Today there are many groups, sects, and denominations that claim to observe the Passover. However, it must be asked how do they choose to observe Passover? Their methods of observance must be weighed in the light of Biblical teaching. We cannot be led by feelings or traditions, but by Biblical truth. To do otherwise is to find ourselves with the same problem that the Israelites had during the era of the judges: “in those days there was no king In Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” Judges 17:6; 21:25.
The first important question that we must ask is how to determine the proper date of the Passover? Exodus 12:2 informs us that Passover occurs during the first month of the year, Abib. This is according to Yahweh’s calendar and not man’s. Man’s calendar has January 1 as the new year. But what is Yahweh’s beginning of the year?
We are looking for an astronomical event that will identify the first day of the new year. Notice that Exodus 12:2 says that the first month is the beginning of the months. Before we can determine the month, we must determine the start of the new year.
How can we determine what that astronomical event will be? Genesis 1:14 can help us: “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years.”
Scripture tells us that the sun has a circuit (Psalm 19:6, Deuteronomy 11:12, and Eccle. 1-5). That means that the sun travels in a circle which would always have a beginning and ending. Where would this be? In the northern hemisphere we call this the vernal equinox. This occurs around March 20. This is the time when the sun is over the equator providing equal days and equal nights.
This is the annual beginning of the Sun’s circuit. The sun will then continue on its circuit to the next vernal equinox when the next new year begins. Please note that Yahweh’s year begins in the spring in the northern hemisphere when plants come alive and not in the winter when plants are dormant.
Now we know the start of Yahweh’s new year. But when does the first month begin? Exodus 12:2 indicates that the beginning of the first month and the new year are not the same day. The sun determines the year, the seasons and days. The lesser light, the moon, determines the month.
What astronomical event involving the moon occurs which could indicate a new beginning? This would be the new moon or crescent moon. The importance of the appearance of the new moon is referenced many times in the Bible (1 Chronicles 23:31; 2 Chronicles 2:4, 8:13; Ezra 3:5; Nehemiah 10: 33; Isaiah 1:13, 14; Ezekiel45:17, 46:3; and Hosea 2:11).
The vernal equinox indicates the beginning and end of Yahweh’s year. The next event after the vernal equinox that indicates a new beginning is the new moon. The new moon is the first day of the first month. Once this is established, we can then begin to identify when Passover occurs. Again, Exodus 12:2 and the verses that follow will help us with that. On the 10th day of Abib, a lamb is selected (verse 3) and on the 14th day, that lamb is killed (verse 6). For further confirmation of the date of Passover or the killing of the lamb, let’s review Leviticus 23: 5: “in the 14th day of the FIRST MONTH at evening is Yahweh’s Passover.”
The next important point to understand is from what geographical location does the new moon need to be observed? Many of those who claim to keep Passover do so according to the sighting of the new moon in their own geographical area. This approach allows many timing variations, as there are geographical areas. If each person or group bases their determination of the new moon on their own observation, this does not allow for consistency and therefore confusion. Yahweh is not the author of confusion (1Corinthians 14:33). The orderly way would be to have one reference point that all could use. That we do have! Isaiah 2:3 and Micah 4:2 confirm that: “for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the Word of Yahweh from Jerusalem.“
When Messiah returns to begin His 1000-year reign, he will establish his government in Jerusalem. Zechariah 14:16 tells us this: “and it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year-to-year to worship the King, Yahweh of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.” They will come to Jerusalem because that is where the seat of government is. All things will be decided from there, even the sighting of the first new moon of the new year!
Now we know how to identify the correct day for the observance of Passover. However, now we must ask who is able to utilize this knowledge properly? Under the Old Covenant, all males had to be physically circumcised before participating in Passover. We find this in Exodus 12:48: “let all males be circumcised.” However, under the New Covenant, physical circumcision was replaced with circumcision of the heart, that is, without hands. (Colossians 2:11)
Circumcision without hands refers to the act of being baptized. (Colossians 2: 11-12) When the apostles and elders met at Jerusalem (Acts 15), they declared that physical circumcision was no longer required. Peter confirms the necessity of baptism in Acts 2:38: “Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name…”
What name? Your King James Bible uses the name Jesus Christ. However, the name Jesus was never used when Messiah walked the earth. The “J” did not and still does not exist in the Hebrew or Greek alphabets. As established in other articles, his human name was Yahshua. Many misinformed people will believe that Christ is his last name. This is also not true. That is his title. Christ is the English translation that means, “the anointed”. After the death of Messiah, he was resurrected and appeared before His Father. At that time he was given a new more excellent name. (Hebrews 1: 4) His human name was attached to the sin that he took upon himself from all men and angels.
Let’s look at Deuteronomy 29:20. This verse was written under the Old Covenant. Messiah was born and died under this covenant, so this verse applied to him as well. Since he is the only human to die in sin, only his name has been blotted out. That is the curse of the law that we learn about in Deuteronomy 29 20. Most just read over this verse and don’t pause to understand. When Messiah died in sin, his human name was blotted out according to the law. Messiah was without sin himself; therefore he perfectly kept the Law. His name, Yahshua, was blotted out and remains attached to his blood, as the sin offering.
After his resurrection, he received a new name, the name of His Father, Yahweh. From ancient times it was known that Yahweh was the name of salvation. (Joel 2:32) The Son was resurrected after shedding his blood for ALL. All mankind and the angels are reconciled by his death. (Romans 5:10) His new name reflects His status as the savior of all mankind: YAHWEHSHUA, Yahweh saves!
Peter spoke to us about repenting and being baptized in what name? That name is YAHWEHSHUA! He proclaimed this after the resurrection, not before. This requires that his new name be used for baptism, and not the defiled name. His new name is the more excellent name. (Hebrews 1: 4)
Matthew 28:19 tells us this: “ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing in the NAME (singular) of the Father and Son.” The Father and Son have one name. The addition of the “holy spirit” is recognized by most students of the Bible as a later addition and is not supported by other scriptures.
When you read Revelation 14:1, you learn that the 144,000 have the name of the Father and Son on their foreheads. So what is this single name that is shared by both the Father and Son? This is the name of YahwehShua, Yahweh Savior.
The name of YahwehShua was blotted out from the temple scrolls by the Jewish high priest. That is why you will never see this most excellent name in the Greek Scriptures. The Father blotted the human name of Yahshua out of the Book of Life. The prophet Jeremiah gives us more insight into the absence of Messiah’s inherited name. Notice what he says in Jeremiah 11:19: “But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; [Messiah speaking through Jeremiah] And I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of living, that his name may be no more remembered.” This verse along with Deuteronomy 29: 20 is part of the Scriptures and must be acknowledged.
Yes, but… the name Yahshua is still seen in the Bible. This is true. His human name is still seen because it was only blotted of the Book of Life, which we do not see. His inherited name was blotted out of the Hebrew Scriptures by the high priest. It is now the name of faith. We of the new covenant must walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)
YahwehShua, the name of faith, the inherited name, is the name by which we must be baptized. There is no substitute. We are buried into his death by water, but we are resurrected according to his more excellent name, YahwehShua.
Without baptism in YahwehShua, your heart is not circumcised. Therefore, your baptism by any other name is NOT valid. You must be lawfully baptized to participate in the observance of Passover. This lawful Passover observance is the one Messiah referred to when he said: “this, do in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22: 19) Messiah was without sin, and he never broke Yahweh’s law. He would not instruct us to do anything that would transgress the law.
You may know how to determine the correct date for Passover and even follow the proper order of service. However, if you are not lawfully baptized, you’re not approved for participation in Passover under the New Covenant. Under the Old Covenant, had you not been physically circumcised, you would not be approved to participate in that Passover observance. Paul addressed the proper and lawful keeping of the Passover in 1Corinthians 11: 27-29: “27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Sovereign, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the sovereign. 28 but let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself not discerning the Sovereign’s body.” Yes, there are consequences if you do not observe Yahweh’s Passover in a lawful manner!
We of the New Covenant are being trained as priests and royalty. (1Peter 2: 5; Revelation 1:6, 5: 10, 20: 6) We are taught and must teach the lawful observance of Passover and the days of unleavened bread. We are required to follow these days according to Yahweh’s instructions. We must look to Biblical instruction and not tradition or guess work. (Ezekiel 44: 23-24)
It is interesting to note that Aaron and his sons were consecrated as priests before they could begin their priestly duties. (Exodus 29; Leviticus 8) This required consecration, among other requirements, involved being confined in the Tabernacle for seven days and eating bread that is unleavened. Is this an earthly pattern proclaimed under the Old Covenant while we of the New Covenant are being consecrated under a heavenly pattern? The similarity of seven days and unleavened bread needs more understanding.
We of the New Covenant have the key to the proper baptism, which opens the door to keeping Passover and unleavened bread. That key is the name, YahwehShua. Without being baptized in YahwehShua, the Sabbath, High days, Passover, and prayers have no significance for our salvation. These actions must be done lawfully as “no lie is of the truth.” (1 John 2: 21)
Do you believe that all you have to do is recite John 13? Wash feet? Eat leavened bread? Drink fruit of the vine? Without observing the correct month and day, the above is of no value. Without being baptized in YahwehShua, this too is of no value. If you are not IN YAHWEHSHUA, you are not lawfully keeping Passover. Be careful!
Please review what is written here. Pray for truth in the name of Yahweh. According to John 6:44 you must be drawn by the Father. If you’re being called, this information may move you to take action or at least begin looking more closely. The Light of YahwehShua is here to assist you in your quest. There is no obligation, only an opportunity. May Yahweh guide you to the light.
If you wish to submit a question or comment, please email our Elder at john12e4567@gmail.com.