Bible Questions and Answers

Easter has its roots in the Jewish Passover.

Jesus was put to death at the time of the Jewish Passover and raised again on the first day of the week which is Sunday.

Hence, Easter Sunday is an annual commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to eternal life.

Its celebration was disconnected timewise from the Jewish Calendar in the time of Constantine, so it is actually out of sync with the Jewish Passover.

There is no commandment given in the New Testament to observe Easter Sunday, it is a ‘tradition of men’.

Only one observation is commanded in the New Testament and that is for baptised believers to meet often to share bread and wine in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice.

At what is known as the ‘last supper’ Luke records:

Luke 22:15  And he (Jesus) said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: 16  For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 17  And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: 18  For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. 19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Paul explains:

1 Corinthians 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

Believers should use the opportunity to examine themselves

1 Corinthians 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation (condemnation) to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

The early Church found it convenient to meet on the first day of each week and this became a tradition.

Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

1 Corinthians 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

In conclusion, the Christian celebration of Easter (like Christmas) owes more to pagan observations that to scripture.

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn