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The practice of "Old Testament" festivals/feasts denies the completed work of Jesus Christ, and has become a growing problem in our churches today that no longer can be tolerated. When Jesus spoke his last words, "It was finished," just before He died on the Cross of Calvary (Jn. 19:30), He told us that the "Old Covenant" was complete, and no longer in effect (Heb. 8:13), and that He paid for the sin of the world (Is. 53:7; Matt. 26:28). "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." (Matt 26:28) The New Covenant replaces the Old Covenant.
The “New Covenant” began the day when Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus, threw the 30 pieces of silver into the temple (Matt. 27:3-10). The old covenant prophecy was fulfilled, and the family bond between Judah and Israel were broken - they were no longer God's people.
"Then I took my staff called Favor and broke it, revoking the covenant I had made with all the nations. It was revoked on that day,... So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter at the house of the LORD. Then I broke my second staff called Union, breaking the family bond between Judah and Israel. (Zech. 11:10–14) The New Covenant "made the first one obsolete and outdated (Heb. 8:13)" and superseded the old. It made away with the "seven Old Testament Festivals/Feasts" outlined in Leviticus chapter twenty-three. These Festivals represented Israel's "works-righteousness", and were in preparation for the coming of their Saviour, Jesus Christ. According to Leviticus 23 they were: the Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement and Tabernacles. According to the New Testament, they represent a prophetic calendar of events that speak of Jesus' redemptive work. (1 Cor. 10:11; Dan. 7:13-14). "These (feasts) are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in (the body of) Christ." (Col. 2:17) To practice these feasts today is to deny Jesus' life, death and resurrection. With the coming of Jesus Christ, the Jews or those who celebrate these festivals are destined to lose or be "cut off" from salvation (Rom. 11:22, Pet. 1:19). The Seven Festivals of the Old Testament represent the “works of the law” and Apostle Paul compares them with “old leaven” (1 Cor. 5:7–8) when He said, “Let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath (Col. 2:16). What festival/feasts are Christians to partake in today?
Jesus made it abundantly clear that there is only one festival or feast, if it can be called such, that we are to observe - “The Lord’s Supper”. Also referred to as the "Holy Communion", the Lord's Supper replaces all the old Testament's festivals. Paul wrote:
“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, said, ‘This is my body broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the New Covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Cor. 11: 23 – 26; Matt. 26: 26 – 29; Mk. 14:22–25; Lk. 22: 19-20).  Who can receive Salvation? "Today is the day of Salvation" and it is available to everyone (2 Cor 6:2). Even present day Jews who "are the broken branches off the tree of Israel" can be "grafted" back into the family of God if they turn to Jesus for Salvation.
"And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!" (Rom. 11:23–24). Peter said it best, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Jesus' name means “Yahweh is Salvation”. Everyone (Jews and Gentiles) must be saved and confess Jesus as LORD to be adopted into the family of God (1 Cor. 12:12-13). Not one person is exempt. "... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Rom 3:23) How can we be adopted into the Family of God?
Today the celebration of the seven festivals is encouraged by "Messianic Jews" and others, who claim they are Christians. Paul best describes these Christians when he wrote:
“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith” (Gal. 1–2). Also the bible tells us that Israel lost its inheritance as the family of God when they rejected Jesus Christ (Gal. 4: 21–31) as their Messiah, Saviour, Lord and God (Rom 11:25). Only those who have been "born again of water and the (Holy) Spirit" will be adopted into the Family of God: "Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit." (Jn. 3:5) Works of the Law (flesh) versus Grace.
Those who continue to practice the seven Old Testament festivals, and deny the work of Jesus Christ and the New Covenant, "will be condemned" (Mark 16:16). Their Salvation is based on the "works of flesh" and not by the "grace of God".
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." (Eph. 2:8-9) All seven festivals were forms of sacrifice and nullified when Jesus died on the cross. He made the ultimate sacrifice for all mankind! Jesus is the "sacrificial lamb that took away the sin of the world." (Jn 1:29; 1 Cor 5:7) What does a New Covenant Christian look like?
Behold the New Covenant has come and the Old Covenant has passed away (Heb. 8:13)!
"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!” (2 Cor. 5:17) To all Christians: No longer accept or tolerate Old Testament practices! Jesus has commanded us to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole of creation” (Mk. 16:16-17). It is every Christian's job to witness, preach the Gospel and practice the New Covenant, and not be misled by those (modern day Judaizers) who have returned to a "yoke of slavery": "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Gal 5:1). Believers are to walk in the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:16), obey only the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2) and do the Ministry of Jesus Christ: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen." (Matt. 28:19-20) I
 f you would like to receive the New Covenant Life in Jesus Christ, I invite you come to one of our house meetings or contact me. Everyone is welcome! Our house meetings are open to you and your family and/or friends, to receive either Salvation, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, a Gift of the Holy Spirit, healing, deliverance, etc., Yours in Jesus,
 Copyright © 2016. The Gordon Williams Evangelistic Association. All rights reserved.
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New Testament (NT) Abbreviations Act (Acts)
About GWEA Ministry Our "Holy Spirit" ministry emphasizes the necessity of the grace gifts of the Holy Spirit according to the Bible scriptures. Our ministry helps people to receive Salvation, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, healing, deliverance and other spiritual gifts from God. Also through our services, many have received miracles, healing, revival and renewal. Rev. Gordon Williams
Scripture of the Month “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 5:17-20) NIV "For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you..." (Romans 1:8-17). The church in Rome had a good reputation, and so Paul wanted to go and visit those believers and have fellowship with them. He prayed for them, "without ceasing," that God might let him visit them. It was his desire to impart some spiritual gifts to them. This is a ministry that many of us have. We pray with people not only for salvation and the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but for the "spiritual gifts" (charismatic gifts) that Paul mentions later in (Romans 12:6-8; and 1st Corinthians 12:8-10). This "ministry of gifting" equips the saints for ministry with each other and with unbelievers. The gifts of the Holy Spirit strengthen and encourage faith among the believers. The gifts also have an evangelistic function - to draw people to believe in Jesus Christ as Saviour, Lord, Healer and Deliverer. As Paul told the Corinthians, "My speech and message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power" (1 Corinthians 2:4,5). The Holy Spirit`s gifts are necessary as a sign to believers that the Gospel is true, and that they can "live by faith."
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"...and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Name of the Lord" (James 5:13-15).
Healing has always been apart of God's Covenant with us. James encourages those who are sick to be anointed with oil by the elders of the church so they will be healed. It is an act of obedience. James makes it very clear that "the Lord will raise him up." I remember the first time a new elder (an automobile mechanic not familiar with the appropriate practice in regard to healing with oil) was called to go and pray for healing with a sick church member. In his ignorance, he took along the only thing he had - a quart of 10W30 motor oil. He prayed in faith and poured it all over the man's head...
"For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you..." (Romans 1:8-17).
The church in Rome had a good reputation, and so Paul wanted to go and visit those believers and have fellowship with them. He prayed for them, "without ceasing," that God might let him visit them. It was his desire to impart some spiritual gifts to them.
This is a ministry that many of us have. We pray with people not only for salvation and the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but for the "spiritual gifts" (charismatic gifts) that Paul mentions later in (Romans 12:6-8; and 1st Corinthians 12:8-10).
This "ministry of gifting" equips the saints for ministry with each other and with unbelievers. The gifts of the Holy Spirit strengthen and encourage faith among the believers.
"...King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen - that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.” (Acts 26:19-23).
Paul was on trial for his life because he refused to stop preaching the Gospel. As a Roman citizen, he exercised his right of appeal to the Roman emperor for justice. But before he was moved to Rome, he was taken before King Agrippa, who was curious about the man who had caused such an uproar in Jerusalem. Standing before the king, Paul did not hesitate to share his personal testimony, starting with his persecution of believers until his own meeting with Jesus, who had risen from the dead. "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, You did it to Me" (Matthew 25:31-46).
Here we have a preview of Judgment Day. There will be many surprises when we see who are the real sheep and who are the real goats. The sheep, Jesus warns, will be recognized as those who have looked after the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and the prisoner - because each one in need was really Jesus in disguise. In the same manner that Jesus looks after our needs, as a privilege and without complaint - He expects us to care for the physical and emotional needs of others. However, there is more here than meets the eye - We must spiritually discern all needs, and not forget the spiritual needs. "Father Abraham...send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue" (Luke 16:19-31).
Here is a "rich man-poor man" story that should make everyone take inventory of their lives. "Wealth" and "privilege" that do not look after the needs of hungry people is called "unrighteous mammon". Selfishness is the problem.
This story depicts a rich man who witnesses a beggar, Lazarus eating from his garbage, and then dying of starvation and sickness at his door.
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"And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision..." (Acts 18:5-17).
When we are willing to serve Jesus as Paul did, we will be expected to receive direction and guidance from Jesus at any time, in a variety of ways, including visions. Paul had been preaching and testifying to the Jews about Jesus .. |
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"SPIRIT-LED DAYS" - DAY BY DAY WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT" is one of the most inspirational, detailed and theologically studies on the Holy Spirit. Using a daily devotional format, the reader is led step-by-step, day-by-day, into a study of what the entire scriptures reveal about the person of the Holy Spirit.
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"THE FORGOTTEN KEY TO CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE" is God's key to a successful marriage.
Gordon's book outlines effective tools for building a happy marriage. Also explains why the divorce rate in the church is the same as in secular society and what to do about it. |
"LIKE A MIGHTY RUSHING WIND" is practical and important Christian teaching highlighting the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the 9 "Gifts of the Holy Spirit" as outlined in the Book of Corinthians. The results of Rev. Gordon Williams ministry have always been countless changed lives as people encounter Christ in His fullness. |
 "VICTORY OVER THE KINGDOM OF DARKNESS" is the most comprehensive teaching guide available today on spiritual warfare. Based on biblical theology, it is derived from many years of helping people to be freed from demonic oppression.
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