What does EGW write about...
Ellen Gould White über: "Should Christians celebrate Easter?"
Answer
According to the Scriptures, there is no biblical basis for the specific celebration of the modern Easter holiday, as moving the remembrance to Sunday is considered a human institution without divine sanction. Nevertheless, Christians should use commemorative days, when others forget God, to especially honor the Savior and convey the story of Golgotha. Instead of spending money on useless things, the focus should be on Christ's sacrifice and the upbringing of children toward self‑denial and love for Jesus.
The Origins of the Easter Disputes
»Note 9, page 447 – The bishops of Rome began very early to demand obedience from all churches. A striking example of this is the dispute between the Eastern and Western churches regarding Easter. This dispute arose in the second century. Mosheim says: “The Christians of this century celebrated annual festivals to commemorate the death and resurrection of Christ... The day that was observed as the anniversary of Christ’s death was called the Pascha day or Passover.” Like the Jews, the Christians “celebrated a holy feast in which they distributed a Passover lamb in memory of the holy communion.” The Christians in Asia Minor held this feast on the fourteenth day of the first Jewish month, when the Jews celebrated their Passover... The western churches, however, celebrated the resurrection of Christ on the Sunday after the Jewish Passover... thereby linking the remembrance of Christ’s death with that of his resurrection.«
Using Opportunities to Honor God
»We are dependent on Christ for both spiritual and temporal blessings; we should especially remember the Savior of the world on those days when others forget Him, while they seek to please each other in festivity and thoughtless merriment. We should give Him special honor, with our hope centered on eternal life. Throughout the year, parents should educate their children on how they can honor Jesus through their gifts. They should teach them that Christ came into the world to save lost sinners, and that instead of spending money on unnecessary jewelry, sweets, and trinkets to satisfy taste, they should deny themselves for Christ’s sake, so that they can offer Him an expression of their love.«
Lack of Biblical Evidence for Easter Sunday
»Protestants now claim that Christ’s resurrection on Sunday made it the Christian Sabbath. Yet there is a lack of biblical evidence. Neither Christ nor His apostles gave that day such honor. The celebration of Sunday as a Christian institution originated in that “mystery of lawlessness,” which had already begun its work in Paul’s time. Where and when did the Lord adopt this child of papacy? What valid reason can be given for a change that Scripture does not approve?«
Christ as Our True Passover Lamb
»The slaughter of the Passover lamb was a shadow image of Christ’s death. Paul says: “For we also have a Passover lamb, which is Christ, sacrificed for us.” The weaving of the firstfruits, which was presented before the Lord at the time of the Passover feast, was a type pointing to Christ’s resurrection.«
Participation in Festive Occasions
»Christ did not give Christians the authority to say, when they are invited to a wedding: “We should not be present at such a joyful occasion.” By attending this celebration, Christ taught us that He wants us to rejoice with those who rejoice, in observance of His statutes. He never discouraged humanity’s festivities when they were conducted in accordance with the laws of heaven.«
- Easter origins church history
- Christ’s resurrection remembrance
- Passover feast and Jesus’ sacrificial death
Original Sources (English)
