Fasting

1 December 2014

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"And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink? And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days." (Luke 5:33-35)

Many times during Jesus' earthly minsistry, He takes time to teach against the doctrines and practices of the Scribes and Pharisees either by exhortation or as a living example. The confrontation recorded here in Luke is an occasion where Jesus refutes an errant practice of the Pharisees and teaches His disciples more about His own power and glory.

The Pharisees had developed a system of fasting twice a week to appear more religious. There is nothing wrong with fasting, it is taught throughout the Bible, but their purpose behind it was the error. The meal at Matthew's house probably occurred on one of these declared days of fasting and that is why the Pharisees question Jesus.

A cursory examination of Scriptures regarding fasting reveals a few but very important details and instructions. Fasting is typically in combination with mourning, repentance, or at time of deep need for the will of God to be manifest in the life of the believer. It is to be done when needed, and there is only one hint of a regularly scheduled fast and that was the yearly fast on the Day of Atonement. It is a VERY special duty but a particularly private one as well.

Incidentally, we have it recorded that Jesus fasted both day and night for 40 days during the temptation. This is recorded becaus the practice of the Pharisees allowed them to eat at night when no one could see them. Perhaps this is why Jeus taught saw clearly in the Sermon on the Mount that fasting should be a private matter not a public display of self-righteousness!

By feasting on this day, Jesus reminds us that the commandments of men, though they appear religious, are not always the commandments of God. We should fast when we feel the need to be closer to God, but it should be a private matter and not just a ceremony to show others how religious we are.

Tags: fasting, harmony_of_the_gospels, luke, pharisee

Welcome

Brentwood Hills Primitive Baptist Church is a community of believers working together to transform our lives to the image of Jesus Christ. We believe it is our duty and privilege to live the gospel of the doctrines of grace in such a way as to edify the families within our church and other children of God in our community. Through regular worship based on strong Biblical principles, fellowship, admonishment, and outreach, we glory in the grace of the sovereign God working in our lives thereby showing the Spirit of God in the world.

Brentwood Hills was organized in 1906 in Fort Worth, Texas as Laodicea Primitive Baptist Church. You can find much of the history of the church, as well as other churches here: Primitive Baptist History Database

We identify ourselves as an old-line Primitive Baptist church. If you read our Articles of Faith, you’ll see that we hold to such doctrines as the inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible. We recognize the King James Version (KJV) as the only English translation worthy of being called the Bible. We believe in salvation solely by the grace of a sovereign God. We believe that Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, came to the earth to do the will of His Father, which was to deliver from the sentence of death all those the Father gave Him before the world began. We believe that Jesus fully satisfied the Father by atoning for all the sins of all His people. In time, we believe the Holy Spirit comes to each person that belongs to Jesus and regenerates them. Then (and only then) can anyone have faith, which is a fruit of the Spirit, by which you are able to believe the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether or not you ever hear the gospel, or believe it if you did hear it, or obey it if you did believe it, rest assured that Jesus will remain forever faithful to you because, if He died for you, He will never deny that you belong to Him.

We believe that everyone for whom Christ died will without fail be raised again from the dead to a glorified life. Even if we are alive when He returns to raise the dead, we shall be changed to a glorified life. All the Redeemed will meet the Lord in the air. Then He will take us to Heaven and there we shall forever be with the Lord. The wicked will be raised at the same time as the righteous, but the wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment along with Satan and his angels. Until that glorious day when Christ returns to raise the dead, He has provided a place for His people to find rest for their souls. This place is the Church. Jesus Christ set-up His church on this earth before His death on the Cross. The church is there for those of His people who have come to believe that God saved them by His Son, Jesus Christ. To believe that Christ “paid it all” gives believers the strongest motivation to serve Him. Once enlightened to this glorious truth, then the child of God should feel an obligation to become and remain an active member of the His church. To serve the Lord in His church makes for one of the great blessings to experience this side of Heaven. It fulfills you to serve in His church and it gives your life purpose and meaning.

Living in Liberty

Elder Bryce Lowrance

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