Why Easter? The question will leave one exhausted and confused by myriad explanations. Let's take a condensed look.
First, the name is explored. “Easter' is of various origins including Anglo-Saxon, German, and Latin. It alludes to the direction: east. In earlier times the general populace much more closely observed the sun and moon than people do today. The world was basically agricultural of necessity; hence, the importance of the certainty of planting time. It was after the northern, spring equinox. The sun determined that. It means that precise day when the day and the night are exactly the same length, so the rising of the sun at a precise point on the horizon signaled the change from winter to spring.
Additionally, there were numerous mythological gods with names close to the word
“Easter.” In many segments of the world they were worshipped as the gods, goddesses of fertility and spring; the word is used one time in the Bible as a mistranslation of the word
“Passover.”
Secondly, how is Easter Sunday determined? It is the first Sunday, following the first full moon following the northern spring equinox. That formula lends credence to its ancient origin being attached to paganism and agriculture rather than a specific time commemorating the resurrection of Jesus like His birth being commemorated on a specific date, Dec. 25th.
Thirdly, what does it mean to us today? In the “Christian” world it is arguably the holiest of all holidays, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus. But to a lesser number of true Christians who are stricter Bible believers, every Sunday is rightfully a commemoration of Jesus’
resurrection. They are mindful of what Paul said to the churches of Galatia in 4:10-11.
Fourthly, did Jesus actually arise on the first day of the week? He did! But it must be remembered that Jewish days are counted from six o’clock to six o’clock p.m. to p.m., which almost always genders the question of what day He was crucified. Doubtless, it was anytime following six o’clock Saturday evening (dawning of the next day). Count backward from there to include three days and three nights, and you will have the answer.
While we may rightfully lament the silliness of a rabbit that lays colored eggs being emblematic of Easter to a lot of folks, I do hope and pray that the observance of the day will bring to their consciousness the real story of a crucified and risen Savior, and the eternal life to be had in Him through repentance and faith.
FOR THOUGHT: Now that you know just how Easter is determined on the Calendar, do you think it is a carry-over from earlier, agricultural times? Do you understand why stricter Bible believing Christians do not get too excited over the holiday, and insist every first day of the week is the Christian Easter?
ECCUMENISM: TWO VIEWPOINTS
“Eccumenism,” what is it, anyway? The word is basically Latin, and means “The whole world” according to several dictionaries. Within the Christian context, it means the idea and/or the movement to bring all of the Christian churches together as one. Protestants see this as universal, and Catholics largely see this as persuading all churches to return to the Catholic fold from which they themselves went astray. Baptists know that Catholics originated by departing from them. They see it as rank heresy; religious baloney, to be avoided at all cost.
The history of ecumenism is interesting, but it is bad. The first ecumenical movement succeeded in society at large in the days of Noah. God destroyed the entire world as a result (except for those on the Ark, of course). But men are sinful, fleshly, and do not learn spiritual truth as those things can only be understood by spiritual people. So, time found the whole populated world in another ecumenical movement at the Tower of Babel. To break it up, God created languages, and the population was segregated to the language they could understand.
The language and scattering of the people accordingly created an effective separation which has served well until recent times.
Today, modern technology has all but eliminated the barrier of language. Modern transportation allows men to be global in bodily presence. Communications are global and instant and for many years world leaders have been working consistently on a “New World (ecumenical) Order.” It is intended to be ecumenical politically, economical y, and religiously.
As nations march steadily onward toward that goal purported to be the apex of man’s existence, but apart from his Creator. Thus, the very idea of individualism and exceptionalism is both abandoned and viewed as antithetical to the desired outcome.
All of this does not bode well for the nations, but it is their determined goal. Still the Creator’s clarion call to all who will hear Him is to “come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord.” 2 Cor. 6:17. Baptist churches stand or fall on their understanding and treatment of the Word. For them ecumenism offers nothing to gain, and everything to lose.
They have stood on God’s truth while Catholic, Protestant, and Neo-protestants left them to go the way of fleshly religion. Doubtless, it will be increasingly harder to stand alone, but by the grace of God some will.
FOR THOUGHT: Presently, the world at large is pulling out all stops to become one.
Ecumenism demands not only the union of many, but the abandonment of principles that separate people. Do you think Christianity has anything to gain, but everything to lose in being at one with the world and its social religions? Why?