Tackling Tradition 73: Paul, the Food Laws, & the Jewish Liturgical Calendar
From time to time, Messianic Jews & Gentiles on the internet have been known to grow rather strident with respect to particular issues. For example, there are those who argue that Paul was in the habit of teaching people to observe the Jewish liturgical calendar. Is that true? Paul visited Colassae in the 50’s AD. At that time of Paul’s journey to Rome in either 52(ish) or 57(ish) AD, food sacrificed to idols & the Judaizer controversy was still an issue alongside the work of Greco-Roman pagans/philosophers. Acts 21 records Paul’s report to James reads, “we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. (Acts 21:25, ESV) Paul was most certainly NOT teaching the Gentiles to observe & administer Jewish liturgical meal, festivals, & other activities. He was reminding them of t...