Should Christians Keep the Biblical Spring Feasts & Holy Days?
Many Christians are curious about the Biblical Spring Feasts—Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Pentecost—and wonder whether these holy days still apply to believers today. The Old Testament feasts were rich with meaning and pointed forward to the work of Jesus Christ. This study examines what the Bible actually says about the Spring Feasts, how they relate to Jesus, and whether Christians are called to keep them today.
If you have not read The Introduction To God's Holy Days And Feasts , may I suggest you read it before continuing. It will help you understand this study on the Spring Feasts and Holy Days.
Passover / The Feast Of Unleavened Bread / Pentecost
The 3 Spring Feasts and Holy Days: Types and Anti‑Types for Christians
The Old Testament Feasts and Holy Days foreshadow events fulfilled in the New Testament. These foreshadowings are called “types,” while their New Testament fulfillments are “antitypes.” Understanding this relationship helps Christians see how the Spring Festivals—Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Pentecost—point directly to Jesus Christ and His work of salvation.
Passover
The First of the Spring Feasts and Holy Days
The Passover Type
The Spring Feast of Passover commemorated God’s deliverance of Israel from Egyptian slavery. The Israelites placed lamb’s blood on their doorposts so the death angel would “pass over” their homes. God commanded Israel to observe this Feast annually as a memorial of His deliverance.
"On the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight is the Lord's Passover." (Lev 23:5)
"So this day will be to you a memorial; and you will keep it as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations." (Ex 12:14)
The Passover Anti‑Type
For Christians, the Spring Feast of Passover points to Jesus Christ—the true Lamb of God—whose sacrifice delivers us from sin and eternal death. At His final Passover meal, Jesus instituted new symbols: bread representing His body and wine representing His blood.
"This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me… This cup is the new covenant in My blood." (Luke 22:14‑20)
Paul later confirmed that Christians are commanded to observe this New Covenant Passover in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice.
"For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes." (1 Corinthians 11:23‑34)
Although the Council of Nicaea attempted to abolish the Christian Passover in 325 AD, replacing it with Easter, faithful Christians continued to observe the biblical Passover exactly as Jesus commanded.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread
The Second of the Spring Festivals and Holy Days
The Feast of Unleavened Bread Type
The Spring Feast of Unleavened Bread began the day after Passover and lasted seven days. Israel removed all leaven from their homes, symbolizing the removal of sin. The first and seventh days were Holy Days—annual Sabbaths—set apart for worship.
"Seven days you will eat unleavened bread… the first day and the seventh day shall be a holy convocation." (Ex 12:15‑20)
The Feast of Unleavened Bread Anti‑Type
For Christians, this Feast represents removing sin from our lives and striving to live in sincerity and truth. Paul directly commands the Gentile church in Corinth to keep this Feast.
"Therefore let us keep the feast… with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." (1 Corinthians 5:6‑8)
Jesus’ resurrection occurred during this Festival, symbolizing the new life Christians receive through Him.
Pentecost
The Third of the Spring Festivals and Holy Days
The Pentecost Type
The Spring Feast of Pentecost (Feast of Weeks) occurred 50 days after Passover. It celebrated the firstfruits of the harvest and included special offerings, including two leavened loaves waved before God.
"Count fifty days… then you shall offer a new grain offering to the Lord." (Lev 23:10‑22)
The Pentecost Anti‑Type
The New Testament fulfillment of Pentecost is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Christian Church. On this Spring Holy Day, God empowered the disciples to preach the Gospel in many languages, resulting in 3,000 conversions.
"When the Day of Pentecost had fully come… they were all filled with the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:1‑11)
Paul continued to observe Pentecost decades later, showing that the early Church—Jew and Gentile alike—kept God’s Holy Days.
"He was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost." (Acts 20:16)
Christians are called “firstfruits” (2 Thessalonians 2:13), symbolizing those who believe and obey God’s truth today.
The Meaning of the Spring Feasts for Christians Today
The Spring Feasts—Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Pentecost—reveal God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. They were kept by the early Church, commanded by God, and filled with deep spiritual meaning for believers today.
To continue your study, read about the prophetic meaning of the Fall Festivals:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should Christians keep the Spring Feasts?
Yes. God never changes. He expects Christians under the New Covenant to observe the Old Testament Spring Feasts. These holy days pointed forward to Christ, but were never negated.
Did Jesus and the apostles keep the Spring Feasts?
Yes. Jesus and the apostles observed Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Pentecost because they obeyed God's laws. After Christ’s resurrection, believers followed Jesus’ example and kept the Spring Feasts.
Do the Spring Feasts point to Jesus?
Yes. Each Spring Feast foreshadows a specific aspect of Christ’s work—His sacrifice, His sinless life, and the giving of the Holy Spirit.
Is it wrong for Christians to commemorate the Spring Feasts?
Christians may study or commemorate the feasts to better understand Scripture, but they should not treat them as required for salvation or spiritual standing.
What does the New Testament teach about observing Old Testament holy days?
The New Testament teaches that believers are not judged by whether they keep festivals, new moons, or Sabbaths, because these were shadows pointing to Christ (Colossians 2:16–17).
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