Introduction Millions of people are going to Catholic, Protestant, or non denominational services to celebrate the annual celebration of Easter today. When our religious neighbors, friends, or family hear that we don’t, they may ask why. This morning we will study where Easter came from, who it was instituted by, and why we as a church can’t celebrate it from the Scriptures. (2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Thess. 5:21-22)

Easter Has Pagan Origins “The English term, according to the Ven. Bede (De temporum ratione, I, v), relates to Estre, a Teutonic goddess of the rising light of day and spring, which deity, however, is otherwise unknown” (Catholic Encyclopedia)Ven. Bede Van Bede is a historian of the Catholic church who lived from c A.D. The Catholic Encyclopedia admits that the English term of Easter relates to a goddess and not the God of heaven.

Easter Was Instituted by Man, not Christ There was There was much division in the church in the second and third centuries about which day to observe Easter. “The First Council of Nicaea (325) decreed that the Roman practice should be observed throughout the Church. But even at Rome the Easter term was changed repeatedly.” (Catholic Encyclopedia)Council of NicaeaChurchRome But “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace as in all churches of the saints”. (1 Corinthians 14:33)

Easter Was Instituted by Man, not Christ After the New Testament was completed, Easter began to be observed by the church. “Perhaps the earliest extant primary source referencing Easter is a mid-2nd century Paschal homily attributed to Melito of Sardis, which characterizes the celebration as a well- established one. [21] ” (Wikipedia) homilyMelito of Sardis [21] Even if it did begin in the 2 nd century, it was a departure from the pattern of partaking the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week. (Acts 20:7)

Easter Was Instituted by Man, not Christ Christ’s rule, authority, and dominion is far above man’s and He is head over all things to the church (Ephesians 1:20-23). The apostle Paul warned about the apostasy that would come in which one would display himself as being God (2 Thess. 2:3-8). Jesus said, “Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, and do not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46)

We Can’t Celebrate Easter by Faith Faith comes by hearing Faith comes by hearing God’s word and without it we can’t please God (Rom. 10:17; Heb. 11:6). We believe that Jesus rose from the dead on the 3 rd day because of what the Bible says. (Luke 24:46; 1 Cor. 15:1-4) Christians were commanded to remember His death on the 1 st day of the week. (Matthew 26:26; 1 Cor. 11:23ff; Acts 20:7) But where does the Scripture approve of a religious observance of Easter?

We Can’t Celebrate Easter by Faith But some will contend that Easter is in the Bible in Acts 12:4. “ And when he had apprehended him (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.” (KJV) But the Greek word “pascha” is always translated Passover in the New Testament. Even Albert Barnes, a respected Presbyterian commentator, admits the truth.

“There never was a more absurd or unhappy translation than this. The original is simply after the Passover, meta to pasca. The word Easter now denotes the festival observed by many Christian churches in honour of the resurrection of the Saviour. But the original has no reference to that; nor is there the slightest evidence that any such festival was observed at the time when this book was written. The translation is not only unhappy, as it does not convey at all the meaning of the original, but because it may contribute to foster an opinion that such a festival was observed in the times of the apostles.” (Albert Barnes- Acts 12:4)

We Must Not Compromise the Truth Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for forsaking God’s command for their tradition (Matt. 15:3) and many are doing the same thing with Easter. The Lord commanded that we remember His death on the first day of the week and men are forsaking that for the yearly tradition of celebrating a man made holiday called Easter. Let us obey God’s command to contend earnestly for the faith and not compromise like some churches of Christ are doing or we won’t be approved by God (Jude 1:3; 2 John 1:9-11).

Our Worship must be in spirit and truth and if it is not, our worship is in vain. (John 4:23-24; Matthew 15:9)

Conclusion The facts bear witness that Easter is without divine authority, therefore faithful members of the Lord’s church do not celebrate this tradition. If you have practiced Easter as a religious observance, consider the Scriptures & examine them because we will be judged by them in the Last Day (John 12:48; Matthew 7:21-23). You can be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (John 3:5; 2 Cor. 6:2; 1 Peter 1:3; 3:21). Why not obey the gospel today? (2 Thess. 1:7-10)