The word “Easter” appears one time in the King James Version of the Bible in Acts 12:4 which reads, “And 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 New King James Version of the Bible in this same passage reads: “So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.” This is an interesting situation then as we have one version calling the day “Easter” while the other is calling it “Passover.” The word that is in the original language Greek is pascha NT:3957, mistranslated “Easter” in Acts 12:4, KJV, denotes the Passover (RV). The phrase “after the Passover” signifies after the whole festival was at an end. 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 held by Christians in post-apostolic times was a continuation of the Jewish feast, but was not instituted by Christ, nor was it connected with Lent. 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. See PASSOVER. (from Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers) [All the underlining is taken directly from Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words and all the thoughts and comments are his. While they are true, this can be proven from other sources, this scribe wants all to know that this is a direct quote.] The word thus is correctly translated “Passover.” Let us notice when Jesus was killed, buried and then was raised.
It was the time of the Passover. Matthew 26:17: “Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the Passover? Verse 19 says, “And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the Passover.” Luke 22:15 states, “And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” So the time of His death, burial and resurrection was during the Passover feast. This is important to know and consider.
The Passover was first instituted when the children of Israel were about to come out of Egypt. It was named Passover because the Death was going to Passover the whole land of Egypt. Those who were loyal to God and willing to have the first born saved, placed the blood of the lamb upon their door post, and when Death saw the blood he would not enter into that house, but would Passover that house and into the house where the blood was not and kill the first born of that house; not only of the humans but also the all the cattle. A student of the Bible can find all of this in Exodus 12.
The day of the resurrection is also very important. A learner of biblical subjects knows that in all four accounts of the Gospel deals with the resurrection. Each one states that Jesus was resurrected upon “the first day of the week” (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2; Luke 24:1; John 20:1). The significance of this is further seen in Revelation 1:10 where John writes, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.” John saw those things he wrote about on the first day of the week, the Lord’s Day because it was the day the Lord was resurrected from the dead.
If you are visiting us for the reason of Easter then we will try to show you what the Lord requires of us each and every day of the week. We will also try to show you what the Lord requires us of each Lord’s day or each first day of the week. We do thank you for coming and if you have any questions please ask any of the members who regularly attend here and they will be glad to help you with any questions.
Before Jesus died He instituted a memorial. This is called the Lord’s Supper. 1 Corinthians 11:23-30 speaks of this matter but let us look at 1 Corinthians 11:26; “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he comes.” “As often” was every first day of the week. Each week has a beginning upon that day, which is Sunday; we are to partake of the Lord’s Supper. You might wonder how this can be ascertained from these passages. The Corinthian’s were meeting each first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:1-2 states, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hat prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”
We of the Gray church of Christ desire to please God. That means that we strive to do as He wishes. He has told us to partake of the Lord’s Supper to remember His death, and this is to be done each first day of the week. That means that once a quarter is not sufficient. That also means that once a month is not going to be what God wants. He was plain in what He wants and that is to partake of worship every first day of every week. This includes the Lord’s Supper but there are other acts of worship that are involved in our first day of the week assembly. All of these must be done, because He said so, each first day of the week. We would be glad to sit down and study with you about this and any other religious question that you have. We strive to do Bible things in Bible ways. We strive to walk in the Old Paths of the Jerusalem Gospel. We strive to please not man but God Almighty.
Again thank you for being here.
Love, Keith
