Church of God, Beth-EL

Should we observe Easter?

Where does the Holy Bible tell us how to observe Easter?

How does the Holy Bible admonish us to observe Easter?





Where does the King James translation of the Holy Bible tell us how to celebrate Easter?

Jesus Christ instructed us how to keep HIS Passover in Mat. 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:19-20 and John 13:1-15. John 13:15 says “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you”. Not being able to find examples for celebrating Easter in the Holy Bible, we do not believe that the ETERNAL GOD meant for us to observe it, in spite of the teaching of the Roman Church. The god of this world would like for us to continue in this error. We hope that all will research the origin of Easter and come to understand from whence it came.

Encarta Encyclopedia 99 tells us that the word “Easter” probably came from the name of Eastre, the Teutonic goddess of spring and fertility. Her festival was celebrated on the Vernal Equinox with rabbits, a sign of fertility, and colored eggs to represent the sunlight of spring. Easter embodies many pre-Christian traditions. (Mat. 15:3 Why do ye transgress the commandment of GOD by your tradition?) The Roman Church was able to entice pagans to join them because they could keep their traditions and celebrations and not have to change the way that they worshipped.

Encarta also mentions the Passover of the Jews. According to Exodus 12:11---It is the LORD’S Passover. It was instituted for all the tribes of Israel and not the tribe of Judah alone. (Jews)

Acts 12:4 ---Intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. This is the only place in the King James Bible that the word “Easter” is given as the translation of the word “pascha”. (Strong’s # 3957)

In Mat. 26:2,17,18&19; The word “pascha is translated “Passover”. In Mark 14:1,12,14&16; the word pascha is translated “Passover”. In Luke 2:41 & 22:1,7,8,11,13 & 15; the word “pascha” is translated “Passover”. In John 2:13,23-6:4-11:55-12:1-13:1-18:28,39 and 19:14; the word “pascha” is translated “Passover”. In 1 Cor. 5:7; the word “pascha” is translated “Passover”.

In the “New King James”, the “Revised Standard”, the “James Moffatt”, the “New International Version” and the “J. B. Phillips” editions of the Holy Bible the word “pascha” in Acts 12:4 is rendered as “Passover”.

The Church Of GOD, Beth-EL will hold Passover Services using the emblems of bread, wine and foot washing on April 6, 2001 at 7:30 PM at 721 East Campbell Rd. For further information call 615-868-7272. All are urged to obey and worship the ETERNAL with us.

Compiled by N. P. Rust