When Does The Bible Say We Are To Celebrate Jesus' Resurrection?

The Bible says that Jesus was crucified to save the world from sin.  It says that He was buried in a borrowed tomb.  It says He arose from the dead three days later.  But, what does it say about when, or whether Christians are to celebrate His resurrection?

First, the Bible says Jesus arose on the first day of the week (Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-6; Luke 24:1-7; John 20:1-9).  It was on the first day of the week that the disciples came together to worship God, which included taking up a collection for the needy saints (1 Corinthians 16:1-2), and partaking of the Lord's Supper (Acts 20:7-11).  In Acts 20:7-11, Luke tells us that the disciples came together on the first day of the week for the purpose of partaking of the Lord's Supper. Paul points out that a primary reason for the worship assembly is to partake of the Lord's Supper (1 Cor. 11:20-34; For more on how we know the passage in Acts 20 has reference to the Lord's Supper, see Greatest Worship, pp. 2-3 and What Does God Require Of Us In Worship).  The purpose of the bread and grape juice in the Lord's Supper is to commemorate the body and blood of Jesus given on the cross for the forgiveness of sins (Matt. 26:26-28; 1 Cor. 11:20-30).  So, it is clear that the first century Christians met each first day of the week to celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

What does the Bible say about a yearly celebration of Jesus' resurrection?  In a word, the answer is nothing!  There is no Biblical example of Christian participation of a yearly observance.  The word, "Easter," is found only once, in the King James Translation, and has reference to the Passover, not the resurrection of Christ.  The first reference to  a Christian observance of Easter, as the Lord's resurrection of Christ is in the second century.  The holiday has pagan roots.

Since there is no scriptural authority for a yearly celebration of Jesus' resurrection, either by the name of "Easter," or any other designation, it should be avoided.  Instead, Christians should celebrate Jesus' resurrection on the day he arose, the first day of the week, as did the first century Christians, as recorded in the Bible.  Now that is a celebration day we can count on!

L. John Bost
Strasburg Church of Christ

Great Is The Mystery Of Godliness

Paul writes in 1 Timothy 3:16, "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."  This is a summary of the true story of Jesus.  Paul says it is "without controversy."  Truly it is without legitimate controversy.  Many try to make it controversial.   It was a "mystery" at one time, but the new Testament clears up that mystery (Ephesians 1:8-12) .

Paul writes that "God was manifest in the flesh ."  God was manifest in the flesh in the "Word" which "was made  flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14).  John writes that ".... the Word was with God, and the Word was God."  Paul writes, "Jesus .... existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped" (V. 6, ASV).  So, the Word, which was God, became flesh and dwelt among us in the form of Jesus.  Jesus is God.  Thus Paul writes of "the mystery of Godliness."

As God in the form of man, Jesus lived a sinless life.  Everything that He did pleased God (Matthew 3:16-17; 17:5).  As God is without sin, so is Jesus without sin (2 Cor. 5:20-21; Heb. 4:15).  He had to be to be the sacrifice for our sins. God gave His sinless  Son to die for sinful man.  What love (Rom. 5:1-10)!    He was seen of angels when he needed them for comfort and encouragement, as when he was tempted of the devil (Matt. 4:1-11).

The sinful world need such a one to die for them.  And, they needed the Gospel, the Good News, of  salvation.  So, he was preached in to all the world (Luke 24:46-48).  After He had done His work here, he ascended back to the Father from whence He had come, to one day return for those who have heeded His word (Acts 1:9-11).

One day He's coming back. The question is, "Are you ready?"

The story, the true story, that God became flesh in the Person of Jesus, lived a sinless life so that He could die  in the place of sinful man, ascended back into heaven, is preached on in the world, and will one day come back for his own is truly a great story!  Do  you believe it?  Those who truly do will be with Him forever (John 3:16-17; 1 Thes. 4:14-17).

L. John Bost
Strasburg Church of Christ

Does God Require Us To Worship?

There is a wide variety of views as to what God requires in worship.  Many believe that God does not require His people to assemble to worship.  The  Pew Research Center  says 39 percent of Americans attend religious services at least once a week.   But Paul writes, Hebrews 10:25, that we are to worship, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."  The inspired writer, of course, is right.  Paul might write today, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of most is...."!  About 61% of Americans need to heed the word of God's inspired writer.  

The worship service gives us many benefits.  It gives us the opportunity to learn, and be encouraged by God's word and His people.  It gives us the opportunity to teach and encourage God's people (See Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).  It gives us an opportunity to have fellowship with God's people.  Last, but certainly not least, it gives us the opportunity to worship our Creator.  The word, worship, means to give what one is worth.  God is worthy to receive "glory and honour and power" because He has "created all things...."  His Son is worthy to receive  "wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing"  (Rev. 4:11; 5:12). 
And, as we have seen in Hebrews 10:25, they are worthy to receive all of this in the worship assembly.  The example of God's early church is to worship on the first day each week (See Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2.)  On our calendar, that is Sunday.

For what God requires us to do in worship, see our web site:  The Strasburg Church of Christ

L. John Bost

Intelligent Design Or Blind Chance?

Ever since Charles Darwin published his book, Origin Of The Species, in the 1800's, scientists have been trying to prove that man evolved from an ape-like creature.  The idea is that all things evolved slowly over millions of years  by blind chance.  The idea that all things, including man, came into existence by an intelligent Creater is not even considered to be a tenable possibility to most of them.  I say most because there are actually hundreds of scientists who do believe in intelligent design.

But, is there an intelligent designer out there?  Did we evlove from an ape-like creature by blind chance? Truely, all one has to do is look around him with an honest eye to answer that question!  One can see design everywhere. Paul writes, Romans 1:20, "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse."  The inspired writer says that the Creator can be seen in the Creation.  Or, the Designer can be seen in the Design!  For more go to our web site:  Intelligent Design Or Blind Chance?

L. John Bost