Philosophy of Connections
Dr. Peters believes it is important for Christians to appreciate the connections between the Old and the New Testaments. For example, Hebrews 2:14-17 tells us that Jesus is our "kinsman" who "redeems" us. In order to fully understand the implications and applications of that passage, one ought to know the Old Testament background of the "Kinsman Redeemer" (Hebrew, ga'al ), as prescribed in the Torah and as practiced in the Book of Ruth.
Our understanding of the Scriptures is further enhanced when we become aware that Yeshua (Jesus) is spoken of throughout the TANAKH (an acronym for the divisions of the Old Testament as defined in Judaism -- namely: the Torah, the Nevi'im, and the Kethuvim). Following his resurrection, Jesus explained to his disciples that he could be seen in all three divisions of Scripture!
Jesus said to his disciples, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses [Torah], and the Prophets [Nevi'im] and the Psalms [Kethuvim] must be fulfilled." -- Luke 24:44 ESV
It is Dave's delight to look for Jesus in the Old Testament Scriptures. In addition to Biblical texts, Dr. Peters uses the writings of revered Jewish Rabbis who, unknowingly, shed light on the many connections between the Old and the New Testaments.
The Feasts
Dr. Peters has compiled a thirteen-week study of the Jewish Feasts and Holy Days entitled, "Teach Us to Number Our Days." For each Jewish Feast or Holy Day, the study examines the origin of the Feast in the Torah, the practice of the Feast in Old Testament history, and the traditions for the Feast introduced after the Babylonian exile. The study then moves on to look at when Jesus observed each Feast, what Jesus taught about each Feast, where the Epistles allude to each Feast, and how Revelation gives the fulfillment of every Feast and Holy Day. The Talmud (the rabbinical commentary on the TANAKH) often gives insight into the many New Testament references to the Feasts, and these insights are noted in the study. (Click on Feasts for an outline.)
Every Jewish Feast is centrally important in the New Testament. For example, John 7–8 is devoted almost entirely to the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), to its powerful final day (Hoshana Rabba), and to the crucial day after, "The Assembly of the Eighth Day," (Shemini Atzeret). Interestingly, in all of recorded literature, Jesus is the first person who is noted to have celebrated Hanukkah. "Then came the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the Temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade." (John 10:22-23 NIV). The next instance of an observance is not found until 250 A.D.
It is not by accident that the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation each alludes to every one of the Feasts (with the notable exception of the Feast of Esther, called Purim). You see, the Talmud teaches that Purim is the only Feast to be celebrated after Messiah comes. The implication is that the other Feasts are no longer necessary in the Olam Haba (the World to Come), because Messiah fulfills and completes the purpose of each one. The Apostle John, both in his Gospel and in his Revelation, helps us to see how Jesus fulfills these Feasts (including the Sabbath).
Dr. Peters also utilizes information from his Jewish friends in order to illuminate these lessons with interesting facts about the present-day observance of the Feasts and Holy Days within the Jewish Community. Of particular interest are the special traditions surrounding each celebration and the delicious foods that go with them!
Dave has given the course, "Teach Us to Number Our Days," at Grace & Peace Fellowship, at The Journey at Hanley Road, and at First Free Church of Ballwin (all in the St. Louis area). Here is a link to an excerpt from a chapter of that course, which is on Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks (i.e., Pentecost).
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