•Should Jesus followers celebrate Easter religiously?

Where’s B.C.V.???

•Is man free to make his own religious laws?

•Why did Jesus rise from the dead?

• Easter Sunday Is From Man Not God– The Roman Catholic apostasy started this to

appease unrepentant pagans they encountered almost 1700 years ago.

– The Pagan Chaldeans, Egyptians, Teutons, celebrated a spring festival in honor of Ishtar, Ostern (Anglo-Saxon “Eastre”) in honor of the goddess of spring and light.

– 325 A.D. Council of Nicea, Set Date 1st Sunday after the first full moon after the Vernal Equinox (March 21st) So, Easter early as March 22 or late as April 25th

• Easter Sunday Is From Man Not God– But what about Acts 12:4?– “Pasha,” 29 times in N.T. 28 times in KJV

“Passover” …Other versions NIV, NKJ, NASB, ASV, RSV All say Passover.

– There never was a more sad and unhappy translation than this. The original is simply, “after the passover”. (Barnes)

– “There is no trace of the Easter celebration in the New Testament” (ISBE pg. 889)

• True Christians Do Not Oppose:– The Resurrection of Christ – 1 Cor. 11:23-ff

• Proclaim this every week - Acts 20:7

– Remembrance of the Resurrection - 1 Cor. 11

– Preaching of the Resurrection -1 Cor. 15:1-4; Acts 4:2; 17:18; Rom. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:3; 3:21

• Why Oppose EASTER?– Every Act Of Worship Must Be Authorized!

Mt. 28:20; Col. 3:17; 2 Thes. 2:15; 2 Jn. 9– Most Catholics & Protestants Admit Easter Is Not

Part Of N.T. Worship!

2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3; 1 Cor. 4:6– Easter Is A Tradition Of Man & Makes True

Worship Void And Vain (John 4:24)!

Mt. 15:8-9; Gal. 1:8-9

• Purpose of Christ’s Resurrection:– Deliver Us… Gal. 1:4; Jn. 3:14-16– Destroy Power of Death…

Heb. 2:9, 14; 1 Cor. 15:42-48, 50-57– Reconcile, Justify Us…

Col. 1:21-22; Rom. 4:25– Repentance & Rem. Of Sins Preached…

Lk. 24:46-47

But Nothing About Easter!

• Christ’s Resurrection Assures Us:– Jesus Is The Son Of God!

Rom.1:4; Mt.12:39-40– We Have A Living Hope!

1 Pet. 1:3; 2 Tim. 1:10– We Will Be Raised!

1 Thes. 4:14; Jn. 5:28-29– We Will Meet God In Judgment! Acts 17:30-31

But Nothing About Easter!

•What Is Your Reaction To The Resurrection?•Jesus wants you to react in obedience to the Gospel!•You can be saved from sin if you…

Believe the Gospel message – Mark 16:16Repent of Sin – Acts 2:38Confess Jesus – Romans 10:10Are Baptized – 1 Peter 3:21

--Live Faithful Till Death – Rev. 2:10