Web Hosting by Netfirms | Free Domain Names by Netfirms

EARLY GENTILE BELIEVERS OBSERVED THE DAY OF ATONEMENT

We need first to get acquainted with the term used in the Jewish Scriptures for the non-Jew: "stranger."

Strong's Concordance defines "stranger" :1616 ger (gare); or (fully) geyr (gare); from 1481; properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner: KJV-- alien, sojourner, stranger.

Brown-Driver-Briggs' Hebrew Lexicon defines "stranger": 1616 ger or (fully) geyr- sojourner

• a) a temporary inhabitant, a newcomer lacking inherited rights
• b) used of foreigners within Israel, though they had conceded rights

In order to understand what comes next it would be important to begin to look for a "pattern" in the verses that follow not only in this article but the rest in this series as you will come to see that God included the non-Jews in the observance of not only the Festivals but the Sabbath as well. This pattern can be found not only in the Jewish Old Testament Scriptures but the New Testament as well. Having seen this then one has to wonder how we lost and deviated from such a pattern which was established in antiquity by God to the point where we have lost such obedience and observance today. One would have to ask Rome that question.

Exodus 29

• 33 And they shall eat those things wherewith the atonement was made, to consecrate [and] to sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat [thereof], because they [are] holy.

Leviticus 16

• 29. And [this] shall be a statute for ever unto you: [that] in the seventh month, on the tenth [day] of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, [whether it be] one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you:

In summary, let me quote the Apostle Paul whom Christianity has mistakenly understood as well as his message concerning the Law of God. When writing to Gentiles who have come to the knowledge and faith in the one true God of Israel, and as they have begun to join themselves to Israel and celebrate the feast of the Lord, Paul says...

Colossians 2

16. Let 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]: {in meat...: or, for eating and drinking} {respect: or, part}

17 Which are a shadow of things to come...

The Apostle Paul strongly urges believing Gentiles who have come to Faith in Yahweh and Jesus to let no one tell them that because they participate in the celebration of the feasts of the LORD they have put themselves under bondage and the Law. The Law was not to be restrictive. Jesus said his yoke was easy (the yoke of the Law of Moses) and his burden was light. King David in Psalm 119 said that he delighted in the Law and meditated in it night and day. If we presume to believe that the Law and celebration of the festivals was bondage then we have failed to understand the message of not only Paul, but Jesus as well. Let us resolve together to make a commitment to rediscover our Hebrew Roots and "choose those things that please God."