SHABBAT
As a community of born again believers in Jesus we believe it is important to recognise that we have been grafted into the commonwealth of Israel. As such we stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters by supporting and praying for Israel.
As part of this understanding we have chosen to celebrate the appointed feasts of the Lord as revealed in Leviticus 23. They are His feasts so we observe them as a means of identifying with the Jewish people, and with God's continuing purpose for his ancient people. This includes Shabbat which we celebrate every Friday evening.
Leviticus 23:1-2
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, These are the appointed feasts of the LORD that you shall proclaim as holy convocations; they are my appointed feasts."
Exodus 12:14
This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.
Colossians 2:16-17
Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
The word feast, in Hebrew, is hag or mo’ed, a set time or appointed time. An appointed festival or feast is a holy convocation or sacred assembly, meaning in Hebrew mikrah, a rehearsal or a recital. Therefore all of the festivals and feasts appointed by God as rehearsals are for the purpose of revealing the Messiah (Colossians 2:16-17) and completing God’s overall plan.
In other words, God’s purpose in calling His people to an appointment with Him was so that He could reveal His eternal purposes through the revelation of His Son, Jesus (Yeshua) the Messiah. The signs and symbols of the feasts all point towards the truth about Jesus – He is the focus.
As we look at these feasts we can see the deep truths that they reveal from the heart of the Father. God established these feasts and specific times when His people would meet with Him and remind themselves of God’s eternal plan.
The Sabbath is intended to be a delight, celebrating our personal rest in Jesus. Shabbat is a gift of God to us, a time of reset, rest and reflection, a joyful time set apart from the busy week when we can focus on Jesus and the joy of our salvation. Shabbat was made for man and not man for Shabbat (Mark 2:27).
Jesus and the disciples observed the Sabbath (Mark 1:21; 6:2; Luke 4:16). The apostle Paul observed the Sabbath (Acts 13:13-42; Acts 18:4). The Sabbath will be honoured in the Millenial Kingdom (Isaiah 66:23). For us this is not a matter of the law for we know that we are no longer in bondage to the law, but a delight and a joy as we celebrate together the fulfilment of the law in our Saviour Yeshua (Jesus)
Leviticus 23:1-2
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, These are the appointed feasts of the LORD that you shall proclaim as holy convocations; they are my appointed feasts."
Exodus 12:14
This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.
Colossians 2:16-17
Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
The word feast, in Hebrew, is hag or mo’ed, a set time or appointed time. An appointed festival or feast is a holy convocation or sacred assembly, meaning in Hebrew mikrah, a rehearsal or a recital. Therefore all of the festivals and feasts appointed by God as rehearsals are for the purpose of revealing the Messiah (Colossians 2:16-17) and completing God’s overall plan.
In other words, God’s purpose in calling His people to an appointment with Him was so that He could reveal His eternal purposes through the revelation of His Son, Jesus (Yeshua) the Messiah. The signs and symbols of the feasts all point towards the truth about Jesus – He is the focus.
As we look at these feasts we can see the deep truths that they reveal from the heart of the Father. God established these feasts and specific times when His people would meet with Him and remind themselves of God’s eternal plan.
The Sabbath is intended to be a delight, a time of celebrating our personal rest in Jesus. Shabbat is a gift of God to us, a time of reset, rest and reflection, a joyful time set apart from the busy week when we can focus on Jesus and the joy of our salvation. Shabbat was made for man and not man for Shabbat (Mark 2:27).
Jesus and the disciples observed the Sabbath (Mark 1:21; 6:2; Luke 4:16). The apostle Paul observed the Sabbath (Acts 13:13-42; Acts 18:4). The Sabbath will be honoured in the Millenial Kingdom (Isaiah 66:23). For us this is not a matter of the law for we know that we are no longer in bondage to the law, but a delight and a joy as we celebrate together the fulfilment of the law in our Saviour Yeshua (Jesus)
