Rod McNair

[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

What Is the Christian Passover?

Is it possible for there to be a Christian Passover, or is that a contradiction?

Most people think, “Jews keep Passover, Christians keep Easter. Case closed.” No further discussion. But there IS such a thing as a Christian Passover. And that’s revealed in the pages of the Bible.

If you are surprised by that, then stick with us, as we ask—and answer—three questions about the Christian Passover.

I’ll be right back.

God’s Holy Days vs. Pagan Holidays

Welcome to Tomorrow’s World, where we make sense of your world through the pages of the Bible.

There are more than 2 billion people on this earth who identify themselves as Christians, and most of them observe the holidays usually associated with Christianity, such as Christmas and Easter.

But a growing number of people are discovering that the Bible has something different to say about Christian holy days, and it may not be what you think. You see, most people today think of the biblical holy days as exclusively Jewish. But are they?

Let’s examine that topic today as we explore three questions about the Christian Passover. We’ll start with the first question:

1. Did Jesus keep and teach the Christian Passover?

When we speak of religious observances in the springtime, the Jews keep Passover as a remembrance of their sojourn and deliverance from Egypt. On the other hand, most Christians keep Easter to commemorate the resurrection of the Savior, Jesus Christ.

Let’s talk briefly about the Old Testament Passover. Actually, it wasn’t just the Jews who kept the Passover—they were just one tribe in the nation of people called the Israelites, the children of the patriarch Israel. God gave the Israelites instructions in Exodus 12:3 and 5–8.

Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: “On the tenth day of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb…. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats.

Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight. And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it. Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it” (Exodus 12: 3–8).

The Passover Lamb Takes on New Meaning

You see, the Passover in ancient times was kept as a memorial of how God delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians. God struck the firstborn of the Egyptians on the night of the Passover. But the Israelites marked their doorposts with some of the blood from the Passover lamb, and God “passed over” the households of the Israelites, and protected them from harm.

Fast forward to the time of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was an Israelite from the tribe of Judah, Who observed the Passover during His lifetime. But as our Savior, He not only came to earth to live the life of an obedient Jew, He also came to die for our sins and establish His Church.

But on the night before He died, notice something very special that Jesus did with His disciples. He instituted the New Testament Passover, which we may also call the Christian Passover. In Luke 22:14–15 we read of that last Passover He observed with His disciples.

When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer” (Luke 22:14–15).

Yes, Jesus kept the Passover. And that involved a meal including roasted lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs, in keeping with the Old Testament statute.

Three New Passover Symbols for Christians

But He also did something new that night. He instituted New Testament Passover symbols. Let’s read in Matthew 26:26–28.

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:26–28).

Unleavened Bread and Wine: Symbols of Jesus’ Broken Body and Blood

What Jesus did was take the two elements of the bread and wine, and institute new symbols.

The unleavened bread represented how His body would be broken in the beating He would suffer through, leading up to His crucifixion.

The wine represented how He poured out His blood, and died, from a spear wound while hanging on the stake.

As the true Lamb of God—which the Old Testament Passover was foreshadowing—He was going to give His life for the salvation of all mankind. These symbols He established had tremendous meaning—and awesome significance for the future of every human being.

Now, before we go any further, don’t be confused by the language. The bread did not mysteriously become Christ’s literal body. And the wine did not miraculously become His literal blood. No, both were symbols, representing His broken body and His shed blood. And again, those symbols have tremendous meaning.

Foot Washing: A Symbol of Servant Leadership

But let’s notice one thing more. As He taught His disciples that night, He introduced one more element. And this is found in John 13:3–5.

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded (John 13:3–5).

Here Jesus instituted another element in the Christian Passover, the washing of your brother’s feet. This was designed to teach Jesus’ disciples to humble themselves and serve one another, as Christ had served them—notice in John 13:12–15.

So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” (John 13:12–15).

Follow Jesus’ Example

All three symbols—the bread, the wine, and the foot washing—would constitute a new observance, a New Testament Christian Passover. And He instituted it on the night before He died.

Jesus explained the importance of this new observance in John 6:53–54.

Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:53–54).

Again, not ingesting His literal body and blood, but taking the symbols that represented His dying for mankind.

So, did Jesus keep the Passover? Yes. He kept the ancient Passover observed by the Jews and all the Israelites. But even more significantly for us, He also instituted a New Testament Christian Passover for His followers. And He specifically told them, “Follow My example and do as I have done.”

Gentile Christians Kept Passover

After His death and resurrection, as the Church grew, Gentiles were called into the Church as well. And so that brings up a logical question—our second question about the Christian Passover. And we’ll address that in the next section of this program.

2. Were Gentiles expected to observe the Christian Passover as well?

This is an important question. Because many people believe as the Church grew, God allowed the rules to change, so to speak. They believe that somehow the Gentiles coming into the Church didn’t have to follow the same rules and laws as the Jews who were in the Church already.

The Apostle Paul’s writings are often used to try to show that the rules changed for Gentiles coming into the Church. But let’s examine what Paul taught about the Christian Passover.

Jesus said, “Do This in Remembrance of Me”

In 1 Corinthians 11, we find a quite enlightening passage about what Paul taught about the Christian Passover (1 Corinthians 11:23–25).

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; 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.” 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” (1 Corinthians 11:23–25).

Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, who supposedly did away with all the Jewish laws, was describing the Christian Passover. And he was describing this in his letter to a Gentile church, the Corinthians. Notice further, in verse 26:

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes (1 Corinthians 11:26).

Some believe this means we should take the symbols of the bread and wine multiple times a year, or perhaps every time we worship God. But notice, that’s not what He said. He just said, when you take it, you are proclaiming or memorializing the death of your Lord, until He comes.

Now, there’s a lot in there. For one, it’s a reminder that Jesus Christ is coming back to this earth. And we are approaching that time; it’s closer than ever.

Passover Is the Anniversary of His Death

But the other thing we note here is he explained the Passover is a memorial of Christ’s death. It’s the anniversary of Christ’s death.

Now, why would you keep an anniversary on any old day you want? On a different day from the day in which the original event happened?

• In the United States, we celebrate July 4 as Independence Day, going back to the publishing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
• In France, Bastille Day is July 14. It’s the national day of France because it hearkens back to the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789.
• In Mexico, September 16 is observed as independence day, the day the Catholic priest and patriot, Miguel Hidalgo, delivered his famous summons to his parishioners to rise up in revolution. It’s observed on September 16, the very day these events happened.

Most other countries also have specific days to honor a special event that happened on that day.

Married couples often celebrate the anniversary of their wedding. When do they do it? Well, on the day when they were married. Every man knows that his wife would not be very happy if he forgot the day of their anniversary.

God’s Timing Is Perfect—and Jesus Died on Passover

So, why would we think God would be pleased if we take symbols representing Christ’s sacrifice on any old day we want, regardless of the timing?

Timing is very important to God. And in this case, the timing of the Christian Passover reminds us of the importance and significance of the event that took place on that day—the crucifixion and death of Jesus on the stake for our sins.

Passover Preparation: Self-Evaluation of Your Christian Character

Going further, Paul even described how to prepare for taking that Passover. Notice 1 Corinthians 11:27–28.

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. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup (1 Corinthians 11:27–28).

Paul said there’s even a proper way to prepare for taking the Christian Passover. That is:

• Self-examination
• Self-reflection
• An honest evaluation of how one is living his life in light of God’s laws and God’s direction
• And an acknowledgement of the need for Christ’s sacrifice and God’s forgiveness in our life

Passover Reminds Us to Become Like Jesus Christ

Remember, Paul was writing to the Corinthians, who were Gentiles, not Jewish. This Passover was not just for the Jews or Israelites. It was for all Christians—notice in 1 Corinthians 5:7.

Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us (1 Corinthians 5:7).

When the ancient Israelites were keeping the Passover, they were actually, without knowing it, foreshadowing the Lamb of God dying for the sins of mankind. And that’s exactly what Paul was explaining. Notice then, in verse 8 Paul said:

Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (1 Corinthians 5:8).

So, we’ve already seen that the disciples were taught to keep the Christian Passover. Now, we see the Apostle Paul taught the symbolic significance of the Passover and explained how to prepare for it.

How can we come to any other conclusion, than this was intended for all New Testament Christians to keep?

Why Easter and Pagan Holidays? The Bible Teaches Passover and God’s Holy Days

But with all of that in mind, let’s look at our third question.

3. Why do most professing Christians keep Easter instead of the Christian Passover?

Isn’t it remarkable, that there is no single instruction or command to keep an observance commemorating the resurrection of Christ? On the other hand, the Bible speaks a lot about the Christian Passover.

Now, don’t get me wrong, the resurrection is extremely important. We base our hope of eternal life on that fact. We read in Romans 8:11,

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you (Romans 8:11).

The resurrection is supremely important. But you can search the New Testament from beginning to end, and you will find no instruction or command to keep it as an observance or a holy day. So, why do so many people observe Easter?

Pagan Holidays and Their Pagan Symbols Usurp God’s Purpose

Longtime Tomorrow’s World viewers know that most of the holidays of mainstream Christianity today come from blatantly pagan roots. Such is the case for Easter. In the booklet Easter: The Untold Story, Tomorrow’s World presenter and evangelist Gerald Weston explains this:

The Oxford Companion to World Mythology explains this about Easter: “The holiday comes in the early Spring and is clearly related to ancient fertility myths of reborn heroes…. For many, Easter is synonymous with fertility symbols such as the Easter Rabbit, Easter eggs, and the Easter lily” [“Easter,” p. 111] (Easter: The Untold Story, Gerald Weston, pp. 2–3).

So, why do people keep Easter, if it comes from ancient pagan traditions?

The facts of history reveal that after the Church was founded in the first century, the mainstream visible church underwent profound changes.

As new generations arose, the pressure to conform to the pagans around them grew immensely—including keeping the springtime fertility festival to the goddess Ishtar.

By contrast, faithful Christians held to the doctrines of Christ and the apostles.

Tomorrow’s World writer Dexter Wakefield explains this in his article in the March–April 2013 issue entitled, “Are You a Quartodeciman? Should You Be?” Notice:

In the second century ad, a controversy raged in early Christianity. The Roman church under Pope Sixtus I had established the keeping of an early version of Easter on a Sunday. But it had long been the practice of the Middle Eastern (Asiatic) churches to keep the Christian Passover as Jesus and the apostles did on the 14th day of Nisan, the first month of the Jewish calendar (Leviticus 23:5)… (“Are You a Quartodeciman? Should You Be?” Tomorrow’s World, March-April, 2013, p. 18).

He mentions the Christian Passover was on the 14th day of Nisan. The term Quartodeciman is Latin for “14th.” It would come to be a name for those who continued to keep the Christian Passover on the 14th of Nisan, as Jesus did, even as many in the visible church had abandoned it for Easter.

Mr. Wakefield continues:

The Catholic Encyclopedia reports, “While Anicetus was Pope, St. Polycarp, then in extreme old age, came to confer with him (160-162) about the Paschal controversy; Polycarp and others in the East celebrating the feast on the fourteenth of the month of Nisan, no matter on what day of the week it fell; whereas in Rome it was always observed on Sunday” [article: “Pope St. Anicetus”] (“Are You a Quartodeciman? Should You Be?” Tomorrow’s World, March–April, 2013, p. 18).

A Disciple of the Apostle John Refuses to Exchange Passover for Easter

Polycarp was a direct disciple of the Apostle John. Anicetus and Polycarp did not come to an agreement on the subject, and several decades later another bishop in Rome, Victor, attempted to force all the churches of Asia Minor to reject the Christian Passover on the 14th of Nisan. But they did not buckle to the pressure.

Mr. Wakefield continues:

The early church historian Eusebius wrote: “But the bishops of Asia, led by Polycrates, decided to hold to the old custom handed down to them. He himself, in a letter which he addressed to Victor and the church of Rome, set forth in the following words the tradition which had come down to him: ‘We observe the exact day; neither adding, nor taking away. For in Asia also great lights have fallen asleep… Among these are Philip, one of the twelve apostles… moreover, John, who was both a witness and a teacher, who reclined upon the bosom of the Lord… All these observed the fourteenth day of the Passover according to the Gospel, deviating in no respect, but following the rule of faith’ … Thereupon Victor, who presided over the church at Rome, immediately attempted to cut off from the common unity the parishes of all Asia, with the churches that agreed with them, as heterodox; and he wrote letters and declared all the brethren there wholly excommunicate” [Life of Constantine, ch. XXIV] (“Are You a Quartodeciman? Should You Be?” Tomorrow’s World, March–April, 2013, p. 23).

So those keeping the Christian Passover were excommunicated from what was becoming the mainstream church.

Mr. Wakefield concludes:

But the practice [that is, the keeping of the Christian Passover] continued with the Asiatic churches, and in the year 325 ad at the Council of Nicea, those who were faithful to the Quartodeciman Passover were declared anathema. The Catholic Pasch—Easter—was set as the orthodox practice of the Catholic Church (“Are You a Quartodeciman? Should You Be?” Tomorrow’s World, March–April, 2013, p. 23).

So, the practice of keeping the Christian Passover didn’t disappear. It just was dwarfed by the more common practice of Easter, because Constantine decreed that Easter should be the official doctrine of the Roman Empire.

True Christians Should Keep Passover

Jesus didn’t abandon the Passover. On the contrary, He, His disciples, and others that followed continued to observe the Christian Passover for centuries. And a growing number of Christians still keep that same biblical observance today.

So what about you? Maybe you’ve never considered the New Testament Christian Passover before. Maybe you assumed the Passover is only Jewish. Maybe you’ve always been taught that Christians should keep Easter.

You need to study this and prove it to yourself. It concerns the very life and death of our Savior, and our obedience to following His instructions. It even concerns our being forgiven of sins, and our hope of eternal life.

Find Other Christians Who Keep God’s Holy Days

You might even be interested in how to observe the Christian Passover for yourself. Many thousands of people just like you have come to the same conclusion and have learned to faithfully keep this important feast day each year.

And if you have questions about the Passover you’d like to ask directly, Tomorrow’s World is sponsored by the Living Church of God. And the Living Church of God has representatives who would love to talk with you. They will be happy to answer any questions you might have about this fundamental practice of the faithful first-century Church, a practice that is still done today, the Christian Passover.

Hey, everyone, thanks for watching. We hope you found this video helpful.

We here at Tomorrow’s World want to help you make sense of your world through the pages of the Bible.

So if you found it helpful and want to learn more, be sure to get your free copy of our study guide, The Holy Days: God’s Master Plan. Just click the link or order online at TWTV.org/Plan. It will be sent to you completely free of charge.

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See you next time.

[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

How to Manage Stress, Anxiety, and Feeling Overwhelmed

Does your world seem out of control? We’re living in an age of high-tech and hyper-connectivity. And it seems sometimes we’re going faster and faster, but getting further and further behind.

Information comes at us from all directions at ever-increasing speeds. We’re continually amazed by ever-more powerful communication tools. And yet for many people, relationships are fracturing more than ever. We try desperately to keep up at work and at home, but seem to be drowning in an avalanche of challenges.

Everyone is going in different directions. Nerves are frayed, and there never seems to be enough time.

Does it feel like humanity needs a rest? Do you need a rest? I think most of us would say yes.

The good news is the Bible speaks of a time coming soon that is just that: a rest.

It’s prophesied in your Bible. And it’s going to benefit everyone when that beautiful time comes.

But you don’t have to wait for a better world. You can experience the peace and tranquility and yes, rest, of a life guided by God right now. And you can be a part of God’s plan to bring those blessings to the world.

The Millennium: A 1,000-Year Rest Coming Soon

Welcome to Tomorrow’s World, where we make sense of your world through the pages of the Bible.

This world needs a rest. Look at our hyper-competitive workplace—many of us running faster and faster in our jobs or our business just to keep pace.

In the media, we are continually bombarded with competing streams of ideas and opinions. The soundtrack of our lives and our homes is all too often noise, chaos, and clatter.

And that’s not even speaking of the ravages of war that leave whole communities shattered and hundreds or thousands maimed or dead. This world needs a break. And it needs it soon.

The Bible speaks of a time when that is exactly what will happen. And it’s just around the corner.

This coming time is sometimes called the Millennium, meaning “one thousand years.” The Bible introduces the idea of a millennium in Revelation 20:4.

And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them…. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

The Millennium Begins at the Return of Jesus Christ

This is the time when Jesus Christ will have returned and will reign with the resurrected saints over the whole earth. This is the Kingdom of God on earth. Who will the Kingdom of God be reigning over? The people who survived the horrific Great Tribulation.

Early Christians believed in Christ’s millennial reign on earth. Notice what the historian Edward Gibbon wrote.

The ancient and popular doctrine of the Millennium was intimately connected with the second coming of Christ. As the works of the creation had been finished in six days, their duration in their present state, according to a tradition which was attributed to the prophet Elijah, was fixed to six thousand years (Christianity and the Decline of Rome by Edward Gibbon, an abridgement for the modern reader of the first part of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, edited by Jacob Sloan, 1962, p. 105).

So first-century Christians were looking forward to Jesus Christ’s literal return to this earth. And they were anticipating a thousand years of His reign to bring happiness and joy in a new world. Going on in the quote from Edward Gibbon:

By the same analogy it was inferred that this long period of labour and contention, which was now almost elapsed, would be succeeded by a joyful Sabbath of a thousand years.

Entering the Promised Land Pictured the Millennium (Hebrews 4)

So this idea of a coming millennial rest is not new. It’s been around a long time.

The Apostle Paul speaks of this time to come in Hebrews chapters 3 and 4. In chapter 3, he quotes David writing in the Psalms. We’ll pick it up in Hebrews 3:7.

Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness, where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, and saw My works forty years.… So I swore in My wrath, “They shall not enter My rest” (Hebrews 3:7–11).

That generation of Israelites coming out of Egypt were disobedient and rebellious. And so they were not allowed to enter the Promised Land. But stop for a moment and consider. The Promised Land—that land where that next generation would later settle—was called a “rest.”

They were slaves in Egypt, living a difficult life. It was not a happy time. But the Promised Land was going to be different. It would be a blessing for them. They would own property and have peace within their borders. They would have rain in due season, and harvests would be abundant. They would get married and have families. It was a beautiful picture of a vibrant and growing society, if they would have obeyed God.

But they were not obedient, and did not enter that rest. That should be a lesson for us. And that’s exactly the point the Apostle Paul makes. Notice what he says in Hebrews 4:1:

Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.

The Weekly Sabbath Also Pictures the Millennium

So Paul uses this analogy of entering the Promised Land, compared to something ahead for us. What is the “rest” ahead for obedient and faithful Christians? To answer that, let’s read on. Let’s pick it up in Hebrews 4:3.

For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest” (Hebrews 4:3–5).

So he’s talking about Christians’ hope and desire to enter a future rest at the end of this life. But then, he connects that idea to God resting after the six-day re-creation found in Genesis 1 and 2.

God rested on the seventh day, and so He made that day holy. And He instructs mankind to rest on the seventh day of each week, as a reminder of how He rested.

There is a day for a year principle in the Bible, and sometimes it’s even extended to a day for 1,000 years. For example, notice what Peter said in 2 Peter 3:8:

But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

So putting it all together, the millennial reign of Christ on earth is like a 1,000-year sabbath. Only, instead of the weekly Sabbath that comes after a six-day period of time, this millennial sabbath comes after a 6,000-year period of time.

We’re counseled by Paul to be vigilant and overcome in order to enter that rest—notice in Hebrews 4:11.

Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.

All Nations Will Keep the Sabbath in the Millennium

But why is the Millennium referred to as a rest and a sabbath? Let’s read one of the prophecies of the future in Isaiah 66:23.

“And it shall come to pass that from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the Lord.

In other words, in the future millennial age, all flesh will be keeping the seventh-day Sabbath. Now why should we take note of this?

The Sabbath Is a Weekly Rest from Work

Think about it. So many people today are working harder than ever, trying to keep up. Many work seven days a week. They awaken extremely early each morning, fight traffic on long commutes, work long hours, and crash, exhausted at the end of the day. And that’s not even counting family responsibilities with caring for children and taking care of household chores. No wonder why so many struggle with insomnia, anxiety, and even depression.

What if I told you there’s a way to offer the entire world—everyone—15% more rest time each week? Does that sound like a good deal?

This prophecy says just that. There will be a time when every human being on the face of the earth will be keeping the seventh-day Sabbath. And that means one day out of seven—that’s 15% of the week—will be a well-deserved break.

You see, the weekly Sabbath is a weekly rest. The Hebrew word translated Sabbath comes from a word simply meaning “to cease, or to rest.”

The Fourth Commandment: Six Days You Shall Work…

The Sabbath command is contained in the fourth of the Ten Commandments. But there’s not just a command to stop working, there’s also a command to work—notice in Exodus 20:8:

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work… (Exodus 20:8–9).

Did you ever notice that? We’re actually commanded to work. So, barring circumstances such as illness or injury, all of us should be engaged in some kind of work. It’s good for us. It’s good for our mental well-being, and it gives us the opportunity to grow and develop, and contribute for the good of others.

How to Rest: Remember the Sabbath Day

But keep reading, and we find out what God says about resting on the Sabbath in Exodus 20:10.

[B]ut the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.

The Sabbath is a day to worship God and draw near to Him, but it’s also a day to rest. How wonderful!

When you ask people, “Should Christians keep the Ten Commandments?” Virtually everyone will say, of course:

• You shall do no murder.
• You shall not commit adultery.
• You shall not steal.
• You shall not covet.

All good. But then when you get to “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy,” most will say, “Ah, but that’s a burden. We’re not required to do that.”

Not a Burden: God Created a Day to Rest

If you’ve heard that argument, have you ever really thought this through? Remember, what does the original word for “sabbath” mean? To cease, or to rest. So what is the Sabbath command? It’s a reminder to rest. How is a reminder to take a rest a burden?

I love to work outside, and when our children were small, we would often work outside together. Whether it was raking leaves, trimming trees, pulling weeds or hoeing in the garden, we worked outside together. And when you’re working, you sometimes get hot and tired, and need a break. You know that never once did our children complain when I told them, “Ok, that’s enough for now. Let’s go inside and get some water and take a break.” They never once told me, “Dad, what a burden that is. We want to keep working.”

And yet, that is what so many people in our world are telling God week after week. Maybe that includes you. That we want to keep working, seven days a week, non-stop, week in and week out. How has the Sabbath come to be seen as a burden? Isn’t working non-stop without a day of rest really the burden?

What we find is the whole population of the world will be keeping the Sabbath. Imagine the joy and freedom people will experience, when they are allowed to have a day off—guaranteed. That’s coming. That’s the Millennial rest that will soon be here.

There are other ways that the Millennium will be a rest for people as well. The prophet Micah speaks of it in Micah 4:4.

But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.

The world of the Millennium will be one of peace and harmony among nations and among neighbors. But we can see that is not the case today. The “European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations” website says this:

As of May 2024, the number of forcibly displaced people in the world has reached a staggering 120 million, marking another historic increase and the twelfth consecutive annual rise in the global figures for forced displacement (“Forced Displacement,” European Commission, Accessed October 30, 2024).

That truly is staggering. Unbelievable. One hundred and twenty million people living as refugees around the globe. That’s almost the equivalent of the entire population of Japan, the twelfth largest country in the world.

Take a Day Off: You Need Time to Rest

Wouldn’t you say this tired old world needs a rest? When a person can enjoy earning a living, owning his own property, and enjoying the fruits of his own labor, without fear of violence or theft.

Isn’t that what most people want? Just a chance to put food on their own table and live with a certain level of security and safety?

Weekly Stress Relief: The Sabbath Rest

But what about you? Are you feeling overwhelmed now? Do you need a rest?

Our jobs are often stressful. Achieving life-work balance is difficult. Relationships can be a challenge. And as we age and even retire, financial and health problems can loom larger and larger. We’ve seen there is hope for the world—in the future—but is there help for you now?

Yes there is. Let’s look at something the apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:1.

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come....

The phrase “perilous times” is also described as “times of stress.” Some concordances describe this word “perilous” as “hard, troublesome, difficult, or even annoying.” Wouldn’t you say we are living in an annoying age?

This is a time of increased stress. In a poll reported on in May of 2024 by the American Psychiatric Association, here are some of their findings:

U.S. adults are feeling increasingly anxious. In 2024, 43% of adults say they feel more anxious than they did the previous year, up from 37% in 2023 and 32% in 2022 (“American Adults Express Increasing Anxiousness in Annual Poll; Stress and Sleep are Key Factors Impacting Mental Health,” Psychiatry.org, May 1, 2024).

Think about that. Not only is the number of people who feel anxious going up, those numbers represent a sizable portion of the American population.

What are people stressed about?

Adults are particularly anxious about current events (70%)—especially the economy (77%), the 2024 U.S. election (73%), and gun violence (69%). When asked about a list of lifestyle factors potentially impacting mental health, adults most commonly say stress (53%) and sleep (40%) have the biggest impact on their mental health. Younger adults (18-34 years old) are more likely than older adults (50+) to say social connection has the biggest impact on their mental health… “Living in a world of constant news of global and local turmoil, some anxiety is natural and expected,” said APA President Petros Levounis… “But what stands out here is that Americans are reporting more anxious feelings than in past years.”

And this isn’t just about Americans. The World Health Organization noted in September of 2023 that, as of 2019, over 300 million people around the world suffer from some type of anxiety disorder (“Anxiety disorders,” Who.int, September 27, 2023).

“I Will Give You Rest” (Matthew 11:28)

The point is many of us today need a break. But you don’t have to wait for the Millennium to experience God’s rest. Sure, society won’t change for you. But God can give you rest even when living in a world of sin and turmoil. Notice what Jesus said in Matthew 11:28:

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).

Jesus Christ promises to help shoulder our load with us. He promises to walk beside us and to help us. But we have to put our faith and trust in Him.

How to Be Anxious for Nothing

We have to look to Him, ask for His help, and do our part to turn our hearts toward His will—and not ours. If we do that, He will give us peace that is beyond normal human comprehension. Notice Philippians 4:6:

Be anxious for nothing….

That’s easier said than done, isn’t it? When the bills pile up, you’re stressed and tired, or you’ve got chronic health problems. How can we be anxious for nothing? Well, by looking beyond ourselves and focusing on what God is already doing in our lives. Notice Philippians 4:6 again:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

God wants us to look to Him as the source of strength in times of trouble. But when we are asking God for blessings, it’s important to stop ourselves and think, “What has God already done in my life? What is He doing right now as of this moment?” It’s amazing how it changes our perspective when we thank Him for what He’s already doing. Going on in Philippians 4:7,

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

If we are seeking His will and being thankful for what He’s doing now, He will give us strength. And even in difficult circumstances, we can have a sense of peace and tranquility through God’s Spirit.

But that’s not all.

The Millennium: Rest and Peace for the World

If we give our lives to God, we can prepare for a magnificent future. What do I mean? I’m talking about ruling with Christ in the millennial rest. That’s the destiny of the saints. Notice Luke 19:12–13:

A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.

So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, “Do business till I come.”

Jesus came the first time, gave His truth to His disciples and His life for our sins. He was resurrected and now sits at the right hand of the Father. And Jesus is preparing to come again. What should His servants be doing in the meantime? Using His Spirit to do His Work and prepare themselves spiritually for His return.

Notice what the reward is for those who successfully prepare. We pick it up in Luke 19:17:

And he said to him, “Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.”

Did you catch that? The destiny of forgiven, obedient, and converted Christians at Christ’s return is to reign with Him in glory on the earth.

You see, if we capture the vision and submit ourselves to a life of service to Christ, we can help bring hope and comfort to this troubled world. And along the way, we can experience the rest that Christ offers to those who submit their lives to Him. What a fantastic opportunity for those who have eyes to see.

But that rest is coming. It’s prophesied in the pages of your Bible. Notice a prophetic scripture of that coming Millennium, found in Isaiah 26:1–2:

In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; God will appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks. Open the gates, that the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in.

You Can Have the Peace of God Now

But notice further in Isaiah 26:3:

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

It’s a description of what it will be like to live in that time, during Christ’s righteous reign on earth. But it also describes the blessings we can experience now of rest and peace, if we are covered by the shed blood of Christ and forgiven of our sins.

And if we walk with God, obey Him, like remembering His Sabbath day, keep our mind stayed on Him, and trust Him.

It’s our heartfelt prayer that you can reign with Christ in that glorious day, and experience the strength and power of His Spirit and His rest, in your life now.

Hey everyone, thanks for watching. We hope you found this video helpful.

We here at Tomorrow’s World want to help you make sense of your world through the pages of the Bible.

So if you found it helpful and want to learn more, be sure to get your free copy of our study guide, The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like?

Just click the link in the description or order online at TWTV.org/Ahead. It will be sent to you completely free of charge.

And remember to like and subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss another video.

See you next time.

[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

Why Is Baptism Important?

Is baptism required for salvation? Or is it just a legalistic ritual? Who should do the baptizing? And what’s the purpose of baptism in the first place?

These are just a few of the many questions surrounding baptism. Some see it as a required step to salvation, others as blatant legalism. Some say anyone can baptize; others understand that only ordained ministers should. Some baptize infants, while others say, no, candidates must be adults.

Is there a way to sort through the confusion? Can you understand the topic of baptism and the real meaning behind it?

The answer is yes. And today, on Tomorrow’s World, we’re going to dive into this subject and find out what the Bible says about this important topic. We need to know how to separate mere tradition from the truth.

The Purpose of Baptism

Welcome to Tomorrow’s World, where we help you make sense of your world through the pages of the Bible.

From time to time, we get questions from viewers on doctrinal issues. Few Bible topics cause as much difference of opinion as baptism. And yet, baptism is a fundamental doctrine for New Testament Christians, as the author of Hebrews noted, in Hebrews 6:1–2.

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

So, baptism is important. But what exactly do we mean when we speak of baptism? That leads us to the first question we’ll examine today:

1. What is the purpose of baptism?

To answer this question, we must first understand the real meaning of the word “baptize.”

The English word “baptize” is really only an anglicized form of the Greek word “baptizo.” And “baptizo” means “to dip, or to sink.” This is the Greek word referring to baptism in the New Testament.

So, in other words, at its very basic foundation, “baptize” means to submerge in and under water.

Now that might come as a surprise to you, if you grew up in a church that baptized by sprinkling or pouring.

We’ll see the significance of this as we go along.

First, let’s look at a literal example of how baptism was done in the New Testament. Notice the example of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, beginning in Acts 8:36.

Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him (Acts 8:36–38).

Notice, both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water. That’s immersion. Going on in verse 39:

Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more… (Acts 8:39).

So they went down into the water, and then came up out of the water. It’s plain this is talking about full immersion. Now, why does this matter?

Baptism Requires Full Immersion in Water, Because Baptism Symbolizes Death

Well, there is great significance in baptism by immersion. What is that significance? At its very core, baptism is symbolic of death. Notice what the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 6:3.

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

When we go down under the water, we are figuratively dying. We are to let the old man—or the old woman—die. We are to let go of our past sins, our habits, our ways of thinking, and our ways of doing things. We are then to be raised up out of the water ready to learn a new way. Going on in Romans 6:4.

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

So what does baptism teach us? It’s about dying to the self. That’s what we must do when we’re baptized—die to the self. Notice what Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20. I’ll read it in the King James Version.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Baptism Is a Commitment to Change Your Life

If we’re seeking baptism, it means we want to be forgiven of our sins. And that’s true. But it’s much more as well. It means we want to change our life. We want to be different. And by the power of the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and by the receiving of the Holy Spirit, we can be different.

This is why Jesus instructed His apostles to baptize by immersion, because immersion can remind us we are to be crucified with Christ and dead to our past. Now baptism alone—just going through the act—doesn’t mean we are conquered and surrendered to God. But if we let the mode of baptism teach us about the purpose of baptism, it can change our life.

Baptism Is Required for Salvation (Mark 16:16)

That leads us to our next question:

2. Is the doctrine of baptism just a legalistic ritual?

Some see any action a Christian must do in obedience to God as legalistic. Any act you must do, that is required for salvation, is somehow “earning salvation.” So, is baptism a “legalistic” ritual?

As in the previous answer, there is much more to baptism than just a physical act. It has profound spiritual meaning for the Christian, if we’re truly repenting and surrendering to God.

Consider something else. There is a growing number of people today in mainstream Christianity who say anything we must do to be saved is “legalism.” But if that’s true, if a person doesn’t have to keep any commands of God, then he can live a life of lying, cheating, stealing, and even murdering—and still be saved. But that’s not what the Apostle John wrote in 1 John 3:15.

Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

It’s not legalism to obey the commandments. It’s simply doing what God says. And God will not give eternal life to anyone who doesn’t do what He says.

Belief in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is absolutely vital to becoming a true Christian. We must have faith in His sacrifice for our sins. And we must develop a deep and profound appreciation for what He did for us. We must have belief in Him and call on His name in faith if we want to receive salvation from sins. As Paul wrote in Romans 10:9 and 13:

If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved…. Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved… (Romans 10:9, 13).

So where does baptism fit in? Well, we must put all the Scriptures together. We don’t just build a fundamental doctrine around one or two Scriptures and leave the rest out. So, is baptism, along with faith and belief, necessary for salvation? That’s a good question.

Let’s let the greatest authority on that subject answer the question Himself. That is, of course, Jesus Christ our Savior. And notice what He is recorded saying in Mark 16:15–16:

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized [notice this] will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15–16).

What did Christ say? “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.”

Baptism Works With Faith and Belief

Now baptism by itself is not a magical, mystical method of obtaining eternal life by its very act. No—nothing could be further from the truth.

On the other hand, baptism is a requirement for salvation—according to our Savior. But for it to be effective in that sense, it must be accompanied by faith and trust and belief in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins. And it must be accompanied by a deep appreciation for His role as our personal Savior, and a commitment to obey Him in everything.

So no, baptism is not some meaningless, legalistic ritual. It’s an outward expression of an inward conviction.

In other words, we believe in and call on the name of Christ. We confess our sins, and we repent of them. That means, we stop sinning and go the other way. We change. And then in faith, we are obedient to Jesus as our Lord and Master, conforming every part of our life to Him and His will.

So, we need belief and baptism. It’s not one or the other. It’s both.

Understanding That Our Sins Caused Our Savior’s Death Should Stir Us to Action

In addition, we need to deeply repent of our sins. And then we need the laying on of hands to receive the Holy Spirit.

We find that explained in Acts 2. This chapter shows that Peter gave a sermon on the Day of Pentecost, telling the crowd they were guilty of the death of the Messiah. Notice their response in Acts 2:37:

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

That should be our response as well.

When we realize we are personally responsible for the death of our Savior, we should be cut to the heart, as it said. We should be deeply moved. And we should be ready to listen and learn about what God wants us to do.

They had that humble attitude. Notice what Peter’s response was in Acts 2:38.

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

You believe in your Savior, you confess with your mouth that He is your Lord and Master, and then you act in faith. You repent, you are baptized by immersion and, in faith, you receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands. Baptism is a result of belief and faith. It’s an outward expression of inner conviction.

Who Should Baptize?

Another question that sometimes comes up is:

3. Who should baptize?

There is a lot of confusion about this question. Some think anyone who wants to can baptize. Some even believe they can baptize themselves!

But instead of just using our own imagination, let’s look at the Bible itself. Let’s look to it for guidance.

When Jesus commanded His disciples to preach the Gospel, He also sent them to heal the sick, cast out demons, and baptize. But not just anyone was authorized to do so.

We find this explained in the Book of Acts. Philip was a deacon, ordained in Acts chapter 6, and in Acts chapter 8, he went to Samaria and preached Christ. He baptized many people, including Simon the sorcerer, who at the time appeared to be sincere and repentant.

But notice, only the apostles had the authority to lay hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit. We pick up the story in Acts 8:14–17.

Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

It was only when the apostles laid hands on them, in prayer, that these people received the Holy Spirit. That’s how you receive it—not just by believing in your heart. You repent of your sins, in obedience to Jesus Christ. You ask for His forgiveness in faith, and then you must be baptized for the remission of sins. And then you have hands laid on you, for the receiving of the Holy Spirit.

Simon the sorcerer recognized this very clearly. And so he offered them money to have this authority as well. Of course, the apostles refused.

So, who should baptize? Only those who have duly ordained into the ministry of Jesus Christ.

Of course, on the question of, “Can I baptize myself?”, the answer is clearly no. There is no record of anyone in Scripture baptizing themselves. And baptizing yourself would go against the principle that it takes someone who has already given over their life to God themselves—and been ordained into the ministry—to baptize. It would be a contradiction to say someone would be authorized to baptize themselves. It’s purely the fruit of human imagination, not following the instruction given us by Jesus Christ.

Why Be Baptized?

And that brings us to perhaps the most important question of all. That is:

4. Why should you be baptized in the first place?

We’ve discussed the purpose of baptism, that it’s not just a legalistic rite, and that it must only be done by those who are authorized to baptize. But why do we need to be baptized in the first place?

We all have sinned. We find that in Romans 3:23. Notice what Paul wrote:

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

We all have earned the death penalty by our sins. That’s found in Romans 6:23:

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So, what do we do? Are we left hopeless, awaiting the eternal death, never to live again?

Be Baptized Because Jesus Christ Died for Your Sins

Jesus Christ came to this earth to live a human life, and then die for the sins of all humanity. That means He died for you, and He died for me—and every other human being who has ever lived or will ever live.

So, we have the opportunity to have our sins forgiven.

But it’s not a cheap grace that we receive just by having a feeling in our heart, or by confessing the right words by our lips. No, we must have a deep, transformative change in our life. We must understand we have broken His eternal law and, because of that, we have brought on ourselves the death penalty. We must grasp that we are responsible for the death of the Savior, as those who heard Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost.

And then we must commit our lives to living according to God’s royal law, the law of liberty, as it says in James 2:8 and James 2:12. This is not doing away with God’s law, but rather learning how to obey God’s law, and being delivered from the penalty of breaking it in the first place.

And part of the process is the act, in faith, of true Christian baptism. Let’s read what Jesus told His disciples after His resurrection, before He ascended back to His Father. We find it in Matthew 28:18.

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:18–19).

Jesus said we are baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Some see a contradiction with other passages that say we must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. But there is no contradiction. Yes, we are to do all things, in our life, as a truly repented Christian, in the name of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote this in Colossians 3:17.

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Our entire lives are to be subject to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Master. And we are to be baptized in His name, by His authority, by those who are sent and ordained to do so.

Prepare to Be in the Family of God

But what does it mean to be baptized “in” or “into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit?”

No, this is not a trinity. The Holy Spirit is not a divine person, but is the power of God. But the Father and the Son do comprise the divine family. God is giving us the opportunity to be born into His divine family at the resurrection. Think about that. We won’t be “sort-of-like” angels. We won’t be disembodied spirits. We will be in God’s family.

That’s why we repent of our sins, express faith in Jesus Christ. That’s why we’re baptized as an outward expression of our belief and obedience—because we’re preparing to be in the family of God.

The Scriptures show that the Church is going to marry Christ at His return. Did you know that? We read of it in Revelation 19:7.

Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints (Revelation 19:7–8).

We are preparing to marry Christ. In other words, at baptism, we enter a marriage covenant. We are committing to our Savior to be faithful, and true, and committed to Him always. And not just for a lifetime, but for all eternity.

Infant Baptism Is Not Biblical

Some ask, should we baptize children or even infants? When you understand that a baptismal candidate is entering into a marriage covenant, this is not a decision for children. They are not yet at the point where they can fully comprehend issues such as sin, repentance, and faith, to make this kind of commitment. And they haven’t yet reached the age of accountability. Even in society, we don’t expect or allow children to make adult, lifelong decisions until they have reached a certain age and maturity. Or at least we shouldn’t.

So, why be baptized in the first place? It’s the moment we enter into a covenant with our Creator, to follow Him no matter what. Far beyond just a legalistic ritual or empty ceremony, it should not be entered into lightly. It’s covenanting with our Creator, to be His, for all eternity.

Baptism Is How to Respond to God’s Calling

Maybe you’re at a crossroads in your life. Maybe you are listening to the words we’re saying on Tomorrow’s World, and you recognize it matches up with Scripture. It’s the truth. Maybe you’ve come to the point in your life when you’re tired of going your own way, and you want to commit to living God’s way.

Make no mistake, baptism isn’t just a quick decision. It’s not a matter of getting dunked and checking it off your list. It’s not just a quick way to “get right with God” and go merrily on our own way.

Our representatives will explain that baptism is the starting point of a whole new way of life. It’s about overcoming sin, yielding to God, and committing to obey Him in everything, in faith and belief. It’s about becoming part of the body of Christ, His Church.

It’s about being called by the Father and responding to that call, as Jesus explained in John 6:44:

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

We hope and pray God is opening your eyes to what baptism can mean for you in your life.

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Hey everyone, thanks for watching. We hope you found this video helpful.

We here at Tomorrow’s World want to help you make sense of your world through the pages of the Bible.

So if you found it helpful and want to learn more, be sure to get your free copy of our study guide Christian Baptism: Its Real Meaning. Just click the link. It will be sent to you completely free of charge.

And remember to like and subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss another video.

See you next time.