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Hi Bryan,

Fasting was a Jewish custom that disappeared as the church became more Gentile. So verses are only found for it in Acts 10.30, 14;23 1 Cor.7.5 2 Cor. 6.5 11.27 (all early material). When Luke and Paul write, their letters are in the transition period (AD 54 from Judaism to Christianity). 'Acts' the account of that transition covering 30 years or so. So Paul writes in Corinthians not as though the supernatural endowments given to the early church had ceased, instead there is an over lapping time period.

We would expect to find examples/verses of fasting in Acts and Corinthians. But 10 years later Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians and other letters indicate a change. They teach and command in order to establish all in faith, that all should know how to posses his vessel (body), yet their call to holiness is to 'present your bodies a living sacrifice'. That is, a continual fast from lusts of the world/flesh  for only in Christ can we receive and obtain a freedom from ritual law. So Christians do not go without food for a day or two but strive for the continual fast. Paul gives a principle, "food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.' (1 Cor.8:8)

The NT is not silent about this continual fast, devotion and discipline expected of Christians (Col.3:5). But ritual laws, feasts, Jewish holidays and ordinances are not expected as Christian duty. Eg., Col.2.12-23 Paul warns about those trying to intertwine Jewish customs, laws, feasts and fasts into Christian practice. For Paul, false teaches suggest one displaying a strong devotion through such feasts or fasts is holy, humble, and close to God. Paul however can only see such ordinances as having no effect when it comes to conquering a persons evil thoughts and desires but only fosters pride "These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh" (Col.3:23).  So neglecting food in respect of a day or week was only a 'shadow of things to come' - past tense and past dispensation. Paul said the body is Christ's, not ours to practice a 'voluntary humility' (v.18) we are not to neglect it (v,23) for we are not subject to ordinances (v.20) 'touch not, taste not' which seem spiritual having a show, yet primarily the doctrines (belief) and instructions of men (v.22). "

In Mk.9:25 the earliest MSS omit the word "fasting". Just as Mt.17:21 "prayer and fasting" is not found in the best MSS. Mt.6:16-18 is written to Jewish people. But the only fast acceptable to the Lord is one of total secrecy (without a public show). Christian devotion and discipline never consists of painful self-regulation and self-observation, but in the larger graces of Christian compassion and kindness to others. It never consists in the fulfilling of conditions for a more, fullness, or blessing not received in Christ, but by living by faith in Christ abounding in thanksgiving, walking in the Spirit. Paul warns about any practice or experience made necessary or presented for a fullness, closeness, or special blessing before God beyond faith sealed in baptism (Gal.5.2-15). No matter how innocent, harmless even biblical the condition be. Blessings are NOT found in our strength to earn them (fasts) nor given as rewards, because we are dedicated enough (fast often), but only through the will of God (1 Cor.12.11). If one wants blessing or action from God, or nearness to God, then the command is not fast but PRAY "But in everything by prayer... let your requests be made known to God' (Ph.1.6-7). 

In the NT prayer not fasting is the privilege duty as well as the healthful spiritual exercise of Spirit filled Christians "for bodily exercise profits little, but Godliness is profitable in all things" (1 Tim.4:8). The nature of Jewish fasts can be seen in OT passages as Ps.109:24, Joel 2:12, Isa. 58:4, 2 Sam.12:21. Those promoting fasting should not lack the 'sack-cloth and ashes' or the 'weeping, mourning and torn garments' if fasting is optional or imperative for Christians today.

Kind regards,

"…on your special days when you fast, do you think this is what the Lord wants? (God says)  “I will tell you the kind of special day I want: Free the people you have put in prison unfairly and undo their chains. Free those to whom you are unfair and stop their hard labor. Share your food with the hungry and bring poor, homeless people into your own homes. When you see someone who has no clothes, give him yours, and don’t refuse to help your own relatives. Then your light will shine like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal" (Is 58:5ff).