It is sad, but not surprising, that there
are those in the Lord’s church who would leave the impression with the world
that Christians (the Lord’s church) celebrate “Good Friday” or “Easter.”It simply isn’t so.
I do not believe in the religious
celebration of “Easter” or a “Holy Week.”Yet many people who are not faithful in their "church
attendance" put forth every effort to attend on two “special” occasions
each year, “Christmas” and “Easter.”
Much is made by the religious world
over "Christmas" because it is alleged to be the birthday of Christ.
Many folks attend some special "Christmas service" to honor the Lord.Where in the Bible are we told that Christ's
birthday is December 25th? Where does the Bible authorize us to celebrate the
birthday of Christ? The Bible is silent in regard to these matters.
Likewise, where are we told to
celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ in a “once a year” fashion?God’s word is silent in regards to this
matter also.
The connection we have with Christ’s
resurrection is found in Romans 6:3-5
which states:
“Or
are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized
into his death?We were buried therefore
with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the
dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.For if we have become united with [him] in
the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of his
resurrection…”
Some will say, “The bible mentions Easter.”The Greek word "pascha" is found 29 times
in the New Testament and 28 times it is translated "passover." The
one exception is the unfortunate KJV rendering of "Easter" in Acts 12:4.The King James translators were wrong.When correctly translated
"Passover" in Acts 12:4,
and understood correctly, a number of days are meant, not just one.The passage refers not to Passover day, but
to the whole celebration of Passover which lasted eight days.It was merely a convenient reference to a
particular time in the year, after which Herod could proceed to execute another
apostle without offending Jewish sensitivities; after all, the purpose of
seizing Peter and planning his execution was for Herod to endear himself to the
Jews.
God's Word does authorize members of
His body to remember our Lord’s death as we partake of the Lord’s Supper while
worshipping Him in spirit and in truth (Matthew
26:26-28; I Corinthians 11:23-29; John 4:24). This is to be done every first
day of the week, and not merely once-a-year (Acts 20:7, 2:42).
The Lord's Supper was instituted to
remember Christ's death, but nothing was instituted to remember his
resurrection. Does it matter? Yes!
If we wish to glorify God, then we need
to glorify Him in the way that He instructs (John 4:24), and not in a manner that we like (Matthew 15:8-9). Religious Easter celebrations, sunrise services,
and the like are the invention of men and not the will of God.