“These are the appointed feasts of YAHWEH, holy convocations, which you shall proclaim at their appointed times.” — Leviticus 23:4
The Appointed Times of YAHWEH
We observe all the Feasts of YAHWEH as commanded in Leviticus 23. These are not Jewish holidays — they are YAHWEH’s own appointed times, given to all His people, Israeli and Foreigner alike. We do not observe man-made holidays such as Christmas, Easter, Palm Sunday, or Halloween.
The Eight Appointed Feasts (Leviticus 23)
1. The Weekly Shabbath
When: Every Friday at sundown to Saturday at sundown.
The Shabbath is the crown of all appointed times — the seventh day of the week, consecrated by YAHWEH at creation (Genesis 2:1–3). We rest completely from all labour, gather for worship, study Torah, and honour YAHWEH. Sunday worship is a Roman innovation introduced in 321 AD by Emperor Constantine and has no scriptural basis.
2. Passover (Pesach)
When: 14th of Nissan (Aviv), the first Hebrew month.
Passover commemorates YAHWEH’s deliverance of the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt and the sacrifice of YAHUSHUA the Messiah as the ultimate Passover Lamb. We observe the Passover Seder with unleavened bread, bitter herbs, and the cup of redemption.
3. Feast of Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMatzot)
When: 15th–21st of Nissan (7 days).
Immediately following Passover, we eat unleavened bread for seven days, removing all leaven from our homes. Leaven represents sin and corruption. This feast points to the sinless life of the Messiah and our call to walk in purity.
4. Firstfruits (Yom HaBikkurim)
When: The day after the Shabbath within Passover week.
Firstfruits celebrates YAHWEH as the provider of harvest and the resurrection of YAHUSHUA the Messiah — the firstfruits of them that sleep (1 Cor. 15:20). We bring offerings of gratitude to YAHWEH for His provision.
5. Feast of Weeks / Pentecost (Shavuot)
When: 50 days after Firstfruits.
Shavuot commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai and the outpouring of the Spirit on the Apostles in Jerusalem (Acts 2). It celebrates both the written Law and the Spirit who writes the Law on our hearts.
6. Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah)
When: 1st of Tishri, the seventh Hebrew month.
The blowing of the shofar (ram’s horn) announces the beginning of the High Holy Day season and foreshadows the last trumpet that will gather the elect at the return of the Messiah. (1 Cor. 15:52; 1 Thess. 4:16)
7. Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)
When: 10th of Tishri.
The most solemn of all appointed times. We fast from sundown to sundown, afflicting our souls before YAHWEH and seeking forgiveness through the atoning work of YAHUSHUA, our High Priest. This day foreshadows the final judgment and cleansing of Israel at the end of the age.
8. Feast of Tabernacles / Booths (Sukkot)
When: 15th–21st of Tishri (7 days), plus the 8th Day Assembly (Shemini Atzeret).
Sukkot commemorates YAHWEH’s provision during the 40 years of wilderness wandering and looks forward to the Millennial Kingdom reign of YAHUSHUA on earth. We build sukkahs (temporary shelters) and dwell in them for seven days, rejoicing before YAHWEH.
Discarding the Profane
Since 1987, the Assembly has discarded and discouraged the following Roman and pagan festivals:
- Christmas — A Roman adaptation of the pagan Saturnalia and Sol Invictus. YAHUSHUA was not born on 25th December. Scripture nowhere commands the celebration of His birth.
- Easter — Named after Ishtar/Eostre, the pagan goddess of spring. The resurrection of YAHUSHUA is properly celebrated at Passover-Firstfruits.
- Sunday Worship — Sunday is the first day of the week, not the Shabbath. Emperor Constantine legally mandated Sunday worship in 321 AD to displace the Biblical Saturday Shabbath.
- Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Ash Wednesday, Halloween — All have pagan origins and are nowhere commanded in Scripture.
Worship Practices
Baptism
Full immersion baptism for adult believers, performed in the name of YAHUSHUA of Nazareth. Infant baptism and baptism by sprinkling are rejected as unscriptural.
Holy Attire
We uphold the biblical principle of modest and gender-distinct dress. Men and women are not to wear each other’s garments (Deuteronomy 22:5). Head coverings are observed by women during prayer and worship (1 Cor. 11:5).
Anointing with Oil
We practice the anointing of the sick with oil and prayer for healing in the name of YAHUSHUA of Nazareth, in accordance with James 5:14–15.
Miracles and Spiritual Gifts
We believe in and practice the gifts of the Spirit as enumerated in 1 Corinthians 12. Signs and wonders follow those who believe. Healing, prophecy, and tongues remain active gifts for today.
Temple and Sacrifice
We believe in the future rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem and the restoration of the Levitical order as prophesied in Ezekiel 40–48. The sacrificial system, as it pertains to sin offerings, has been fulfilled in the once-for-all sacrifice of YAHUSHUA. However, the memorial and thanksgiving sacrifices of the Millennial Temple remain prophetically valid.