Observances
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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 ...
... OF SUPERSTITION IN OBSERVANCES (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether it be unlawful to
practice the observances of the magic art? Objection 1: It ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it be unlawful to.htm

Whether Observances Directed to the Purpose of Fortune-Telling are ...
... OF SUPERSTITION IN OBSERVANCES (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether observances directed
to the purpose of fortune-telling are unlawful? Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether observances directed to the 2.htm

Of Superstition in Observances (Four Articles)
... OF SUPERSTITION IN OBSERVANCES (FOUR ARTICLES). We must now consider superstition
in observances, under which head there are four points of inquiry: ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/of superstition in observances four.htm

Whether Observances Directed to the Alteration of Bodies, as for ...
... OF SUPERSTITION IN OBSERVANCES (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether observances directed to the
alteration of bodies, as for the purpose of acquiring health or the like ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether observances directed to the.htm

Of the Modification in the Observances which May be Permitted in ...
... Chapter X. Of the modification in the observances which may be permitted in accordance
with the character of the climate or the custom of the district. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter x of the modification.htm

The Other Observances of the Jews.
... Chapter IV."The other observances of the Jews. But as to their scrupulosity
concerning meats, and their superstition as respects ...
/.../the epistle of mathetes to diognetus/chapter iv the other observances of.htm

Whether the Ceremonies of the Old Law are Suitably Divided into ...
... PRECEPTS IN THEMSELVES (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether the ceremonies of the Old Law are
suitably divided into sacrifices, sacred things, sacraments, and observances? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the ceremonies of the.htm

Whether Religious who are Raised to the Episcopate are Bound to ...
... OF THINGS PERTAINING TO THE EPISCOPAL STATE (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether religious who
are raised to the episcopate are bound to religious observances? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether religious who are raised.htm

Whether There was any Reasonable Cause for the Ceremonial ...
... OF THE CAUSES OF THE CEREMONIAL PRECEPTS (SIX ARTICLES) Whether there was any
reasonable cause for the ceremonial observances? Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there was any reasonable.htm

Of Christ's Circumcision, and of the Other Legal Observances ...
... OF CHRIST'S CIRCUMCISION, AND OF THE OTHER LEGAL OBSERVANCES ACCOMPLISHED
IN REGARD TO THE CHILD CHRIST (FOUR ARTICLES). We must ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/of christs circumcision and of.htm

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
... 6:1). The presence of the Agape in the Greek church of Corinth was no doubt due
to the initiative of Paul, who would hand on the observances associated with ...
/a/agape.htm - 15k

Superstitious (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (a.) Of or pertaining to superstition; proceeding from, or manifesting,
superstition; as, superstitious rites; superstitious observances. ...
/s/superstitious.htm - 8k

Observation (4 Occurrences)

/o/observation.htm - 8k

Observance (8 Occurrences)

/o/observance.htm - 9k

Abstinence (2 Occurrences)
... The high import is that in God's view character grows rich and life joyful, not
by fasts or formal observances, but by acts of unselfish service inspired by a ...
/a/abstinence.htm - 25k

Glory (590 Occurrences)
... Some think that the smoke is caused by the clouds of incense that would fill
the temple in connection with the sacrificial observances. ...
/g/glory.htm - 71k

Loyal (15 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 13:14 Remember me, my God, concerning this, and don't wipe out my good
deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its observances. ...
/l/loyal.htm - 11k

Wards (5 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 13:14 Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good
deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the observances thereof ...
/w/wards.htm - 8k

Resources
What is the Christian calendar? | GotQuestions.org

What happened during Jesus' childhood? | GotQuestions.org

What is Candlemas? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Observances (2 Occurrences)

Galatians 6:12
All who desire to display their zeal for external observances try to compel you to receive circumcision, but their real object is simply to escape being persecuted for the Cross of Christ.
(WEY)

Nehemiah 13:14
Remember me, my God, concerning this, and don't wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its observances.
(WEB ASV)

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Observance of the Sabbath and Festivals
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