Truth Magazine

By Hoyt H. Houchen

“Ye observe days, and months, and seasons, and years. I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain” (Gal. 4:10, 11). The foregoing statement of Paul to the churches of Galatia refers to Mosaic regulations such as. Sabbaths, new moons, festivals, annual atonements, sabbatical years, and jubilees. These observances had been abolished (Col. 2:14-17). “The bond written in ordinances” which was taken away, is obviously “the law of commandments contained in ordinances” referred to by Paul in Eph. 2:15. “God has completely obliterated the document with its legal demands.”(1) Judaizers, however, had successfully enforced some observances of the old law upon the Galatians (4:10), although they had apparently failed to bind circumcision at the time of Paul’s writing.

The return to these “weak and beggarly rudiments” (Gal. 4:9) upon the part of Paul’s readers was a most discouraging factor, and it indicated that they had more zeal and interest in observing Judaistic regulations than in serving Christ. He feared that he had bestowed vain labor upon them. Lenski properly points out: “Paul’s work would certainly be in vain if all that it would eventually accomplish would be to make the Gentile Christians exchange their old pagan elements and observances for the old abrogated Jewish elements and observances.”(2)

A problem of man has ever been to place his unholy hands upon that which God has made sacred and holy. And, every case of man’s refusal to submit to what God has enjoined (e.g. Nadab and Abihu, Lev. 10:1,2), or, every instance where man relegates a command of God to the non-essential (e.g. baptism, Mk. 16:16) illustrates this truth. But this problem of man is also seen in reverse; that is, man has made holy that which God has never made holy. So, he either makes unholy that which God makes holy, or he makes holy that which God does not make holy. Both acts are sinful; man stands condemned in either or both cases. Those whom Paul addressed were guilty of the latter sin for they were making days, months, seasons, and years a matter of religious observance. The rites, ceremonies with respect to feasts, new moons, Sabbath days etc. were not to be observed under the law of Christ, but some were attempting to revive them. But, while many today may not attempt to revive such dead ordinances, they institute the religious observance of such days as Palm Sunday and Easter, the subjects of this article.

Palm Sunday

This is the name usually gives to the last Sunday of Lent (the Fast period observed before Easter by Catholics and many Protestants); it is named in commemoration of Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem when the multitude took branches of palm trees (emblems of victory) and went forth to meet Him (Matt. 21:1-11; Mk. 11:1-11; Jn. 12:12-16). The date of its first observance is uncertain.(3) “In the Greek Church Palm Sunday was apparently observed as early as the 4th century. The writings of the Greek fathers contain allusions to the celebration of this day. In the Western Church there are no signs of the observance of it during the first six centuries.”(4) So, although the time of its first observance is uncertain, it evidently originated with the Greek Church.

Various procedures are employed in religious services on Palm Sunday. A description of how some of the Catholic Churches of the West observe this special day is given in the following: “A procession is formed, the members of which issue from the church carrying branches in their hands, and singing a hymn, suited to the occasion, of very ancient origin. In the Greek Church the book of the Gospels is borne in front. In some of the Catholic countries of the West, a priest, or occasionally a lay member, was led at the head, mounted upon an ass, in commemoration of Christ’s entry into the city-a usage which still exists in some parts of Spain and Spanish America. Before the party returns to the church the doors have been closed, and certain strophes of the hymn are sung alternately by the choir within the church and by the procession without, when, on the subdeacon’s knocking at the door, it is again thrown open, and the procession re-enters. During the singing of the Passion in the solemn mass which ensues, the congregation hold the palm branches in their hands, and at the conclusion of the service they are carried to their respective homes, where they are preserved during the year.”(5)

History asserts that the 4th century is as early as Palm Sunday was observed, so it is obvious and significant that this special day is not of New Testament origin. Its observance is therefore without scriptural authority.

Easter

The word “Easter” appears one time in the King James Version. Herod (Agrippa I), having killed James with the sword, imprisoned Peter, “intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people” (Acts 12:4). “Easter” is both inconsistent and erroneous upon the part of the translators of the King James or Authorized Version. “In the earlier English Versions Easter had been frequently used as the translation of pascha. At the last revision Passover was substituted in all passages but this.”(6) Pascha appears 29 times in the Greek New Testament, 28 times it is translated “Passover,” but this one time it is “Easter.”

To Pacsha, the Greek words in Acts 12:4 and translated “Easter” in the King James Version, have no connection whatsoever with the religious observance of what is known today as “Easter.” Arndt and Gingrich define the Greek words To Pascha in Acts 12:4 as simply “the Passover (Festival).”(7) The following by W.E. Vine is significant: “Pascha, mistranslated “Easter” in Acts 12:4, A.V., denotes the Passover (R.V.). The phrase ‘after the Passover’ signifies after the whole festival was at an end. The term Easter is not of Christian origin. It is another form of Astarte, one of the titles of the Chaldean goddess, the queen of heaven. The festival of Pasch held by Christians in post-apostolic times was a continuation of the Jewish feast, but was not instituted by Christ, nor was it connected with Lent. From this Pasch the Pagan festival of Easter was quite distinct and was introduced into the apostate Western religion, as part of the attempt to adapt Pagan festivals to Christianity.”(8) So, the word “Easter” in Acts 12:4 (AV) is an inconsistent and erroneous translation, and which regretfully has influenced many to falsely assume that the religious observance of Easter is of divine origin.

The observance of Easter as a religious holiday is of pagan origin. ” ‘Easter’ ” is a word of Saxon origin, and imports a goddess of the Saxons, or rather, of the East, Estera, in honor of whom sacrifices being annually about the Passover time of the year (spring), the name became attached by association of ideas to the Christian festival of the resurrection, which happened at the time of the Passover: hence we say Easter-day, Easter Sunday, but very improperly; as we by no means refer the festival then kept to the goddess of the ancient Saxons.”(9) The idea of Easter eggs came to us from ancient Egypt and Persia. The eggs are a sign of new life, handed down by legend that they are laid by the Easter rabbit on Easter eve. Churches are often decorated with white lilies, a symbol of purity and light. The cross is used as a reminder of the religious significance of Easter.

The first celebration of Easter in church history is dated back to the 2nd century. By the 8th century, Anglo-Saxons had adopted the name “Easter” to designate the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. “While there is reason to suppose that Easter had been honored from early in Christian history, the first definite record of its celebration is in connection with a visit of Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, to Anicetus, bishop of Rome, in 154 or 155.”(10) A belief that Easter was observed by the New Testament Church would be nothing short of mere supposition. “The ‘first day of the week,’ the Lord’s Day, was the regular, weekly commemoration of our Lord’s resurrection. It is more than doubtful if there was an annual commemoration (‘Easter’) in Apostolic times.”(11)

Bitter controversies arose after the 2nd century as to when Easter was to be celebrated. Jewish converts in particular insisted that it be on the 14th of their month Nisan, regardless of what day of the week it would occur. The Romans and some parts of the East contended that it was always to be on Sunday. So, the question was whether the time for the celebration would always be on Sunday or the 14th of Nisan, whichever day of the week it would happen to be. But the problem became more complicated when a dispute arose in about 167 A.D. as to whether the celebration was to be on the 14th or the 15th of Nisan, some contending that the death of Christ took place on the 14th while others maintained that it was on the 15th.(12) The long dispute was one of the principal reasons for the convening of the council of Nicea in 325 A.D. A uniform day was decided upon by the council-that Easter should be observed on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox.(13) Easter would fall in future years on any Sunday from March 22nd to April 25th. But the decision of the council did not settle all differences. Although the Roman Catholic Church and many Protestant denominations observe the date decreed by the council of Nicea, the Eastern branch of the Catholic Church has another date for the observance of Easter.

In no uncertain terms the apostle Paul denounced all unauthorized religious days and seasons such as Easter, Lent, Good Friday, Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, and Christmas. He strongly wrote, “Ye observe days, and months, and seasons, and years. I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain” (Gal. 4:10, 11).

Christians observe every first day of the week, the Lord’s day, by assembling for worship and engaging in those acts which are authorized by the Lord. This day is a memorial of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the Lord’s Supper is a memorial of His suffering and death for our sins.

There is not one scintilla of divine authority for such unscriptural holy days as Palm Sunday and Easter. Thousands of people throughout the world observe these days and seasons with zeal, promptness, and precision, while at the same time, they reject God’s commands to obey the gospel by being baptized for the remission of their sins and living daily the kind of lives in harmony with the will of Jesus, the Son of God. They observe unauthorized days, but reject divine commands. Remember, it is sinful to make holy that which God did not make holy, and it is sinful to make unholy that which God made holy. How much vain labor of divine teaching is bestowed upon those who pursue either or both of these ways! They are the ways which seem right to men, but they are the ways of death (Prov. 16:25). May we never be guilty of making any day or season holy which God has not made holy, and may we be equally sure that we never relegate any of God’s commands to the realm of the unholy.

Truth Magazine XXII: 1, pp. 14-16 
January 5, 1978

By O. C. Birdwell

The New Testament writers completed their work during the first century. Anything that originated after the first century must be discussed from the viewpoint of secular or uninspired history. Exception to this would be the foretelling by inspired men of events that would come to pass, such as the apostasy foretold by Paul in Acts. 20:28, 30. The modern day celebration of Christmas is not found in scripture. It is essential for us to look elsewhere if an article is written on the subject. In view of the extensive acceptance of the day as a holy day it seems imperative that we write on the subject. Also, we were asked to do so by the Editor!

An account of the birth of Christ is found in scripture. The event was prepared, prophesied, and presented in historical reality through the almighty power of God. While affirming the reality of the birth of Christ, we remind the reader that the birth is ,not synonymous with “Christmas.” The word “Christmas” is defined as, “lit., Christ’s mass.” “Mass” is “a sequence of prayers and ceremonies forming the Eucharist office esp. of the Latin rites . . . . a celebration of the Eucharist.”(1) There is no such celebration in scripture relating to Christ’s birth. It all came into being this side of completion of the New Testament. Christmas did not, therefore, originate with inspired men.

New Testament Observances

Before his death, Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper to be eaten in His memory and in the kingdom (Matt. 26; Mk. 14; Luke 22). After the church was established disciples began immediately the practice of “breaking bread” in their worship assemblies (Acts 2:42). The church at Troas came together on the first day of the week to break bread (Acts 20:7). Paul gave detailed instructions about the communion (1 Cor. 11). This observance related to the death, not the birth, of Christ. It was observed on the resurrection day, the first day of the week. The practice of eating the Lord’s Supper on each first day was authorized by inspired men, practiced by first century Christians, and continued for two or three hundred years before anyone ever practiced or heard about the practice of an observance of the birth of Christ. There is no indication of an accepted feast of Christ’s birth until the fourth century. The acceptance at that time was by those who had no faith in the final authority of the New Testament.

Historical Accounts of Christmas (1) Some hold to a Gnostic origin. It is affirmed that Christmas originated with the Basilidians of Egypt.(2)These people were Gnostic disciples of Basilides who in the second century began observing January 6th as the date of Jesus’ baptism. Later, this same day, January 6th, began to be regarded in the East as the time of Christ’s birth also, since they affirmed him to be exactly 30 years old when he was baptized.(3) Luke affirmed that he was about 30 years old when he began to teach (Lk. 3:23). There are at least three things wrong with this theory of the birth of Christ. First, there is no scriptural proof that January 6th was the baptism date of Jesus. Second, the time Jesus began teaching was when he was about thirty. This does not mean that he was baptized and began to teach on his birthday. In the third place, even if both the baptism date and birth day could be established, there is no indication from scripture that they are to be regarded as religious feast days, or days of special worship.

(2) Others hold that Christmas was the transformation of pagan festivals. Schaff lists the festivals as, “the Saturnalia, Sigillaria, Juvenalia, and Brumalia-which were kept in Rome in the month of December, in commemoration of the golden age of universal freedom and equality, and in honor of the unconquered sun, and which were great holidays, especially for slaves and children.” In a footnote he describes these festivals . in the following words: “The Saturnalia were the feast of Saturn or Kronos, in representation of the golden days of his reign, when all labor ceased, prisoners were set free, slaves went about in gentlemen’s clothes and in the hat (the mark of a freeman), and all classes gave themselves up to mirth and rejoicing. The Sigillaria were a festival of images and puppets at the close of the Saturnalia on the 21st and 22nd of December, when miniature images of the gods, wax tapers, and all sorts of articles of beauty and luxury were distributed to children and among kinsfolk. The Brumalia, from bruma (brevissima, the shortest day), had reference to the winter solstice, and the return of the Sol invictus.”(4)

As one can see even from the quotations given, the earliest and greatest corruptions of the church Jesus built came about through the injection into the organization, worship, and work, foreign and scripturally unknown elements. There was a tendency to mix with the pure religion of Christ the pagan superstitions and ceremonies. This was done, seemingly, in order to make the religion of Christ less offensive to the world in general, and to get them to accept Jesus as the Christ. When the mixing was done, however, the only result was a corrupted and perverted gospel. The church developing out of such a marriage of paganism and Christianity cannot be the one Jesus built. It is an apostate body. The Roman leadership in this corruption and apostasy has some forty special holy days in a year. Of these observances Benjamin Franklin says, “Protestants are patronizing them in this, and recognizing their holy days, and at the same time making nothing of celebrating the suffering of our Lord, on the first day of every week, as all history assures us was the practice of the first church!”(5)

(3) There were many later additions to Christmas. Many of these were taken from the pagan practices. We are told of old English Christmas festivals as follows: “It was customary to light candles of large size, and to lay upon the fire a huge log, called a Yule clog or Christmas block, a custom not yet extinct in some parts of England. Yule (from huel, a wheel) was a sunfeast, commemorative of the turn of the sun and the lengthening of the day, and seems to have been a period of pagan festivals in Europe from ancient times.”(6)

The Puritan William Prynne (1600-1669), tells us about the Christmas celebration in his day and also gives his attitude toward it. “Our Christmas lords of misrule, together with dancing, masks, mummeries, stage players, and such other Christmas disorders, now in use ‘with Christians, we derived from these Roman Saturalia and Bacchanalian festivals, which should cause all pious Christians eternally to abominate them.” During the same period as Prynne, John Selden, described as a man of “stupendous learning in all kinds and in all languages,” paid his respects to the Christmas celebration. He said the dishes most in vogue were formerly, for breakfast and supper on Christmas eve, a boar’s head stuck with rosemary, with an apple or orange in the mouth, plum porridge, and minced pies. Eating the latter was a test of orthodoxy, as the Puritans conceived it to be an abomination; they were originally made long, in imitation of the manger in which our Lord was laid.(7)

More could be presented about the origin and development of the Christmas celebration. This should suffice to show it is not from the Bible. Truly it is an unscriptural holy day!

Conclusion

Concluding remarks maybe should be made about what, if anything, Christians may do during the Christmas period, that is done by those who celebrate Christmas. May a family get together during the season and exchange gifts? May they have a large turkey dinner? May they decorate a tree? If these things can be done with the understanding that Christ’s birthday is not being celebrated and that they are not related to our worship and service to God, this writer has no objection. People are known to wear new clothing on “Easter Sunday” who do not observe annually the resurrection of Christ. Just remember that Christmas must not become a special holy day to us. It is not in scripture. The most that can be said for the day is that in a time of appalling unbelief it is gratifying to know that so many still, at least, believe in Christ’s birth!

Truth Magazine XXII: 1, pp. 13-14
January 5, 1978

By John Brandt

“The Lord’s day is the day on which Crist rose from the dead. It is the day on which he broke bread with the apostles. It is the day on which the Holy Ghost descended from heaven. It is the day on which salvation was first preached to the whole world. It is the day on which repentance, baptism and remission of sins were first preached in the name of Christ. It is the day on which the first church of Christ was established. It is the day on which the apostles and primitive Christians met, to read the Scriptures; to observe the Lord’s Supper; to offer prayers, and participate in the various religious privileges. It is the day on which the apocalypse was revealed to John on the isle of Patmos. It is a day filled with hallowed memories of sacred events. It is a day filled with hallowed memories and sacred events. It is a day of rest and worship. It is a day of joy, praise, thanksgiving and fellowship. This day as we remember, in partaking of this Supper, that Christ died for us, and that the Son of righteousness rose for our justification, let us ask God to keep us faithful and steadfast in thus showing forth His death and resurrection until the glorious day of eternity shall dawn upon us, and we shall have that unspeakable privilege of sitting down at the table of the Lord, with the loved ones who have gone before, in that everlasting kingdom.”

Truth Magazine XXII: 1, p. 12
January 5, 1978

By George T. Eldridge

The words “the Lord’s day” are found only once in the scriptures (Rev. 1:10). The author of the book of Revelation is God Himself, who “sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John” (Rev. 1:1). God’s bond-servant is the apostle John. He was one of Jesus’ most intimate earthly friends and was selected by the Lord with two other disciples to be present on a high mountain when He “was transfigured” and “Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him” (John 20:2; Mt. 17:1-3). John was the disciple whom Jesus “loved” (John 19:26). While on the cross, Jesus spoke to John these words concerning His mother, “Behold, your mother” (John 19:27). Therefore, the responsibility of Jesus’ mother became the obligation of John.

The Lord’s Day

It is quite certain that when John uses the expression “the Lord’s day,” he is using it as we use it. As I have said, this is the first passage in God’s Word where there is any mention of “the Lord’s day.” “The Lord’s day” is the first day of the week, commonly called today Sunday.

The word here translated “Lord’s” occurs only twice in the Bible: Rev. 1:10 and 1 Cor. 11:20, where it is applied to the Lord’s Supper. The word “Lord’s” comes from the Greek work kuriakos and properly means pertaining to the Lord. The Lord’s day, the first day of the week, means a day pertaining to the Lord because He claimed it as His own and had set it apart for His own service. Also, the first day of the week was designed to commemorate some important event pertaining to Jesus and was observed in honor of Him.

It is clear, (l) That this refers to some day which was distinguished from dl other days of the week, and which would be sufficiently designated by the use of this term. (2) That it was a day which was for some reason regarded as peculiarly a day of the Lord, or peculiarly devoted to him. (3) It would further appear that this was a day particularly devoted to the Lord issue; for …. (a) if the Jewish Sabbath were intended to be designated, the word Sabbath would have been used. The term was used generally by the early Christians to denote the first day of the week. It occurs twice In the Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians (about A. D. 1011, who calls the Lord’s day “the queen and prince of all days.” Chrysostom (on Pa. exia.) says, “It was called the Lord’s day because the Lord rose from the dead on that day:” Later fathers make a marked distinction between the Sabbath and the Lord’s day; meaning by the former the Jewish Sabbath, or the seventh day of the week, and by the latter the first day of the week, kept holy by Christians . . . . No one can doubt that it was an appellation given to the first day of the week; and the passage, therefore, proves (l) that that day was thus early distinguished in some peculiar manner, so that the mere mention of it would be sufficient to identify it in the minds of those to whom the apostle wrote; (2) that it was in some sense regarded as devoted to the Lord Jesus, or was designed in some way to commemorate what He had done; and (3) . . . the observance of that day had the apostolic sanction (Albert Barnes, Barnes on the New Testament, Revelation, p. 491.

Therefore, the Lord’s day means beyond all reasonable doubt the first day of the week, which we call Sunday. “From Ignatius onwards, we have a complete chain of evidence that” the Lord’s day was “the regular Christian name for the first day of the week” (The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 22, Revelation, p. 5).

In the Spirit

This state of mind, emotions, feelings, and thoughts should be experienced by all honest and good hearts, especially born-again individuals, when the first day of the week arrives! This means God-fearing people will have the right attitude and correct manner of thinking on Sunday so as to be in church services. At church, we have the (1) observance of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7), (2) giving of one’s money into the church treasury based on his prosperity (1 Cor. 16:1-2), (3) singing of praises to God through congregational singing (Col. 3:16), (4) preaching of God’s Word (Acts 20:7), and (5) stirring up of one another to love and good works by our presence (Heb. 10:23-25).

John could not be in church services on the first day of the week, Sunday. He was on the Isle of Patmos, having been banished there under the persecution of Domitian, Emperor of Rome. Being “in -the spirit,” John recalls the usual church services. He had the spirit of true devotion. Though on that desert island, John was in a religious enjoyment state of mind to devote Sunday to the worship of God and to the honoring of the risen Savior. What a rich spiritual influence the soul enjoys when “in the spirit on the Lord’s day.”

The Attitude Seen Today .

You seldom hear Sunday called “the Lord’s day.” The conduct of too many individuals, even some baptized believers, is that the first day of the week is their own personal day to do with as they choose. Some churches encourage this attitude by disbanding all Sunday services during certain months of the year or having church services on another weekday instead of Sunday, “the Lord’s day.”

Where is the Lord’s day for many? Their reply1s in their behavior! No church services for me! It is my own personal day for activities such as these:

1. Sleep-late day.

2. Be-at-the-cottage-on-the-lake day.

3. Return-from-weekend-activities day.

4. Wash day.

5. Overhaul-the-car day.

6. Free-will-to-work-overtime-at-the-factory day.

7. Mow-the-lawn day.

8. Roof-the-house day.

9. Paint-the-house day.

10 Clean-the-house day.

11. Hunting day.

12. Fishing day.

13. Golfing day.

14., Go-visit-relatives day.

15. Stay-at-home-with-company day.

16. Only-day-I-have-to-work-on-the-farm day.

17. Only-day-I-have-to-rest day.

18. Mother’s day.

19. Father’s day.

20. Tour-the-country day.

21. Boat-racing day.

22. Hot-rod day.

23. A-loaf-and-take-it-easy day.

24. Football day.

25. Baseball day.

26. Read-the-Sunday-paper day:

27. Adinfinitum.

Also, the Lord’s day has become the “Too-Hot Day” or “Too-Cold Day” or “Too-Rainy Day” or “Pain-in-the-Body Day” instead of “in the spirit on the Lord’s day.” They use Sunday for their own personal selfish interest and gratification.

Final Word

God permits you to decide how you will treat “the Lord’s day” and whether you will “be born again.” “Yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:17). Believe the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 8:12). Be “in the spirit on the Lord’s day.”

Truth Magazine XXII: 1, pp. 11-12
January 5, 1978