Letter to our Friends - March 23, 2021

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST ONLINE MINISTRIES

SPRING HILL, FLORIDA 34606

Leonard V. Johnson

Pastor/Overseer

Dear Friends in Christ:

Greetings from the Central West Coast in Spring Hill, Florida.

As a reminder – the Spring Holy Days begin this month!

For 2021, the LORD’S Passover, or The Passover, Lord’s Supper, or Communion – whatever you wish to call it – is to be observed after sunset on March 26th. And the FIRST DAY of the Feast of Unleavened Bread is to be observed from sunset March 27th through sunset April 3rd.

The LORD’S Passover

Indeed, the children of Israel were specifically told to observe the Old Covenant Passover in the Book of Exodus. I covered this in the sermon “Behold! The Lamb of God!” – in which families were to take a lamb (or a goat), a male of the first year without blemish (Exodus 12:5), for a blood sacrifice (Exodus 12:3-4). The lamb (or goat) was to be sacrificed on the fourteenth at twilight (Exodus 12:6) and some of its blood was to be placed upon the doorpost of the family’s dwelling (Exodus 12:7).

So, those who took these steps instructed by God were ‘passed over’ from the death angel, whereas the Egyptians who did not do this were not (Exodus 12:28-30).

Our Lord Jesus Christ kept the LORD’S Passover annually (Exodus 13:10) – from the time of His youth (Luke 2:41-42), and throughout His entire physical life (Luke 22:15). The LORD’S Passover was (and is) observed on the fourteenth day of the month of the FIRST MONTH (Leviticus 23:5 – called Abib in Deuteronomy 16:1 or called Nisan in Esther 3:7). It occurs in the Spring season of the year.

Our Lord Jesus Christ changed the practices associated with it (Luke 22:19-22; John 13:1-17), and He also told His disciples to observe it (Luke 22:7-13). It is crystal clear in God’s living word that because of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, the killing of animals and placing their blood on an altar or doorposts is not required anymore (cf. Hebrews 7:12-13, 26-27; 9:11-28).

The apostle Paul – under the divine inspiration of God’s Spirit – teaches that true Christians are to keep the LORD’S Passover in accordance with Jesus Christ’s New Covenant instructions (1st Corinthians 5:7-8; 11:23-26).

God’s living word says that Jesus Christ “was foreordained before the foundation of the world” (1 Peter 1:20) to be “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). So then, Almighty God’s ultimate plan of salvation – the redemption of all mankind – is shown to us through His Holy Days and His festivals, including our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ being “the Passover Lamb,” and was planned by God the Father and Jesus Christ before there were ever human beings on earth. This is one reason why the celestial bodies in the universe were placed there – to be able to calculate His feasts! (cf. Genesis 1:14-15).

The greater majority of the churches of the world indeed recognize that God’s living word does show that Jesus Christ fulfilled something associated with the LORD’S Passover when He was sacrificed. We find that His great Sacrifice was referenced in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:15). The great LORD God killed an animal and made for them “tunics of skin” – was this animal a lamb or a goat (Genesis 3:21)!? We also see this principle – that a blood sacrifice must be made for sin – when Abel sacrificed a firstborn of his flock, a lamb, (Genesis 4:2-4).

In the Old Testament, the LORD’S Passover pictured the deliverance from the bondage of Egypt per the LORD God’s intervention. Now prophetically this pictured, of course, looking towards the time when Jesus the Christ - the MESSIAH - would come and be the Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7), sacrificed for all mankind for the sins of the world (John 1:29; cf. John 3:16-17).

On our Lord Jesus Christ’s last Passover as a physical human being, He kept the Passover at the time of the late evening and told His disciples to continue observing it (Luke 22:14-19; cf. John 13:2, 12-15) on the 14th of Abib (cf. Luke 22:14; 23:52-54).

Our Lord Jesus Christ indeed changed several of the practices associated with the LORD’S Passover. He made the unleavened bread and the wine an integral part of the Passover (Matthew 26:18, 26-30), and added the practice of foot washing (John 13:12-17).

Wine – Not Grape Juice

Now, despite the very fact that Our Lord Jesus Christ turned water into wine (John 2:3-10), along with the fact that the Greek term used in the New Testament (oinos) refers to fermented wine (cf. 1 Timothy 3:8), there are those which claim that it was grape juice – not fermented wine – that was used for the LORD’S Passover.

Indeed, true Christians are not to be “drunk with wine, in which is dissipation” – in other words, a dissipated living. A descent into drunkenness and sexual depravity – cf. Ephesians 5:18, NKJV. Only a very small amount of wine (preferably red wine) is normally consumed at the LORD’S Passover (I personally use only about 30 – 44 ml. About “a shot”).

Passover – On the 14th. Not the 15th

Sadly, there are a great many people who are confused about the date of the biblical Passover.

A few days ago I was invited by jw.org to join them locally for the Passover on the 27th of March. God’s living word teaches us that it was to be kept on the 14th day of the first month of GOD’S CALENDAR at twilight – which is a lunar calendar – (Leviticus 23:5).

In the Book of Exodus chapter 12, verse 6, God’s living word emphatically says that the lamb is to be killed “at twilight.” Now, The Stone Edition Tenach – the Hebrew Bible – of which I have in my library reads, “the afternoon.” The 8th verse says, “they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread …” So, between sunset and midnight the children of Israel ate the flesh of the roasted lamb. And technically, they had until the morning (sunrise) to have eaten it per Exodus 12:10. So, God’s living word is clear that the death angel ‘passed over’ “on that night” – Exodus 12:12 – the very same night of the 14th of Abib.

Our Master, Elder Brother, and Savior Jesus Christ was only to be sacrificed ONCE (1 Peter 3:18; Hebrews 9:28; 10:10-14). Jesus Christ kept His final Passover (Luke 22:14-16) and was then sacrificed. He was removed from the cross prior to the 15th. Why!? Well, because the 15th was a ‘high holy day’ – John 19:28-31 – the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6). So, Jesus Christ indeed kept and fulfilled the Old Covenant Passover on the 14th of Abib.

The greater majority of those who profess Christ do keep some version of the Passover – though they have changed the name, the date, the time, the meaning, the symbols – calling it EASTER – after an East Semitic, Akkadian, Assyrian, and Babylonian goddess of fertility, love, war, and sex. Hence, Easter eggs and bunny rabbits.

God’s living word is clear that Jesus Christ was (and is) “our Passover” sacrificed for us – “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” – 1 Corinthians 5:7; John 1:29, NKJV. And, that we are to keep the Feast with unleavened bread –

“ … Have you never heard the saying, ‘A little leaven 7) leavens all the dough’? The old leaven of corruption is working among you. Purge it out, and then you will be bread of a new baking. As Christians you are unleavened Passover bread; for indeed our Passover has begun; the sacrifice is offered – Christ 8) Himself. So we who observe the festival must not use the old leaven, the leaven of corruption and wickedness, but only the unleavened bread which is sincerity and truth [Jesus Christ]” – 1 Corinthians 5:6, 7-8, NEB.

Notice – the festival is to be kept with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth!? For the LORD’S Passover this year, I will be posting on our YouTube channel a “Passover Service,” for the 14th of Abib. For the FIRST DAY and the SEVENTH-DAY of the Feast of Unleavened Bread this year, I will be posting on our YouTube channel two very wonderful sermons by Michael C. Garrett – “The Unleavened Bread of Sincerity and Truth,” and “The Unleavened Bread of Sincerity and Truth – Part 2.”

The apostle Paul truly understood that Jesus Christ was the Passover Lamb and had replaced and fulfilled the Old Covenant lambs which were sacrificed.

Under the divine inspiration of God’s Spirit, it was documented that our Lord Jesus Christ “took [unleavened] bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it” to His apostles to eat. He also likewise took the cup of ‘the fruit of the vine’ after supper, passed it to His apostles to drink a small amount. We – in the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries and affiliates – ask God the Father and Jesus Christ’s blessings, break and distribute the unleavened bread, and then ask for Their blessings on the fermented wine, distribute to His followers, and consume. Yet, the Roman Catholic Church – along with the daughter churches – no longer breaks unleavened bread. Instead, they use what is called a “sacramental bread” (often leavened; also called a host or wafer) along with (and it is often optional) “sacramental wine” (which the majority of churches, such as the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church, require that sacramental wine should be pure grape wine. Other churches of the world, such as the Methodist Churches, disapprove of the consumption of alcohol, and substitute grape juice for wine).

Just What About … “’ This do, as often as you …’”

Just how often should the LORD’S Passover (or, the Passover, the Lord’s Supper, or Communion) be taken!?

I had once attended as a guest a Pentecostal Assemblies of God group which insisted that the Lord’s Supper was to be taken the first Sunday of every month! I’m not sure where they get this from!?

The apostle Paul distinctly says, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” – 1 Corinthians 11:26 NKJV.

So, consider that it is our Lord’s death that this commemorates.

How often is a commemoration, an anniversary!? It is annually. Like, as an example – every year I commemorate and acknowledge the Attack on Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941), as well as D-Day (June 6, 1944), along with V J Day (August 15, 1945), and even January 27th, 1945, the Liberation of Auschwitz! – important dates in the history of the world!

Christ’s death has reconciled us to God the Father (Romans 5:10), and He sacrificed His life for our salvation (John 3:16-17; Hebrews 5:5-11). The New Covenant LORD’S Passover is an annual commemoration of Christ’s death till He comes.

For even more on the LORD’S Passover, see the following:

• The Firstfruits From the Earth.
• Easter or Passover?
• Preparing for Passover - 2020.
• During Passover – Grape Juice or Wine?
• Passover Service – 2017.
• Passover Message – 2013.
• Physical Health – Spiritual Health (Sermon).
• The Night to be Much Remembered?

Please remember – these articles can be translated from English into Arabic, Malay, Chinese, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Persian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, and Vietnamese.

Suggested Sabbath Service

Here is this weeks suggested Sabbath service:

● 2 hymns. (a free printable “Old Time Gospel” hymn site is “The Old Time

Gospel”).

● Opening prayer.

● Announcements (if any. You may also use this letter).

● Sermon. The one suggested is “You Are The Light of the World” by Michael C. Garrett.

Additional sermons are available at:

http://www.owensborochurchofjesuschrist.com/.

https://www.ticcg.org/.

https://www.owensborocojc.com/.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwFd99BM0EXyAdM7MWtKcjw.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9S0DU4XpzdeYeOLf3Ydk9w.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCIhmqdkH1mJ5iDLUh4qBQg.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZtjCCj7CArb_-6i09tV2Ng.

● Final hymn.

● Closing prayer.

IN CASE YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED A ‘LETTER TO OUR FRIENDS’ FOR ANY

WEEK, REMEMBER WE HAVE OUR CHURCH LETTERS ON OUR WEBSITE -

www.owensborocojc.com.

Suggested Passover Service

For those without a local minister, the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries is pleased to make available our suggested Passover Service – available on our YouTube channel.

A step-by-step Passover Service for baptized members of the Body of Christ to follow if they are unable to attend a congregation for Passover Service. The LORD’S Passover is to be on the 14th of the month of Abib (March 26th at twilight) of the Hebrew calendar. This Passover Service is by the overseeing pastor of the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ. Leaders of a local Passover Service should indeed have unleavened bread, fermented wine, towels, and water basins available.

Suggested FIRST DAY Service of the Feast of Unleavened Bread

Here is a suggested First Day of Unleavened Bread service for the 27th at sunset:

● 2 hymns. (a free printable “Old Time Gospel” hymn site is “The Old Time

Gospel”).

● Opening prayer.

● Sermonette: “First Day – Feast of Unleavened Bread Offertory” by Leonard V. Johnson – available March 27th @ 7:45 p.m. EST. on our YouTube channel.

Announcements (if any).

● Sermon. The one suggested for this week is “The Unleavened Bread of Sincerity and Truth” by Michael C. Garrett – available March 27th @ 7:45 p.m. EST. on our YouTube channel.

● Final hymn.

● Closing prayer.

World News Items

In the United States of America, it has been realized that governmentally mandated shutdowns due to COVID-19 have harmed the mental health of many children (See: ‘As U.S. schools shuttered, student mental health cratered, Reuters survey finds’). Also, many adults in America are gaining weight because of these mandated shutdowns from COVID-19 fears and socialist policies. Indeed, if public health officials – such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) truly cared about an individual's health and safety they should truly be paying attention (See: ‘Most Americans say the pandemic has been bad for their weight’).

Also in the USA – sadly there continues to be mass shootings! One last week in an Atlanta, Georgia spa, in which at least eight people were murdered. Another one this week In Boulder, Colorado where ten people were murdered (See: ‘10 killed in Colorado Grocery Store Shooting’). The Colorado murderer was from Syria (See: ‘FBI Knew About the Boulder Shooter But Failed To Stop Him’).

God’s living word – the Holy Bible – prophesies –

“The sword shall destroy outside; There shall be terror within For the young man and virgin, The nursing child with the man of gray hairs” – Deuteronomy 32:25, NKJV.

“The Lord sent a word against Jacob, And it has fallen on Israel. 9) All the people will know – Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria – Who say in pride and arrogance of heart … 11) Therefore the LORD shall set up The adversaries of Rezin against him, And spur his enemies on, 12) The Syrians before and the Philistines behind; And they shall devour Israel [the house of Israel] with an open mouth” – Isaiah 9:8-9, 11-12, NKJV.

“Make a chain, For the land is filled with crimes of blood, And the city is full of violence. 24) Therefore I will bring the worst of the Gentiles, And they will possess their houses; I will cause the pomp of the strong to cease, And their holy places [this world’s churches, synagogues, and mosques] shall be defiled. 25) Destruction comes; They will seek peace, but there shall be none” – Ezekiel 7:23-25, NKJV.

Now, as far as the Syrian connection from the prophet Isaiah does this mean that all or most of the Syrian refugees are terrorists!?

Of course not.

Yet, as I posted last February, there has been an egregious amount of ‘pestilences’ and TERRORISM since September 1, 2001! The United States of America and our British brethren should expect even more deadly terrorist attacks from Syrians – and others!

All around the world, there has been a grave uptick of massive earthquakes as well as volcanic activity (See: ‘Iceland Volcano Erupts After Thousands Of Earthquakes’). As previously posted, New Zealand had an 8.1 earthquake as well as some other major ones!! (See: ‘2021! The highest number of major quakes ever recorded in the first 65 days of a year! In all 42 major quakes, mag 6 or higher have rocked the planet: Astonishingly 26 have rocked the eastern margin of the Australia plate since the first day of 2021’). Australia has been having terrible trouble with extreme flooding (See: ‘Parts of Australia declare natural disaster during ‘one in 100 years’ floods’). Indeed, Jesus Christ WARNED for this end-time, “’ there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows’” – Mark 13:8, NKJV.

Concluding Comments

The Apostle Paul in Titus wrote:

“This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. 9) But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10) Reject a divisive man [a person who tends to cause disagreement or hostility between others] after the first and second admonition, 11) knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.” – Titus 3:8-11; NKJV.

Minister Garrett wrote:

“ [A] … man who actually claimed to be a member of the Church of God was claiming that abortion was a “good thing.” And he was just incensed that anyone would be against abortion. And obviously, there were people on the other side. And I guess it almost went to a bare-knuckle brawl!? Now imagine - At a church, holy festival people are getting so animated to the point of hatred, to the point of just intense rancor, and displeasure, that they almost got into a fistfight over something they can’t control. … And then, somewhere else there was a heated argument over discussions of political candidates! … And even today, I’m sure that there are church groups where people get into major disagreements over politics. And they do it on the Sabbath day while they’re attending church. And folks, it’s just not good! It’s not good! My suggestion is – stay off the topic. Now I think you can discuss politics in a calm manner. I think I’ve done it many times in my life. But when all of a sudden that becomes your team, and that becomes your player, your star, your captain, your coach, and you’re not about to let anybody disparage your side, your team – then you have a problem! Folks, LOOK TO JESUS! And, how many times have I said that!? Look to Jesus! And especially on the Sabbath day! If you’re gonna get together, talk about something that Jesus Christ would talk about. Talk about something about Jesus Christ or the New Covenant, or blessings that have come about in your life or challenges which are coming in the future. And you wish for people’s good thoughts and prayers to be on your behalf. But to dive down into the ugly sewer of politics is just unbecoming and unacceptable – if you wanna know the truth. It’s just unacceptable.”

(Christ In You (Unleavened Bread) 2017 Day 6).

The lack of the ‘fruits of the Spirit’ of those insisting on being improperly divisive should be crystal clear. Yet, those who do such things do not properly see their ‘luke warm’ work – cf. Revelation 3:14-16. They need their eyes properly anointed to see and to repent (change) – cf. Revelation 3:18.

Friends, “’ He who [truly] believes in Me [in Jesus Christ]…’” will surely believe what the living Bible says and teaches and will continue to support the Work of God and be careful in maintaining good works unto God.

In deep gratitude and love, in Jesus' name,

A Morning Bible Study - Passover - The Beginning of God's Master Plan!

Leonard V. Johnson   About

This present evil age doesn’t understand that the LORD God (Elohim, the family of God, which at this time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ) created mankind for a MARVELOUS and AWE-INSPIRING purpose! This very purpose was revealed to our first parents – Adam and Eve – in the garden of Eden.

“Then God [Elohim] said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.’” – Genesis 1:26.

And though God’s living word doesn’t directly say – a question can certainly be asked, “What was the inspiration behind creating a lion to look like a lion?” Have you ever wondered about the inspiration behind creating a lion that looks exactly like a lion? It's fascinating to think about how such a magnificent creature came to be, and what motivated its Creator to bring it to life. Let's ponder over this intriguing question together!

I find it interesting that we have this Scripture – “As for the likeness of their faces, each [of the four cherubim that surrounded the LORD God’s thrones] had the face of a man; each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, each of the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and each of the four had the face of an eagle.” – Ezekiel 1:10. Many claim that it is only symbolism. But, is it really? Is the LORD God, by creating a lion to look like a lion, giving homage to Their great and powerful archangels that are with Them in the upper heavenly realms?

The LORD God’s eternal word reveals that They are reproducing Themselves in man. The LORD God created man for the very purpose of growing in godly character - the meaning of “image” – and to ultimately be BORN AGAIN as a member of the family of God!

A passage that is often overlooked by this world’s Christianity – “And I have put My words in your mouth; I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, That I may plant the heavens, Lay the foundations of the earth, And say to Zion, ‘You are My people.’” – Isaiah 51:16.

The LORD God has mapped this MASTER PLAN by which They will fulfill the AWESOME purpose for all mankind. It is outlined in the form of SEVEN ANNUAL FESTIVALS that the begotten children of God are to observe every year to help keep themselves in the glorious grace and knowledge of JESUS CHRIST.

After the children of Israel were delivered from Egypt the LORD God revealed the annual festivals. And through Prophet Moses (the etymology of his name likely derived from combining the words “water,” “seed,” and “pond” thus yielding the sense of “child of the Nile” (mw- š) 1 the eternal Creator formally introduced these festivals to Their nation – ISRAEL. “The congregation in the wilderness” – Acts 7:38.

Within the New Covenant, we can understand from the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and His apostles that He intends the spring festivals to illustrate to His Church every year that all those God the Father has called out of this world - before, during, and after His Son’s torture, murder, and glorious resurrection unto life – are only the “firstfruits” –

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18) Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.” – James 1:17-18.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4) to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.” – 1 Peter 1:3-4.

The Apostle Paul mentions a few of them that are a part of the “firstfruits” – Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Sarah – “These all died IN FAITH, not having received [yet] the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them.” – Hebrews 11:13.

Even from the very beginning, relatively few people have been called out of this world for the spiritual “firstfruits” of Their spring harvest into the glorious family of God! Later, as pictured by Their autumn harvest, the LORD God will call nearly everyone who has ever lived or will ever live. The multiple billions of fellow human beings that have ever lived are called unto salvation and sonship into the glorious family of God AFTER our Lord Jesus Christ’s return and after His Millennial Reign.

A synopsis of these annual festivals is found in Leviticus 23. Let’s begin this God-revealed seven-part study of the LORD God’s annual festivals and learn exactly what God says and teaches!

What the Feast of Tabernacles Pictures.

The Last Great Day - How It Completes God's Master Plan.

1) Just Who instituted these annual festivals?

“And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2) ‘Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, THESE ARE MY FEASTS. … 4) These are THE FEASTS OF THE LORD, holy convocations which you shall proclaim in their appointed times.’” – Leviticus 23:1-2, 4.

I want you to notice that the LORD says these are HIS FEASTS! Not the “feasts of the Jews,” or the “feasts of Moses” as a great many people falsely assume and teach. They are the LORD’s own feasts – which the LORD God brought about and gave to the children of Israel to keep and celebrate from year to year.

What is the first festival to be observed every year?

“’ On the fourteenth day of the FIRST MONTH at twilight is the LORD’S Passover.’” – Leviticus 23:5.

When was the very first Passover?

Minister Michael C. Garrett –

“Well we think of Exodus 11, 12, as being the first Passover, but you know there are some events that are very Passover-like – that was way before the time of Moses. If you would, turn to Genesis 14. … And verse 18, this personality, we read about every so often, “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; …” – does that remind you of something!? We might find out someday that this event actually happened on what was eventually to become, what we now call the Passover, the Lord’s Supper. Melchizedek. Well, let us quickly turn to Hebrews 7 to get a description of who this Being was. Hebrews 7:1 – “For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2) to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated ‘king of righteousness,’ and then also king of Salem, …” – the city of Salem – JeruSALEM. “… meaning ‘king of peace,’” – and who is He!? Verse 3 – “without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, …” – this is the One we now call Jesus Christ! Who, at times took up residence on the earth, and Abraham knew exactly who He was! And, Melchizedek brought out the bread and the wine. Verse 19 – “And He blessed him and said: ‘Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20) And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.’ And he gave Him a tithe of all.” – almost a pre-Moses Passover ceremony.”

(Garrett, M.C., Passover Message – 2013, posted 4.19.19).

Exodus chapter 12 - gives us the account of the very first official Passover and the first official Feast of Unleavened Bread. (Exodus 12:1-14, 21-27).

The LORD’S Passover, or The Passover, Lord’s Supper, or Communion – whatever you wish to call it – is to be observed after sunset on the fourteenth day of the first month – the month of Nisan. It coincides with March-April on the civil calendar.

The first official Passover was to be a yearly memorial to remind the children of Israel of the LORD God’s intervention in delivering them from slavery in Egypt – within the New Covenant it pictures the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, “our Passover, was sacrificed for us” – 1 Corinthians 5:7. He was wrongfully convicted, tortured, and murdered for the sins of all mankind!

After our Lord and great High Priest – the living Jesus Christ’s – death and resurrection, the New Covenant Passover, celebrated each year with new symbols of foot washing, unleavened bread, and fermented wine, is a yearly memorial of our Master and Elder Brother’s – our Savior’s – ultimate sacrifice for all mankind. Our Lord Jesus became the reality that the Passover lamb sacrificed foreshadowed.

2) Did the LORD command, even before Mount Sinai, that the Passover be kept as a feast FOREVER!?

“’ So this day shall be to you A MEMORIAL; and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD THROUGHOUT YOUR GENERATIONS. You shall keep it as a feast by an EVERLASTING ORDINANCE. … 24) And you shall observe this thing as an ordinance for you and your [children] FOREVER.’” – Exodus 12:14, 24.

The LORD’S Passover. Indeed, the children of Israel were specifically told to observe the Old Covenant Passover in the Book of Exodus. Families were to take a lamb (or a goat), a male of the first year without blemish (Exodus 12:5), for a blood sacrifice (Exodus 12:3-4). The lamb (or goat) was to be sacrificed on the fourteenth at twilight (Exodus 12:6) and some of its blood was to be placed upon the doorpost of the family’s dwelling (Exodus 12:7). So, those who took these steps instructed by God were ‘passed over’ from the death angel, whereas the Egyptians who did not do this were not (Exodus 12:28-30).

Did our Lord Jesus Christ keep and celebrate the Passover?

“Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 23) Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, …” – John 2:13, 23, NET.

Our Lord Jesus Christ kept the LORD’S Passover annually (Exodus 13:10) – from the time of His youth (Luke 2:41-42), and throughout His entire physical life (Luke 22:15). The LORD’s Passover was (and is) observed on the fourteenth day of the month of the FIRST MONTH (Leviticus 23:5 – called Abib in Deuteronomy 16:1 or called Nisan in Esther 3:7). It occurs in the spring season of the year.

3) Did our Lord Jesus Christ keep and celebrate the Passover with His disciples the night before He was to be falsely arrested, tortured, and crucified?

“Now on the first of the unleaveneds, * the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, ‘Where do You desire that we prepare for You to eat the Passover?’ 18) And He said, ‘Go into the city to such a man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, ‘My time is near; I will keep the Passover with My disciples at your house.’ 19) Then the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and prepared the Passover. 20) And AFTER EVENING had come, He sat down with the twelve.” – Matthew 26:17-20, NET.

Minister Fred R. Coulter comments on this –

“This phrase has caused some confusion. It is certain that this phrase does not refer to the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because the Feast of Unleavened Bread begins after, not before, the Passover. … ‘In the first century, it was commonly known that ‘the day of the unleaveneds’ in Luke 22:7 was the 14th Passover day.” G. Amadon, in an article entitled, ‘The Crucifixion Calendar,’ pointed out the error of those translators who translated this verse to read ‘the first day of the festival.” 2

And in keeping and celebrating the Passover, He established new rules, new guidelines, and new symbols. And so HE CHANGED the old and made it something new.

John 13:1 – “Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” – especially His disciples and His followers. Verse 2 – “And supper being ended, …” – so, keep in mind, they had an Old Testament-type meal. And it probably had roasted lamb, and it probably had some bitter herbs, and it had some unleavened bread. They kept that.

“…the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, 3) Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4) rose from supper …” – so, they are just sitting around. But, they didn’t eat at tables – you know that very famous painting The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, I think they’re all sitting at a table, aren’t they!? Well, back in that day they didn’t use tables like we use tables and chairs, but they often used a lot of pillows and rugs and they sort-of half sat, and ate their food from these low-lying tables. So, He “…rose from supper and laid aside His garments, …” – probably his outer garment, His more formal robe, “…took a towel and girded Himself.” Verse 5 – “After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.”

Foot washing in the time of our Lord Jesus was a menial task that only servants would perform when visitors would enter a house – especially a house of wealthy establishments. In the first century, Jerusalem was governed by Rome, and several sandals were fashionable. Such as the soleae, crepidae, and the carbatina. They would cause your feet to become very dusty.

Our Lord Jesus Christ was showing His disciples that He had come to Earth to be a servant to mankind. Foot washing depicts the attitude of humility and service to others that our Lord Jesus Christ wants all true Christians to have.

Our Lord Jesus Christ changed the practices associated with it (Luke 22:19-22; John 13:1-17), and He also told His disciples to observe it (Luke 22:7-13). It is crystal clear in God’s living word that because of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, the killing of animals and placing their blood on an altar or doorpost is not required anymore (cf. Hebrews 7:12-13, 26-27; 9:11-28). The Apostle Paul – under the divine inspiration of God’s Spirit – teaches that true Christians are to keep the LORD’S Passover per Jesus Christ’s New Covenant instructions (1 Corinthians 5:7-8; 11:23-26).

Our Lord Jesus commands us to wash each other’s feet on the evening of the 14th of Nisan. “’ Therefore, if I, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also are duty-bound to wash one another’s feet; 15) For I have given you an example, to show that you also should do exactly as I have done to you.’” – John 13:14-15, NET.

4) Are true Christians to teach those that God the Father has called out of this world to do likewise?

“’ Go therefore and make disciples [teach] of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20) TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS that I have commanded you; …’” – Matthew 28:19, 20, NKJV Red Letter Edition.

Our Lord Jesus Christ says to us “’ If you know these things, blessed are you IF YOU DO THEM.’” – John 13:17; see also John 14:23.

Now, contrary to popular belief – our Lord Jesus Christ did not “abolish” the keeping and celebrating of the Passover. He merely changed the symbols that were used. Instead of shedding the blood of a male unblemished lamb and then eating its roasted meat, we now are commanded to ‘eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood.’

“And as they were eating [the Passover meal], Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat: this is My body.’ 27) Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. 28) For this is My blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.’” – Matthew 26:26-28.

Our Lord Jesus  –

“’ Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day [the first resurrection day]. 55) For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. 56) He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.’” – John 6:54-56.

The LORD’s Passover, the Passover, The Last Supper, or Communion – whatever name you call it – is to be kept as an annual memorial of our Lord Jesus Christ’s death. We are now to use unleavened bread and fermented wine – preferably Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.

The eating of the unleavened bread symbolizes the imbibing of CHRIST IN US! – Colossians 1:27. John 14:23 – “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My Word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our [abode] with him.’” – again, CHRIST IN US! The true meaning of the eating of the unleavened bread (as well as a true meaning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread) is that we are symbolically showing that we are eating the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth, the unleavened bread which represents Jesus Christ as the sacrificed Lamb. And we are acknowledging – we need that Bread to come into our being. And, when you eat something, like a piece of bread, that bread gets broken down in your intestinal tract and the elements that are in that bread go throughout your whole body – from your toes up to your forehead to your fingertips, and everywhere in between. And so that bread literally becomes a part of you. And that’s the symbolism – that Jesus Christ is to enter into you through His Spirit and become a part of you! As you eat the bread it becomes a part of you, and as you ask for God’s Spirit it enters into you and becomes a part of you! That’s how you get CHANGED!

5) Did the Apostle Paul – through the inspiration of God’s Spirit – teach us to keep and celebrate the New Covenant Passover by partaking in the new symbols of foot washing, unleavened bread, and fermented wine?

“Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. 8) Therefore LET US KEEP THE FEAST, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” – 1 Corinthians 5:7-8.

True Christians have eaten UNLEAVENED BREAD for Passover, and they have kept the Days of Unleavened Bread. So, in every age, the true Church of God is not called to be leaven. Brethren, we are to strive to be spiritually unleavened, and our Lord Jesus is the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth!

Our Lord Jesus Christ’s Church has kept (and continues to keep) the annual Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread – not Easter.

“For I [the Apostle Paul] received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24) and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ 25) In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the New Covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it [which is annual], in remembrance of Me.’ 26) For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death TILL HE COMES.” – 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.

We are to remember this occasion until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. I’m not sure why there are people who won’t even read that very statement saying – to PROCLAIM THE LORD’S DEATH UNTIL HE COMES. And He absolutely shows us in His living word that He is soon coming again. Jesus Christ also said on that very occasion – “’ This do in remembrance of Me.’” A command directly from our Lord Jesus Christ. Because He wanted us to never forget what He did for all mankind. And so we are reminded every year through this very ceremony – through this annual holy day, a holy convocation. To remember what Jesus did for all of us.

6) Will the LORD’s Passover be kept by our Lord Jesus Christ and His resurrected saints after His return to Earth?

“’ But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day [the Great Wedding Supper] when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.’” – Matthew 26:29.

“Then He said to them, ‘With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16) for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’” – Luke 22:15-16.

So, our Lord Jesus Christ indeed kept and fulfilled the Old Covenant Passover on the evening of the 14th of Nisan. Now, many of those who profess Christ do keep some version of the Passover – though they have changed the name, the date, the time, the meaning, the symbols – calling it EASTER – after an East Semitic, Akkadian, Assyrian, and Babylonian goddess of fertility, love, war, and sex. Hence, Easter eggs and bunny rabbits.

Our Lord Jesus Christ commands us to keep and celebrate the LORD’s Passover in remembrance of Him until He returns and keeps again the Passover with us. The apostles did keep and celebrate it, and today, our Lord Jesus’ faithful in His living Church continue keeping and celebrating annually the LORD’s Passover! □

1).  Ulmer, Rivka. 2009. Egyptian Cultural Icons in Midrash. de Gruyter. p. 269.

2) Coulter R. F., The Holy Bible In Its Original Order A New English Translation, York Publishing Co., © 2009, pg. 990.

Scriptural Index:

Old Testament - Genesis 1:26; Exodus 11; 12:1-14, 21-27, 28-30; 13:10; Leviticus 23:1-2, 4, 5; Esther 3:7; Isaiah 51:16; Ezekiel 1:10.

New Testament - Matthew 26:17-20, 26, 28, 29; 28:16, 19, 20; Luke 2:41-42; 22:7-13, 15, 19-22; John 2:13, 23; 6:54-56; 13:1-17; 14:23; Acts 7:38; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8; 11:23-26; Colossians 1:27; Hebrews 7:1-2, 3, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27; 9:11-28; 11:13; James 1:17-18; 1 Peter 1:3-4.

During Passover - Grape Juice or Wine?

      

Friends, last year, before Passover, I had touched on whether our Lord Jesus Christ was observing Passover with grape juice or wine. 

We, in the Church of God, use a small amount of wine for Passover.

Now, again, the Greek word commonly translated as "wine" in the New Testament (οἶνος) indeed means "wine made from grapes." 1

In Genesis 9:21 - "Then he [Noah] drank of the wine and was drunk, ..." The word here in Hebrew is yayin, and in Greek it's oinos. 2

Our Master and Elder Brother recorded for us His first recorded miracle in John 2:3-11. And He also introduced the use of the wine cup - the Greek word potērion.

"Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the New Covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.'" - Luke 22:20; NKJV unless otherwise noted.

This cup of wine symbolizes His shed blood for us all. Now, there is considerable evidence that the common Passover beverage used by the Jews in the first century was wine, as noted by Dr. Jack Lewis:

"Wine was ordinarily used at the Passover and is called 'fruit of the vine' in Berakoth 6:1." 3.

The Bible teaches that wine is the 'blood of the grapes" - Deuteronomy 32:14.

So, it's not reasonable to conclude that they were drinking grape juice at Passover in our Lord Jesus' time, as grapes are NOT in season then.

I had driven a tractor-trailer over the road for many years and hauled loads of grapes from California to Florida many times. "Grape country" in California is very similar to the land of Judea - modern Israel - in terms of climate. Grapes ripen in the late Summer or early Fall.

Passover is usually in the Gregorian Calendar month called April (and to note: Since some of the Roman months were named in honor of their gods and goddesses, and as April was sacred to their goddess Venus, her Veneralia being held on the first day, it has been suggested that Aprilis was originally her month Aphrilis, from her equivalent Aphrodite). Now, raw grape juice indeed spoils very quickly unless refrigerated. And to note also - there were a few classical writers who wrote of certain methods used by the ancient people to preserve grains, fruits, vegetables, and wines - such as Columella, who lived in the first century A.D. in his treatise On Agriculture.

"In order that the grapes may remain green for as much as a year, you will keep them in the following manner. When you have cut from the vine grapes ... immediately treat their pedicles with hard pitch; then fill a new earthenware pan with the driest possible chaff, which has been sifted that it may be free from dust, and put the grapes upon it. Then cover it with another pan and daub it around with clay mixed with chaff, and ten, after arranging the pans in a very dry loft, cover them with dry chaff." 4.

Indeed, the Jews themselves use wine at Passover (Hisrch E.G., Eisenstein JD. Wine. Jewish Encyclopedia. 1907, pp. 532-535).

There have been many who have argued that yayin, and Greek oinos could not always have been alcoholic. And to a point, this is true:

"This is begging the question, and that in defiance of the facts. Although invariably fermented, it was not always inebriating, and in most instances, doubtless, was but slightly alcoholic, like the vin ordinaire of France." 5.

Christians are NOT to be 'drunk with wine, wherein is excess' as the apostle Paul wrote - Ephesians 5:18; KJV.

Only a small amount of wine is normally consumed at Passover.

So, it is not logical to conclude that grape juice was used by our Lord Jesus Christ at His final Passover. He drank fermented wine.

We, in the Church of God, use wine for Passover, too. □

Bibliography:

1. https://biblehub.com/greek/3631.htm
2. Harris, Laird, R., Archer L., Gleason, and Waltke K., Bruce. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, The Moody Bible Institute, © 1980, p. 375.
3. Lightfoot, John. A Commentary on the New Testament from the Talmud and Hebraica. Vol. 2. Baker: Grand Rapids, MI. 1979, 346ff.
4. Columella, On Agriculture 12, 10, 3, trans. E.S. Forster and Edward H. Heffner, The Loeb Classical Libray (Cambridge, Mass., 1955).
5. Unger F., Merrill. Wine. Unger's Bible Dictionary, Moody Press, © 1966, p. 1168.



Additional Items of Interest:
Passover Service - 2019 "VIDEO" - A step by step Passover Service for baptized members of the Church of God [...]
Passover Service - 2017 - Greeting’s friends wherever you might be. We’re here tonight to keep and to observe the Passover [...]
Passover Message - 2013 - Greetings everyone. If you would, please turn in your Bible’s to 1st Peter. [...]

Easter or Passover?

After His brutal beating at the hands of the Roman soldiers, our Lord was marched out to the dreaded

place called Golgotha. Photo by Hal Lindsey from his book Hal Lindsey A Prophetical Walk Through the

Holy Land. The caption beside the photo says, "Even the noisy Arab bus station below Gordon's

Calvary and the Muslim cemetery above it cannot erase the memory of what happened here [nearly]

two thousand years ago."

It's so very sad that so many people - especially among the English-speaking nations of the world - do not understand that the holiday they call Easter is truly supposed to be Passover.

Passover is AFTER sunset on April 7th this year, whereas Easter (also known as the celebration of Ishtar/Inanna) is April 12th - Easter Sunday. Now, in many other languages, some version of the Greek word páscha is often used - like on the Jewish calendar behind me, it says Erev Pesah (Eve of Passover).

Yet, so many are completely confused.

Notice this assertion from a Lutheran source:

The ancient name for Easter is 'Pascha', from the Greek and Hebrew words for Passover, 'for Christ, our paschal lamb [sic], has been sacrificed' (1 Corinthians 5:7).

(The church season of Easter. King of Grace Lutheran Church, April 18, 2019).

What a crock full of gobbledygook! Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His disciples kept PASSOVER - which is the Greek word 'Pascha' that is in the New Testament! Christians kept Passover at night as a memorial of Christ's death. Yet, instead of keeping a memorial for our Savior's death - the Passover - the Greco-Romans (along with the Protestants) began to keep a resurrection holiday. Friends, 'Pascha' is not an ancient name for Easter. The Lutheran's lied to you!

Artists illustration (front and back)

of a life-sized statue of - very probably -

Ishtar/Inanna, holding a vase from Mari,

Syria (18th century BC). illustration from:

The Cosmic Code by Zecharia Sitchin,

Avon Books, © 1998, p. 86

Centuries after changing to Sunday worship, the very name of what was supposed to be the God-ordained observance of Passover was changed - in some Teutonic languages - to Easter. A variation of a Babylonian sex goddess often spelled Ishtar but pronounced roughly the same as Easter. Ishtar was the 'queen of heaven' who was celebrated each Spring by the ancient Sumerians, the Akkadians, the Babylonians and even including the Assyrians. Various non-biblical celebrations were part of the Ishtar celebration that is still being celebrated by Catholics and Protestants alike!

Many also teach that instead of Ishtar, the name 'Easter' came from an Old High Germanic goddess, Ēostre - the namesake of the festival Easter. Ēostre is therefore linguistically cognate with numerous other "dawn" goddesses attested among Indo-European language-speaking peoples. This Anglo-Saxon Ēostre, though some have argued that she is but a figment of the imagination of Bede - though it shouldn't be disregarded - wrote in his The Reckoning of Time, that during that Ēosturmōnaþ (the equivalent of April), pagan's had held feasts in Ēostre's honour.

Now friends, truly, whether originally from the Sumerians, the Akkadians, the Assyrians, the Babylonians or the ancient Teutons - I believe it is but semantics. None of it was for our Mighty and Holy Savior Jesus Christ, but for a pagan goddess - the 'queen of heaven' or even the 'daughter of heaven.'

In all seriousness - and as our dear six-year-old Lily says, "Seriously Uncle Lenny!" - let us consider the 'hot cross buns' of Easter. Do you honestly believe that the early Christians ate these!? - especially since they faithfully obeyed the keeping of God's Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is immediately after Passover. Not to mention, God's Word WARNS against making similar cakes to the 'queen of heaven' (Jeremiah 7:18, 44:16-29)! Seriously, Easter bunnies, chicken eggs - are these biblical!? No, instead they are but a part of pagan worship to Ishtar/Inanna/Easter/Ēostre/'queen of heaven' - whatever name you choose. NO CHRISTIANS SHOULD TAKE PART IN ANY OF THAT (1 Corinthians 10:20-22).

Friends, the early and faithful Christians observed Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread.

So, when is Passover!? Is it early in the morning!?

No.

Actually, an early morning celebration during this time of year was observed for Ēostre, the pagan goddess of the "dawn."

Our Lord Jesus Christ and His disciples kept Passover in the evening (cf. John 13).

Now, it should be noted that in the Council of Nicaea of AD 325, not all the churches agreed "that Easter, the Christian Passover, should be celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon (14 Nisan) after the vernal equinox." 1 And the true members of the Body of Christ - the Church of God - did not even attend the Council of Nicaea. Bellarmino Bagatti, a 20th-century Italian archaeologist and Catholic priest writes in his The Church from the gentiles in Palestine; history and archaeology:

…the inhabitants of Syria, of Cilicia and of Mesopotamia were still celebrating Easter {Passover} with the Jews…

The importance of the matters to be discussed and the great division that existed had led Constantine to bring together a big number of bishops, including confessors of the faith, in order to give the impression that the whole of Christendom was represented. 

In fact…the churches of Jewish stock had had no representation…From this we can conclude that no Judaeo-Christian bishop participated in the Council. Either they were not invited or they declined to attend. And so the capitulars had a free hand to establish norms for certain practices without meeting opposition or hearing other view points. 

(Bagatti, Bellarmino. Translated by Eugene Hoade. The Church from the Gentiles in Palestine; history and archaeology. Franciscan Printing Press, © 1971, pp. 47-48).

And of course, over time not only the date but the very practices associated with Passover were changed for the Greco-Roman churches - as did the same with the Protestants.

During God's ordained Passover service in the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ, most of John chapter 6 is read - see my Passover notes below. Most people do not appear to understand that Jesus taught John 13-18 the very night in which He was betrayed. Also, most do not understand that much of the Book of John has to do with two holy day seasons: the final Passover season (chapters 13-21) and the Feast of Tabernacles season (chapters 7-9).

However, early Christians DID NOT ignore them. Most biblical scholars realize that all early Christians kept Passover.

What about you!? □

Also called the Lord's Supper, recorded in Owensboro, Kentucky in 2016. Since so many meetings (very possibly) will be impossible during this spring Holy Day season, services will be made available here on our YouTube channel.

1. Catechism of the Catholic Church, p. 332.

Commentary: Is Passover For The Unbaptized?

by Guy C. LaMar

You can now listen to this article. Click the orange play button below.

COJCOM · Commentary - Is Passover for the Unbaptized? - Audio Article

Should unbaptized people attend a Passover service and partake of the foot-washing?

Foot-washing at Passover is a command by Jesus which is still in force and effect today (Exceptions apply if a person is alone and partakes of the Passover at home).

Passover service is in remembrance of Jesus’ death, and it is only to be observed by properly baptized true Christians who have received the Holy Spirit.

Those who have not been baptized in accordance with Scripture should not participate in the yearly Passover service.

The Old Covenant demanded that no male who was "uncircumcised" was to participate in the Passover - Exodus 12:48.

The New Covenant Christians, baptized, Holy Spirit led begotten children of God, are "circumcised" spiritually - Colossians 2:11-12; Romans 2:26-29.

Our Lord Jesus' disciples had been baptized (even though in the extraordinary case of the eleven apostles, they had not yet received the Holy Spirit - they would, however, receive it, on the Day of Pentecost A.D. 31).

Notice: During the Passover evening, Jesus told the apostle Peter along with the other apostles, when He proceeded to wash their feet, that they had been "bathed" or baptized - John 13:10.

Jesus waited until Judas Iscariot had left before He changed the Old Covenant symbols of the Passover to the New Covenant symbols of unleavened bread and wine. A reason for Judas Iscariot's exclusion from participating in the New Covenant symbols of unleavened bread and wine was that Judas had not been properly baptized. His entire lifestyle and conduct showed that he did not have GODLY REPENTANCE. Judas was not qualified to participate in the new symbols - although he was present for the Lord's Supper (the Passover meal) along with the foot-washing. The spiritual symbols of unleavened bread and wine DID NOT apply to Judas!

"'He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him'" - John 6:56.

So, notice that after Jesus gave Judas the "dipped" piece of bread (which was not the same as the unleavened bread representative of the broken body of Christ, but rather it was just a piece of the Passover meal - compare Psalm 41:9).

" ... And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27) Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. ..." - John 13:26, 27.

Judas left immediately following the traditional Passover meal and the foot-washing, before the institution of the spiritual symbols of the unleavened bread and wine.

No male was allowed, in the Old Covenant, to partake of the Passover, unless he was circumcised.

True Christians are circumcised spiritually, of the heart, by and through the Holy Spirit dwelling within them - after proper baptism.

THEREFORE, only properly baptized members of the spiritual Body of Christ - the Church - who don't hold grudges against anyone, who doesn't have hatred toward anyone in their hearts, are to partake of the annual spiritual symbols of unleavened bread and wine - the body and the blood of Christ.

In doing so, they reflect on the grave suffering and death of our Savior Jesus Christ.

This teaching is supported by the fact that Jesus waited until Judas had left them before He introduced the New Covenant spiritualized symbols of the unleavened bread and wine.

So, even though Judas betrayed Him for money, the other apostles did not know what Judas was going to do until after the foot-washing ceremony had been completed.

The fact that Judas was allowed to participate in the foot-washing shows us our Lord Jesus Christ's great love, His humility, and servant attitude in that He washed Judas Iscariot's feet, even though He knew that His friend was going to betray Him.

So, to answer the question: For Passover observance, a spiritually "uncircumcised", unbaptized, or improperly baptized (as in "dipped" or "poured"), person SHOULD NOT be participating in the Passover Service. □

Additional Items to Consider:

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Commentary: Conspiracy Theories - Now, for a long time in various churches, I have listened to this person and that person ramble on about this or that conspiracy theory. [...]

Repent For Salvation by Michael C. Garrett

In Swahili: Tubuni kwa Ajili ya Wokovu na Michael C. Garrett