"Easter" is not a religious
celebration found or commanded in the Bible. The King James Translation's
mention of "Easter" in Acts 12:4 is a clear indication (and
error) of the translators, reflecting their denominational bias. The
word translated "Easter" is from pascha, which means "Passover,"
and is so translated in every other New Testament occurrence (Mt.
26:2, 17-19; 1 Cor. 5:7; Heb. 11:28; etc.). Unfortunately, for many
people "Easter" Sunday is only one of the few-if not the
only-day of the year they attend worship service. That being said,
this day does provide an opportunity for us to examine the practical
application of the Lord's resurrection to us.
The resurrection of Christ is central to Christianity! However, it
has no positive practical application to us unless we "connect"
with it. Listen to the words of Paul: "Know ye not, that so many
of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like
as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father,
even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5For if we have been
planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in
the likeness of his resurrection" (Rom. 6:3-5). In the same context,
Paul says, "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants
to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto
death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17But God be thanked, that
ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that
form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18Being then made free from
sin, ye became the servants of righteousness" (Rom. 6:16-18).
Have you died to sin? Have you been buried in the watery grave of
baptism? Have you risen to walk in newness of life? Have you been
baptized into Christ? If not, why?
©Brian Kenyon |
