FASTING QUESTION

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FASTING QUESTION

“Could you address the subject of fasting during the Church age?”

As the Gentile Church at Antioch prepared to send Paul and Barnabas on their first apostolic journey, Luke records: “And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away” (Acts 13:3). It is usually assumed that “fasting” belonged to the law. However, the writings of Moses are silent in regard to the matter. Thus we are to understand that “fasting” falls within the parameters of a horizontal truth, and we believe there is liberty under grace to fast today. In fact, God is well please when we do, as long as it never becomes a legalistic practice (Colossians 2:20-23).

Have you ever become so engrossed in a project that you deliberately abstained from eating? If so, you fasted! Spiritually speaking, the fast is merely time alone with the Lord, whether it is set aside to pray about a need or meditate upon the Word of God. When the saints at Antioch were faced with an important decision they fasted and prayed. While our time with the Lord and His Word is always beneficial, the fast itself doesn’t convey a special blessing or make us more spiritually minded (see also Acts 14:23; 27:33; I Corinthians 7:5).

— Pastor Sadler