The Acts of the Apostles

The Growth and Expansion of the Church to the Ends of the Earth

Acts 13:1-28:31 (2)

Parenthesis

Biblical Fasting: Is it a Practice for the Church?

1. The Introduction of Fasting into the Biblical Text

2. The Hebrew Vocabulary Behind Fasting

● tsum to fast

● to fast = to humble the soul

● New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis

“The act of fasting belongs to the semantic field that also contains weep, mourn, wear sackcloth and ashes, deny oneself, and to do no work.”

3. The Jewish Development of Fasting in the Old Testament

a. The Expansion of Fasting

b. The Corruption of Fasting (Isa. 58)

4. The Greek Vocabulary Behind Fasting

● nestis to fast

5. The Jewish Perspective on Fasting in the Gospels

● The Impact of the Intertestamental Period – The Pharisees

a. Matthew 4

● Jesus vs Israel – Sons of God

b. Matthew 6

● Obeying Their Leadership not Copying Their Leadership

c. Matthew 17

● The Power of Prayer

d. Matthew 9

● Between Jesus Death and Resurrection

Conclusion

● Fasting is a choice a believer can make, but is not a requirement and adds nothing to one’s prayer life. Do it in private and do not look like your fasting.

● Why pastors and churches advocate for it today:

○ Ignorant or Deceived

○ Misunderstanding of God

○ Substitute Religious Activity in the Place of Biblical Exposition – Being busy is more important than being biblical.

“We believe in The Holy Scriptures, accepting fully the writing of the Old and New Testaments as the eternal inerrant Word of God, verbally inspired in all parts and therefore altogether sufficient as our only infallible and authoritative rule of faith and practice. (Psalm 119:160; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:24-2:3; 2 Peter 1:19-21).”