Christians and the Passover

by Gilbert Alexander

The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is honored with deep love and respect by all Christians everywhere, and they assemble in localities throughout the world on the first day of every week to remember His death in His memorial supper as He commanded and as Christians have done since the New Covenant was dedicated by His blood and proclaimed to every nation (Matthew 28:18-20; 26:26-29; Acts 2:42; 20:7; John 20).  This practice is to continue until He comes again (I Corinthians 11:26).

The First Passover Exodus 12:1-13

The celebration of a "holy week" once a year and the observance of the Jewish Passover with a Passover meal are not the authorized practices taught in the New Covenant for Christians to follow.  The Passover was authorized and commanded for the Jewish nation because of their departure from Egypt in the Exodus (Exodus 23:15; Deuteronomy 16:1-8).  It was not given to any other nation because it was not a part of their history as it was of the Jews' history.  While one may admire the spiritual service and rituals of the Law of Moses, we have come to a greater priesthood, a greater tabernacle, and a better covenant which are not to be confused with the things of the first covenant (Hebrews 2:17; 3:1-3; 4:14-16; 5:5-10; 7:11-28; 8:1-13; 13:9-16).  Do people not appreciate the greater glory found in Christ and His New Covenant?  Note: II Corinthians 3:7-18; Galatians 4:21-31.

It really is no mystery why there is so much confusion in the religious world today.  When ignorance of God's Word is mixed with human religious traditions and an admixture of the Old Covenant and the New Covenant, the result is like the religion of the Samaritans -- all mixed up (II Kings 17:24-41; John 4:1-23).  We urge all people to return to the purity and simplicity of the New Covenant given by Jesus Christ (II Corinthians 11:3).