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
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
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