Wednesday, April 24, 2024
HomeTrendingWhere Is Easter In The Bible

Where Is Easter In The Bible

What Time Of The Day Did Christ Die

The Story of Easter (Jesus’ Sacrifice)

After establishing that Christ died on a Wednesday, another important thing to note about his crucifixion is that it was performed around three oclock in the afternoon. According to Luke 23:44, 46: And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

Here, the ninth hour refers to nine hours since the break of day. If sunrise occurs at six oclock in the morning, the ninth hour indicates three in the afternoon. This would, in turn, allow Christ to be buried in the tomb before the end of Wednesday.

\Why is all of this important to understand, you may ask? Understanding the exact time of Christs death helps us to pinpoint and prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Christ was not crucified on a Friday. Nor did he rise from the grave on a Sunday as commonly practiced in Easter traditions.

Jesus Appears To Mary Magdalene

Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene.

Jesus said,”Don’t hold on to me, because I have not yet returned to the Father. But go to my disciples and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'”

Then Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!”, and she told them everything that had happened.

Controversies Over The Date

The precise date of Easter has at times been a matter of contention. By the later 2nd century, it was widely accepted that the celebration of the holiday was a practice of the disciples and an undisputed tradition. The Quartodeciman controversy, the first of several Easter controversies, arose concerning the date on which the holiday should be celebrated.

The term “Quartodeciman” refers to the practice of ending the Lenten fast on Nisan 14 of the Hebrew calendar, “the LORD’s passover”. According to the church historian Eusebius, the Quartodeciman Polycarp debated the question with Anicetus . The Roman province of Asia was Quartodeciman, while the Roman and Alexandrian churches continued the fast until the Sunday following , wishing to associate Easter with Sunday. Neither Polycarp nor Anicetus persuaded the other, but they did not consider the matter schismatic either, parting in peace and leaving the question unsettled.

Quartodecimanism seems to have lingered into the 4th century, when Socrates of Constantinople recorded that some Quartodecimans were deprived of their churches by John Chrysostom and that some were harassed by Nestorius.

Because of this dissatisfaction with reliance on the Jewish calendar, some Christians began to experiment with independent computations. Others, however, believed that the customary practice of consulting Jews should continue, even if the Jewish computations were in error.

You May Like: What Are All The Spiritual Gifts In The Bible

Easter Is The Most Important Holiday For Hundreds Of Millions Of Believers Around The World Yet Thousands Of Christians Don’t Observe It Do They Know Something That Others Don’t

Aaron Burden/Unsplash

Every spring, the anticipation and excitement of Easter is electrifying for many people. Churches prepare elaborate Easter programs that illustrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Parents take time to color Easter eggs and hide them so their children can hunt for them.

If Easter isn’t found in the Bible, where exactly did it come from? And just exactly what does the name Easter mean?

Many churches advertise outdoor Easter sunrise services, with any and all invited. Weather permitting, the Easter celebration is visually reinforced by watching the sun rise in the east.

But what do bunnies and colored eggs have to do with Jesus’ resurrection?

And if this celebration is so important, why didn’t Jesus teach His apostles and the early Church to observe it? The books of the New Testament were written over a span of decades after Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, yet nowhere do we see so much as a hint of any kind of Easter celebration.

So where exactly did Easter and its customs come from? Why do hundreds of millions of people celebrate the holiday today?

The Truth Of Easter And A Christian Relationship With Christ

32 Easter Bible Verses  Best Easter Scripture 2021

In closing, the celebration of Easter is full of traditions, customs, and beliefs that Christians have practiced for centuries. Yet, as we have seen, none of these traditions are based upon Biblical teachings. Instead, many of these traditions formed the backbone of pagan rituals of civilizations that preceded the birth of Christ by millennia.

Grasping these truths is crucial for Christians, particularly as churches make it appear that the Easter celebration is a commandment from God. However, if we observe Scriptural teachings, nothing could be farther from the truth. If anything, these practices and traditions only serve to displease God.

Therefore, knowing the truth is essential for all Christians in their relationship with Christ. As John 8:32 states most eloquently: ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Don’t Miss: What Does The Bible Say About Communication In Relationships

Jesus Appears To The Apostles

“Doubting Thomas” becomes a believer.

The apostle Thomas was not with the others when Jesus appeared to them. So the others told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But Thomas said, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger in the nail holes and my hand in the wound in His side, I will not believe it.”

A week later the apostles were again locked in the same room, and Thomas was with them. Jesus again came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Put your hand in my side. Don’t doubt it any more. Believe!” All Thomas could say was, “My Lord and my God!”Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen? Blessed are those who have not seen but have come to believe.”

New King James Version

The New King James Version of the Bible was translated over a period of seven years and was completed in 1982. The publishers wanted to preserve the beauty and literary style of the original King James Version. But the NKJV translators wanted to make necessary corrections in vocabulary and grammar too. They and most other modern translators recognize that Easter was an inaccurate translation of pascha in Acts 12:4, and they use the word Passover instead.

Rather than supporting the Christian observance of Easter, Acts 12:4 corroborates the other 28 uses of the word pascha in the New Testament to show us that the early Church of God observed the Passover. The 29 references cover the span from Christs death through the later writing of the apostle Paul. It is abundantly clear that the New Testament Church of God observed the Passovernot Easter!

Also Check: What Does Sabbath Mean In The Bible

Nothing New Under The Sun

We have been foretold all things.

Turn your Bible with me to,

Ecclesiastes 1:9The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

Gods Word simply explains, what has been in the past, will be again in the future. We see that with easter, how this tradition has been handed down from one generation to the next. Different name, but the same old goddess.

Unfortunately, easter not only crept into Christianity, but it replaced the celebration of Christs Resurrection and replaced it with bunnies and eggs. All without many questions from church leaders, as to where these celebrations originated from. Clearly, they are not Biblical.

As we have explained, Christ became our Passover, not our easter. Easter and her celebrations are not of God, but rather formed from paganism which became church tradition. Traditions that date themselves all the way back to the darkness of ancient Babylon.

Having now uncovered this disturbing truth, will you continue to celebrate easter rabbits, eggs, and all?

I know some of you are thinking,

Well, I dont mean anything by my easter eggs or rabbits. Its for the kids. Surely, God will understand.

Will He?

Matthew 15:9But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Our Father knew His Word would be twisted into church tradition. Christ has truly foretold us all things.

Would Jesus Christ Celebrate Easter

ð¿ð?°ð?£The Story of Easter – The Beginners Bible

The record of the New Testament is clear: The faithful members of the early Church continued to observe all that the apostles taught them, as they were taught by Jesus Christ. The record of history is equally clear: In later centuries new customs, practices and doctrines were introduced that were quite foreign to the original Christians, forming a new “Christianity” they would scarcely recognize.

So a key question is, should a Christian follow what Jesus taught or what later religious teachers taught?

It’s always a good idea to ask the question, what would Jesus do?

If Jesus were in the flesh today, would He celebrate Easter? The simple answer is No. He does not change. “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever,” as Hebrews 13:8Hebrews 13:8Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.American King James Version×tells us . Jesus never observed Easter, never sanctioned it and never taught His disciples to celebrate it. Nor did the apostles teach the Church to do so.

Today, Jesus would observe the biblical Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread as Scripture teaches and as He practiced and taught (John 13:15-17John 13:15-17 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, The servant is not greater than his lord neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.

Also Check: What Does The Bible Say About Adultery And Forgiveness

The Biblical Story Of Easter As Told In Great Art Share

Europe

We learn how artists throughout time have depicted the Easter story in art: Jesus arrival in Jerusalem, the Last Supper, Jesus betrayal and arrest at Gethsemane, his trial, his journey mocked by crowds to the cross, the crucifixion, deposition, resurrection, and ascension.

While Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, Easter remembers the central Christian event his suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection. For Christians, its the story of how Christ died to save humankind from sin, and bring the gift of salvation.

For nearly 2,000 years, those events described in the Bible have been expressed through great European art. The story called the Passion begins a week before Easter Sunday, as Jesus and his followers make a triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Its called Palm Sunday because, as he approached the city, a huge crowd welcomed him by waving palm fronds and shouting joyfully, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest!

But the chief priests and Jewish elders felt threatened by Jesus, so they plotted to arrest him. For 30 pieces of silver, one of Jesus 12 apostles, Judas, agreed to betray him.

Eating his Last Supper with his disciples, Jesus said, One of you will betray me. Anxiously, they asked, Lord, is it I?

As Jesus prayed, Judas arrived with a group of armed men and, as was arranged, identified Jesus with a kiss. Jesus was arrested and the apostles, afraid for their lives, fled.

Easter Bible Verses To Celebrate The Day

Easter Sunday is a highly anticipated occasion. We look forward to dying and decorating eggs, wearing our favorite pastel dresses, and enjoying some insanely delicious food.

Easter Sunday represents rebirth and resurrection, so to honor this occasion, there are various Bible verses to help inspire you during this season. Whether you’re teaching Sunday school, looking for an inspirational Instagram caption, making cards, decorating for a party, or reading the Easter story, these resurrection Bible verses are sure to fill your heart and lift your spirit.

Recommended Reading: Who Is Thomas Nelson Bible

What Does The Bible Say About Easter

Is the origin of Easter biblical? What does the Bible say about Easter? What is the meaning of Easter? Should Christians observe Easter? A brief history of Easter tells us that the name Easter comes from the Anglo-Saxon, Eostre, the name of the goddess of spring. Bunnies are symbols of fertility, while eggs were seen as pagan symbols of death and life.

Origin And History Of The Easter Bunny

29+ Bible Verses For Easter And The Easter Story

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Easter? As a Christian, the first image might be the cross or the empty tomb. For the general public, a blitz of media images and merchandise on store shelves makes it more likely that the Easter Bunny comes to mind. So how did a rabbit distributing eggs become a part of Easter?

There are several reasons for the rabbit, or hare, to be associated with Easter, all of which come through pagan celebrations or beliefs. The most obvious is the hares fertility. Easter comes during spring and celebrates new life. The Christian meaning of new life through Christ and a general emphasis on new life are different, but the two gradually merged. Any animals like the hare that produced many offspring were easy to include.

The hare is also an ancient symbol for the moon. The date of Easter depends on the moon. This may have helped the hare to be absorbed into Easter celebrations.

The hare or rabbits burrow helped the animals adoption as part of Easter celebrations. Believers saw the rabbit coming out of its underground home as a symbol for Jesus coming out of the tomb. Perhaps this was another case of taking a pre-existing symbol and giving it a Christian meaning.

Back in Southern Germany, the first pastry and candy Easter bunnies became popular at the beginning of the nineteenth century. This custom also crossed the Atlantic, and children still eat candy rabbits particularly chocolate ones at Easter.

You May Like: When You Feel Like Giving Up Bible Verses

How Does Easter Connect To Passover

The day before his crucifixion, Jesus observed Passover with his disciples. This event is known as the Last Supper. Passover is the time that Jews remembered their freedom and exodus from Egypt. During this Passover feast, Jesus told his disciples that the bread symbolizes his body that would be broken and the wine, his blood, which would be poured out for the forgiveness of sins . The Last Supper is remembered today in churches and religious services through the act of taking Communion and sharing bread and wine to remember the sacrifice of Jesus.

Jesus was arrested after the Passover meal while he was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was then taken before the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, for trial.

Version Comparisons Acts 1: 1

And about that time Herodes the sovereign put forth his hands to do evil to some from the assembly. And he killed Yaaqo the brother of Yohanan with the sword. And seeing that it was pleasing to the Yehuim, he proceeded further to arrest Kpha as well and they were the Days of Unleavened Bread. So when he had seized him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to watch over him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.

About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.

It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.

Read Also: How To Read The Bible For Beginners

First Council Of Nicaea

This controversy between those who advocated independent computations, and those who wished to continue the custom of relying on the Jewish calendar, was formally resolved by the First Council of Nicaea in 325, which endorsed changing to an independent computation by the Christian community in order to celebrate in common. This effectively required the abandonment of the old custom of consulting the Jewish community in those places where it was still used. Epiphanius of Salamis wrote in the mid-4th century:

the emperor … convened a council of 318 bishops … in the city of Nicaea … They passed certain ecclesiastical canons at the council besides, and at the same time decreed in regard to the Passover that there must be one unanimous concord on the celebration of God’s holy and supremely excellent day. For it was variously observed by people some kept it early, some between , but others late. And in a word, there was a great deal of controversy at that time.

Canons and sermons condemning the custom of computing Easter’s date based on the Jewish calendar indicate that this custom did not die out at once, but persisted for a time after the Council of Nicaea.

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular