/impact/hal_warren/the_seven_feasts_of_israel

Is Easter a Mistranslation?

Easter is Not a Mistranslation

Easter or Passover in Acts 12:4

Did God Require Animal Sacrifice on Weekly Sabbaths

The Lunar Sabbath Encyclopedia

The Lunar Sabbath Debunked: Your Complete Guide

Weekly Sabbaths Determined By New Moon