Monday, September 16, 2013

Importance of Yom Kippur in Our Present Time

After the powers, for simplicity, the Roman Empire, separated the practices of Feasts of the Torah from the first century Messianic assemblies, better known now as the Early Christian Church, it was not long before the Jewishness of it all was forgotten.  Though gradually members are beginning to rediscover the significance of these Hebrew celebrations, still many have no knowledge that the Messianic assemblies were all Jewish.

In the Book of Acts in the New Covenant, it is inferred that the fast of Yom Kippur was practiced by the Messianic along with other Jews.

Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, Acts 27:9

Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD. Leviticus 23:27

Recently I was involved in nearly a week long exchange on the Elder of Ziyon blog over a comment that was posted which basically stated the essences of Christianity is Jew Hatred. My argument was that 'Christianity' was founded by Jews, all the early teachers and writers were Jews, Yeshua was a Jew and that hatred toward a Jew was against the tenants of basic Christianity, citing 'love your enemy' and Romans 11 wherein it is stated all of Israel shall be saved.  Despite the obvious pogroms initiated by assemblies and heads of assemblies calling themselves Christian or the true church, despite the doctrines that developed such as supersessionism  and even the anti-Semitic attitudes that crept into later translations, the communities of Yeshua were Jewish.

Many believers in the Messiah who identify themselves as Jews still keep the Feast of Atonement, the fast. Perhaps many Messianic (Christians) without Jewish cultural backgrounds also fast. The Tenakh, the Talmud and the New Covenant all agree that blood is required for atonement. But the fast of today except perhaps in ultra-orthodox assemblies where chickens are killed, implies atonement from fasting. A very interesting doctrine, sin for a year, confess and fast for a day and you are good to go! Certainly this eliminates any blood shed required in all the old scriptures.

But in he Messiah, the atonement is completely fulfilled for all time. For explanation read particularly Hebrews 9 & 10.                                                                                                                                      




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