The Great Easter Verse Hunt

            Most Bible-professing Protestants are quite shocked when they eventually discover that “Easter” isn’t even in the Bible.   It actually occurs only once in the King James version which was written in 1611 (Acts 12:4). There the word is  substitution for the original Greek word “pascha”; a word which even that very same version correctly translates as “Passover” in every other verse wherein it occurs.  It is not found in other translations, including the most literal and dependable ones.

Additionally, Acts 12:1-4 states that this was during the “days of unleavened bread” (verse 3), a Jewish celebration intimately linked with the Passover. King Herod, in an effort to please the Jews (verse 3), was waiting to kill the apostle Peter, until after “pascha”. In his attempts to persecute the Lord’s church and please the antagonistic Jewish leadership, he was certainly not delaying in support of a Christian celebration, but was instead honoring the Jewish celebration of “pascha” (the Passover), by waiting until it was over to present Peter to the otherwise-occupied Jewish celebrants of Passover – not Easter.

And, even the New King James translators themselves, corrected the previous 1611 version’s “Easter” error, by correctly placing “Passover” back in Acts 12:4. 

Today’s “Easter” celebrations are actually of pagan origin, having originally been a celebration of the pagan goddess of fertility, “Eastre”. Hence the very popular fertility symbols of eggs, bunnies, and yes, what would’ve also been the absolute darling of Darwin’s deluded dreams, the genetically-confused and corrupted crossover: the egg-laying bunny; he which millions of Biblically-unaware Protestants unknowingly purchase, perpetuate, and participate in distributing each spring.

Furthermore, few are additionally aware, that the ancient Catholic Church was completely responsible for seeking to re-create this pagan celebration into its own image, centuries after Christ and His apostles walked the earth and delivered God’s Word. These “Eastre” facts are easily obtainable from countless encyclopedic resources, but obviously not from God’s Word, as “Easter” simply doesn’t exist there.

Jesus told His true disciples (John 8:31-47), precisely how He wanted them to remember Him (Luke 22:14-20); which is exactly what His church specifically came together to do, and does today, “on the first day of the week” (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). This, in accordance with His commandment, simply because they love Him alone, and above, everyone, and everything else on earth (John 14:15-24; Matthew 10:34-39, 22:37).

But Bible-professing Protestants who sincerely wish to honor God’s Word, need to beware that “Easter” as they know and may celebrate it, simply isn’t there; and in fact, has absolutely nothing in common with how the Savior specifically said He wanted His disciples to remember Him (Luke 22:14-20).

Instead, “Easter” is ultimately, intimately, and purely the product of corruptly combined paganism, Catholicism, and commercialism. But please don’t take my word for it – just try to find “Easter” in God’s Word instead. 

And then you may also want to ask yourself, “As a person who really desires to ‘worship in spirit and truth’, what other pagan practices do I participate in, unknowingly accepting them as Biblical truths?” And, “Is God really pleased with such practices?” (Matthew 7:21-27, 15:3-9)

In the Love of God and His Eternal Truth

 Douglas E. Dingley,  Evangelist

  church of Christ (Romans 16:16)