S. Orchard
| Audio playback speed: |
Passover, Night to Be Observed, & Doctrinal Unity
The Passover and the Night to Be Observed (NTBMO) are distinct events with separate meanings—Passover on Abib 14 memorializes Christ’s sacrifice, while NTBMO on Abib 15 commemorates Israel’s departure from Egypt. Though Church of God doctrine supports this separation and timing, the historical and scholarly debate is complex, with sincere believers holding differing views. Doctrinal disagreements are increasingly common in the scattered Church, and prideful, strident attitudes—on all sides—undermine unity and effectiveness. The solution is not centralized control or fragmented autonomy, but humility. Like the Israelites leaving Egypt, God’s people must recognize their dependence on Him, look to Christ as their Head, and deal with doctrinal complexity in love, faith, and unity.
