For centuries, people have sought to argue that Christians are not required to observe the Sabbath and holy days, often targeting Colossians 2:16-17 to support their view. They suggest that Paul is instructing the Colossians to disregard judgments about eating unclean meats or not observing the Sabbath and holy days, implying these practices are no longer necessary. However, Paul's true message in these verses counters this notion when understood in the context of the Colossian culture, which was steeped in pagan philosophies promoting self-denial and severity. He advises the church not to be concerned with the community's opinions about their joyous celebration of the Sabbath and festivals. In verse 17, Paul describes the Sabbath and holy days as shadows or symbols of future events in God's plan, with the Sabbath representing the Millennium and the holy days signifying various steps in God's purpose for mankind. He clarifies that the body of Christ, which is the church, should guide judgments on these matters, urging members to follow the spiritual leaders' example in worship rather than heed external criticism.

Through the centuries, theologians have devised arguments to do away with the observance of God's holy days, claiming that certain New Testament scriptures negate the need for Christians to keep the days that God's law declares holy to Him. A key focus is Galatians 4:9-10, where Paul expresses frustration with the Galatians for returning to religious practices he calls weak and beggarly elements, defining them as observances of days, months, seasons, and years. Some argue these refer to God's commanded holy days, but this interpretation is challenged by the context of Paul's letter. Paul nowhere in his letter mentions God's holy days as the practices in question, nor would he refer to days instituted by God as weak and beggarly elements, given his reverence for God's law. Instead, the days, months, seasons, and years Paul criticizes are tied to the pagan, idolatrous festivals and observances the Galatian Gentiles followed before their conversion. These Gentiles had no prior observance of God's holy days, indicating their return was to heathen practices inspired by demonic influences, not to God's commands. Far from abolishing God's holy days, these scriptures emphasize that Christians should avoid observing days rooted in paganism. The lesson is clear: God has called His people completely out of the ways of this world, including pagan customs and traditions. True Christians are to observe the same holy days that Jesus Christ observed, rejoicing in them as they live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

The festivals given to ancient Israel were not only intended for the Old Testament, nor were they abolished by the New Covenant. They are not merely Jewish holy days, but God's holy days, firmly rooted in both the Old and New Testaments. These seven annual holy days—Passover, the Days of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, the Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles, and the Last Great Day—were actively observed by Jesus Christ in the New Testament church, and true Christians are to observe them today. Attacks on God's holy feasts are not new; satan has always sought to cloud, distort, and pervert them. Early in the New Testament church, some Gentile members began to disparage these feasts, eventually viewing them as merely Jewish observances. Anti-Jewish bias, fueled by historical events like the Jewish revolts against Rome in AD 66-73 and AD 132-135, became a catalyst for false teachers to encourage the abandonment of the Sabbath and holy days. By the 90s AD, the bishop of Rome threatened to excommunicate churches in Asia Minor still holding to the Passover, and by AD 154, disputes arose over its observance. Emperor Constantine, from AD 306 to 337, allied with the Roman Church, using state pressure to compel the abandonment of the Passover and the seventh-day Sabbath, leading to 1,260 years of persecution for those who continued to keep God's holy days. Jesus Christ, the Head of the true church, faithfully observed these festivals, as recorded in the Gospels. From childhood, He kept the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread, and during His ministry, He did not annul these holy feasts or replace them with other days. Instead, He commanded His disciples to prepare the traditional Passover, clearly teaching that it would be observed in the Kingdom of God. The only change He made was to the Passover symbols, with Christians now taking bread and wine as a memorial of His death. The Feast of Tabernacles was also observed by Christ, who attended in secret despite opposition, and His church today keeps it with inspired preaching services, reflecting His example. The early church, as documented in the book of Acts, continued to observe these holy days. In AD 31, the Holy Spirit filled the church on the Day of Pentecost, and years later, around AD 56, Paul kept these feasts and referenced them in his teachings to Gentile converts. Paul admonished the Corinthians to keep the feast of Unleavened Bread, using the analogy of purging spiritual leaven, which is sin, and declared Christ as our Passover sacrificed for us. The fall festivals, including the Feast of Tabernacles and the Day of Atonement, are also referenced in Scripture as being observed by Paul and the early church. Even the Feast of Trumpets, though not directly named in the New Testament, is indirectly referred to in Paul's writings to Gentile Christians. The Gospels, the book of Acts, and the epistles teach and reiterate the holy feast days of Leviticus 23. It was Christ's custom to observe them, and Paul taught them to the Gentiles, urging the church to imitate him as he imitated Christ. These seven feasts of God are in force now, laying out the complete plan of salvation. They were given to keep God's children in the true memory and worship of Him, impressing the truths of His plan of redemption on all minds through all time. God's holy days and Sabbaths were commanded to be kept year after year forever, ensuring His church remains in the true understanding of His plan of salvation.