Philo, and the other Jews which lived during the New Testament time understood the weeks and weekly Sabbaths were by the moon, as were all the other days of the month. This is positive proof that the true Sabbath was still being kept by the moon in New testament times. Because none of us were alive or existed in the time of the Apostles, except in the loins or D.N.A. of our ancestors, we are forced to turn to people’s writings that were there, to see how things were done, whether it is in direct contradiction of the Word of YHWH or not, we simply see how it was done.
Philo was more than just a Jew living in Alexandria Egypt. He was the most prominent Jew living in Alexandria Egypt. His fellow Jews chose him aver all other Jews to represent their people at Rome over the persecution of Jews in Alexandria. This was a very serious issue—a matter of life and death for the Jews of Alexandria. In order to plead their case before the Roman emperor, they had to select the man who could best represent them. The question arises, “would the Jews of Alexandria have chosen Philo had he not properly represented normative Jewish practice and belief?”
The works of Philo is very significant in that He walked the Earth before and at the same time, and 20 years after the resurrection of the Chief Apostle. He was one of the most influential men of that time, and was chosen to head a delegate of men to go to Rome to represent the Jewish people who were being persecuted severely at that time. He lived in Alexandra Egypt; and read from the Septuagint Scriptures. (The most quoted from by our Savior and the Apostles according to Larry Acheson) (Search the scriptures, was referring to the LXX or Septuagint).
Philo’s writings, for the most part about the Priesthood etc., are in harmony with the Scriptures we read today. He had no need to say something that everybody already knew like: hey people’s blood is red or the Sabbaths are counted from the New Moon, but he did make mention that some states were keeping only one Sabbath per month counting from the New Moon where we know all four should be kept after the six work days regularly.
The works of Philo by Yonge—Page 526 XX, “The fourth commandment has reference to the sacred seventh day that it may be passed in a sacred and holy manner. Some states keep the holy festival only once in the month, counting from the new moon, as a day sacred to God; but the nation of the Jews keep every seventh day regularly, after each interval of six (work) days”. Philo understood that the new moon was a festival all by itself, (See Philo page 572 XI.) and not one of the six workdays, as Ezech. 46:1-3. also teaches.
The gates were to be shut the six work days and open on the Sabbath and day of the New Moon. Although Philo didn’t come right out and say the Sabbaths are by the moon, he did say some were keeping only one Sabbath per month, counting from the new moon. In other words from the new moon they counted six workdays then a Sabbath, which would be on the 8th day of the moon. The Jews keep the others three Sabbaths also.
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Notice Philo said that they keep the holy festival (Sabbath) only once in the month counting from the new moon, but the Jews more than only once in the month counting from the new moon. When I looked under seventh day in the index it said “or Sabbath” and referred me to page 26 of Philo which says “and the changes which the moon works in the air, it perfects chiefly in accordance with its own configurations on each seventh day (Sabbath)”.
See also page 532 (161) “but to the seventh day of the week he has assigned the greatest festivals, those of the longest duration, at the periods of the equinox both vernal and autumnal in each year; appointing two festivals for these two epochs, (events) each lasting seven days; the one which takes place in the spring (unleavened bread) being for the perfection of what is being sown, and the one which falls in autumn (tabernacles) being a feast of thanksgiving for the bringing home of all the fruits which the trees have produced". (Both begin on the 15th, a weekly Sabbath).
Let’s look carefully at what Philo is saying. But to the seventh day of the week He has assigned the greatest festivals, in other words the greatest (longest) festivals have been assigned to the seventh day of the week. (15th Sabbath) Which begins the Festival and lasts for seven days beginning with the 15th Sabbath? We know both of these feasts begin on the 15th . (Sabbath) Each lasting seven days; each one of these two events were assigned a festival day (15th), or weekly Sabbath to begin the Feast and it lasted seven days.
Philo goes on to say that each month (1st and 7th) might receive an especial honor of one sacred day of festival, for the purpose of refreshing and clearing the mind with its holiday. Notice he didn’t say they would receive two holy days of festivals, but one, the 15th. To prove the Seventh day of the week is the same as the 15th see page 588 xxx111 (210) of Philo “Again the beginning of this Feast is appointed for the 15th day of the month, (0r seventh day of the week) on account of the reason which has already been mentioned respecting the Spring Season “might receive special honor of one Sacred day of Festival”.
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