History Of The Easter Celebration

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History Of The Easter Celebration

• Current Practice Of Many Religion
• An Annual Holiday
• Millions Celebrate Today Jesus Resurrection
• Many Consider It The Most Holy Religious Day
• For Some It Is One Of Only Two Services
• Christmas
• Easter
• If This Is Your Practice I Hope We See You Every
  Week
• We worship every Sunday at 930, 1030, 600
• We remember The Resurrection Each Lords Day

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Did You Know??
3957 pascha pas-khah AV - Passover 28,
Easter 1 29 1) the paschal sacrifice (which was
accustomed to be offered for the peoples
deliverance of old from Egypt)

• The N.T. Church Didnt Observe Yearly
  Resurrection
• Easter Is Not Found In Bible
• Only in Acts 124 and only in JKV of 1611
• A Mistranslation of Original Greek Word
• I.S.B.E. Vol 2, page 889, under Easter

4And when he had apprehended him, he put him in
prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of
soldiers to keep him intending after Easter to
bring him forth to the people. The King James
Version, (Cambridge Cambridge) 1769.
The Eng. Word comes from the Angelo-Saxon
Eastre or Estera, a Teutonic goddess (of
fertility and springtime whs) to whom sacrifice
was offered in April, so the name was transferred
to the paschal feast There is no trace of Easter
celebration in the NT
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The Pagan Origin Of Present Easter Celebration

• The Rabbit was sacred to the Germanic goddess
  Eastre, the goddess of fertility and
  springtimeAnd if you stop to think about it,
  rabbits are an extremely appropriate symbol for
  springtime, because of what they are famous for
  having more rabbits. William Heim, Associate
  Dean of the College of the Arts and Letters at
  USF, via Orlando Sentinel, 4/15/87
• It appears there was a custom among ancient
  Egyptians and Romans to give eggs as presents at
  this time of year. That was intended to insure
  that the recipient would have a very fertile or
  productive year. ibid
• He went on to say that hunting for Easter eggs
  may have begun as the search for gifts from the
  sacred animal, the rabbit, on the morning of the
  festival. ibid

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Does This Cause You To Question Easter
Celebration??

• How did the YEARLY observance of Jesus
  Resurrection originate?
• How did Pagan names and traditions become
  associated with a Christian Holiday?
• What significance should this have on the Lords
  church?

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Historical Perspectives

• Passover was important feast to Jews
• Instituted by Moses
• Commemorating Egyptian deliverance
• During this feast Jesus instituted L.S.
• Many converted Jews kept Jewish festivals
• Paul kept such for various reasons
• Acts 1818-20
• Acts 2117-26

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Paul Took Jewish Vows

• Acts 1818-20
• 18And Paul, having tarried after this yet many
  days, took his leave of the brethren, and sailed
  thence for Syria, and with him Priscilla and
  Aquila having shorn his head in Cenchreae for
  he had a vow. 19And they came to Ephesus, and he
  left them there but he himself entered into the
  synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. 20And when
  they asked him to abide a longer time, he
  consented not
• 1901 American Standard Version, (Oak Harbor, WA
  Logos Research Systems, Inc.) 1994.

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Paul Took Jewish Vows

• Acts 2117-26
• 17And when we were come to Jerusalem, the
  brethren received us gladly. 18And the day
  following Paul went in with us unto James and
  all the elders were present. 19And when he had
  saluted them, he rehearsed one by one the things
  which God had wrought among the Gentiles through
  his ministry. 20And they, when they heard it,
  glorified God and they said unto him, Thou
  seest, brother, how many thousands there are
  among the Jews of them that have believed and
  they are all zealous for the law 21and they have
  been informed concerning thee, that thou teachest
  all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to
  forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise
  their children neither to walk after the customs.
  22What is it therefore? They will certainly hear
  that thou art come. 23Do therefore this that we
  say to thee We have four men that have a vow on
  them 24these take, and purify thyself with them,
  and be at charges for them, that they may shave
  their heads and all shall know that there is no
  truth in the things whereof they have been
  informed concerning thee but that thou thyself
  also walkest orderly, keeping the law. 25But as
  touching the Gentiles that have believed, we
  wrote, giving judgment that they should keep
  themselves from things sacrificed to idols, and
  from blood, and from what is strangled, and from
  fornication. 26Then Paul took the men, and the
  next day purifying himself with them went into
  the temple, declaring the fulfilment of the days
  of purification, until the offering was offered
  for every one of them.
• 1901 American Standard Version, (Oak Harbor, WA
  Logos Research Systems, Inc.) 1994.

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Historical Perspectives

• Passover was important feast to Jews
• Instituted by Moses
• Commemorating Egyptian deliverance
• During this feast Jesus instituted L.S.
• Many converted Jews kept Jewish festivals
• Paul kept such for various reasons
• Acts 1818-20
• Acts 2117-26
• But these were not bound upon the gentiles
• Departures after Apostles death
• Passover began to be observed as death of Jesus
• He died on Passover week and was our Passover
  Lamb
• So a yearly observance was begun

1 Corinthians 57-8 7Purge out the old leaven,
that ye may be a new lump, even as ye are
unleavened. For our passover also hath been
sacrificed, even Christ 8wherefore let us keep
the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the
leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the
unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1901
American Standard Version, (Oak Harbor, WA Logos
Research Systems, Inc.) 1994.
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Perversion Of Original Observance
Acts 207 7And upon the first day of the week,
when we were gathered together to break bread,
Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on
the morrow and prolonged his speech until
midnight. 1901 American Standard Version, (Oak
Harbor, WA Logos Research Systems, Inc.) 1994.
1 Corinthians 1117-21 17But in giving you this
charge, I praise you not, that ye come together
not for the better but for the worse. 18For first
of all, when ye come together in the church, I
hear that divisions exist among you and I partly
believe it. 19For there must be also factions
among you, that they that are approved may be
made manifest among you. 20When therefore ye
assemble yourselves together, it is not possible
to eat the Lords supper 21for in your eating
each one taketh before other his own supper and
one is hungry, and another is drunken.

• Christ Instituted The L.S.
• To Commemorate His death
• Done in the regular assembly
• Done on a weekly basis

Luke 2214-2014And when the hour was come, he sat
down, and the apostles with him. 15And he said
unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this
passover with you before I suffer 16for I say
unto you, I shall not eat it, until it be
fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 17And he
received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he
said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves
18for I say unto you, I shall not drink from
henceforth of the fruit of the vine, until the
kingdom of God shall come. 19And he took bread,
and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and
gave to them, saying, This is my body which is
given for you this do in remembrance of me.
20And the cup in like manner after supper,
saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
even that which is poured out for you.
10
Other Departures Soon Followed

• Palm Sunday Jesus Triumphant Entry
• Good Friday The Crucifixion Day
• Resurrection Sunday - Known called Easter

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Easter Controversy
Close enough for Government work
The Council of Nice, 325 AD, decreed that it
should be on Sunday, but it did not fix the
particular Sunday. It was left to The Bishop of
Alexandria to determine, since that city was
Regarded as the authority in astronomical
matters and he was To communicate to the other
bishops. I.S.B.E. vol 2, Pg 889, under Easter

• In 2nd 3rd Century
• Jewish Christians followed Jewish chronology
• Celebrated Passover when Jews did 14th Nisan
• Jewish calendar is lunar based
• Passover day varied every year
• So the celebration of Jesus resurrection varied
• Gentile Christians identified it with 1st day of
  week
• The Christian Passover always on Thursday
• Commemoration of Jesus death always on Friday
• Celebration of Jesus resurrection always on
  Sunday
• The day observance regulated by Nicene Council
  325 AD
• Those using Jewish chronology branded as heretics
• Which specific day was regulated by the Bishop of
  Alexandria

But this was not satisfactory, esp. to the
western churches, and a Definite rule for the
determination of Easter was needed. By some It
was kept as early as March 21, and by others as
late as April 25, And others followed dates
between. The rule was finally adopted, In the
7th century, to celebrate Easter on the Sunday
following the 14th day of the calendar moon which
comes on or after, the vernal Equinox which was
fixed for March 21.This is not always
the Astronomical moon, but near enough for
practical purposes, and is Determined without
astronomical calculation by certain intricate
Rules adopted by ecclesiastical
authority. I.S.B.E. vol 2, Pg 889, under Easter
Best Guess
Extrabiblical
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Caused Mass Confusion
Established by Human tradition

• Some were sorrowful remembering Jesus death
• Concurrent with joyous celebrations of Jesus
  resurrection
• Eastern and Western churches threatened
  excommunication
• Neither accepted the other as faithful
• Even after Jewish calendar was dropped for the
  1st day
• Which calendar would be used Julian or Gregorian
• There was a 10 day difference between the two
• Eastern churches adopted the Julian Calendar
• Western churches adopted the Gregorian Calendar
• Today east and west still observe the day at
  different times
• Now there is a 13 day difference in the two
  calendars

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Assimilation Of Paganism

• Common practice with pagan converts
• Not discourage remove pagan rituals
• Instead the pagan customs were Christianized
• Effects of this common practice
• Effectively neutralize pagan rituals
• Hiding origin of Easter from a pagan goddess
• Without studies like this they are forgotten

With the advent of Christianity, the egg, still
taken as a symbol of life, was simply borrowed to
be a symbol of the Christian holiday. The
earliest Easter eggs were dyed red to represent
the blood shed by Christ. Many cultures
celebrated the advent of spring down through
history. When Christianity came along about
2,000 years ago, there was already a number of
pagan celebrations in place. People rarely
discard a holiday. When a new system of beliefs
comes along, you simply come up with a new mythic
structure to explain why you are celebrating that
holiday in the first place. Orlando Sentinel,
4/15/87 by William Heim
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Easter From A Biblical Perspective
Galatians 48-11 8Howbeit at that time, not
knowing God, ye were in bondage to them that by
nature are no gods 9but now that ye have come
to know God, or rather to be known by God, how
turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly
rudiments, whereunto ye desire to be in bondage
over again? 10Ye observe days, and months, and
seasons, and years. 11I am afraid of you, lest
by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in
vain.

• Paul was concerned for Galatian churches
• Doesnt say practice was sinful per se
• He simply expresses some concern
• Contextually the concern was over why of things
• If they believed it necessary for salvation
  labor in vain
• If justification by the Law Severed from Christ

Galatians 54 4Ye are severed from Christ, ye who
would be justified by the law ye are fallen
away from grace.
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Was Paul Inconsistent??
Acts 1818 18And Paul, having tarried after this
yet many days, took his leave of the brethren,
and sailed thence for Syria, and with him
Priscilla and Aquila having shorn his head in
Cenchreae for he had a vow.
1 Corinthians 919-20 19For though I was free
from all men, I brought myself under bondage to
all, that I might gain the more. 20And to the
Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews
to them that are under the law, as under the
law, not being myself under the law, that I
might gain them that are under the law
Numbers 613-15 13And this is the law of the
Nazirite, when the days of his separation are
fulfilled he shall be brought unto the door of
the tent of meeting 14and he shall offer his
oblation unto Jehovah, one he-lamb a year old
without blemish for a burnt-offering, and one
ewe-lamb a year old without blemish for a
sin-offering, and one ram without blemish for
peace-offerings, 15and a basket of unleavened
bread, cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, and
unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and their
meal-offering, and their drink-offerings. 16And
the priest shall present them before Jehovah,
and shall offer his sin-offering, and his
burnt-offering
Acts 2016 16For Paul had determined to sail
past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend
time in Asia for he was hastening, if it were
possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of
Pentecost.

• Instructed Colossians dont let anyone judge you
  in Law
• Some Jewish Christians tried to bind Law upon
  Gentiles
• Gentile Christians told dont let anyone judge
  you over Law
• He kept Jewish law when expedient
• He had Timothy circumcised
• He took a vow
• He desired to keep Jewish feast
• He participated in purification ceremonies
  included animal sacrifices

Acts 161-3 And he came also to Derbe and to
Lystra and behold, a certain disciple was
there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess that
believed but his father was a Greek. 2The same
was well reported of by the brethren that were
at Lystra and Iconium. 3Him would Paul have to
go forth with him and he took and circumcised
him because of the Jews that were in those
parts for they all knew that his father was a
Greek.
Acts 2123-24 23Do therefore this that we say to
thee We have four men that have a vow on them
24these take, and purify thyself with them, and
be at charges for them, that they may shave
their heads and all shall know that there is no
truth in the things whereof they have been
informed concerning thee but that thou thyself
also walkest orderly, keeping the law.
Acts 151, 5 1And certain men came down from
Judaea and taught the brethren, saying, Except
ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye
cannot be saved. 5But there rose up certain of
the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying,
It is needful to circumcise them, and to charge
them to keep the law of Moses.
Colossians 216-17 16Let no man therefore judge
you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a
feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day
17which are a shadow of the things to come but
the body is Christs.
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Personal Liberty Or Church Doctrine

• He was very clear in his teaching w/o
  inconsistency
• These were done on an individual basis
• These should not be bound upon others
• It had nothing to do with justification in Christ
• No one compelled to keep these things

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Application To Easter
Romans 1413-19 13Let us not therefore judge one
another any more but judge ye this rather, that
no man put a stumblingblock in his brothers
way, or an occasion of falling. 14I know, and am
persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is
unclean of itself save that to him who
accounteth anything to be unclean, to him it is
unclean. 15For if because of meat thy brother is
grieved, thou walkest no longer in love. Destroy
not with thy meat him for whom Christ died.
16Let not then your good be evil spoken of
17for the kingdom of God is not eating and
drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in
the Holy Spirit. 18For he that herein serveth
Christ is well-pleasing to God, and approved of
men. 19So then let us follow after things which
make for peace, and things whereby we may edify
one another.

• I enjoyed coloring eggs with grandkids, Yet.
• Bible is silent on YEARLY Observance Of Jesus
  resurrection
• God did not authorize any such for the church
• The YEARLY observance is based on human tradition
• We must not keep human traditions
• It must not become a matter of doctrine but
  liberty
• It cannot be something we bind upon others
• It cannot supplant Gods revealed word
• Annual observance is unwise, unauthorized, and
  sinful
• It mixes human tradition with Gods commands
• It forces people to observe human traditions
• God allows Christians liberty to observe days
  personally
• We might circumcise for hygiene
• We might color eggs with grandchildren for family
  entertainment
• Those who differ cannot be condemned for not
  observing
• Individual liberty must not become license for
  the church
• Be sensitive to the scruples of other Christians

Romans 144-6 4Who art thou that judgest the
servant of another? to his own lord he standeth
or falleth. Yea, he shall be made to stand for
the Lord hath power to make him stand. 5One man
esteemeth one day above another another
esteemeth every day alike. Let each man be fully
assured in his own mind. 6He that regardeth the
day, regardeth it unto the Lord and he that
eateth, eateth unto the Lord, for he giveth God
thanks and he that eateth not, unto the Lord he
eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
Mark 77-9 7But in vain do they worship me,
Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.
8Ye leave the commandment of God, and hold fast
the tradition of men. 9And he said unto them,
Full well do ye reject the commandment of God,
that ye may keep your tradition.
Romans 142 3Let not him that eateth set at
nought him that eateth not and let not him that
eateth not judge him that eateth for God hath
received him.