Easter or Passover?

[AbbysAunt]

Greeting To You Brothers and Sisters in Our Lord Jesus,

As Easter approaches I once again find myself questioning as to why so many fight over to celebrate or not celebrate. In my own family it has become somewhat of a sore spot due to family members wanting the best but acting in ways that show otherwise . Every year in my family it becomes a struggle around the times of Christmas and Easter. We are constantly told that if we celebrate these days we are doing paganistic things and not honoring our Father in Heaven. It' not just us that suffer this either its even my extended family as well. It's sad to say that it's become to hard to enjoy these holidays at all anymore and why is that...because there is to much arguing over what we should or shouldn't celebrate.

Now I will agree on the fact that Jesus did not go into Jerusalem to find brightly colored eggs or to see the easter bunny! He went to partake of the passover and it was during the passover that He willingly laid down His life and become our Passover Lamb that would make it possible for us to have salvation and death to pass us over.

John13:1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world,He loved them to the end.

I can also agree that once upon a time Easter was a time of celebration in honor of the false goddess Eastre who was to pagans at the time the goddess of spring, that being said lets take a look at what God has done over the years and who is victorious over all. In the Ten Commandments God tells us that we are not to have any other gods before Him.

Exodus20:1-3 And God spoke all these words, saying; I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.

To many Easter is dishonoring God because we attach His name to a day that was once meant for false gods, but I would like to ask everyone this. Who is it that is thought of now on Easter and who has made this day His? Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior took what was once meant for pagan gods and made it about Him. We come together to Honor Him and Thank Him for the gift of eternal life and for willingly dieing for us. He has made it clear that there are no other gods before Him on this day or ever. We don't come together thinking about false gods, but instead we focus on the one true King of Kings and Lord of Lords Jesus Christ. Whether we celebrate Passover or Easter this one true fact remains. Both are in respect, honor and praise of our Lord Jesus Christ and what He has done for us. As spring approaches and we once again get ready to celebrate Jesus lets not fight over who is right or who is wrong, but instead come together as the body of Christ and agree that we are putting Jesus first not only on these special days but always. He Has laid down His life so that we might live and He was raised by the power of God and sits at His right hand. Praise God He has risen and we are saved! We are free because of Him! This is what we are celebrating, this is what Jesus has done.

So it is with love that I say to each of you right now Happy Easter, Happy Passover, Happy Resurrection Day! God bless you each and everyone now and always.

 

[james1523]

Col 2:16 "Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day."
Col 3:23 "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men".

Whether we celebrate Easter or not, Christ should be our first and foremost enjoyment.

 

[Eddy Fire]

and Greeting To You @AbbysAunt Sister in Our Lord Jesus,
james1523 quoted above from Colossians 2:16
but I think you'll find that that verse or statement by Paul by the Holy Ghost is saying do not allow it to be that anyone would judge your christianity or faith by you keeping certain rituals or observing days etc
in other words, anyone -
non believers
'weak' believers that are mentioned
milk believers as Paul refers to
and even more 'seasoned believers

but I think (if I have permission to say so) that it refers to the people caught up in the world

our actions and life is a witness to the Lord
keeping events like new moons
sabbaths
eating and drinking this or that at certain times or
abstaining from it etc
are things that others might see us do and then make a judgment that because we Christians do it, it is therefore what Christians do

does that make sense?

too often people as well meaning as they might be and some even appearing to be strong in the Lord or knowledgeable in Scripture or Doctrine use this verse/statement as an excuse to do things without worrying,
suggesting that the attitude should be
do worry what other people think

which as nice and as suitable as this might sound
is wrong

I appreciate very much your heartfelt desire to do easter and do so to the glory and praise of God if possible
I too have often felt the same way in times past
I remember my first easter as a Christian -
it felt like I now knew what easter was all about and I could celebrate it with meaning!
It was deep for me and personal and yet everyone else just did their thing as always, Christians included
it reminded me more of a time or mourning when a close loved on dies and you stop but the world keeps on turning and nobody feels it like you do

Don't let others get you down sister, me included, but do allow the Lord to get you down if it is His will - this means only this - if the Lord will reveal something to you that stops you in your tracks and even pops up a turn around, you're going the wrong way sign up to you, if He gets you to that special place of the knees and that before Him and His Cross and then -

to see that all this easter time is not a turn on to Him and that you and your love to Him is dear to Him, that you would even want to come before Him, how special you are to Him Who loves you, sister
and to be able to find peace that not doing easter is OK
and as far as I can see
it is best not to

there are lots of reasons that can be offered as to why not and you have probably heard and read a lot yourself
it is a concern though to consider why we do thinks that we do
some things we do because that is just the way people do things
often we don't even ask ourselves why we do certain things and when we think about it we find it quite strange that we do some things

quite off the topic of easter and passover
I will give you an example
birthday candles?
why do we do it?
ummmm????
look it up sister. it really is quite freaky!

so in this greeting to you I would encourage you to seek Him, lean not on your own understanding and He will lead you and guide you -
remember that the fact you seek Him is special to Him, Jesus Christ our Lord

 

[james1523]

Yes I believe Paul is talking to people who don't keep the special days, and saying.. don't let those who keep the special days.. condemn you for not keeping them. This would have been the religious pharisees, the Jews.. forcing their customs on the gentile believers. They are only a shadow.. the reality is Christ.. then he says.. why do you follow the worldly customs? Col 2:20 "Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:"

Christ would say to us.. why do we keep the worldly customs? Then He says.. set your mind on heavenly things.. we are seated with Christ in the heavens.

Paul is definitely not approving of the keeping of special days.. He says quite strongly that we should turn from these things that are only a shadow.

But Romans 14:1 also applies.. don't judge those weak in faith...some of us keep special days, others not.. we are not their judge or master, Christ alone is their judge and master. Romans 14:22 says we are blessed if we don't doubt.. so it is a blessing not to have to keep the traditions of man.. but at the same time don't cause each other to stumble, by insisting that they follow the same as you do.

If we keep Easter, then do it wholeheartedly as unto the Lord.. and if we don't.. then don't keep it, as unto the Lord. There is no condemnation in Christ.. so don't feel guilty about keeping Easter, and don't feel guilty about not keeping Easter.

 

[B-A-C]

Sometimes ignorance is bliss. We always celebrated Easter as a child. Oh, we had eggs and chocolate, but the primary reason we celebrated was the resurrection of Jesus.
I was in my late 20's when I heard some of the pagan origins of Easter. But now I couldn't even tell you what they were anymore.

This is similar to a post jiggyfly posted not long ago in another thread.

Basically it was something like, the non-Christians of the world have taken away certain holidays from us. All Saints eve is now Halloween.
Christmas is rapidly becoming "Xmas" or "Happy Holidays" or "Happy Merchandizing day".
So if we can take one back from them, I say turn-about is fair play. Celebrating, lent, passover, even Christmas all are good things. But, celebrating a risen savior...
now's something to celebrate!!!

 

[Eddy Fire]

let's do it every day
work, rest or play

for me I don't give a hoot what the non-christians are doing brother @B-A-C
and I want to add to AbbeysAunts love and passion for the Lord and strongly recommend that all Christians always keep the Lord in mind and heart and soul and let Him alone be your hope and strength
I don't put one day aside for it cos that wouldn't fit for me
everyday
all the way
and looking for His return
He is Risen!

11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Titus 2:11-15

and I don't mind if you call me peculiar!

 

[AbbysAunt]

Hello Eddy Fire

What you said makes plenty of sense, but let me clarify I haven't done the easter eggs, easter bunny or things like that associated with Easter for many years. In fact I have been celebrating Passover with my family for quite sometime and have found it a blessing. What the post was meant to say was that it's not up to anyone to judge someone for how they choose to celebrate. We should leave judgement up to God Himself. He knows our hearts better than anyone ever could.

I honor Jesus and Jesus only He is my Lord and Savior and by His grace and mercy I am saved. He is not dead but has risen and through Him we will never thirst or hunger again and we will live eternally with Him in Heaven. I thank you and the others that have responded to the post. God bless you all!

 

[brodav9]

In the adult level Encyclopedias, the proof of Pagan origin od Easter is that it is the name of the Roman worshiped goddess Easter. The going to the hills to watch the rising of the sun ---they went to the groves, was the resurect of the Pagan god her husband. All this relating to the Spring solstace.

The Easter bunny and fertility was her bringing birth to things of nature.

My conviction is to stay in the house and partake of the bread and the cup. I will worship God in Spirit and in truth and study his word. Deut. 6:4 He is one God and Lord.
The concept we need to understand is the same as when a man lusts for a woman in his heart it is as he commited the act. If we allow other gods in our heart it is called spiritual harlotry. Everything the world does is without Christ, they are not saved. Rom. 12:3 says be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may do the will of God.

One reason why there is a division among Christians is because they have opinions and not obey God's word. We are under grace not the curse of the law. That is why we are more responsible to do God's will. Only the Holy Spirit can lead us into all truth Jn.16:

Our youth today are snared by peer pressure, what will others think. The most intense peer pressure will be standing before many angels , saints, and God when he asks us why we
disobeyed his word. That is why if we find the way by someone telling us the truth it is love. We will be forever grateful if they delivered us from error.

 

[Hekuran]

Paul is definitely not approving of the keeping of special days.. He says quite strongly that we should turn from these things that are only a shadow.

Paul did keep special days. He made a special effort to get back to Jerusalem in time for the Passover For the few days that Paul was free in Jerusalem he appear to have kept quiet - not making any public statements until his arrest. But he did undergo purification ceremonies.

Acts 21:18

The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present.Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow.Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law.

​

Given that Paul did nothing to attract attention to himself, the most natural explanation for him rushing to Jerusalem and purifying himself was that he considered it an important part of his worship.

In any case he certainly did not stand to one side saying that he disapproved of special days.

 

[james1523]

Thankyou for your insightful post. Paul was certainly a Jew, living like a Gentile (Gal 2:14), but tried to keep the Jews happy. Well, didn't help much since the Jews came and persecuted him anyway (vs 27 onwards). For Gentiles, Paul says "Gal 4:10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years."

 

[Eddy Fire]

Hello Eddy Fire

What you said makes plenty of sense, but let me clarify I haven't done the easter eggs, easter bunny or things like that associated with Easter for many years. In fact I have been celebrating Passover with my family for quite sometime and have found it a blessing. What the post was meant to say was that it's not up to anyone to judge someone for how they choose to celebrate. We should leave judgement up to God Himself. He knows our hearts better than anyone ever could.

I honor Jesus and Jesus only He is my Lord and Savior and by His grace and mercy I am saved. He is not dead but has risen and through Him we will never thirst or hunger again and we will live eternally with Him in Heaven. I thank you and the others that have responded to the post. God bless you all!

and may God bless you now and always sister @AbbysAunt
in Jesus name

all love and blessing and peace and joy with hope be yours

 

[brodav9]

I hope you see that I'm not trying to argue with you but sharing some things that may help you see a point trying to make. Here is a example.

If you went to church on a Sunday and a sister said to you, I'm going to get a abortion tomorrow . I believe it is okay. There is a lot of things you will think or do.

1. You will judge her. First in your mind perhaps. 2. You would want to correct her or show her it is not right with God. Your concern would be for the baby and then her. Some where you may think the devil is at work. She may have a scripture she is believing that tells her it is okay.

Why would you care, what tells within you you should help her?

In 1Cor. 7:40 Paul says 3 words-- after my judgement. Then he says he thinks he has the mind of the Spirit. God wants us to judge righteous judgement. In our consciences it comes natural to judge things that are right and wrong. Christians are successful because they care about many things.

Through prayer we change many things. Anything we don't agree with is based on judgement.
I applaud those who are seeking to please God and obey his word. Not just because I am a minister but because God wins every time his people do good.

There are scriptures which show that those who show one the error of their ways will save a soul out of the fire. Jesus is called our pass over. 1Cor 5:7. Easter is a Pagan goddess. Celebrate is total blessed by the bread and the cup. To have the Jewish pass over as long as we know we are not required to but want to enjoy it's meaning is up to us.

We are free to do anything we want, but I believe I have the Spirit, worship him in love and thanks giving. and obedience. God bless.