I’ve heard a few preachers say that as Christians, we must observe or maintain certain OT rituals, laws, feasts, etc. I thought that with Christ’s death and sacrifice those were no longer necessary. As born-again believers and Christians, are we to still observe Old Covenant and/or Old Testament laws & rituals?
The people who teach this are incorrectly interpreting the Bible. In Romans 3:20-24 Paul said no one will be declared righteous by observing the law. Our righteousness comes to us through faith apart from the law. In Colossians 2:16 he said not to let anyone judge us by what we eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a new moon celebration, or a Sabbath day. There are many more verses like these, but there are none that say we’re required to obey Old Testament laws and rituals.
Living our life in a manner that’s pleasing to God is the way we can show our gratitude for having been saved, but even that is not a condition for salvation. Our heavenly inheritance was assured when we believed that Jesus died for our sins and rose again (Ephes. 1:13-14). At that time God sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in our heart as a deposit guaranteeing it (2 Cor. 1:21-22).