**This response is biblically sound and kind in tone. It answers the question asked, provides further resources, and gives useful application for today. **

Question: Were the Old Testament festivals considered part of the law and were they kept in the New Testament by the believers?

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Answered by: Scott Larrison, who has been serving on our Q&A Answer Team since September 2009.

Answer: Thanks for reaching out to Got Questions! Yes, the seven Jewish festivals were part of the Mosaic law to be observed by the Israelites. Each of these festivals had a specific purpose and deep meaning, but they were also foreshadowing the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. Got Questions has an excellent summary article outlining the seven Jewish festivals and their significance at the time and in our present day – What are the different Jewish festivals in the Bible? https://www.gotquestions.org/Jewish-festivals.html.

Regarding New Testament believers in Christ, they were not required to keep any of these festivals, but many of them did. They had the freedom to observe them, but also the freedom to abstain. The festivals were part of the Old Covenant. Jesus instituted the New Covenant in His blood, and He fulfilled the Old Covenant to usher in the New (Matthew 5:17, Romans 10:4). Paul exhorted the Colossians, “So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality” (Colossians 2:16-17).

Therefore, it seems that many of the earlier Jewish believers probably observed these festivals. However, they were not a requirement. For example, Paul instructed the Corinthians on a new way to celebrate the Passover under the New Covenant, “So let us celebrate the festival, not with the old bread of wickedness and evil, but with the new bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Corinthians 5:8). He also told the Corinthians that he would be staying on at Ephesus “until the Festival of Pentecost” (1 Corinthians 16:8). Clearly, these festivals were still being observed by the Jewish people, especially those who denied Jesus Christ as the Messiah.

For Christians today, there are several holidays and festivals that we traditionally observe to honor the birth (Christmas), death/return (Communion) and resurrection (Easter) of Jesus Christ.  There are also other secular holidays that many observe – Labor Day, Memorial Day, St. Patrick’s Day, etc.  Each of these holidays and festivals have a history and significant meaning. But as Christians, we are under no obligation to observe any holiday or festival. I hope this response is helpful. God bless you!