Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, observances refer to the practices, rituals, and ceremonies that are commanded or commended in Scripture. These observances are integral to the worship and religious life of the people of God, serving as reminders of His covenant, His laws, and His redemptive acts throughout history.Sabbath Observance The Sabbath is one of the most significant observances in the Bible, instituted by God at creation and reiterated in the Ten Commandments. Genesis 2:2-3 states, "By the seventh day God completed His work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on it He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished." The command to observe the Sabbath is further emphasized in Exodus 20:8-11, where the Israelites are instructed to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy, ceasing from work as God did. Feasts and Festivals The Old Testament outlines several feasts and festivals that the Israelites were to observe. These include the Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Each of these observances had specific rituals and significance, often commemorating God's deliverance and provision. For example, the Passover commemorates the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt, as described in Exodus 12:14: "This day is to be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD; you are to celebrate it as a perpetual statute for the generations to come." New Testament Observances In the New Testament, the focus shifts from the ceremonial law to the observance of the Lord's Supper and baptism. The Lord's Supper, instituted by Jesus during the Last Supper, is a commemoration of His death and a proclamation of His return. 1 Corinthians 11:24-26 records Jesus' words: "And when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same way, after supper He took the cup, 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 this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes." Baptism is another key observance, symbolizing the believer's identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Matthew 28:19-20 records the Great Commission, where Jesus commands His disciples, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you." Observance of the Law While the ceremonial aspects of the Mosaic Law are fulfilled in Christ, the moral law remains significant for Christian living. Jesus affirmed the importance of the law in Matthew 5:17-18: "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 pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." Conclusion Observances in the Bible serve as vital expressions of faith and obedience, reflecting the relationship between God and His people. They are not merely ritualistic practices but are deeply rooted in the history and theology of Scripture, pointing to the greater reality of God's redemptive work through Jesus Christ. Library Whether it be Unlawful to Practice the Observances of the Magic ... Whether Observances Directed to the Purpose of Fortune-Telling are ... Of Superstition in Observances (Four Articles) Whether Observances Directed to the Alteration of Bodies, as for ... Of the Modification in the Observances which May be Permitted in ... The Other Observances of the Jews. Whether the Ceremonies of the Old Law are Suitably Divided into ... Whether Religious who are Raised to the Episcopate are Bound to ... Whether There was any Reasonable Cause for the Ceremonial ... Of Christ's Circumcision, and of the Other Legal Observances ... Thesaurus Observances (2 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Observances (2 Occurrences). Galatians 6:12 All who desire to display their zeal for external observances... /o/observances.htm - 7k Agape Superstitious (1 Occurrence) Observation (4 Occurrences) Observance (8 Occurrences) Abstinence (2 Occurrences) Glory (590 Occurrences) Loyal (15 Occurrences) Wards (5 Occurrences) Resources What is the Christian calendar? | GotQuestions.orgWhat happened during Jesus' childhood? | GotQuestions.org What is Candlemas? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Observances (2 Occurrences)Galatians 6:12 Nehemiah 13:14 Subtopics Related Terms |