Ahnsahnghong taught the importance of keeping the Passover for salvation. It is because of this teaching that the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG) keeps the Passover to this day. As Christians, do we need to keep the Passover?
Is Passover a Christian Teaching?
When I first heard about the Passover, I thought it was unusual and honestly, weird. I had never attended a church that kept the Passover before. Catholics keep communion. Baptists and protestants do too. I came to see there is a fundamental difference between the WMSCOG and other churches:
- The WMSCOG teaches we must keep the Passover
- Other churches teach that we do not need to keep the Passover
In this situation, only one church can be correct. Which one is it? When members at the WMSCOG told me I should keep the Passover, I had to see why through the Bible. I don’t like being told God says to do this if there’s no proof in the Bible. What I thought might be a complex explanation turned out to be very simple.
God intended for God’s People to Keep Passover Forever
They showed me in the Bible how God intended for God’s people to keep the Passover always from the very beginning. The first Passover is recorded in Exodus 12.
Exodus 12:10-11 (NIV) – This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover.
The first Passover was when the Israelites were in Egypt. Fortunately, I watched the movie the Prince of Egypt many times, so I was familiar with this history. What I didn’t know, was what followed:
Exodus 12:14 (NIV) – This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival lot the Lord – a lasting ordinance.
God set the Passover as a Lasting Ordinance
Is there any expiration date on a lasting ordinance? No. Lasting ordinance means the Passover should be kept forever. The King James Version shows clearly for those who have doubts.
Exodus 12:14 (KJV) – And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
Passover as a Law of Christ
Lasting ordinance means forever. Then how can any church today not keep the Passover? How can they not keep Passover and say they follow God’s word? God only has to say it once and it will be true! But God said it many times in the New Testament too. Christians should also keep the Passover. It is Jesus’ command for us to keep Passover.
Luke 22:8 – Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”
This same teaching was echoed by Apostle Paul.
1 Corinthians 5:7-8 – Get rid of the old yeast so that you may be a new unleavened batch – as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us keep the Festival.
The festival that Apostle Paul was referring to is the Passover. So when I looked at all the different churches in the world, I had to go to the church that kept the Passover. I could not remain in a church that chose to disobey a clear command of God. If in something so simple, they choose to disobey, what about in other matters? This is why I changed, and chose to attend a new church, the World Mission Society Church of God that Ahnshanghong founded.
It doesn’t just end with the Passover. There are so many clear commands of God for our salvation that churches choose not to follow correctly. Please open your eyes and examine the truth!