If answered no probably have but didnt consider that you were fasting May have even fasted for the cause of the Lord Why was fasting practiced Is it commanded today Why do we not fast ID: 540098
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Slide1Slide2
Have you ever fasted?
If answered “no” – probably have, but didn’t consider that you were “fasting”May have even fasted for the cause of the LordSlide3
Why was fasting practiced?
Is it commanded today?Why do we not fast?Is it that we do fast today?
What, if any, regulations are given about fasting?
What Does The Bible Say About
Fasting?Slide4
nesteia
(νηστεία, 3521), “a fasting, fast” (from ne, a negative prefix, and esthio, “to eat”), is used (a)
of voluntary abstinence from food, Luke 2:37; Acts 14:23 (some mss. have it in Matt. 17:21 and Mark 9:29); “fasting” had become a common practice among Jews, and was continued among Christians; in Acts 27:9, “the Fast” refers to the Day of Atonement, Lev. 16:29; that time of the year would be one of dangerous sailing; (b) of involuntary abstinence (perhaps voluntary is included), consequent upon trying circumstances
, 2 Cor. 6:5; 11:27.
Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vines Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 2, pp. 227228).
Defined
Fast: “
to cause to abstain entirely from or limit food
; put on a fast”
Dictionary.com Slide5
What Does
The Bible
Say About
Fasting?
In The Old TestamentSlide6
In The Old Testament
Day of Atonement
Lev. 16:29-31 – “afflict your souls” (“shall fast” ESV fn)Lev. 23:27-32 – “afflict your souls”
Isa. 58:3, 5 – “afflict souls” = fasting
By the time of Jeremiah – called “fasting day” (36:6)
By NT times – call “the Fast” (Acts 27:9)
Here a fast for a day – established by the LordSlide7
In The Old Testament
Day of Atonement
Public Fast Proclaimed by the King (2 Chron. 20:3)Slide8
In The Old Testament
Day of Atonement
Public Fast Proclaimed by the King (2 Chron. 20:3)
Four Annual Fast
(Zech. 8:19)
4
th month – when wall of Jer. broken (Jer. 52:6-7)5th month – when temple was burnt (Jer. 52:12-13; 2 Kings 25:8-9)7th month – Insurrection against Gedaliah (Jer. 41:1-3)
10
th
month – Nebuchadnezzar’s final siege against Jer. (Jer. 52:4-5; 2 Kings 25;1)
“The observance of these fasts seems, by the Lord’s answer, to have been neither enjoined nor forbidden…”
(Pulpit)Slide9
In The Old Testament
Day of Atonement
Public Fast Proclaimed by the King (2 Chron. 20:3)
Four Annual Fast
(Zech. 8:19)
Examples
Moses (Exo. 34:28;Deut. 9:18)David (2 Sam. 1:12; 12:12-23)Elijah (1 Kings 19:8)
Daniel (Dan. 10:2-3)
Jews in exile (Zech. 7:1-7)
Jehoiakim
(Jer. 36:6, 9)People of Ninevah (Jonah 3:5)
Esther and the Jews (Esther 4:16)Slide10
What Does
The Bible
Say About
Fasting?
In The Old Testament
In The New Testament
Fasting Practiced by the Jews
From OT InfluenceSlide11
In The New Testament
Jesus’ Teaching on Fasting
Matt. 6:16-18 – not done to be seen of menMatt. 9:14-15 – when he is gone
Parallel: Mark 2:18-22; Luke 5:33-35
Fast when mourning
Point: when it is appropriate (i.e. David – 2 Sam. 12:12-23)Slide12
In The New Testament
Jesus’ Teaching on Fasting
Examples:Jesus (Matt. 4:1-ff)
Disciples at Antioch (Acts 13:3)
Early churches (Acts 14:23)
Paul
2 Cor. 6:5 – distress2 Cor. 11:27Acts 27:33Pharisees (Luke 5:33; 18:12)Slide13
In The New Testament
Jesus’ Teaching on Fasting
Examples:
Paul’s Instruction on Separation
(1 Cor. 7:5)
Not commanded to separate – but only under these conditions
Thus, no injunction to fastQuestion Minority Text –vs- Majority Text – “fasting” only appears in KJV & NKJVSlide14
What Does
The Bible
Say About
Fasting?
In The Old Testament
In The New Testament
CausesSlide15
Causes
Doom – Calamity
1 Kings 21:27 – Ahab when he heard condemnation (v. 24)
Joel 1:14; 2:12 – Joel pronounced doom (2:11)
Judges 20:26 – At war with
Benjamites & great loss1 Sam. 28:20 – Saul over the doom he faced (vv. 17-19)Slide16
Causes
Doom – Calamity
Sorrow
1 Sam. 31:13 – Men of
Jabesh
over Saul’s death1 Kings 19:8 – Elijah fleeing from Jezebel
2 Sam. 1:11-12 – David over Saul & Jonathan’s deathSlide17
Causes
Doom – Calamity
Sorrow
Penitence for sin
2 Sam. 12:16-23 – cf. v. 13 - David
1 Sam. 7:6 – Samuel judged & lead in fast
Acts 9:9 – Saul realized he was in sin
Jonah 3:5 – Nineveh repentedSlide18
Causes
Doom – Calamity
Sorrow
Penitence for sin
Humility
(Psa. 35:13)Slide19
Causes
Doom – Calamity
Sorrow
Penitence for sin
Humility
(Psa. 35:13)
Petition
Dan. 9:3
Pleading with the Lord – turn away his wrathSlide20
Causes
Doom – Calamity
Sorrow
Penitence for sin
Humility
(Psa. 35:13)
Petition
Dedication to the Lord’s Work
Matt. 4:2 – Jesus fasted
Acts 13:2-3; 14:23 – Focused on preaching & eldership
2 Cor. 6:5; 11:27 – Paul fasted in his workSlide21
Causes
Doom – Calamity
Sorrow
Penitence for sin
Humility
(Psa. 35:13)
Petition
Dedication to the Lord’s Work
Concern
(2 Sam. 12:12-23)Slide22
What Does
The Bible
Say About
Fasting?
In The Old Testament
In The New Testament
Causes
Facts & ConclusionsSlide23
Facts & Conclusions
Different Times & Lengths
Annual (Acts 27:9)
Weekly (Luke 18:12)
Seven days (1 Sam. 31:13)
Three days and nights (Esther 4:15-16)
All day (Lev. 16:23)
Part of a day (2 Sam. 1:12)Slide24
Facts & Conclusions
Different Times & Lengths
Only One Commanded in OT
Day of Atonement commanded by God (Lev. 16)
Other fasts seem to be either voluntary, customary or instituted by man (i.e. King)Slide25
Facts & Conclusions
Different Times & Lengths
Only One Commanded in OT
Not Commanded, but Permitted in NT
Not a command to fast in NT
Not forbidden or condemned in NT
Thus, allowed or permitted - voluntary
No instructions for fasting:
No time given
No instruction for observance
No description for how long it should last
Thus, would be determined by each individual and each circumstanceSlide26
Facts & Conclusions
Different Times & Lengths
Only One Commanded in OT
Not Commanded, but Permitted in NT
Are Benefits to Fasting
Else, why did so many do it?
Health benefits (cleansing effect)
Help hone a keener edge on self-discipline (i.e. Mt 4)
Allows greater focus on spiritualSlide27
Facts & Conclusions
Different Times & Lengths
Only One Commanded in OT
Not Commanded, but Permitted in NT
In Some Cases it Was Not a Cause – but Effect
Mark 2:18-20; 2 Sam. 12:16-23
Circumstances cause it – rather than plannedSlide28
Facts & Conclusions
Different Times & Lengths
Only One Commanded in OT
Not Commanded, but Permitted in NT
In Some Cases it Was Not a Cause – but Effect
We do Fast Today
In times of sorrow – either can’t or will not eat
Involved in work to the degree don’t eat
Others – set aside a certain time to fastSlide29
What Does
The Bible
Say About
Fasting?
In The Old Testament
In The New Testament
Causes
Facts & Conclusions
WarningsSlide30
Warnings
Must Never be Used as a Substitute for Godly Living
Isa. 58 – Fasted, yet pursued their own pleasure
May feel deeply spiritual – while living in sinSlide31
Warnings
Must Never be Used as a Substitute for Godly Living
Must Not be Used as an Occasion to Show or Display
Matt. 6:16-18
If practiced – should not be flaunted before others
If practiced – should not make others feel obligatedSlide32
Warnings
Must Never be Used as a Substitute for Godly Living
Must Not be Used as an Occasion to Show or Display
Must Not Allow it to Ignite a Spirit of Smugness or Self -Righteousness
Luke 18:9-14
Easy to feel spiritually superior over those who may not practice itSlide33
What Does
The Bible
Say About
Fasting?
In The Old Testament
In The New Testament
Causes
Facts & Conclusions
WarningsSlide34