Easter
It’s always good to hear people talk about Jesus — especially His resurrection. But Easter isn’t a Biblical celebration. In Acts 12:4, the word “Easter” was a mistranslation — it should read “Passover.”
The Gospel is simple: Christ died, was buried, and rose again the third day (I Cor. 15:3-4).
God didn’t authorize Easter — He gave us a weekly memorial on the first day of every week (Acts 20:7). Traditions may feel harmless, but truth comes from God’s Word, not man’s ideas (Col. 2:22).
Glad to hear Jesus talked about? Absolutely. But even better is knowing and obeying the Truth — because that’s the Gospel (I Tim. 2:4).
- Scriptures: Acts 12:4, I Corinthians 15:3, Colossians 3:17, John 20, I Corinthians 15:6, I Corinthians 15:13-19, Galatians 1:8, Revelation 22:18, Acts 20:7, Colossians 2:22, I Timothy 2:4
- “Easter”
Transcript
David Hill: I’m happy when folks talk about Jesus. Many will only use His name as a by word, but for a week in the spring there’s talk about a resurrected Savior. Of the Catholic holidays, this one is in the right time of the year; however, they place Easter on their schedule and not on the Jewish Passover schedule.
It might surprise you, but Easter’s not a Biblical celebration—never mentioned. King James translators mistranslated “Passover” (Acts 12:4), placing Easter in the place of the original Passover.
Just as Paul the Apostle, we are to deliver that which we have received (I Corinthians 15:3): “How that Jesus died for our sins according to the scriptures; that He was buried, and that He rose again on the third day according to the scripture.” That’s it. No other liberty or authority passed what God the Holy Spirit has delivered (Colossians 3:17).
Was Jesus was raised from the dead? Yes, on the first day after Passover (John 20). He was seen by Mary, by Peter, and the other disciples, and afterward by over 500 at one time (I Corinthians 15:6). Without His victory over death, we’d have no hope (I Corinthians 15:13-19). Should Christians rejoice in the resurrection? Every day!
By changing one thing, purity of doctrine is lost—that comes with a very powerful warning (Galatians 1:8, Revelation 22:18). Some say, “Well, I just can’t see any harm in it.” That might be right, but God must have, because He did not institute Easter. He did establish a day of celebration and a memorial feast—every first day of the week (Acts 20:7).
Some will rise early, stand in a graveyard with others, partaking of a memorial feast on Easter, and be absent from the scriptural feast the next Sunday and the Sunday after that, and so on—misled by tradition, which has no value in the eyes of God (Colossians 2:22).
Happy to hear my Lord spoken about as the Savior of the world? Yes indeed. Would to God that all who will talk about Him this week, would come to a knowledge of the truth (I Timothy 2:4). I’m David Hill.
Thank you for listening to One Gospel Minute. Stay in touch with our podcast—on our website, and on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever fine podcasts are distributed. Tennessee Bible College, providing Christian education since 1975 in Cookeville, Tennessee, offers undergraduate and graduate programs. Study at your level. Aim higher. Get in touch with us today.