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What Does The Bible Say About Easter?
by Dan FlournoyThe word Easter appears but once in the King James Version of the New Testament regarding the arrest of Peter by King Herod (Acts 12:4). The venerable Methodist scholar Adam Clarke made this comment: "Perhaps there never was a more unhappy, not to say, absurd, translation…"(Clarke’s Commentary, Vol. V, p. 774). The Greek word pascha is rightly translated "Passover" in all revisions of the KJV (ASV, NKJV, etc.) in all 29 places where it is found, including Acts 12:4.
Bible scholars agree that the word "Easter" is not of the New Testament origin. Many say the derivation of the word is from the name of a Teutonic goddess of spring, Eastre, and was adapted to its present usage about the 8th century after Christ. (See Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia, Vol. I., p. 486).
From the text of Acts 12:4, it is clear that King Herod planned to kill the apostle Peter after the Jewish Passover feast. This reference could in no way authorize the observance of a special religious "holy day" called Easter.
The observance of religious "holy days" such as Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Ash Wednesday and Easter cannot be found in the Word of God. These are all innovations adapted from various pagan cultures and woven into the fabric of so-called "Christianity" by converts from heathen religions.
Those who desire to follow the New Testament as their only authority do not observe such so-called "holy days." Following the New Testament pattern, Christians meet on the first day of the week to eat the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-34). Sunday, the first day of the week is the day of worship and has significance for the Christian because on the first day of the week:
1) Jesus was resurrected – Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:1.
2) Jesus appeared to his disciples – John 20:19,26.
3) The church was established – Acts 2:1ff; Cf. Lev. 23:15.
4) Christians held their common assembly – 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Acts 20:7.
Today, Christians worship on the first day of the week (Sunday) because this is authorized in Scripture. Paul said, "Whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name (authority, DF) of the Lord Jesus" (Col. 3:17). Men have no scriptural authority to add unauthorized "holy days" (1 Cor. 4:6). May we therefore "hold the pattern of sound words" and "learn not to go beyond the things which are written" (2 Tim. 1:13; 1 Cor. 4:6).This item originally appeared in Martinsville (WV) Church of Christ E- Bulletin (April 11, 2004 )