A Brief Overview of The Apostolic Festivals
Throughout the New Testament writings we see the Apostles celebrating and teaching the faith from the original Biblical festivals including **Passover**, **Firstfruits**, and **Pentecost**. At no point do we read that they adopted a different calendar or set of festivals.
Below are the biblical festivals as calculated by the **CACI Apostolic Council**. To arrive at these dates, we use the "first light" of the New Moon to find the 1st day of the new month.
After finding the 1st day, we count to the day of the month recorded in the Torah (14th, 15th, 10th, Etc). The dates promoted by Rabbinic Judaism are no longer calculated according to Torah. They are often 24 to 48 hours off in an attempt to align more seamlessly to the western calendar. The result is, the festivals often will not reflect the correct placement of the Moon as they do when calculated according to scripture. To address this, rabbinic tradition has extended many celebrations by adding additional days to the festival.
It is important to note the dates below may be altered slightly if the moon is actually sighted 24 hours before or after the expected date. Also, the dates may shift by a complete month in the event that the barley in Israel is not green in time for Aviv. This is not unusual, occurring every few years.
The Seven Feasts of the Lord
Biblical New Year
(Rosh Chodesh / Abib)The 7 Days of Unleavened Bread were first celebrated beginning the night of the first Passover as Israel was being rescued and separated from Egyptian bondage. During this 7 days, YHWH literally removed from Israel the leaven of Egypt. Since then, each spring God's people have thoroughly searched their homes to remove leaven for a week following the Passover The Apostles would teach that during this festival early Apostolic Believers were to search for a different kind of "leaven"; malice and wickedness. We were to eat a different kind of "unleavened bread"; truth and sincerity. Read More
Passover Meal
A memorial of the Lamb slain in Egypt; a time of fellowship and remembering the sacrifice of Messiah.
Feast of Unleavened Bread
(7-Day Festival)A 7-day feast representing Messiah taking away our sins. Involves removing leaven and eating Matzah, symbolizing sanctification.
- Day 1: Holy Convocation
- Day 7: Holy Convocation
Firstfruits
The day Messiah resurrected as the firstfruits of the harvest; begins the countdown to Pentecost.
Pentecost (Shavuot)
(Holy Convocation)Celebrating the giving of the Torah and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Marks the living Kingdom Covenant.
The Day of Trumpets
(Yom Teruah)A day of shouting and blasting the Shofar, foreshadowing the return of the King. A Holy Convocation of awakening.
Day of Atonement
(Yom Kippur)A day of fasting and humility, foreshadowing the judgment of the world. The most solemn Holy Convocation of the year.
Mandatory Fast
Feast of Tabernacles
(Sukkot - 7-Day Festival)A 7-day feast of dwelling in booths, foreshadowing the Millennial reign of Christ. A time of great rejoicing.
- Day 1: Holy Convocation
The 8th Day
("The Last Great Day")The Earth Made NEW and the beginning of the Eternal Kingdom where the 2nd resurrection citizens are welcomed by the Bride. A final Holy Convocation.
All dates are calculated according to the recognized Covenant Calendar of the CACI Ecclesiastical Body. Observance begins at sunset on the date specified for the evening preceding the Holy Day. Please consult your local congregational calendar for precise service times and location information.