San Juan church of Christ 1414 Hawk Parkway Unit C 970-626-4116 What Does God's Word Say About... Easter The word "Easter" is found only once in the older editions of the King James version in Acts 12:4. The Greek, PASCHA, is translated by the word, Easter." This same Greek word is properly translated in other versions and in every other passage where it is used in the New King James version, as Passover. Even if the word was properly translated in the old King James version, there is still no authority to observe Easter" as we know it. There is no Bible authority to observe Easter", as a yearly celebration of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The word "Easter" is of Saxon origin. It is derived from the Saxon goddess of the east, Estera, to honor the spring season. Sacrifices were offered in her honor at the first full moon that came at the time of the vernal equinox. The Pagan world celebrated this time as a yearly festival. Passover occurs near the Spring equinox. In an agricultural society, this time of year carries the idea of rebirth. Therefore, the name "Easter" became attached by association with the Christian view of resurrection. The Lord's church is not built on the traditions of men, therefore we do not celebrate Easter" (Eph. 2:19-20; Col. 2:16-17). Members of the Lord's church celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ on the first day of EVERY week as we are instructed in the New Testament (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; 16:1-2). This scripture does not say the first day of the week" once a year! In the Old Testament, the day of the week that God had appointed for worship had been the Sabbath, the 7th day of the week (Ex. 20:8-11). But after Jesus' resurrection the Christians gathered for worship "the first day of the week". As you can see, God changed the appointed day of the week for worship to be Sunday. For this was the day on which our Lord was raised from the dead. When the Lord's church assembles for worship on the first day of the week, they partake of the communion in remembrance of Me" (Matt. 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 11:24-25). Any individual who is striving "to speak the utterance of God" (1 Pet. 4:11), must understand that God sets the standard [pattern] that we must obey todaynot the traditions of men (Acts 5:29). So what about the bunnies, Easter bonnets, colored eggs, chocolate, and a 3-day weekend? It is because people have secularized what they believe to be a "Christian" holiday. It is nothing different from what they do with the eight tiny reindeer and the jolly old elf. The Lord, in His word, wants His people to celebrate His resurrection as we come together for EVERY first day of the week. Each Sunday is a Resurrection Sunday" for God's people. The observation of one Sunday per year above all others comes from men, not God! Please send any comments, questions, or requests for a Bible study to: info@sanjuanchurchofchrist.org San Juan church of Christ 1414 Hawk Parkway Unit C 970-626-4116 What Does God's Word Say About... Easter The word "Easter" is found only once in the older editions of the King James version in Acts 12:4. The Greek, PASCHA, is translated by the word, Easter." This same Greek word is properly translated in other versions and in every other passage where it is used in the New King James version, as Passover. Even if the word was properly translated in the old King James version, there is still no authority to observe Easter" as we know it. There is no Bible authority to observe Easter", as a yearly celebration of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The word "Easter" is of Saxon origin. It is derived from the Saxon goddess of the east, Estera, to honor the spring season. Sacrifices were offered in her honor at the first full moon that came at the time of the vernal equinox. The Pagan world celebrated this time as a yearly festival. Passover occurs near the Spring equinox. In an agricultural society, this time of year carries the idea of rebirth. Therefore, the name "Easter" became attached by association with the Christian view of resurrection. The Lord's church is not built on the traditions of men, therefore we do not celebrate Easter" (Eph. 2:19-20; Col. 2:16-17). Members of the Lord's church celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ on the first day of EVERY week as we are instructed in the New Testament (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; 16:1-2). This scripture does not say the first day of the week" once a year! In the Old Testament, the day of the week that God had appointed for worship had been the Sabbath, the 7th day of the week (Ex. 20:8-11). But after Jesus' resurrection the Christians gathered for worship "the first day of the week". As you can see, God changed the appointed day of the week for worship to be Sunday. For this was the day on which our Lord was raised from the dead. When the Lord's church assembles for worship on the first day of the week, they partake of the communion in remembrance of Me" (Matt. 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 11:24-25). Any individual who is striving "to speak the utterance of God" (1 Pet. 4:11), must understand that God sets the standard [pattern] that we must obey todaynot the traditions of men (Acts 5:29). So what about the bunnies, Easter bonnets, colored eggs, chocolate, and a 3-day weekend? It is because people have secularized what they believe to be a "Christian" holiday. It is nothing different from what they do with the eight tiny reindeer and the jolly old elf. The Lord, in His word, wants His people to celebrate His resurrection as we come together for EVERY first day of the week. Each Sunday is a Resurrection Sunday" for God's people. The observation of one Sunday per year above all others comes from men, not God! Please send any comments, questions, or requests for a Bible study to: info@sanjuanchurchofchrist.org