There is evidence in early church history that certain Gnostic and anti-Jewish groups criticized believers for continuing to observe:
- Sabbaths
- new moons
- feast days
- biblical food practices
The strongest scriptural argument connected to this is usually:
Contents
Colossians 2:16-17
“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”
Some argue Paul was abolishing these observances. Others argue the context shows believers were being criticized for keeping them, especially by ascetic/philosophical influences connected to early Gnostic tendencies. (icogsfg.org)
Early Gnostic and Anti-Jewish Opposition
1. Marcion (2nd century)
Marcion of Sinope rejected:
- the God of the Old Testament
- Torah
- feast days
- Sabbath observance
- anything he viewed as “Jewish”
He taught a sharp separation between:
- the Creator God of Israel
- and the Father revealed by Christ. (Wikipedia)
Because of this, groups influenced by Marcion strongly opposed continued observance of biblical holy times.
Tertullian later wrote against Marcion defending the continuity of Scripture and addressing Sabbath controversies. (Gnosis)
2. Gnostic Asceticism
Some Gnostic-influenced groups promoted:
- extreme fasting
- rejection of physical celebrations
- hostility toward Jewish practices
- denial of creation’s goodness
Several historians connect the Colossian heresy in Colossians 2 with:
- ascetic mysticism
- proto-Gnostic philosophy
- judgment over food and holy-day observance. (icogsfg.org)
These teachers criticized believers over:
- eating and drinking
- Sabbaths
- feast days
- new moons
rather than encouraging them.
3. Ignatius of Antioch
By the early 2nd century, some church leaders were already arguing against “Judaizing.”
Ignatius of Antioch wrote:
“If we still live according to the Jewish law, we acknowledge that we have not received grace…”
and praised those:
“no longer observing the Sabbath.” (GCI Archive)
This shows a growing movement in parts of the church away from:
- Sabbath
- biblical calendar observance
- feast practices
especially after the Roman wars against the Jews.
4. “New Moons and Sabbaths”
An early anti-Jewish writing called the Epistle of Barnabas criticized literal Sabbath observance and used:
Isaiah 1:13
“Your new moons and your Sabbaths my soul hateth”
to argue against ongoing observance. (Christian History for Everyman)
However, in Isaiah the issue was hypocrisy and sin, not the abolition of God’s appointed times.
Important Historical Context
After:
- the destruction of Jerusalem (70 AD)
- the Bar Kokhba revolt (132–135 AD)
many Gentile Christian leaders increasingly tried to separate themselves from anything associated with Jews or Torah observance.
This produced:
- anti-Sabbath rhetoric
- anti-feast rhetoric
- replacement of biblical calendar practices
- accusations of “Judaizing”
At the same time:
- Gnostic groups rejected material creation and Old Testament practices altogether.
The Key Debate Around Colossians 2
Those who believe the Colossians WERE keeping Sabbaths/new moons argue:
Paul says:
“Let no man therefore judge you…”
Meaning:
- outsiders were criticizing them concerning HOW they kept them
- not condemning them for keeping them.
The surrounding context discusses:
- ascetic regulations
- “touch not, taste not”
- commandments of men
- philosophy
- worship of angels
which many connect to proto-Gnostic influences.
Colossians 2:20-23
“Why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
(Touch not; taste not; handle not;
Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship…”
Summary
Historically:
- Marcionites
- Gnostic groups
- anti-Jewish church movements
did criticize believers connected to:
- Sabbaths
- feast days
- new moons
- Torah practices
And by the 2nd century, many church leaders were moving away from biblical calendar observance and labeling it “Judaizing.” (GCI Archive)