Lessons

The message on August 1, 2018 was on the Passover and was our Easter lesson for 2018.  Wayne took time to look at the Passover feast because of two main issues.  First it tells the story of how Israel was brought out of bondage from the “type of the world” which was Egypt under the blood of the Passover lamb. We learned that in Exodus 12, this feast was the beginning of the new year for Israel.  This is a great type in picture of a Christian’s new life made possible by Christ and His sacrifice.  The fact that PAul still talks about Jesus the Christ which is the same before and after Acts 28.  It is always interesting to see how PAul handles topics that are distinguished in our calling and the things that are in common.  The second thing to point out is the controversy between Easter and Passover.  Easter and Passover are around the same time but sometimes there is a difference.  Should we be observing the Jewish Passover instead of Easter?  For those of us who know their specific calling separate from the nation of Israel know are comfortable in celebrating the resurrection of Christ apart from Passover which is part of Israel’s specific calling. Wayne takes us through the history of Gentile Christains celebrating the resurrection alongside Israel and the Passover which we saw in 1 Corinthians 5:8 KJV “Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” So the Passover is the natural time to recogize Christ and His sacrificial work.  Wayne tooks us to Acts 21:21-26 that Paul observed the passover and “25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication. 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purifcation, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.  This shows that Paul during Acts was a law abiding Jewish Christian. The scripture reading was from Acts 21:21-24 KJV

“21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. 22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. 23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; 24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.”