1. Easter Sunday Human Holiday, not Holy Day!

2. THESE ARE NOT THE SAME! 1 Cor. 15:4, 12-20 Acc. to ScriptureAcc. to Scripture Preaching is truePreaching is true Faith is realFaith is real True witnessesTrue witnesses Freed from your sinsFreed from your sins Dead will liveDead will live No pityNo pity C HRIST IS R ISEN! No Scripture Unknown to NT saintsUnknown to NT saints Not instituted by Christ or apostlesNot instituted by Christ or apostles Not in NT (not even in Acts 12:4, KJV)Not in NT (not even in Acts 12:4, KJV) 1st historical reference in 155 AD1st historical reference in 155 AD N O E ASTER IN NT ! 2 B ELIEF IN R ESURRECTION B ELIEF IN E ASTER

3. “There is no indication of the observance of the Easter festival in the New Testament or in the writings of the apostolic fathers. The sanctity of the special times was an idea absent from the minds of the first Christians.” “There is no indication of the observance of the Easter festival in the New Testament or in the writings of the apostolic fathers. The sanctity of the special times was an idea absent from the minds of the first Christians.” (The Encyclopedia Britannica, 14th ed., II:859) Easter Unknown in NT Times 3

4. Resurrected on 1 st day of week, Mark 16:9Resurrected on 1 st day of week, Mark 16:9 Resurrection proclaimed & His church established on the 1st day of week, Acts 2:1, 24-32, 36, 41, 47Resurrection proclaimed & His church established on the 1st day of week, Acts 2:1, 24-32, 36, 41, 47 Regular worship on the 1st day of week, Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2Regular worship on the 1st day of week, Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2 The Lord’s day, Rev. 1:10The Lord’s day, Rev. 1:10 First Day of the Week Worship Honors Christ’s Resurrection 4

5. “The ‘first day of the week,’ the Lord’s Day, was the regular, weekly commemoration of our Lord’s resurrection. It is more than doubtful if there was an annual commemoration (‘Easter’) in Apostolic times.” (James Hastings, Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, Grand Rapids: 1973, II:133) First Day of the Week Worship Honors Christ’s Resurrection 5

6. “The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?” -Matthew 21:25 “The (celebration of Easter)—where is it from? From heaven or from men?” Easter is a Man-Made Religious Holiday 6

7. Convergence of Three Particular Events Jewish PassoverJewish Passover “Christian Passover”“Christian Passover” Pagan festival of Spring (festival of goddess Eastre)Pagan festival of Spring (festival of goddess Eastre) 7

8. An Historical Addition “There is no trace of Easter celebration in the NT.” H. Porter International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Volume II, page 889 8

9. “While there is reason to suppose that Easter had been honored from early in Christian history, the first definite record of its celebration is in connection with a visit of Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, to Anicetus, bishop of Rome, in 154 or 155.” “While there is reason to suppose that Easter had been honored from early in Christian history, the first definite record of its celebration is in connection with a visit of Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, to Anicetus, bishop of Rome, in 154 or 155.” (Williston Walker, A History of the Christian Church, New York: 1950, p. 64) Only Supposition that Easter was Always Observed 9

10. Man-made feasts require man-made rules (Col. 2:8; Gal. 4:10-11)Man-made feasts require man-made rules (Col. 2:8; Gal. 4:10-11) Council of Nicea (325 A.D.) fixed the “Christian Passover” on SundayCouncil of Nicea (325 A.D.) fixed the “Christian Passover” on Sunday Rules adopted in 7th century which fixed the annual dateRules adopted in 7th century which fixed the annual date Differences over date remain between Eastern & Western ChurchesDifferences over date remain between Eastern & Western Churches When to Observe Easter? 10

11. First called the “Christian Passover” (Col. 2:16-17; Gal. 5:3)First called the “Christian Passover” (Col. 2:16-17; Gal. 5:3) By the 8 th century, “Easter” adoptedBy the 8 th century, “Easter” adopted “Originally a Saxon word (Eostre), denoting a goddess of the Saxons, in honour of whom sacrifices were offered about the time of the Passover. Hence the name came to be given to the festival of the Resurrection of Christ, which occured at the time of the Passover.” (Easton’s Revised Bible Dictionary) The Name “Easter” 11

12. “Modern-day Easter is derived from two ancient traditions: one Judeo-Christian and the other Pagan. Both Christians and Pagans have celebrated death and resurrection themes on or after the Spring Equinox for millennia. Most religious historians believe that many elements of the Christian observance of Easter were derived from earlier Pagan celebrations.” (Easter: Origins, Meanings, & Current Practices, religioustolerance.org/easter.htm) Blend of Paganism & Apostasy 12

13. Eastre: Saxon goddess of spring & fertilityEastre: Saxon goddess of spring & fertility Festival celebrated on vernal equinoxFestival celebrated on vernal equinox –Customs used to help new converts more easily adapt to their new faith –Customs used to offer a corresponding incentive for people to convert The pagan influences of the goddess Eastre & the apostate observance of the so-called “Christian Passover” blended to produce modern-day EasterThe pagan influences of the goddess Eastre & the apostate observance of the so-called “Christian Passover” blended to produce modern-day Easter Blend of Paganism & Apostasy 13

14. The Religious Holiday “Easter” is Held Without Bible Authority Religious celebration of Easter is from man, Matt. 21:25Religious celebration of Easter is from man, Matt. 21:25 No NT pattern (authority) for it, Heb. 8:5; Col. 3:17No NT pattern (authority) for it, Heb. 8:5; Col. 3:17 Only pattern for it is human tradition, Gal. 4:10-11; Col. 2:20-23; Matt. 15:8-9Only pattern for it is human tradition, Gal. 4:10-11; Col. 2:20-23; Matt. 15:8-9 It is a perversion of the gospel of Christ, Gal. 1:6-10It is a perversion of the gospel of Christ, Gal. 1:6-10 14

15. Apostles did so with divine blessings – 19:11-12Apostles did so with divine blessings – 19:11-12 Imposters tried to invoke the name of the Lord without success – 19:13-16Imposters tried to invoke the name of the Lord without success – 19:13-16 The name of the Lord was magnified (celebrated) – 19:17The name of the Lord was magnified (celebrated) – 19:17 15 Calling on the Name of Christ Without His Approval Acts 19:11-17

16. 1 st day of week worship approved by heaven – Acts 20:71 st day of week worship approved by heaven – Acts 20:7 –True worship celebrates the name of the Lord! – Jno. 4:24 (Acts 19:17) Easter worship approved by men but is rejected by heavenEaster worship approved by men but is rejected by heaven –Easter does not celebrate the name of the Lord! 16

17. Be Content with God’s Way 1 Peter 4:11 Worship in spirit & in truth, Jno. 4:24Worship in spirit & in truth, Jno. 4:24 Distinguish between religious traditions of men & divine will of God! - Prov. 14:12Distinguish between religious traditions of men & divine will of God! - Prov. 14:12 Uphold all the truth:Uphold all the truth: –Resurrection of Jesus Christ –True worship Oppose all error – 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 4:2-4Oppose all error – 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 4:2-4 17