Reasons Christians should keep Torah

I've been watching the pros and cons of the controversy between Christians who want to keep the feast days and those who believe that keeping them is denying Christ, at worst, or perhaps more common, that the feasts are a distraction from our path to salvation. I leaned toward thinking they were an unnecessary distraction for a long time, but then I was challenged to look at the issue more closely -- from a Biblical view rather than just listening to people's opinions.

My first question on this topic is: What is the difference between a Christian who follows the Bible law--Torah--and one who doesn't? Both believe in Christ as their Saviour, and it is their purpose in life to live to bless others. A major difference, in practical terms, is what days they keep holy - Sunday vs. Sabbath and God's feasts, or maybe even seventh-day Sabbath only vs. Sabbath and feasts. Are there other differences? I guess I will eventually find out if there are.

It all comes down to what Scripture says. Wouldn't it seem that if we all read the same Book, and believed all the messages of that Book were true, that we would agree? Sometimes, as I see the various differences between denominations and groups of people, I think that people will interpret the Bible based on what seems easiest, or what fits with how they are already living and believing, often influenced by emotional attachment to long-held practices, and by religious leaders who may or may not be honestly seeking to share the truth in God's Word.

I will share the principles of understanding and coming to agreement on what the Bible says in a later post.

I recently heard a sermon (I don't remember the name of the speaker), and I took notes, below.

Five reasons Christians should keep Torah

1. Torah is all about Jesus.

2. Jesus kept and taught Torah.

3. The Apostles kept and taught Torah.

4. The Holy Spirit empowers Christians to keep Torah.

5. Keeping Torah is a blessing.

What did the disciples do and teach?

Here is a collection of verses that show the apostles keeping and teaching Torah.

Paul exhorted Christians to uphold the Torah by faith in Christ.

Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Romans 3:31

Paul instructed Gentile Christians to observe Passover.

Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
1 Corinthians 5:7-8 KJV

The apostles continued to celebrate the feasts.

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Acts 2:1 KJV

And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.

Acts 20:6 KJV

For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.

Acts 20:16 KJV

And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.

Acts 27:9 KJV

The apostles continued to keep the Sabbath.

And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

Luke 23:56 NKJV

And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there.

Acts 16:13 NKJV

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
Acts 17:1-2 NKJV

And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.

Acts 18:4 NKJV

Paul defended himself against those who were falsely accusing him that he was against Torah

And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law; but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come. Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow. Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law. Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them.

Acts 21:20-24, 26 NKJV

Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.

Acts 24:13,14 NKJV

Throughout the New Testament we are told to imitate the apostles.

Therefore I urge you, imitate me. For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

1 Corinthians 4:16, 17 NKJV

Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. Philippians 3:17 NKJV

And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.

1 Thessalonians 1:6 NKJV