Why Not Easter?
Joe R. Price
It’s that time of year again when many people
make their annual trek to the “church of their choice.” Easter, the
springtime celebration of resurrection and renewal, has arrived.
If you say, “that sounds a bit cynical Joe,”
perhaps it does. But, there are several Bible reasons to object to this
annual “Christian festival,” not the least of which is that Christ Jesus
nowhere in all of His New Testament commanded, encouraged or even
remotely suggested that Christians honor His resurrection with an annual
holiday called “Easter.” For those who want to do all things by His
authority, such religious traditions are unnecessary, unwarranted and
unwanted (Col. 3:17). “By what authority are you doing these things?
And who gave you this authority?” (Matt. 21:23)
The authority for Easter did not come from
God. Such a Christian festival is not to be found in His word, the Bible.
Oh, but you say, “Easter is in the Bible in Acts 12:4!” Yes, the
King James translators put the word “Easter” in that verse, but textual
scholars concede they should have used the word “Passover” since that
is the word used in the Greek text (pascha). It is translated
“Passover” every time it is used in the New Testament except here (for
example, see Lk. 22:1). The King James translators betrayed their prejudice
for the springtime religious festival invented by men when they rendered
pascha “Easter” in Acts 12:4. Easter, as it occurs it modern churches,
is not in the Bible.
The Catholic Concise
Encyclopedia tells us the name
Easter “derives from the Saxon goddess Eastre, the ancient deity of the
dawn” (p. 138). It was only after AD 300 that the festivities of Easter
became frequent (Shaff‑Herzog Encyclopedia, IV:43, 45). There is
general agreement among Easter historians that its origin is pagan in
nature, and that the third-fourth century church incorporated, accommodated
and adapted the features of pagan spring festivals into its celebration of
the resurrection of Christ. (When there is no Bible authority for a
religious practice one source becomes as good as another; but such a thing
does not please God, Matt. 7:21‑23.)
An increasing number of churches of Christ
celebrate Easter Sunday. For example, the Southern Hills Church of Christ
in Abilene, Texas calls April 16, 2006 “Resurrection Sunday” on their
website. Their meaning is clear: they have planned an Easter service (one
day after their “Eggstravaganza” of an Easter egg hunt!). Their website
says, “Easter is more than ‘long ago and far away.’ Easter is more than
hunting eggs and frilly dresses. Jesus’ resurrection means we have the power
to start life fresh and write a new chapter!” (sohillschurch.org) And
so, they define “Jesus’ resurrection” as “Easter,” but they do so on their
own authority and not the Scriptures.
Should we have also planned to observe
Easter with Resurrection Sunday services? No. But to hear some brethren
these days, we aren’t using our opportunity to tell others about the
resurrected Christ when we don’t have Easter services – or at least have a
sermon about the resurrection of Christ. Really?! How can we scripturally
tell the world of Jesus Christ and His gospel by inviting them to an
unscriptural worship service? Our weekly remembrance of the Lord’s death by
eating the Lord’s Supper proclaims His death “till He comes,” which
implies He arose from the dead (1 Cor. 11:26). If we are not telling
others about the resurrected Christ it is not because we do not have an
annual Easter service like the churches around us; it is because we are not
living our faith before others every day! (1 Cor. 15:16-20)
We must continue to warn brethren who try to
incorporate the wisdom of men into the church of Christ, including “Easter
Sunday” services. (Such incorporation is exactly what the early apostate
church did when it incorporated pagan spring festivals into its worship and
called it “Easter”!) We do not have to accommodate the gospel to the
traditions of men in order to proclaim it to others; to do so is to actually
pervert it (1 Cor. 2:1‑5; Gal. 1:6-10; 1 Tim. 4:1-3). We are commanded not
to rely on the traditions of men for God’s approval (Matt. 15:7‑9; 7:21-23;
1 Cor. 1:18‑31; 4:6; 2 Jno. 9).
Even after this lengthy explanation there
will be the person who says, “What?! You mean you don’t observe Easter?
Don’t you believe Jesus was raised from the dead?” They have completely
missed the point. Of course we believe Jesus was raised from the dead,
otherwise our faith is vain and we are truly pitiful (1 Cor. 15:17‑19). But
friend, belief in the resurrection of Jesus does not demand that we
participate in a man‑made celebration of it. The resurrection of Jesus
occurred by the wisdom and power of God (Rom. 1:4; 1 Cor. 6:14; 1:24). But
the religious holiday called Easter occurs by the wisdom and power of man.
Therefore, Easter is a man-made religious observance of the resurrection of
Jesus that honors the wisdom and power of man, not the powerful work and
wisdom of God. Jesus said:
“…Well did Isaiah prophesy of you
hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, but
their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as
doctrines the commandments of men.’ "For laying aside the commandment of
God, you hold the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and
many other such things you do
[like Easter, jrp]." He said to them, "All too well you reject the
commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.” (Mk. 7:6-9)
We will be content to
practice and proclaim the good news of the resurrected Christ every day by
lives of humble obedience to His word instead of binding the religious
traditions of men as if they are the will of God. One thing is certain; we
will not go wrong when we do what the Bible says and refuse to add things to
it (Matt. 7:21-23; Rev. 22:18-19).
Top
You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Small Things
Scripture Reading:
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
“For who has despised the day of small
things?” (Zech. 4:10) (Isa.
55:8-9; Matt. 11:25)
I. WHY HAS GOD RECEIVED (WHY DOES GOD
USE) SMALL THINGS? 1 Cor.
1:26-31
A. The Grace of God, 1:30; Eph. 2:4-8;
Rom. 3:23-26; 1 Cor. 15:10 (Rom. 5:6-8; 2 Tim. 1:9).
-God’s power magnified in our
weakness, 2 Co.12:7-9.
B. So that Our Hope & Trust Will be
in God (Christ), 1:30 (2 Cor. 12:10); 1 Cor. 1:26-28 (Jer. 10:23); Rom.
8:24-25.
C. So that God will be Honored, 1:29, 31; Rom. 12:1-2; 8:31-39; Phil.
2:12-13.
II. SMALL THINGS WHICH ARE GREAT IN
GOD’S SIGHT.
A. Two or Three Gathered in His Name,
Matt. 18:20 (Col. 3:17). Rev. 3:1-2.
B. Only a Cup of Cold Water, Matt. 10:42 (40-41); Heb. 11:1-2; 1 Pet. 4:9;
1 Cor. 13:4.
C. A Person of Faith, Heb. 11:34; 1 Sam. 17:37-47 (2 Cor. 10:3-4; Eph.
6:13; Psa. 119:141; Matt. 5:10-12.
D. Little Children, Matt. 18:1-5; Mk. 10:13-16."
E. A Little Money with…
1. Godly fear, Prov. 15:16 (Mk. 12:41-44).
2. Righteousness, Prov. 16:8 (1 Tim. 6:17-19).
3. In contrast, see 1 Tim. 6:6-10.
Conclusion
1. Small things can make a huge
difference (Salt, mustard seed, leaven).
2. World’s standpoint, Christians are a small, struggling band to be pitied.
3. God’s standpoint, those who keep His word are strong in the faith, Rev.
3:8.
4. God blesses the small things that accord with His purposes & those who
fear Him, Psa. 115:9-13.
