Followers
of “the way” still went to the temple daily to fulfill requirements
of the law (including animal sacrifices). For the first 40 years after the
crucifixion, the followers of Yeshua did not view themselves as being
separated from other Jews. They met in the synagogues every Sabbath
among the other Jews of their time.
They continued to keep all of the
annual Holy Days, such as Pesach,
Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.
What happened? A number of factors contributed to the radical change of
beliefs and practices of this Jewish sect. They included an increase of Gentile converts within the sect,
Roman persecution, martyrdom of its Jewish leaders, and misunderstanding of the time
that they were in.
The End is Near
The
earliest followers of Yeshua as Messiah believed that they were living in
the last days. That may be why more time was not given to thoroughly
teaching new “converts.” They just didn’t believe that they had that much
time. We read references throughout the New Testament that show us how the
first century (and especially the first generation) Christian felt that
the "end time" was imminent.
Paul says
in 1Thessalonians 4:15.
15 For
this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive,
who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede
those who have died.
16 For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel's call
and with the sound of God's trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the
dead in Messiah will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be