Hi Friedam,
Fasting is like water baptism, circumcision, Sabbath keeping and any other physical rituals, rendered null and void by the New (Spirtual) Covenant, these things are not necessarily bad things but they have been replaced by a higher principle.
The following is an e-mail written to Ray and his reply, I hope it helps your understanding;
I want to know what you know or teach on water baptism? I have been going through some of the articles that The Divine Plan has.
I am a former World Wide Church Of God member that has been really mixed up with different teachings. Everybody has different teachings.
So far you seem to have what I Think is a closer teaching what the Word of GOD is saying... Your articles have very helpful to me.
THANKS.
P.S. I'll be keeping in touch
[Ray Replies]
Thank you for your email and question.
I don't have the time to write an whole article on the subject in an email. One day I will do that and post it on my site. But in a nut shell:
Paul tells us that we no longer know Jesus AFTER the flesh. Jesus Christ came IN THE FLESH to lead us INTO THE SPIRIT. It was paramount to be CIRCUMCISED, KEEP HOLY DAYS, KEEP SABBATH, PAY TITHES, and many PHYSICAL THINGS under the law of Moses.
Jesus came with binding laws of the spirit. In Matt. 5, 6, and 7 Jesus said
"you have heard it said [by the LAW OF MOSES]..." that you are to do this or do that, but Jesus said, "BUT I SAY UNTO YOU..."
And then He gave a different and contradicting law.
Examples:
"Swear" under Moses / DON'T SWEAR AT ALL UNDER CHRIST.
"Hate your enemies" under Moses / LOVE YOUR ENEMIES UNDER CHRIST!
"Don't commit adultery" under Moses / DON'T EVEN LOOK TO LUST AFTER A WOMAN UNDER CHRIST!
Get the point?
God said he would write His NEW COVENANT (not a revised version of the OLD COVENANT) upon the minds and hearts of His followers.
Circumcision was so very important to every Jewish man. Paul said "Circumcision IS NOTHING"!!!
So drastic was this change brought about by Jesus Christ, that Paul said that a PHYSICAL JEW of the PHYSICAL NATION OF ISRAEL, who is PHYSICALLY CIRCUMCISION in the flesh only, IS NO JEW AT ALL!!! But a GENTILE, not of the nation of Israel, and NOT PHYSICALLY CIRCUMCISED in the flesh, but CIRCUMCISED IN HIS HEART, HE, A GENTILE, IS A JEW!!! (Rom. 2:27-29).
Now then, with that in mind turn to Col.2:19-13:
"And ye are COMPLETE IN HIM, which is the head of all principality and power: In Whom also ye ARE CIRCUMCISED [how?] with the circumcision MADE WITHOUT HANDS, in putting off the body of the SINS OF THE FLESH by the CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST: buried with Him in BAPTISM [how? same way! "without hands" or water], wherein also ye ARE RISEN WITH HIM through the faith of the operation of God, Who has raised Him from the dead. And you, being DEAD IN YOUR SINS and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has he quickened [made alive] together with Him, having FORGIVEN YOU ALL TRESPASSES."
According to Paul, "How many baptisms are there?"
"There is ONE body, and ONE Spirit, even as ye are called in ONE hope of your calling; ONE Lord, ONE faith, ONE BAPTISM, ONE God and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Eph. 4:4-6).
Water baptism avails us NOTHING unless we are BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST (Rom. 6:3-7) with a baptism WITHOUT HANDS--not of the letter and the flesh, but of the SPIRIT!
Nothing that we do that starts in the flesh can add one cubic to our spiritual stature.
Hope that helps your understanding a little better.
God be with you,
Ray
Friedam,
Welcome to the Forum, please read the articles presented on Bible Truths with an open mind, humble heart and an open bible to verify and compare scripture, there are many treasures waiting for you to find them.
His Peace and Wisdom to you,
Joe