Colossians 2:16 Feast Days

 A.C.Pike

Introduction

This is a Scripture that is often used by Christians to justify the celebration of Roman Catholic Religious Days such as Christmas, Easter, and Lent, and secular Days like New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. But is this Scripture really about this? In this article, we will see that Colossians 2:16 has nothing to do with non-biblical secular or so-called religious Days. 

Colossians 2:16 And It's Meaning

This Scripture reads, "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holiday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days" (AV/KJV).

The Apostle Paul was writing to Christians in the Church at Colossae. In the area of Colossae, there were both Jews and Gentiles (Romans and Greeks) who were living and working there. The Christian Church had both Jewish and Gentile believers attending their services and fellowshiping together. Also, there were Jews who still practiced the Mosaic Law and Gentiles who believed in and worshipped the Greco-Roman deities that lived in the City. So a mixture of beliefs and practices was present in Colossae.

This Church had become heavily influenced by Jewish thoughts and beliefs. This is why Paul told the Church that God had blotted out the ordinances that were against us (v14). Jesus' death on the cross fulfilled the Ceremonial Laws and types and shadows in the Old Testament. It ended the Judicial Penalties for sins and transgressions that were committed under the Nation of Israel. But most of all, it forgave us ALL (both Jews and Gentiles) of our sins. 

We no longer have to observe the national Feast Days of Israel. We no longer have to eat the Passover Lamb, or divide the clean and the unclean foods. These are not legally binding on a Christian. 

The Jews in the first Century were trying to make Christians feel obligated to observe the Ceremonial and Festive Days of the Jews.

This is what the Apostle Paul was talking about.

Conclusion

As Christians, we are not under Ceremonial requirements or Judicial penalties of the Law. Also, they are no longer binding on the Jews.

Notes

The Authorised (King James) Version of the Bible.