Contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered for the saints ... Let brotherly love continue (Jude 3; Hebrews 13:1)
Letter to the Brethren: April 7, 2022

Letter to the Brethren: April 7, 2022

Uncategorized

Dear Brethren and Co-Workers in Christ:eetings from Grover Beach, California.

Passover is almost here.

For 2022, Passover is to be observed after sunset on April 14th. The Night to Be Observed is after sunset on April 15th. And the Days of Unleavened Bread run from sunset April 15th through sunset April 22nd.

Yesterday, a member of Israel’s Knesset (parliament), Idit Silman, announced she was leaving the coalition supporting the Prime Minister Bennett because of his Administration’s endorsement of allowing leaven in hospitals during the Days of Unleavened Bread (see I365: The prohibition of leavened bread on Passover just took down the Israeli government … a harbinger of the Messiah.).  Her announcement is consistent with my longstanding view that some of the more religious members of the Knesset will one day be able to impose their desire for regular animal sacrifices to be reinstated–which are needed for certain prophecies to be fulfilled (e.g. Daniel 11:31).

Canada and Haiti


Herbert W. Haddon

Herb and Gisesle Haddon sent the following report from Canada:

Dr. Thiel:The following is a pre Passover update from Canada:–  FOT plans are being finalized for the Feast site here in Canada.  It appears that the location may be the same as last year, details are in last week’s Letter to the Brethren.https://www.ccog.org/letter-to-the-brethren-march-31-2022/We will follow-up to let everyone know costs for accommodations, meals etc.–  We continue to look for ways to assist our brethren in Haiti.  The need is great and our resources are limited.  We have ordered a number of bibles, in the Creole language, to be given to the brethren.  Delivery is pending.  Our brother,  Moise,  is assisting where he can and is looking for ways to find sustainable projects to aid our brothers and sisters in Haiti.–  A little about our brother Moise.   He is a well educated young man in his twenties.  A baptized member with a COG background, through his parents.  He is constantly looking out for the needs and wellbeing of the Church.  His well rounded education has focused on solar power.   He is proficient in the design and construction of solar panels.  Moise has the energy and enthusiasm of youth and God is using that strength. We continue to pray for doors to open so we may send someone to minister for them and help with their spiritual and physical needs.–  God continues to call more members and coworkers into His Work.  There are currently  19 people who contribute to the Work here in Canada.  God tells us that ‘lip service’ will not cut it!  He wants our whole heart to serve Him, and, yes, that also means tithes and offerings.  (Malachi 3:8) (Matthew 6:21)–   A personal note about my health.  As you are, no doubt, aware, I am approaching the 1 year anniversary of having God’s miraculous intervention on my behalf.  The following is a link to the article:https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.cogwriter.com/news/cog-news/can-amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis-be-cured-a-miracle-in-canada/&ved=2ahUKEwisrpnLrPP2AhUbQ80KHSZtBVcQFnoECCkQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0dya19a1XG_VQZlGi_WgQlGod has given me the gift of at least another year of physical life.  He knew I wasn’t ready.  I did not have my spiritual house in order.  God, in His wisdom and mercy, has granted me the gift of more time.  This is not unprecedented,  as King Hezekiah was given an additional 15 years of physical life when he went to God in prayer. (2 Kings 20:6)  This gift of time was more due to the faith of my wife, Gisele, and the brethren for their fasting and prayers, than anything I did.Thank you, all.As time has progressed,  it has become apparent that I do indeed still have ALS.  I am experiencing more weakness in my limbs as well as other symptoms of this disease.  I can no longer walk (except with the help of a walker at home) and cannot climb or go down stairs. I am basically wheelchair bound.  Preparations are being made to have a wheelchair ramp installed here at home.God answers prayers,  but usually not in the way we want/expect.  Gisele and I are thankful for this gift of time and will continue to serve God in whatever way He desires of us.

Herb and Gisele

Herb Haddon later (yesterday) sent the following photos and report, which includes a report from Nicolas Moise in Haiti:

Dr. Thiel;I have attached some pictures sent to me by Moise.  They are trying to help themselves by producing charcoal to sell.  Industrious!

Charcoal of our brothers to try making money.This morning we received this note from Moise.  It is self explanatory.

What can we do to help our brothers and sisters who are living in a housing tragedy?  could our other brothers help us with a collection?  The night before last it was tragic for people after it rained, the water passed and tore the tents and caused damage to clothing, shoes, even important documents.  If we have a way I could arrange to see how I could make an arrangement for each person with sheet metal only, that would cost less.  housing is vital, without more or less better housing there will be nothing that would have worked well.  the clothes of our brothers and sisters are spoiled completely by the water of the torrents of rain which runs right under the tents and on the torn roof of tents.Things are worse.a better, simpler and more economical thing is to … buy sheets some late planks and nails, on the same tent frames we can put sheets and barred with the sheets too, it would be better to save. Situations are very critical for them at now the tents prelates are torn, deciphered. Many trouble when it rain and sunny We will continue to look for a tent/canvas company who will ship to Haiti and with suitable pricing. Before making any large purchase, we will consult with you. Update: bible delivery: still waiting! Apparently, now we’re looking at the middle of this month. …

Herb

Currently the Canadian office is sending Creole Bibles to Haiti as well as trying to send more tents. Plus we are sending some funds in order to buy some building materials so they can build some shelters.

Please continue to keep Herb and Gisele Haddon in your prayers, as well as those in Haiti.

Growth, Youth Camp, and Losses in Africa

CCOG evangelist Evans Ochieng sent the following in an email:

Pastor Dr Bob,

Greetings from kenya.On Sabbath I went to open the church hall for Gribe.  The meeting was very fine . I was accompanied by Joel owuoti and my two daughters marie Goff and Esther Ochieng.  We recieved a very warm welcome by Jacob otieno. And the growth of Gribe congregations is very good. We appreciate the work done by Jacob.   Another information,  the youth camp is started on 7th April 2022. Youths from Gribe,  migori, Nyakach,  kituka,  muhuru,  mbani,  oriang,  kiseke,  Got kachola,  Nyatike, oyugis and Ndhiwa will all be at  Ndhiwa youth camp.Youths from Daktech,  motosiet,  kaplecho, and chilani will gather at chilani youth camp.Youths from from sirikwa,  kapsindenet, molo and Nassuit will be at Njoro youth camp.Bomet and Mau will be at their home camps each.                      Death   One of Migori church member George Ochieng is dead. We are very sorry for the death of this member.  He was suffering from diabetes. The burial date will be announced later.              MALAWI AND MOZAMBIQUEWhen I was in Malawi,  I realised that many people in Mozambique left the church due to poor leadership in Mozambique.  Mozambique had been having problem under the two leaders who were selected before {being part of CCOG}.  So that’s the reason why we did the replacement and ordained James to lead Mozambique.  James Rabson is a very polite man and faithful.  I’m planning to go back in Malawi and Mozambique in June or July and I will stay longer to teach in all congregations and share with leaders and have more seminars with leaders there. As you have said I will stay longer to teach and do visitation.

Evans.

It is great that we have growth in parts of Africa and that the youth camps are going well.

Many with us in Malawi and Mozambique did not have a prior Church of God background, and we lost some in Malawi as well. While it is great that we have been able to reach many of the previously unreached, we face various challenges and trials in Africa. Continue to pray for our brethren in Africa and that we will be even more successful in proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom of God there (Matthew 24:14) as well as teach all things that Jesus commanded (Matthew 28:19-20),

Passover

(UnSplash photo)

As many are aware, the children of Israel were specifically told to observe the Passover in the Book of Exodus. Families took a lamb, without blemish (Exodus 12:5), for the sacrifice (Exodus 12:3-4). The lamb was sacrificed on the fourteenth at twilight (Exodus 12:6) and some of its blood was placed upon the door of the family’s home (Exodus 12:7).

Those who took the steps God instructed were ‘passed over’ from death, whereas the Egyptians who did not do this were not (Exodus 12:28-30).

As many realize, Jesus kept the Passover annually (Exodus 13:10) from the time of His youth (Luke 2:41-42) and throughout His entire life (Luke 22:15).

Passover was observed on the fourteenth day of the month of the first month (Leviticus 23:5; called Abib in Deuteronomy 16:1 or Nisan in Esther 3:7). It occurs in the Spring season of the year.

Although Jesus changed several practices associated with it (Luke 22:19-22; John 13:1-17), our Savior also told His disciples to keep it (Luke 22:7-13). Also the New Testament is clear, that because of Jesus’ sacrifice, killing sheep and putting blood on doorposts (Exodus 12:6-7) is not needed anymore (cf. Hebrews 7:12-13,26-27; 9:11-28).

The Apostle Paul specifically taught that Christians were to keep Passover in accordance with Jesus’ instructions (1 Corinthians 5:7-8; 11:23-26).

The Bible teaches that Jesus “was foreordained before the foundation of the world” (1 Peter 1:20) to be “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). Thus, God’s plan of salvation through His Holy Days and festivals, including Jesus being the “Passover lamb,” was known before humans were placed on the planet. That is why some of the celestial bodies were placed in the heavens to be able to calculate them!

Pretty much all churches recognize that the Bible teaches that Jesus fulfilled something associated with Passover when He was killed.

We find the operation of this great Sacrifice even discussed in the Garden of Eden. After Jesus was prophesied (Genesis 3:15), God killed an animal (probably a lamb or goat), in order to cover the nakedness (a representation of a type of sin in this incidence) of Adam and Eve with its skins (Genesis 3:21). We also see this principle of sacrifice operating when Abel sacrificed a lamb from his flock (Genesis 4:2-4).

The famous Passover in the days of Moses showed the deliverance of the children of Israel from Egypt (Exodus 12:1-38). Moses recorded God’s instructions about this as well as the calendar (Genesis 1:14; 2:1; Exodus 12:1) and His feasts (Leviticus 23). The Passover basically became the first of these events annually picturing to God’s children His great plan of salvation.

In the Old Testament, the Passover pictured deliverance from the bondage of Egypt and God’s intervention. But, prophetically, it was also looking towards the time that Jesus would come and be our Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). The Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29; cf. 3:16-17).

On Jesus’ last Passover as a human being, He continued to keep it at the time of the late evening and told His disciples to keep it (Luke 22:14-19; cf. John 13:2,12-15) and on the 14th of Nisan/Abib (cf. Luke 22:14; 23:52-54).

Jesus, however, changed several of the practices associated with its observance. Jesus made the unleavened bread and wine an integral part of Passover (Matthew 26:18, 26-30) and added the practice of footwashing (John 13:12-17).

Jesus in no way taught that it was not to be an annual Passover, nor did He change the time of day of its observation to a Sunday morning like those who follow Greco-Roman traditions do. Even Greek Orthodox scholars admit that 1st and 2nd century Christians kept Passover at night (Calivas, Alkiviadis C. The Origins of Pascha and Great Week – Part I. Holy Cross Orthodox Press, 1992) like we in the Continuing Church of God do in the 21st century. Passover is only to be taken by properly baptized Christians (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:27-29; Romans 6:3-10; Exodus 12:48; Numbers 9:14).

It probably should be added that the Church of Rome (as well as many of its Protestant descendants) officially teaches that it keeps Passover, though calling it something different in the English language and not keeping it as Jesus did (Catechism of the Catholic Church. Doubleday, NY 1995, p. 332).

Wine, Not Grape Juice

Despite the fact that Jesus turned water into wine (John 2:3-10) and the Greek term used in the New Testament (oinos) refers to wine (cf. 1 Timothy 3:8), various ones have claimed that it was grape juice, and not wine, that was used for Passover–even though that was impossible. The Jews, themselves also, use wine at Passover (Hisrch EG, Eisenstein JD. Wine. Jewish Encyclopedia. 1907, pp. 532-535).

How do we know that grape juice was not possibly used by Jesus?

Grapes are normally harvested around September and Passover is usually in the Roman calendar month called April (though like this year, it is in late March). In Jesus’ day, they did not have modern sterilization or refrigeration. Hence, grape juice would have spoiled between the time of harvest and Passover.

Others have also noted that it was IMPOSSIBLE for Jews to have stored grape juice that long (Cf. Kennedy ARS. Hastings Bible Dictionary. C. Scribner Son’s, 1909 p. 974). Therefore, only wine, which can remain unspoiled for even many years would have been used. (The use of alcohol, like wine, is endorsed during the Feast of Tabernacles in Deuteronomy 26:14, but not required.)

Christians are not to be “drunk with wine, wherein is excess” as Paul wrote (Ephesians 5:18, KJV). Only a very small of wine is normally consumed at Passover (about a teaspoon full or less–and as little as one drop can be used).

Passover Was on the 14th Not the 15th

Some have been confused about the date of the biblical Passover.

The Bible teaches that it was to be kept on the 14th day of the first month of God’s calendar (Leviticus 23:5).

In the 6th verse of Exodus Chapter 12, it states that the lamb is to be killed “at dusk” (GWT and Jewish Publication Society translations). The 8th verse says that they are to eat the flesh that night. It is to be roasted and eaten that night. And, yes as one who has killed lambs, one can easily kill, roast, and eat a lamb ‘of the first year’ (Exodus 12:5) between sunset and midnight—which is basically what the children of Israel did on the recorded Passover in Exodus 12. And technically, they had until morning to have eaten it per Exodus 12:10. Now the Bible is clear that the angelic Passover occurred “on that night” (Exodus 12:12), the same night of the 14th.

The Bible teaches that Jesus was only to be sacrificed once (1 Peter 3:18; Hebrews 9:28; 10:10-14). In the New Testament, it is clear that Jesus kept His final Passover (Luke 22:14-16), and was killed. The Bible shows that Jesus was removed from the stake prior to the 15th. Why? Because the 15th was a “high day” (John 19:28-31), specifically the first day of unleavened bread (Leviticus 23:6). Hence, Jesus kept and fulfilled the Passover on the 14th.

Early church history also records that Passover was kept on the 14th of month of Nisan by faithful Jewish and Gentile Christian leaders in the first, second, and third centuries (Eusebius. Church History, Book V, Chapter 24) and that it was kept in the evening (Calivas).

Most leaders who profess Christ claim to observe some version of Passover, though many have changed the name, the date, the time, the symbols, and the meaning–and now call it Easter, because of a pagan goddess.

The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus Christ was the Passover lamb sacrificed for us and that we are to keep that Feast with unleavened bread:

7 Clear out the old yeast, so that you may become a fresh batch of dough, inasmuch as you are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (1 Corinthians 5:7-8, NAB)

Notice that the feast is to be kept with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. The Apostle Paul realized that Jesus was a substitute for the Passover lamb that the Jewish people used. He also taught that Christians should still continue to observe Passover.

But basically how were Christians to do this?

The Apostle Paul explains:

23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. (1 Corinthians 11:23-29)

So, the Apostle Paul taught that Christians were to keep the Passover in the manner that Jesus observed His final Passover with the bread and wine. And that was at night as remembrance or memorial–a memorial is an annual, not a weekly event.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church correctly notes that “Jesus chose the time of the Passover… took bread, and…he broke it” and also gave it to be eaten.

It is documented in the Bible that Jesus broke unleavened bread and passed it to His followers to eat. Jesus also passed the wine to His followers to drink a small amount. We in the Continuing Church of God pray, break and distribute unleavened bread, and distribute wine for His faithful followers to consume. Yet, the Church of Rome (like many others) no longer breaks unleavened bread (it uses a whole ‘host’) nor does it usually distribute wine for its followers to drink (the distribution of wine is considered optional by the Church of Rome, and it is often not done in Protestant churches).

What About ‘As Often…You Proclaim’?

How often should Passover be taken?

Jesus stated, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.”

Consider that it is Jesus’ death that this commemorates.

Christ’s death reconciles us to God (Romans 5:10) and Jesus gave His life for our salvation (John 3:16-17; Hebrews 5:5-11). His death teaches us that Christians are not to have sin reign over our mortal bodies (Romans 6:3-12). The Christian Passover is the annual commemoration of Jesus’ death.

Jesus DID NOT say to do this ceremony AS OFTEN AS YOU DESIRE, only that when you do it, you are proclaiming His death. The Greek term for often in 1 Corinthians 11:26, hosakis, is used one other time in the New Testament. It does not mean as often as you desire UNLESS the Greek term for “you desire,” thelo or ethelo, is also present (which it is in Revelation 11:6; the only other place in the Bible this particular term is used). However, since this is NOT present in 1 Corinthians 11:26, Paul is NOT telling us to observe the Lord’s Passover as often as WE desire, but that when we are observing it on Passover, it is not just a ceremony, it is showing Christ’s death.

The New Testament records that both Jesus and Paul taught to observe the Passover in the Christian manner. And that was an annual observation.

Footwashing

Footwashing helps show humility and that even the followers of Christ still tend to have areas that need to be cleansed (cf. John 13:10).

Jesus taught that His followers should do this:

13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. (John 13:13-17)

Relatively few who profess Christianity wash feet like Jesus said to do.

But we in the Continuing Church of God follow Jesus’ instructions on this annually.

Passover Sources Outside of Scripture

It is not just in the Bible that we see that Passover was kept annually by Christians. History records that the faithful kept Passover annually on the 14th from the time of the original apostles and throughout the ages (Thiel B. Continuing History of the Church of God. 2nd edition. Nazarene Books, 2016).

There is some interesting information in the corrupted text known as The Life of Polycarp (this document seems to be based upon writings in the second century, but the extant version we now see contains information/changes that seem to be added in the fourth century; see Monroy MS. The Church of Smyrna: History and Theology of a Primitive Christian Community. Peter Lang edition, 2015, p. 31). What is interesting is that it suggests that the Passover observation in Asia Minor may not have first come to Smyrna from the Apostle John, but even earlier from the Apostle Paul (Pionius. Life of Polycarp, Chapter 2).

The Life of Polycarp suggests that New Covenant Passover with unleavened bread and wine was to be observed during the season of unleavened bread. It states that heretics did it another way. And that writing is also supportive of the idea that the unleavened bread AND wine were taken, and were taken ANNUALLY.

History records that the biblically-listed apostles (including Philip and John) as well as Bishops/Pastors Polycarp, Thraseas, Sagaris, Papirius, Melito, Polycrates, Apollinaris, and others kept the Passover annually on the 14th (Eusebius. The History of the Church, Book V, Chapter 24 verses 2-7). The Roman, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican Catholics all consider those leaders to have been saints, yet none of those faiths follow their examples on this.

Bishop/Pastor Apollinaris of Hierapolis in Phrygia of Asia Minor wrote around 180 A.D. telling Christians to keep Passover on the 14th:

The fourteenth day, the true Passover of the Lord; the great sacrifice, the Son of God instead of the lamb, who was bound … and who was buried on the day of the passover, the stone being placed upon the tomb.

Jesus ate and kept the Passover on the 14th, was killed on the 14th, and was buried on the 14th. This was not on the 15th, and in the year of His death, this was NOT on a Sunday. Jesus would have taken the Passover just after sunset and would be killed during daylight and be buried before the sun set again (to start a new day).

In the late second century, Bishop/Pastor Polycrates of Ephesus sent a letter to the Roman Bishop Victor when Victor tried to force the observance of Passover on a Sunday instead of the 14th:

Polycrates wrote, “We observe the exact day; neither adding, nor taking away. For in Asia also great lights have fallen asleep, which shall rise again on the day of the Lord’s coming, when he shall come with glory from heaven, and shall seek out all the saints. Among these are Philip, one of the twelve apostles, who fell asleep in Hierapolis; and his two aged virgin daughters, and another daughter, who lived in the Holy Spirit and now rests at Ephesus; and, moreover, John, who was both a witness and a teacher, who reclined upon the bosom of the Lord, and, being a priest, wore the sacerdotal plate. He fell asleep at Ephesus. And Polycarp in Smyrna, who was a bishop and martyr; and Thraseas, bishop and martyr from Eumenia, who fell asleep in Smyrna. Why need I mention the bishop and martyr Sagaris who fell asleep in Laodicea, or the blessed Papirius, or Melito, the Eunuch who lived altogether in the Holy Spirit, and who lies in Sardis, awaiting the episcopate from heaven, when he shall rise from the dead? All these observed the fourteenth day of the passover according to the Gospel, deviating in no respect, but following the rule of faith. And I also, Polycrates, the least of you all, do according to the tradition of my relatives, some of whom I have closely followed. For seven of my relatives were bishops; and I am the eighth. And my relatives always observed the day when the people put away the leaven. I, therefore, brethren, who have lived sixty-five years in the Lord, and have met with the brethren throughout the world, and have gone through every Holy Scripture, am not affrighted by terrifying words. For those greater than I have said ‘ We ought to obey God rather than man’…I could mention the bishops who were present, whom I summoned at your desire; whose names, should I write them, would constitute a great multitude. And they, beholding my littleness, gave their consent to the letter, knowing that I did not bear my gray hairs in vain, but had always governed my life by the Lord Jesus.

Notice in his letter, Polycrates:

1) Said he was following the teachings passed on from the Apostle John.
2) Said that he was being faithful to the teachings of the Gospel.
3) Relied on the position that teachings from the Bible were above those of Roman-accepted tradition.
4) Said he was being faithful to the teachings passed down to him by earlier church leaders.
5) Showed he was then the spokesperson for the faithful in Asia Minor.
6) Said he and his predecessors observed the time of unleavened bread.
7) Refused to accept the authority of a non-biblical Roman tradition over the Bible.
8) Refused to accept the authority of the Bishop of Rome–he preferred to be separate (cf. Revelation 18:4).
9) Stated that his life was to be governed by Jesus and not opinions of men.

Would you follow the example of Jesus and the Apostles like Polycrates did?

Related to Polycrates, the old Radio/Worldwide Church of God published the following:

History has recorded for us the words of one church leader from Asia Minor. His name was Polycrates, living around the end of the second century. (Marx GO. WHY CELEBRATE EASTER? Plain Truth. March 1967)

Polycrates had been … part of “the catholic church of God.” (Lesson 50 – I Will Build My Church, Part 2. 58 Lesson: Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course, 1965)

Polycrates came from that area in which Paul spent most of his tin1e -in Asia Minor, near Ephesus. This is also where John spent his last days. Here we have Christiam still remaining true to the faith! (Hoeh H. A True History of the True Church. Radio Church of God, 1959, p. 16)

During Polycarp’s ministry he had trained a minister in Asia Minor. His name was Polycrates. As a very young boy he may have known the Apostle John. Polycrates continued to faithfully observe the Passover on the fourteenth of Nisan. (THE HISTORY OF GOD’S CHURCH PART 2. Youth Bible Lessons, Level 9, Lesson 10. 1986, p. 3)

The “catholic church of God” mentioned above was NOT the Roman Catholic church as it adopted Sunday in violation of scripture–but the true Church of God, of which we are a continuation of. For more information, check out the free online book: Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church.

Because faithful early Christians kept Passover on the 14th, they and others who did so were labeled Quartodecimans (Latin for fourteenths) by many historians.

The early Christians realized that Passover had to do with God’s plan of salvation. Notice that by 180 A.D., Bishop/Pastor Melito of Sardis wrote:

Now comes the mystery of the passover, even as it stands written in the law…The people, therefore, became the model for the church, and the law a parabolic sketch. But the gospel became the explanation of the law and its fulfillment, while the church became the storehouse of truth…This one is the passover of our salvation. This is the one who patiently endured many things in many people…This is the one who became human in a virgin, who was hanged on the tree, who was buried in the earth, who was resurrected from among the dead, and who raised mankind up out of the grave below to the heights of heaven. This is the lamb that was slain.

Passover was kept annually on the 14th of Nisan by the faithful and others in later centuries. Catholic scholars (Eusebius, Socrates Scholasticus, Bede) record this occurred in the 4th, 5th, 6th-8th and later centuries. Various Church of God writers have traced its observance from the time of the apostles to modern times (e.g. Dugger AN, Dodd CO. A History of True Religion, 3rd ed. Jerusalem, 1972 (Church of God, 7th Day). Thiel B. Continuing History of the Church of God. Nazarene Books, 2016).

Greco-Roman scholars recognize that aspects of Passover, like footwashing, were also observed by those they considered to be early faithful Christians (e.g. Thurston, H. (1912). Washing of Feet and Hands. In The Catholic Encyclopedia).

Passover is the first annual feast listed in the 23rd chapter of Leviticus.

Passover helps picture salvation and grace for Christians. It should be noted that early Christian writings most often refer to it as the Passover and not “the Lord’s Supper.”

While some may ‘spiritualize’ away the necessity of Passover’s observance, leaders considered to be saints by the Greco-Romans and the Church of God did keep it literally.

We in the Continuing Church of God still do so today.

We in the Continuing Church of God keep Passover and include the historical, and biblical, practice of washing one another’s feet.

Passover shows that God had a plan before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:20) to send Jesus to die for our sins, that God loves us (John 3:16), that God can deliver us, and that His Son suffered and died for us. Passover shows that Christians are freed from sin by His death and not to remain in sin (Romans 6:1-5).

But simply accepting the sacrifice of Jesus is not all there is to God’s plan of salvation.

Various people keep the beginning of God’s feasts of salvation by somewhat recognizing Passover and/or Pentecost, but never go on to know the “depth of the riches” (cf. Romans 11:33) of God’s grace (2 Peter 3:18) pictured by the other biblical feasts.

Christ is not only the author/beginner of our salvation (Hebrews 5:9), but is also the finisher of our salvation (Hebrews 12:2; 1 Peter 1:1-9). His true followers keep His Spring and Fall Holy Days.

For more on Passover, see the following:

Keeping Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread How should Christians keep Passover, especially if they are by themselves. Why does the Church of God not require lambs for Passover? How does one keep the Days of Unleavened Bread? For a step-by-step video for Christians to keep it, check out a CCOG Passover Service; here is a link to the service in Spanish: Servicion de Pascua CCOG. Here is a link to a related article in the Spanish language: Guardando la Pascua y los Días de los Panes sin Levadura.

Examine Yourself before Passover This article goes into some of why real Christians are to do this. Two related sermons are Really examine yourself before Passover and Passover Examination. Here is a link to this article in the Spanish language: Examínese antes de la Pascua.

Passover and the Early Church Did the early Christians observe Passover? What did Jesus and Paul teach? Why did Jesus die for our sins? There is also a detailed YouTube video available titled History of the Christian Passover.

The Passover Plot What was the first Passover plot? Which plots have Islam and the Greco-Roman faiths perpetuated about Passover? A sermon video of related interest is The Passover Plots, Including Easter.

Melito’s Homily on the Passover This is one of the earliest Christian writings about the Passover. This also includes what Apollinaris wrote on the Passover as well. Here is a related sermon, also titled Melito’s Homily on the Passover.

TPM: Passover on the 14th or 15th? While the real COG observes Passover on the 14th, some observe it on the 15th. Why is the 14th correct? A related sermon is titled Is Passover on the 14th or 15th for Christians?

Did the Apostles Keep Passover on Easter Sunday or Nisan 14 Some have claimed that the Apostles Peter and Paul institued Easter Sunday, whereas the Apostles John and Philip kept Passover on Nisan 14. Were the apostles divided? What does the historical and biblical evidence point to? Here is a link to a related video: Did Peter, Paul, & John keep Easter Sunday or Passover?

Passover Service

For those baptized people without a local minister, the Continuing Church of God is pleased to make available its suggested Passover service: CCOG Passover Service available online at its ContinuingCOG channel.

Thumbnail

36:35

CCOG Passover Service

This is a step-by-step Passover service for baptized Christians to follow if they are unable to attend a live Passover service. Passover is normally to be on the 14th of the month of Nisan in the Hebrew calendar. This service is by the overseeing pastor of the Continuing Church of God (CCOG). Leaders of the local Passover service (even if there is only one person) should have some unleavened bread, wine, a towel, and one or more water basins available.

Here is a link: CCOG Passover Service.

Here is the link to the service in the Spanish language: Servicio de la Pascua.

Baptisms in India

Last week, we reported that there were eight baptisms in India. As it turns out, it was seven people who were baptized. Sorry for the error.

Our deacon in India sent the following picture related to the baptisms:

Anyway, it is great to have more new people coming into the church.

Suggested Sabbath Service

Here is a suggested Sabbath service for this week:

Note: If you have a slow internet connection, you can watch these by starting the video, then below it (and towards the right) look for an outline of a gear–if you click on that, it will allow the YouTube video to be played with lower video quality, but at least it will not stop often–you can select a quality as low as 144p. If your internet connection is still too slow (as my home one is) and/or you prefer audio messages to audio-visuals ones, go to the YouTube link for the message, click on SHOW MORE related to the description. You will then see something that says, “Download MP3.” Below that is a link to an MP3 file. Most computers (and even some cellular telephones) will allow MP3 files to be downloaded and played. This is an option we have made available (but we are also looking into ways to improve that as well)–and, of course, we have written article options. Some people have found that if their internet connections are not fast enough, that they can simply listen to the messages that are found at the Bible News Prophecy online radio channel.

IN CASE YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A ‘LETTER TO THE BRETHREN’ FOR ANY WEEK, REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE MANY SERMON MESSAGES ON THE ContinuingCOG channel AND MANY SERMONETTE MESSAGES ON THE Bible News Prophecy channel. There are also some messages at the CCOGAfrica channel.

World News Items

There were elections in Hungary and Serbia this past week which resulted in the re-election of their top leaders, despite them both having closer ties to Russia than many in Europe want (see Hungary’s Orban and Serbia’s Vucic re-elected: Europe will one day be lead by a ‘strongman’). One day, Europe itself will be led by a strong dictator (cf. Revelation 17:12-13; 13:1-18).

As a result of sanctions against Russia, as well as its reactions to them, more and more are seeing that this is hurting the status of the USA dollar as the world’s primary reserve currency (see US Dollar Hegemony Ended Abruptly Last Wednesday’ and ‘A Paradigm Shift Western Media Hasn’t Grasped Yet … Gold’). I have long said that one day the USA dollar will be worth no more than the scrap value of its cotton-paper bills and Vladimir Putin has now said the USA “dollar is no better than canny wrappers” (see  ZH: We Have Reached The End Of Monetary Policy As We All Once Knew It; Vladimir Putin: THE DOLLAR IS NO BETTER THAN CANDY WRAPPERS). The USA dollar still has value, but more and more of its foundation is becoming sand–which will be disastrous for it (cf. Matthew 7:26-27; Habakkuk 2:6-8).

Another result of the Russian military operation in Ukraine is that the European Union is using this as an impetus to develop a stronger military, one which its wants to be able to use independent of the USA (see Strategic Compass: European Union Unveils New Strategy To Become A Global Power). Europe will one day, relatively soon, be a major military power (cf. Revelation 13:3-4) with a “great army” (Daniel 11:25) and “many ships” (Daniel 11:40).

Concluding Comments

The Apostle Paul wrote:

27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. (1 Corinthians 11:27-31)

Brethren, the Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread are soon. This is the time to examine yourself and remove spiritual leaven from your life.

Sincerely,

Bob Thiel
Pastor and Overseer