Communion vs Passover

 

 

Mention that you observe the Passover, but with New Testament symbols, to most Christians and you will often be asked, “Are you a Jewish Christian?” It’s the common conception today that Christianity takes communion and only Jews observe the Passover. But why?

Sunday keepers often refer to the first day of the week as "the Lord's day." The only mention of the Lord's day is found in Revelation 1:10: I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet... it says nothing about changing the Sabbath Law.

 

Sunday keepers like to site Acts 20, particularly verse 7, to justify taking communion instead of Passover. They take "upon the first day of the week" and "came to gather to break bread" out of context. The Disciples of Jesus Christ kept the Sabbath on the 7th day as commanded. On Sunday they came together to break bread, a common meal, not the Lord's Supper or "communion," because Paul was leaving the next day on a missionary trip. It was simply a farewell dinner. Farewell dinners are still a custom today. Jesus did not change Passover for communion.

During the Passover meal just prior to his crucifixion, Jesus took standard elements of the Passover Seder and redefined them: 

• The Bread: Instead of only symbolizing the haste of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, Jesus stated the bread was his body, broken for his followers.
• The Wine: He identified the wine as the "blood of the new covenant," moving the focus from the blood of the paschal lamb to his own impending sacrifice.
• The Command: He instructed his disciples to "do this in remembrance of me," as an annual memorial of his death. 

 

The Old Testament Passover was a type and shadow of the New Testament Passover. Commonly referred to as “the Lord’s Supper’”, “communion”, or eucharist , man-made denominations offer a variety of dates and customs. Some take communion annually, but not at the time set by God's appointed time. Others observe the Lord’s supper for Sunday brunch; still others take it daily, weekly, or quarterly… ignoring the instructions of the God they claim to worship. Remember, Cain's offering was rejected for not following God's instructions.

Yahweh explained to Moses how important the very first Passover was… it literally was the difference between life and death! Yahweh made Passover an ordinance forever. Contrary to popular custom, Communion is not an acceptable “Christian” substitute for a “Jewish” Passover. Christians are not commanded to keep Christ’s birthday or resurrection day. They are commanded to keep the true Passover of the Lord, and teach it to their children patterned after the example of Jesus as recorded in the Holy Scriptures.

How Is The Correct Date For Passover Calculated?

The Lunar calendar is the one used to determine the dates of Jewish holidays (Not Yahweh's Holy Days). All 12 months are recorded in the Scriptures. There is no mention of a 13th month, or for that matter, a leap day or leap year. As it is written: Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.~Titus 1:14 

 

Thus says the LORD: Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. ~ Isaiah 1:14 

The idea that the Jews have preserved a true biblical calendar is totally erroneous. And the Gregorian calendar with the “new year” starting in the dead of winter effectively hides the truth of Scripture. 

The most reliable calendar in the universe is the sun because it never varies from its appointed course, and cannot be manipulated by man. It is so accurate that the U.S. Naval Observatory sets their atomic clock by the sun.

The Spring equinox is the beginning of months, the true Biblical New Year, just as the Autumn equinox is the first day of the seventh Biblical month. With these two immutable witnesses, we can be certain that we are following the correct time for the Lord’s appointed Feasts. The moon has absolutely nothing to do with keeping time, and is one of the erroneous assumptions that many people make because they believe the traditions of the Jews.
 

The Biblical month of Abib/Nisan corresponds to March/April and runs from March 20 to April 19. Passover is ALWAYS observed on the evening of Abib 14 which is April 3. Passover never moves from that date like the lunar calendar does. It is an annual memorial to “proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:23-29

 

In the original Passover in Egypt, the lamb was slain and consumed on the same day. ~ Leviticus 7:15  This would not be possible if days begin and end at sunset.

All the annual Feasts, or Holy Days, recorded in Leviticus 23 are SET from the Spring and Autumn equinoxes. The only Feast that “moves” is Pentecost (called the Feast of Weeks) which means “count fifty” days (or 7 weeks) from the day after the Sabbath within the Days of Unleavened Bread. Pentecost is always observed on Sunday.

 

My Church does not keep the Feasts of the LORD, so what do I do now? Find a group to fellowship with at Feast time... http://www.feastgoer.org/index.html 

Once a Christian has been exposed to Truth, they must search the scriptures to see if these things are so. They cannot and must not follow the traditions of organized religion in the place of God’s instructions. If you are unable to meet with other Christians at Passover time, start a Biblical tradition at home.

Passover Service At Home

 

Being "blessed" is deeply connected to being "covered by the blood of the Lamb" (Jesus)

, as the original meaning of "bless" relates to being marked with blood for holiness, symbolizing redemption, protection, and purification from sin. Just as the Passover lamb's blood spared the Israelites, the blood of Jesus over the doorposts of our heart offers Believers divine protection, freedom from the penalty of sin, and victory over spiritual enemies, making Believers holy and part of God's covenant. That is the reason communion is not a replacement for Passover. Just as God was displeased with Cain's offering, man made substitutions are rejected.

After serving a full supper meal on the evening (after sunset) of Abib 14 (April 3), clear the dishes from the table, and place some unleavened bread and fruit of the vine (this can be plain grape juice or red wine… both are “fruit of the vine”. Gather the family around the table, including the children… Passover is for the whole family. Read the following scriptures aloud.

The Reason For Passover  

Exodus 12:1-14

What Does This Service Mean? 

Exodus 12:24-27

A Statute Forever

Leviticus 23:1-14

The New Testament Passover - Just Do What Jesus Did

The Breaking of the Bread 
Matthew 26:17-26
Mark 14:22
Luke 22:19

The Cup
Matthew 26:27-29
Mark 14:23-25
Luke 22:20

Sing A Hymn
Matthew 26:30

Mark 14:26

Read Psalm 118:19-24
Sing verse 24 or another hymn from the Psalms

This concludes the Passover service. Spend the rest of the evening discussing Passover and praising Yahweh for so great a salvation. Because HE has not forgotten us, we should not forget Him.

When God told the Israelites to put lamb's blood over the doorpost of their homes that first Passover, the Death Angel did not look inside to see who was worthy, he only looked at the blood.

Likewise, when you observe the New Testament Passover by putting the blood of Jesus Christ over the doorpost of your heart, you are under His protection.

 

Passover is followed by seven Days of Unleavened Bread from April 4 to April 10

Passover is such an important event that it’s the only Feast that God allows a “make up”… on the 14th day of the second month of Ziv… May 3rd. Numbers 9:1-14

Christ is our Passover Lamb, not our Easter Bunny. 1 Corinthians 5:7-8

You are cordially invited to join Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group