Posted on 04/08/2006 7:12:48 AM PDT by DouglasKC
Easter is one of the most popular religious celebrations in the world. But is it biblical? The word Easter appears only once in the King James Version of the Bible (and not at all in most others). In the one place it does appear, the King James translators mistranslated the Greek word for Passover as "Easter."
Notice it in Acts 12:4: "And when he [King Herod Agrippa I] had apprehended him [the apostle Peter], 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 Greek word translated Easter here is pascha, properly translated everywhere else in the Bible as "Passover." Referring to this mistranslation, Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible says that "perhaps there never was a more unhappy, not to say absurd, translation than that in our text."
Think about theses facts for a minute. Easter is such a major religious holiday. Yet nowhere in the Bible—not in the book of Acts, which covers several decades of the history of the early Church, nor in any of the epistles of the New Testament, written over a span of 30 to 40 years after Jesus Christ's death and resurrection—do we find the apostles or early Christians celebrating anything like Easter.
The Gospels themselves appear to have been written from about a decade after Christ's death and resurrection to perhaps as much as 60 years later (in the case of John's Gospel). Yet nowhere do we find a hint of anything remotely resembling an Easter celebration.
If Easter doesn't come from the Bible, and wasn't practiced by the apostles and early Church, where did it come from?
Easter's surprising origins
Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, in its entry "Easter," states:
"The term ‘Easter' is not of Christian origin. It is another form of Astarte, one of the titles of the Chaldean goddess, the queen of heaven. The festival of Pasch [Passover] held by Christians in post-apostolic times was a continuation of the Jewish feast . . . From this Pasch the pagan festival of ‘Easter' was quite distinct and was introduced into the apostate Western religion, as part of the attempt to adapt pagan festivals to Christianity" (W.E. Vine, 1985, emphasis added throughout).
That's a lot of information packed into one paragraph. Notice what the author, W.E. Vine—a trained classical scholar, theologian, expert in ancient languages and author of several classic Bible helps—tells us:
Easter isn't a Christian or directly biblical term, but comes from a form of the name Astarte, a Chaldean (Babylonian) goddess known as "the queen of heaven." (She is mentioned by that title in the Bible in Jeremiah 7:18 and 44:17-19, 25 and referred to in 1 Kings 11:5, 33 and 2 Kings 23:13 by the Hebrew form of her name, Ashtoreth. So "Easter" is found in the Bible—as part of the pagan religion God condemns!)
Further, early Christians, even after the times of the apostles, continued to observe a variation of the biblical Passover feast (it differed because Jesus introduced new symbolism, as the Bible notes in Matthew 26:26-28 and 1 Corinthians 11:23-28).
Moreover, Easter was very different from the Old Testament Passover or the Passover of the New Testament as understood and practiced by the early Church based on the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles.
And again, Easter was a pagan festival, originating in the worship of other gods, and was introduced much later into an apostate Christianity in a deliberate attempt to make such festivals acceptable.
Easter symbols predate Christ
How does The Catholic Encyclopedia define Easter? "Easter: The English term, according to the [eighth-century monk] Bede, relates to Eostre, a Teutonic goddess of the rising light of day and spring, which deity, however, is otherwise unknown . . ." (1909, Vol. 5, p. 224). Eostre is the ancient European name for the same goddess worshipped by the Babylonians as Astarte or Ishtar, goddess of fertility, whose major
celebration was in the spring of the year.
The subtopic "Easter Eggs" tells us that "the custom [of Easter eggs] may have its origin in paganism, for a great many pagan customs, celebrating the return of spring, gravitated to Easter" (ibid., p. 227).
The subtopic "Easter Rabbit" states that "the rabbit is a pagan symbol and has always been an emblem of fertility" (ibid.).
Author Greg Dues, in his book Catholic Customs and Traditions, elaborates on the symbolism of eggs in ancient pre-Christian cultures: "The egg has become a popular Easter symbol. Creation myths of many ancient peoples center in a cosmogenic egg from which the universe is born.
"In ancient Egypt and Persia friends exchanged decorated eggs at the spring equinox, the beginning of their New Year. These eggs were a symbol of fertility for them because the coming forth of a live creature from an egg was so surprising to people of ancient times. Christians of the Near East adopted this tradition, and the Easter egg became a religious symbol. It represented the tomb from which Jesus came forth to new life" (1992, p. 101).
The same author also explains that, like eggs, rabbits became associated with Easter because they were powerful symbols of fertility: "Little children are usually told that the Easter eggs are brought by the Easter Bunny. Rabbits are part of pre-Christian fertility symbolism because of their reputation to reproduce rapidly" (p. 102).
What these sources tell us is that human beings replaced the symbolism of the biblical Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread with Easter eggs and Easter rabbits, pagan symbols of fertility. These symbols demean the truth of Christ's death and resurrection.
Easter substituted for Passover season
But that's not the entire story. In fact, many credible sources substantiate the fact that Easter became a substitute festival for the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread. (To learn more about what this Feast represents, see "What Does the Feast of Unleavened Bread Mean for Christians?".)
Notice what The Encyclopaedia Britannica says about this transition: "There is no indication of the observance of the Easter festival in the New Testament, or in the writings of the apostolic Fathers . . . The first Christians continued to observe the Jewish festivals, though in a new spirit, as commemorations of events which those festivals foreshadowed . . .
"The Gentile Christians, on the other hand, unfettered by Jewish traditions, identified the first day of the week [Sunday] with the Resurrection, and kept the preceding Friday as the commemoration of the crucifixion, irrespective of the day of the month" (11th edition, p. 828, "Easter").
Easter, a pagan festival with its pagan fertility symbols, replaced the God-ordained festivals that Jesus Christ, the apostles and the early Church observed. But this didn't happen immediately. Not until A.D. 325—almost three centuries after Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected—was the matter settled. Regrettably, it wasn't settled on the basis of biblical truth, but on the basis of anti-Semitism and raw ecclesiastical and imperial power.
As The Encyclopaedia Britannica further explains: "A final settlement of the dispute [over whether and when to keep Easter or Passover] was one among the other reasons which led [the Roman emperor] Constantine to summon the council of Nicaea in 325 . . . The decision of the council was unanimous that Easter was to be kept on Sunday, and on the same Sunday throughout the world, and ‘that none should hereafter follow the blindness of the Jews'" (ibid., pp. 828-829).
Those who did choose to "follow the blindness of the Jews"—that is, who continued to keep the biblical festivals kept by Jesus Christ and the apostles rather than the newly "Christianized" pagan Easter festival—were systematically persecuted by the powerful church-state alliance of Constantine 's Roman Empire .
With the power of the empire behind it, Easter soon became entrenched as one of traditional Christianity's most popular sacred celebrations. (You can read more of the details in our free booklet Holidays or Holy Days: Does It Matter Which Days We Keep? )
Christianity compromised by paganism
British historian Sir James Frazer notes how Easter symbolism and rites, along with other pagan customs and celebrations, entered into the established Roman church:
"Taken altogether, the coincidences of the Christian with the heathen festivals are too close and too numerous to be accidental. They mark the compromise which the Church in the hour of its triumph was compelled to make with its vanquished yet still dangerous rivals [the empire's competing pagan religions].
"The inflexible Protestantism of the primitive missionaries, with their fiery denunciation of heathendom, had been exchanged for the supple policy, the easy tolerance, the comprehensive charity of shrewd ecclesiastics, who clearly perceived that if Christianity was to conquer the world it could do so only by relaxing the too rigid principles of its Founder, by widening a little the narrow gate which leads to salvation" ( The Golden Bough, 1993, p. 361).
In short, to broaden the appeal of the new religion of Christianity in those early centuries, the powerful Roman religious authorities, with the backing of the Roman Empire, simply co-opted the rites and practices of pagan religions, relabeled them as "Christian" and created a new brand of Christianity with customs and teachings far removed from the Church Jesus founded.
The authentic Christianity of the Bible largely disappeared, forced underground by persecution because its followers refused to compromise.
Easter does not accurately represent Jesus Christ's suffering, death and resurrection, though it appears to do so to those who blindly accept religious tradition. In fact, it distorts the truth of the matter. Easter correctly belongs to the Babylonian goddess it is named after—Astarte, also known as Ashtoreth or Ishtar, whose worship is directly and explicitly condemned in the Bible.
The ancient religious practices and fertility symbols associated with her cult existed long before Christ, and regrettably they have largely replaced and obscured the truth of His death and resurrection.
When confronted with these facts about Easter, many professing Christians might raise this question to justify its continuance: With hundreds of millions of well-meaning Christians observing Easter, doesn't this please Jesus Christ? Yet He has already answered this question in Matthew 15:9: "In vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." How will you choose to worship Him—in spirit and in truth, or in fraud and in fable? GN
Amazing to behold, isn't it?
Let me make it as simple as possible for you to understand. Has the New Covenant made the Old Covenant obsolute? (Heb 8:13) Surely you are capable of a simple yes or no answer.
Headache city for me.....most of the time.
Yes, that's what scripture says. Now let me ask you a question: With whom is the NEW covenant made. I'll give you a big hint:
Heb 8:8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
Here's another hint:
Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
"But the celebration of Easter was celebrated since the first century. "
Absolutely correct!!
The disciples of the apostle John celebrated Easter on the anniversary date of the resurrection regardless of which day of the week it fell on.
The disciples of Peter celebrated Easter according to yearly date of passover, and Easter always fell on a sunday.
This happened from the very beginning and a CONFLICT arose between the 2 camps as to how the Church as a whole would celebrate such an important holy day in uniformity.
And THAT was the matter that wasn't settled until much later.
People who read the writings of the early christians and read actual history don't fall for this garbage.
Sorry the God's word gives you a headache although I can understand how it does. It has been giving headaches to those who try to twist it for almost 2,000 years. Maybe a dose of Acts 15:22-29 will help you to get your head in better shape.
Some encouraging verses my friend:
2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2Ti 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Good, we are making some progress here. Did the New Covenant include the Gentiles or just those of the Nation of Israel?
That is a very good reference and I believe and practice every word of it.
Well my good friend....I must admit that I wasn't always a Christian. In fact I was lost sinner in my youth...one of the greatest of sinners. Everyday I ponder my past sins and reflect on the one who is now my advocate, having paid the price for me.
I guess it really doesn't matter who among us has been saved the longest....so I'll just leave it there.
You are right. Time does not matter. But when you post that I need to follow God's word I take strong exception. You don't know me or what I believe. I have done nothing but post scripture and you say that gives you a headache. Theat would fall under the heading of "your problem," not mine. God's word has never given me a headache.
Wow, you're just bound and determined to turn God into a liar here, aren't you?
Let me explain exactly who this "never covenant" is with:
Heb 8:8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
Here:
Eph 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Gentiles ARE strangers from the covenant of promise. They are aliens from the commonwealth (citizenship) of Israel.
Through Christ, gentiles BECOME part of the house of Israel, part of the household of God. If they are NOT then they cannot be part of the new testament. It's right there in black, white and red. If you find yourself arguing against what it says in God's word, then you should be asking yourself where and when you were led into error.
Sorry, should have read "new covenant" is with...
Nor me either....only you.
When I said "Go with God...", I was being facetious. I'm sorry you were offended.
It is not God's word that I argue against, just those who would distort it. You once again chose to stop reading before you got to the verses that exposes your error. Read Eph 2:13-16. You chose to post the condition of the Gentiles prior to the blood of Christ. Vs 13ff explains their present relationship with God. You need to learn to read the entire context before cherry-picking your verses.
Your apology is greatfully accepted. I am sure that neither of us has a perfect understanding of God's word. But I can assure you that I came to mine as a result of my own study, not the writings of any man separate and apart from the Bible. By the way, I was on the street from the age of 14 until I joined the navy at 18. I strongly imagine that I can match your sins and raise you a couple.
Why do you continue to maintain an impossible illusion? Why do you want to construct some elaborate thought process and circumvent scripture?
Yes or no: Does the bible say that the new covenant is made with the house of Israel and the house of Judah? It's an open book question. Reference Hebrews 8:8 and Jeramiah 31:31.
I'll give you the answer. Of course it does. Now what is the "house of Israel"? It's composed of former gentiles AND physical descendents of the patriarch, Israel. "House of Israel" is another way of saying "family of Israel".
You may not be a physical descendent of Israel, but you are certainly a child of Israel.
Rom 9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
I can't believe I have to go through all this just to prove to you that yes, you ARE a son (or daughter) of Israel.
It didn't take you long to back off your assertion of the meaning of Eph 2. Now you run to another passage. Let me point you to one that may solve your problem and help your understanding. Read Gal3:26-29.
In Paul's day there were people like you who were trying to bind the Law of Moses on Christians. The Law of Moses is obsolete. You finally admitted that. Now try to understand that all men fall under the perfect law of liberty in Christ Jesus whether we be Jew or Gentile.
You are welcome to refer to yourself in any way and by any name you choose. As for me, I am a Christian, nothing more, nothing less.
I didn't "back off" anything. The rest of Ephesians backs up what the rest of the bible says. You're just throwing up more smoke screens so you can continue to be comfortable in the corner you're painted into. The bible says clearly and absolutely that the new covenant is made with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. There's no getting around that. Instead of accepting it, you hurl out accusations, sidestep the issue, and try to explain it away.
Now you run to another passage. Let me point you to one that may solve your problem and help your understanding. Read Gal3:26-29.
Amazing.
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Abrahams seed. Which was the house of Israel. What Paul is saying, once again, is that you are a member of the house of Israel IF you are a Christian. You are a child of Israel and heir to the promise of eternal life made through the new covenant. You HAVE to be a member of the house of Israel to be part of the new covenant. You are a child of Israel.
Are you really not getting this???
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