Paul and Yom Kippur: Did the Apostle Observe the Day of Atonement?

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Did the Apostle Paul continue to observe Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, after becoming a follower of Jesus? Many assume the answer is no, that Paul abandoned the Temple, sacrifices, and Jewish holy days. Others claim he reinterpreted Yom Kippur purely through Christ.

But the New Testament paints a more complex (and more Jewish) picture of Paul. In this episode of Journey with the Jewish Paul, Ryan Lambert explores why Paul likely continued to honor Yom Kippur, even as he proclaimed Christ to the nations.

From Acts 24 to Paul’s own temple sacrifices, the evidence suggests Paul never rejected his people’s sacred rhythms. Instead, he saw Yom Kippur’s themes of mercy, forgiveness, and reconciliation extended through Christ to Gentiles.

Recovering this Paul matters. It challenges common misconceptions, deepens our understanding of the New Testament, and helps heal the rift between Jews and Christians.

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Download the free PDF "Recovering the Jewish Paul: Three Keys to Understanding the Apostle and Building Bridges Between Jews and Christians"

The Weird Apostle
Ryan's book places the Apostle Paul in his Jewish and Greco-Roman context.

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