Doctrinal Position Paper
Title
I. Purpose and Scope
This doctrinal position paper sets forth a biblically grounded, Christ-exalting, and New Covenant–faithful rationale for the voluntary annual rehearsal of the final three Feasts of the LORD—the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah), the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)—by Christian believers.
These rehearsals are not observed as requirements for salvation, justification, or covenantal righteousness, but as prophetic teaching instruments designed to cultivate watchfulness, repentance, and abiding communion with God, in anticipation of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the consummation of the Kingdom of God.
II. Foundational Theological Principles
A. Christ Is the Fulfillment of the Law and the Feasts
Matthew 5:17 (KJV)
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”
The Feasts of the LORD, as revealed in Leviticus 23, are fulfilled in the Person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. They function as prophetic shadows, the substance of which is Christ Himself.
Colossians 2:16–17 (KJV)
“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:
Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”
B. Christian Liberty and Non-Compulsion
Participation in any feast rehearsal is voluntary and conscience-governed, not compulsory.
Romans 14:5–6 (KJV)
“One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord…”
No believer is to be judged, bound, or excluded on the basis of participation or non-participation.
C. Rehearsal as Teaching, Not Ritual Atonement
The biblical feasts are understood as moedim—appointed times of divine instruction. In the New Covenant, they are rehearsed as proclamation and preparation, not as sacrificial observance.
1 Corinthians 10:11 (KJV)
“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”
III. Doctrinal Rationale for the Fall Feasts
A. The Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah)
Doctrinal Emphasis: Watchfulness, Awakening, and the Blessed Hope
1 Thessalonians 4:16 (KJV)
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God…”
Romans 13:11 (KJV)
“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep…”
Doctrinal Position:
The Feast of Trumpets is rehearsed as a spiritual alarm, calling believers to vigilance, holiness, and expectancy. It does not predict dates nor invoke ritual obligation, but trains the conscience of the Church to live in readiness for the return of Christ.
Titus 2:13 (KJV)
“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”
B. The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)
Doctrinal Emphasis: Teshuvah (Return), Repentance, and Heart Alignment
Hebrews 10:14 (KJV)
“For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”
1 John 1:7 (KJV)
“But if we walk in the light… the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
Doctrinal Position:
The Day of Atonement is rehearsed not as a repetition of atonement, but as a solemn season of self-examination, repentance, and spiritual realignment. It teaches believers to live continually in the cleansing power of Christ’s finished work.
2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV)
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.”
This rehearsal reinforces a lifestyle of repentance without denying the finality of the Cross.
C. The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)
Doctrinal Emphasis: God’s Dwelling Presence and Kingdom Hope
John 1:14 (KJV)
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…”
2 Corinthians 6:16 (KJV)
“For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them…”
Doctrinal Position:
The Feast of Tabernacles is rehearsed as a celebration of God’s abiding presence now and the future manifest dwelling of God with redeemed humanity.
Revelation 21:3 (KJV)
“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them…”
This feast forms believers in presence-centered living and Kingdom longing.
IV. Safeguards Against Legalism and Error
Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone
Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)
No feast observance contributes to justification
Galatians 2:16 (KJV)
Christ remains the center, not the calendar
Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)
No condemnation or division is permitted
Colossians 2:18–19 (KJV)
V. Summary Statement
This doctrinal position affirms that Christian rehearsal of the Fall Feasts is biblically permissible, spiritually beneficial, and Christ-honoring when practiced as voluntary prophetic instruction rather than covenantal obligation.
The Feast of Trumpets trains believers to watch.
The Day of Atonement trains believers to walk in repentance.
The Feast of Tabernacles trains believers to abide in God’s presence.
Luke 21:36 (KJV)
“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”
VI. Concluding Affirmation
This position upholds the supremacy of Christ, the sufficiency of His atonement, the liberty of the believer, and the prophetic value of divine rehearsal—until faith becomes sight and the Kingdom of God is fully revealed.
No comments:
Post a Comment