Question:  Mr. Albrecht

            I have been studying and realize that the old and new covenants are the same except for the fact that the new has a spiritual component.

            Since the Old Testament holy days were not a part of the old covenant and I find no New Testament instructions on their observance, should we not be observing them on the days God originally told us to?

            David

Answer:  Dear David,

            We would not at all take the position that the “old and new covenants are the same except for the fact that the new has a spiritual component.”  Please reference some of the questions and answers we have posted under “commandments” and “holy days/holidays” and you will note biblical rationale for our position.

            You suggest the argument from silence—since Old Testament holy days were not mentioned in the New Testament, shouldn’t we still be observing them?  What God required of the nation of Israel was stipulated, clearly, in the old covenant.  What God requires of Christians is stipulated, clearly, in the new covenant.  He is not silent about what he expects of us.

            If the argument from silence were accepted as a de facto basis for establishing Christian expectations, then we would come to many erroneous conclusions.  For example, slavery should still be practiced, because Paul in the New Testament addresses slaves, and he makes no comment on the injustice of slavery.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht