Introduction

The Jewish calendar, also known as the Hebrew calendar, proclaims the dates on which God’s annual Holy Days (as revealed in Leviticus 23 and Numbers 28 & 29) occur. Those dates are correlated with the Gregorian calendar; consequently, we can know on which Gregorian calendar days each year, God’s Holy Days will occur.

With the one exception of the Day of Pentecost (a Holy Day which is obtained by way of counting 50 days, independent of a new moon or full moon recognition), the Intercontinental Church of God utilizes the Jewish calendar to determine the dates on which to observe God’s annual Holy Days, in order to announce those dates to its membership.

Often the question is asked, ‘why does the Intercontinental Church of God (ICG) utilize the Jewish calendar?’

In opposition to the Jewish calendar, individuals have expressed; the Jewish calendar is not faithful to the Scriptures. The Jewish calendar is far too complicated.  Some argue the Jewish calendar does not comply with the written laws of God; rather it promotes arbitrary man-made rules. Among these rules are the utilization of the molad (a lunar conjunction), mathematical calculations, intercalations based on 19 year time cycles, and the Tishri 1 postponement rules. Perhaps the most passionate objection to the Jewish calendar centers on the postponement rules.

This paper will address these arguments while manifesting Jewish calendar history, related history and actual scriptures, explaining why the Jewish/Hebrew calendar is indeed faithful to the Scriptures and why the ICG is correct to utilize the Jewish/Hebrew calendar.

The Jewish calendar applies logical, reliable, practical rules, utilizing God-ordained, Scriptural laws and principles. All the Jewish calendar rules were established by, and are guided by, principles and laws of God which are evident and unmistakable. The Scriptures validate and authorize these rules, especially the postponement rules. This study paper will manifest the Scriptural reasons why the postponement rules are necessary and why the Jewish calendar accurately and properly declares the Biblical Holy Days, according to the Scriptures, according to the Laws of God. The Jewish/Hebrew calendar provides the correct dates on which to observe God’s Holy Days as proclaimed in the Bible.

Consistent among most of the Church of God groups in this 21^st Century (those who observe the seventh-day Sabbath; who share a common history with the Radio and Worldwide Church of God) is the acceptance and utilization of the Jewish calendar. Most of these Church of God groups offer various writings, articles, and booklets, which explains their reasons for utilizing the Jewish calendar.

Some organizations provide in-depth, detailed and extensively researched study papers, even books, explaining why the Jewish calendar is correct to use and accurate in its Holy Day dating, while addressing and debunking the various calendar arguments.

Each Church of God organization presents its materials as is appropriate for its organization and its membership. The scope and size of the materials provided satisfies the need.

The perspective and scope of this study will address the following issues.

1) This study will demonstrate the Scriptures and the Laws of God, which support the logic behind and necessity of the various Jewish calendar “rules.”

2) This study will reveal the basic errors taught by those who reject the Jewish calendar, those who think (and erroneously so) the Bible alone provides all the necessary elements of a “sacred” calendar.

3) When addressing the postponements, this study will discuss the Scriptures, and Laws of God which validate the reasons why the postponements must be employed.

4) This study will provided complete and thorough scriptural reasons and historical facts, explaining why the Jewish calendar is necessary to acknowledge, allowing one to properly observe God’s Holy Days, on the right days, according to the Law of God, according to the sacred Scriptures.

Will the Scriptures reveal what a New Moon is?

With regard to the calendar utilized by Ancient Israel and Judah, history teaches us that their months were often declared as a result of observing a new moon crescent; often, but not every month. Often, observation played no part in the declaration of a new month.

In some months, only calculation was employed to declare a new moon/month. Ancient Israel and Judah knew in advance (they utilized mathematical calculations) when the new moon crescent would occur in any given month. Israel and Judah also knew when each month’s conjunction would occur.

The observation of a new moon crescent (which was calculated to occur “in its proper time”) aided in the declaration or sanctification of the new month. Witnesses would know in advance, when the new moon crescent would be viewable.

A new month would often be declared without observation of a new moon crescent ever taking place. Often the new moon crescent could not be seen, but the month was declared and another lunar cycle of 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, 3-1/2 seconds commenced and was maintained.

Regarding the proper keeping of the months and a calendar, just what was Israel and Judah taught, and what can we in this 21^st Century learn from the Scriptures?

As is often argued by those who reject the Jewish calendar, the Scriptures only, must be our guide to regulate a calendar in order to properly keep God’s Holy Days.

If that statement is true, then what do the Scriptures teach us about the month, the moon, the seasons, the year and the actual days on which the Holy Days should fall? What do the Scriptures teach us regarding proper legislation of a calendar?

Do the Scriptures reveal what a New Moon is?

With that question, we begin this study to understand what the Scriptures teach as relating to a calendar.

Does the Bible define what a new moon is? Does the Bible tell us “a new moon is such and such?” Is a new moon the conjunction or the first visible crescent, a scimitar? How did Israel and Judah know what was a new moon?

We know the Bible provides definitions as necessary and gives clear meaning to the concepts and “phenomena” which mankind could not otherwise figure out for itself. For example, by reading 1 John 3:4 we understand, as God defines, sin is the transgression of the law (of God). The Bible defines what a prophetic year is. The Bible defines what righteousness is; what is the wages of sin; what death is; what happens to the dead. The Bible explains who and what is God.

When the Bible provides a definition, it is actually God declaring and giving us the definition. When we read the Bible, we understand that whatever we learn about a given subject, it is actually God teaching us about that subject. It is God who provides the meaning and gives the definition. And of certainty, His definition unequivocally stands. The Word of God cannot be broken, for God’s words are truth.

The Bible would “indisputably” define for us; it would tell us; the Scriptures would make it “absolutely clear” what a new moon is and has to be, if God felt it was necessary for us to know “absolutely, without any reservation,” “emphatically,” what a new moon is; what God defines a new moon to be.