Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement. It is one of the appointed times of the Lord, in which corporate atonement for the sins of Israel was made once a year. In brief this is a solemn day, it is a Sabbath, no work is to be done, and you are to humble your soul. To know more read Leviticus 23:26-32. For me, discovering the “appointed” times of the Lord has been almost as life giving as my finding the Saviour! Trying to understand how to observe those times has been and continues to be a wonderfully liberating experience.
Should a Christian observe the appointed times of the Lord?
Jews for Jesus reports that “Yom Kippur can be somewhat of a conundrum to Jewish believers in Y’shua.” These believers are torn between lamenting their sins and rejoicing in being saved by Jesus the Messiah. Many of them choose to observe Yom Kippur by identifying with Jewish brethren, practicing introspection, praying for intercession for loved ones, and giving thanks to God.
I think “Yom Kippur” and all the appointed times are somewhat of a conundrum to Christians too. We’re wanting to go deeper and have a greater understanding of the faith of Apostles and early church. But the last thing we want is just another man’s religious tradition’s to adhere to. In other words I don’t want to miss the heart of the Law by keeping man’s traditions…Old or New.
Recently in our (me and my husbands) study of Acts 15, when we got to verse 21, it just didn’t really flow, or so it seemed at first. The context is this: There is a meeting of the apostles and elders, in Jerusalem, about 48-49 AD, they are discussing the “Gentile” situation. And it seems like the Law of Moses is being tossed out and just four “rules” are to be given to the Gentiles, so why bring up the Law of Moses?
“ For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” Acts 15:21
“The implication is that since the new Gentile converts were hearing the Law of Moses every week, they would not trouble these new converts with knowing and keeping the whole Law all at once, but just that they “keep away from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from anything strangled, and from blood” V20. It was understood they would learn it gradually over time, hearing it each week in the synagogues. Only after pointing out that the Gentiles would be learning the whole Law week after week, “did it please the apostles and elders” V22 to send the letter to the churches.” Ellen Kavanaugh
I shared our newly found understanding about Acts 15 for two reasons, first because I believe it is not the conventional interpretation of this passage, I have always seen that passage as the doing away of the Law. And second, it somehow confirms, in my mind and heart at least, that I’m headed in the right direction as far as the Law is concerned, and answers the question for me. My prayer is to keep at it like the Bereans, “examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things are so” Acts 17:11 And, that week by week, we will all “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18
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