Bible Study The Death and Resurrection of Jesus, was is on Easter?

[Bro.Tan]

It has been taught that Jesus died on Good Friday and rose early Sunday morning. As a result of this teaching, man instituted the holiday called Easter. On Easter Sunday you have Christians, world wide paying tribute to a day, in which they believe Jesus, was resurrected. In researching the scriptures one will find that the whole concept of Jesus dying on a Friday and being resurrected on Sunday is contrary to the bible itself. In other words, this tradition directly contradicts the word of God. This lesson will examine the history of Easter, and then investigate the Bible concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Easter Created By Man

Before we get into the death and resurrection of Jesus we need to address history of Easter itself. We will also take a look at the symbols of Easter: rabbits and eggs. What does rabbits and eggs have to do with the birth of Jesus? Furthermore, when did rabbits start laying eggs? Additionally, we will look at the history of Easter sunrise service, lilies, candles, and hot crossed buns. If you research Easter in most encyclopedias, you will see that Easter has many customs and legends that are pagan in origin and have absolutely nothing to do with Christianity.
Easter was named after Eostre (sometimes spelled Eastre), the great Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring, fertility, and new life. Similar Teutonic dawn goddesses of fertility were known variously as Ostare, Ostara, Ostern, Eostra, Eostur, Eastra, Eastur, Austron and Ausos. Her name was derived from the ancient word for spring: "eastre." Thus it is easy to see how "Eastre time" became "Easter time".
Easter Sunday falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after March 20th, the nominal date of the Vernal (sometimes referred to as spring) Equinox. This is the day (or period of days) in spring when the days and nights are of approximately equal length. This is a time of celebrating new life, the resurrection of nature from the dead, and it has typically featured fertility rites, merrymaking, and usually centers on orgiastic sexual activities. In ancient times there were the sacrificing of virgins, the worship of fertility gods and goddesses.

Pascha (Greek: Πάσχα), also called Easter, is the feast of the Resurrection of the Lord. Pascha is a transliteration of the Greek word, which is itself a transliteration of the Aramaic pascha, from the Hebrew pesach meaning Passover. A minority of English-speaking Orthodox prefer the English word "Pasch."

The Mystery Of The Egg Laying Easter Rabbit

Since ancient times, pagans have worshipped rabbits as sex and fertility gods, and have looked upon them as symbols of lust, sexual vigor and reproduction. Let's take a look at some examples.

In the traditions of Egypt and Persia there are such rabbit gods and they were particularly honored during spring. The symbols of the Norse Goddess Ostara were the hare and the egg. Both represented fertility. Dyed eggs also formed part of the rituals of the Babylonian mystery religions. Eggs were sacred to many ancient civilizations and formed an integral part of religious ceremonies in Egypt and the Orient.


Dyed eggs were hung in Egyptian temples, and the egg was regarded as the emblem of regenerative life proceeding from the mouth of the great Egyptian god. The Orphic legend of the origin of the Universe has the Earth being hatched out of an enormous egg. In a broad range of pagan societies, from Egypt and Mesopotamia to the British Isles, brightly-decorated eggs were (and still are) presented as gifts and charms to bring (supernaturally) fertility and sexual success each spring.

Easter Sunrise Service

The Easter sunrise service, that is practiced in many Christian churches, can be traced back to the ancient pagan custom of welcoming the sun god at the vernal equinox - when daytime is about to exceed the length of the nighttime. It was a time to celebrate the return of life and reproduction to animal and plant life as well. Worship of the sun god at sunrise is the religious ritual condemned by the Lord as recorded in Ezekiel 8:15-18.

Ezekiel 8:14 Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD'S house which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz.

Ezekiel 8:15-18 Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these. And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD's house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east. Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose. Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them.

 

[Bro.Tan]

Other Easter Symbols

The Easter lily has long been revered by pagans of various lands as a holy symbol associated with the reproductive organs. It was considered a phallic symbol. Easter candles are sometimes lit in churches on the eve of Easter Sunday. However, this practice can be directly linked to the pagan customs of lighting bonfires at this time of year to welcome the rebirth/resurrection of the sun god. During Easter, some eat hot crossed buns during meals. At the feast of Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon fertility goddess, an ox was sacrificed. The ox's horns became a symbol for the feast. They were carved into the ritual bread. Thus originated hot cross buns. The word "buns" is derived from the Saxon word "boun" which means "sacred ox." Later, the symbol of a symmetrical cross was used to decorate the buns; the cross represented the moon, the heavenly body associated with the goddess, and its four quarters.

Is The Word Easter In The Bible?

Now that we have firmly established the pagan history of Easter, we will look at it from the perspective of the bible. The scriptures will show that Easter is a tradition implemented by man. The word Easter appears in the bible one time and one time only. The following verse is the one that makes reference to Easter.

Acts (12:4) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
Now an individual may see this, as the legitimizing of the holiday Easter. After all one sees it being referred to in the bible. However, if we look at the verse directly above this one, it points to the fact, that the period being referred to is actually the Passover.
Acts (12:3) And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
Verse (3) states that when Peter was taken it was the days of unleavened bread. One can determine that the time they were going to bring forth Peter was the Passover, by looking at the following verses. In them one will see that the Passover is the day preceding the Feast of Unleavened Bread not Easter. In addition the verse in John, states that it was a Jewish custom that the Romans would deliver unto them one at the time of the Passover.

Leviticus (23:5) In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord's passover. (23:6) And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the Lord: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. John (18:39) But you have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
One will not find that its observance is supported by the bible. And that is because, Easter itself is supposed to be a commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus. And Jesus told us to commemorate His death, not His resurrection. Luke (22:19) And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. In reading chapter 22 of the Gospel of Luke one will find that Jesus asked this of His disciples during the Passover meal. The Passover is what Jesus asked us to observe to remind ourselves that He died for us not Easter. Jesus asked us to commemorate the Passover. He was not only to die on the Passover, He became our Passover.

 

[Bro.Tan]

Jesus Gives A Sign

Jesus was always being inquired of by the Jews for a sign. He gave them one in reference to His death and resurrection. He told them that just like Jonas, He would be in the earth 3 days and 3 nights. In the Gospel of John Jesus again gave the Jews a sign by telling them if this temple was destroyed He would raise it up in 3 days. Jesus was referring to His body. (Matthew 12:38) Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

So we are going to pretend Jonas wasn't in the belly of a whale.Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three night. (Jonas 1:17)

Let's take another look at it (John 2:18) Then answered the Jews and said unto him, “What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?” (19) Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. (20) Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? (21) But he spake of the temple of his body.
Jesus makes it clear the time between His death and resurrection would be 3 days and 3 nights.

Cannot Get 3 Days And 3 Nights

Now despite the fact that Jesus Himself said that He would be in the grave 3 days and 3 nights, man has come up with the tradition of Jesus dying on Good Friday and rising early Sunday morning. In following this tradition, not only does one not observe one of God's Holy Days, which is the Passover, they directly deny the words of Jesus. It was Jesus who gave the sign of being in the grave 3 days and 3 nights. The tradition of Good Friday and Easter clearly does not line up with scripture. Because following this tradition the maximum one has Jesus in the grave is 1 day and 2 nights.

According to tradition, if Jesus had died on Friday, He would have been in the grave Friday night, Saturday day and Saturday night. One would not count Sunday because in John (20:1) it states that the 1st day of the week which is Sunday, Mary came to the grave site when it was still dark. In Luke (24:1-6) They find that the stone which was placed in front of the sepulcher had been removed and an angel tells them that Jesus had already risen.

How They Say It Happened

Tradition Man - Good Friday to Easter Sunday Morning

SU M T W TH F S
Days 1
Nights 1 1


(John 20:1) The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. (2) Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

 

[Bro.Tan]

In (Luke 24:1) Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. (2) And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. (3) And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. (4) And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

(5) And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
(6) He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
When Did Jesus Die?

The following verses will serve to show that Jesus died on the Passover. It states in Mark (15:42-45) that on the evening of the preparation day, which is the day before the Sabbath, Joseph a counseller asked for the body of Jesus. Once Pilate determined Jesus was dead, he gave him the body.

Mark (15:42) And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation day, that is, the day before the Sabbath,

(43) Joseph of Aarimathaea, an honourable counseller, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.
The above scriptures are where the problem lied with the early church trying to interpret the events of the bible. One should take note, that what the majority of modern day Christians practice or follow come directly from the Roman Catholic Church. You had non spiritual people trying to decipher events that were spiritual. Since the scriptures stated, that the preparation day, was the day before the Sabbath, they automatically assumed this event took place on a Friday, because they knew the Lord's Sabbath was from Friday evening to Saturday evening. That is how they came up with the concept that Jesus died on Friday and He rose early Sunday morning. What they failed to take into account were the Lord's Holy Days or as they are also called High Sabbaths. There are seven yearly Sabbaths, and they, with the exception of Pentecost, can fall on any day of the week. At the beginning of this lesson, it was explained in Leviticus (23:4) that the Passover which is the 14th of the month, is the day before the feast of Unleavened Bread, which is a Holy Day or A High Sabbath. The Passover is sometimes referred as the preparation day because they used this day to prepare for the feast. The Feast of Unleavened Bread is the Sabbath which was being refereed to in Mark 15:42) when it was stated that Joseph craved the body of Jesus. Jesus had been crucified on the Passover and the next day was the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Jesus foretold when His death would occur. Also by Jesus being the Passover himself, Jesus had to come off the cross because, Sundown bring in the feast of unleavened Bread. Let’s take a look and see in John 19: 31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

(Matthew 26:1) And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, (2) Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.
Now remember God's days start at evening and end the next evening. Keep that in mind as you view the next set of scriptures. Jesus had been betrayed by Judas the evening of the Passover. John 13 tells how Jesus and His disciples, that evening, were sharing the Passover meal. John (18:3) shows that same evening; Jesus was betrayed and taken away. It was still nighttime when they took Jesus, because the men that came and took and bound Him had lanterns and torches.
Jesus was crucified the next day but it was still the Passover. Remember God's days run from sundown to sundown. Jesus had been taken into custody the night of the Passover and the next morning which is the day of the Passover, He was condemned and crucified.

The following verses deomonstrate how Pilate was willing to release Jesus the morning after he had been taken in to custody. It was still the Passover. We all know the Jews refused and Jesus was crucified.

(John 18:39) But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? (40) Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

Remember Mark (15:42) Joseph craved the body of Jesus the evening of the Passover. Now one can see that this was towards the end of the Passover.
3 Days And 3 Nights

The scriptures explain how Jesus was in the earth 3 days and 3 nights just as He had foretold.
How It Really Happened


3 Days And 3 Nights
SU M T W TH F S
Days 1 1 1
Nights 1 1 1


In looking at the previous scriptures one should now have a better understanding, as to what took place. Jesus didn't rise Sunday night nor Sunday morning. Remember Mary did not come to the Grave site until the first day of the week which is Sunday, when it was yet. (John 20:1) "The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulcher", And it was early in the morning and it was still dark. But Jesus had already risen. That's because Jesus went into His grave right before the end of the Passover or Wed. evening. The passing of the Passover brought in the Feast of the Unleavened Bread.

 

[Bro.Tan]

So Jesus would Have been in the Grave Wednesday night, Thursday daytime and Thursday night, Friday daytime, Friday night, Saturday daytime and Jesus rose right before the sun went down on Saturday. Hence one has the 3 days and 3 nights which Jesus prophesied.
His death Wednesday night is consistent with the comment of the prophet Daniel, stating the Messiah would be cut off (killed) in the midst of the week.

Daniel 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week (Wednesday is the middle of the week) he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, (Remember, Jesus is the sacrificial Passover Lamb).

Jesus gave us a sign, he didn't put in order. Stop trying to put it in order as you read Jesus saying it. The event didn't happen in the order Jesus is saying it in Matthew 12: 38-40). Now from the prophet Daniel we see Jesus died in the midst (Middle) of the week, so the night came first, then follow by the daytime.

I am sure there will remain those who feel that there is nothing wrong in observing Easter, because they believe that it is the spirit in which one does something that is important. Again my purpose is not to antagonize. It is only to cause you, to carefully examine the doctrine and practices, which you are following. By researching the scriptures one can ensure, that their doctrine lines up with the word of God. Having said that, Jesus told us to worship in spirit and the Lord gave everyone specific instructions how to do that. Those instructions are contained in the Holy Bible, for it contains the word of God. If any one follows a doctrine or operates in a spirit that is contrary to the scriptures, that doctrine and spirit they are following, are contrary to God.

In I John (4:1) it tells you to try the spirits Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. How does one try the spirits? By the word of God. By operating in the so called spirit of things, people worship God in ways that can not be supported or substantiated by the bible. They do this while still not observing God's commandments. Observing the Passover is a commandment from God Leviticus (23:5).

People world wide observe so called religious holidays in the name of Christ but none of these are supported by the bible. This lesson hopefully showed that one of them, Easter, is no more than a tradition established by man. Again try the spirits, for if one can follow practices not supported by the bible, yet not do what is written in scripture, they are operating under a strong spirit. And that spirit is contrary the word of God.
Peace to all who seek the truth in Jesus name.

 

[miamited]

Hi Bro.Tan

I am sure there will remain those who feel that there is nothing wrong in observing Easter, because they believe that it is the spirit in which one does something that is important

Yes, I am one who believes the Scriptures when they tell us that God knows our hearts. In my household for Easter, there is no rabbit and there are no colored eggs to be found. No Easter baskets with plastic colored strands filled with candy and eggs. Around here, Easter is all and only about the celebration of the resurrected Lord. That God has given us a sign through the resurrection of His Son, that He is able and will resurrect every one of us who strive to emulate the life that Jesus exampled for us. But just as with Christmas, the dying world creates an 'alternative' reason for these days. That's what the world does. It's what the world has always done. The vast and great majority of the world is not going to do anything that celebrates anything that God has done among us because... well, because they don't know God. It is absolutely true that man's heart is wicked, who can know it?

But as I say, I firmly believe that God knows our hearts. He knows who is honoring His Son through the Easter celebration and who is not. I'm going to leave that up to Him. But just as He did with the Jew, God has established that certain celebrations, festivals and observance of special days are in keeping with His will for us. In the old covenant days, God told the Israelites to celebrate Passover as a lasting ordinance to remember the days in which He brought Israel by the hand out of Egypt. A great and glorious time for the Jew to honor that work of God was established by God to be observed as a memorial and remembrance of those days. Personally, I consider the birth (Christmas) and the resurrection of our Lord (Easter) to be days of far greater significance to our faith than the remembrance of God bringing the Israelites out of Egypt.

So, God knows our hearts. He knows if one celebrates these 'festival' days in honor of Him and His Son. He also knows those who are among us but get caught up in the false world understanding of these days. God knows our hearts. For me, rather than trying to tell people not to honor these days because the world has made it some ungodly thing. I would encourage that everyone do celebrate these days but celebrate them as unto the Lord. Don't buy into the Easter egg, Easter basket and pretty Easter dresses as the reason for the day. We celebrate the day as a commemorative of remembrance of what Jesus has done for us and what God has done in raising him from the dead. I believe that God honors such a heart.

God bless,
Ted

 

[miamited]

Hi again Bro.Tan

Of course the other matter of any significance is that when believers celebrate these days, it gives them an excellent opportunity to share the message of God's love for us through the Christ of God. So, even though the world may mean to turn these days into days of wicked debauchery, God's people can use them for His glory. Just as Paul spoke to a group once about their statue to an unknown god and used that statue to proclaim 'who' that unknown god that they had for years worshipped, was. Now christians can use these days of Easter and Christmas to talk with our unbelieving friends and family and say, "Hey, can I take a minute to tell you why these days are really important to us?" Boom!!! You're off sharing the gospel of Christ because there was Easter and Christmas. The whole world celebrates these two days and we can use them to turn others to the truth of what those days, for christians, is really all about.

So, do keep in mind that we can use sometimes the wicked things of the world to proclaim the alternative of a way that we can have peace with God.

God bless,
Ted

 

[Bro.Tan]

Hi again Bro.Tan

Of course the other matter of any significance is that when believers celebrate these days, it gives them an excellent opportunity to share the message of God's love for us through the Christ of God. So, even though the world may mean to turn these days into days of wicked debauchery, God's people can use them for His glory. Just as Paul spoke to a group once about their statue to an unknown god and used that statue to proclaim 'who' that unknown god that they had for years worshipped, was. Now christians can use these days of Easter and Christmas to talk with our unbelieving friends and family and say, "Hey, can I take a minute to tell you why these days are really important to us?" Boom!!! You're off sharing the gospel of Christ because there was Easter and Christmas. The whole world celebrates these two days and we can use them to turn others to the truth of what those days, for christians, is really all about.

So, do keep in mind that we can use sometimes the wicked things of the world to proclaim the alternative of a way that we can have peace with God.

God bless,
Ted

Well, I think I understand what you saying, because Paul say in 2 Timothy 4: I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

 

[Bro.Tan]

Hi Bro.Tan

Yes, I am one who believes the Scriptures when they tell us that God knows our hearts. In my household for Easter, there is no rabbit and there are no colored eggs to be found. No Easter baskets with plastic colored strands filled with candy and eggs. Around here, Easter is all and only about the celebration of the resurrected Lord. That God has given us a sign through the resurrection of His Son, that He is able and will resurrect every one of us who strive to emulate the life that Jesus exampled for us. But just as with Christmas, the dying world creates an 'alternative' reason for these days. That's what the world does. It's what the world has always done. The vast and great majority of the world is not going to do anything that celebrates anything that God has done among us because... well, because they don't know God. It is absolutely true that man's heart is wicked, who can know it?

But as I say, I firmly believe that God knows our hearts. He knows who is honoring His Son through the Easter celebration and who is not. I'm going to leave that up to Him. But just as He did with the Jew, God has established that certain celebrations, festivals and observance of special days are in keeping with His will for us. In the old covenant days, God told the Israelites to celebrate Passover as a lasting ordinance to remember the days in which He brought Israel by the hand out of Egypt. A great and glorious time for the Jew to honor that work of God was established by God to be observed as a memorial and remembrance of those days. Personally, I consider the birth (Christmas) and the resurrection of our Lord (Easter) to be days of far greater significance to our faith than the remembrance of God bringing the Israelites out of Egypt.

So, God knows our hearts. He knows if one celebrates these 'festival' days in honor of Him and His Son. He also knows those who are among us but get caught up in the false world understanding of these days. God knows our hearts. For me, rather than trying to tell people not to honor these days because the world has made it some ungodly thing. I would encourage that everyone do celebrate these days but celebrate them as unto the Lord. Don't buy into the Easter egg, Easter basket and pretty Easter dresses as the reason for the day. We celebrate the day as a commemorative of remembrance of what Jesus has done for us and what God has done in raising him from the dead. I believe that God honors such a heart.

God bless,
Ted

I know there will remain those who feel that there is nothing wrong in observing Easter, because they believe that it is the spirit in which one does something that is important. Again my purpose is not to antagonize. It is only to cause you, to carefully examine the doctrine and practices, which you are following. By researching the scriptures one can ensure, that their doctrine lines up with the word of God. Having said that, Jesus told us to worship in spirit and the Lord gave everyone specific instructions how to do that. Those instructions are contained in the Holy Bible, for it contains the word of God. If any one follows a doctrine or operates in a spirit that is contrary to the scriptures, that doctrine and spirit they are following, are contrary to God.

In I John (4:1) it tells you to try the spirits Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. How does one try the spirits? By the word of God. By operating in the so called spirit of things, people worship God in ways that can not be supported or substantiated by the bible. They do this while still not observing God's commandments. Observing the Passover is a commandment from God Leviticus (23:5).

 

[miamited]

I know there will remain those who feel that there is nothing wrong in observing Easter, because they believe that it is the spirit in which one does something that is important. Again my purpose is not to antagonize. It is only to cause you, to carefully examine the doctrine and practices, which you are following. By researching the scriptures one can ensure, that their doctrine lines up with the word of God. Having said that, Jesus told us to worship in spirit and the Lord gave everyone specific instructions how to do that. Those instructions are contained in the Holy Bible, for it contains the word of God. If any one follows a doctrine or operates in a spirit that is contrary to the scriptures, that doctrine and spirit they are following, are contrary to God.

In I John (4:1) it tells you to try the spirits Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. How does one try the spirits? By the word of God. By operating in the so called spirit of things, people worship God in ways that can not be supported or substantiated by the bible. They do this while still not observing God's commandments. Observing the Passover is a commandment from God Leviticus (23:5).

Hi Bro.Tan

Yes, and none of those Scriptural references make any point that believers can't celebrate a time of remembrance unto the Lord for the great sacrifice that we will all be eternally grateful for. Yes, I agree all the Easter bunny and Easter eggs and Easter dresses and Easter candy are an attempt by the world to deny that our celebration is about that sacrifice. Which, as I've already said, is also what the world has done concerning believers celebrating the birth of our Lord. But that's ok. That's what the world does and God is fully aware of that.

So honestly, unless you've got something in the Scriptures that denies that believers should rejoice over certain aspects of what God has done by commemorating certain days as special, then I think your argument falls flat for those who do celebrate in spirit and in truth, both of which apply to the birth and resurrection of our Lord, I don't see a problem with it.

Observing the Passover is a commandment from God Leviticus (23:5).

Yes, God gave Israel the command to observe the Passover for all time, but that was to remember His work in 'taking them' out of Egypt. Observing the Passover was never practiced, as far as I know, by the early fellowships. I don't recall a single new covenant writer that made any account of celebrating Passover among the new covenant believers. Just as we don't have to be circumcised, either. You'll find that is also a commandment that God gave unto ISRAEL! And if you'd like to observe Passover feel free to do so. That doesn't then negate other celebrations that believers may participate in IF they are godly celebrations lifting up the name of Jesus. But we are not to get worked up about special days and times, but that doesn't then mean that we can't honor them for the Lord. If Paul really meant that we shouldn't have anything to do with special days, then we probably shouldn't be considering Passover either. It is, after all, a special day, too.

God bless and may you enjoy a time of remembrance of all that the Lord has done for you this Resurrection day. I will be.
Ted

 

[Bro.Tan]

Hi Bro.Tan

Yes, and none of those Scriptural references make any point that believers can't celebrate a time of remembrance unto the Lord for the great sacrifice that we will all be eternally grateful for. Yes, I agree all the Easter bunny and Easter eggs and Easter dresses and Easter candy are an attempt by the world to deny that our celebration is about that sacrifice. Which, as I've already said, is also what the world has done concerning believers celebrating the birth of our Lord. But that's ok. That's what the world does and God is fully aware of that.

So honestly, unless you've got something in the Scriptures that denies that believers should rejoice over certain aspects of what God has done by commemorating certain days as special, then I think your argument falls flat for those who do celebrate in spirit and in truth, both of which apply to the birth and resurrection of our Lord, I don't see a problem with it.


Yes, God gave Israel the command to observe the Passover for all time, but that was to remember His work in 'taking them' out of Egypt. Observing the Passover was never practiced, as far as I know, by the early fellowships. I don't recall a single new covenant writer that made any account of celebrating Passover among the new covenant believers. Just as we don't have to be circumcised, either. You'll find that is also a commandment that God gave unto ISRAEL! And if you'd like to observe Passover feel free to do so. That doesn't then negate other celebrations that believers may participate in IF they are godly celebrations lifting up the name of Jesus. But we are not to get worked up about special days and times, but that doesn't then mean that we can't honor them for the Lord. If Paul really meant that we shouldn't have anything to do with special days, then we probably shouldn't be considering Passover either. It is, after all, a special day, too.

God bless and may you enjoy a time of remembrance of all that the Lord has done for you this Resurrection day. I will be.
Ted

Now, let's take a look at the Lord's Passover. This is a very very short version, just to get some understanding.

Leviticus 23:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, (verse 2) Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.

Look at verse 2. Does it state the feast of the Jews, or the Feast of the Lord? These feasts are holy gatherings. These feasts are not a request, they are commandments.

Leviticus 23:4 These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.

Notice, once again the book states these are the feasts of the Lord, and they are Holy gatherings and must be observed in their season. We cannot observe these days when we get ready. They must be observed when the Lord says they must be observed. Take a look at the next verse and the Lord tells you the exact day you must observe this feast, which is the Passover.

Leviticus 23:5 In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord's Passover.

Note what the book states. The Lord's Passover must be observed on the 14 day of the first month, which is the month of Abib. This month can be set by the new moon in the spring. In the 4th verse it states it must be observed in its season, any other time is wrong. Within the Roman Christian community, the bread and wine is taken every Sunday or every first Sunday. They also have changed the name of the Passover. They call it communion, sacrament or when someone's about to die they call it the last rites. When this is done it is done in vain. It must be taken when the Lord says it must be taken. Most people think the bread and the wine started when Jesus sat down with His apostles to eat the Passover. The King of Salem Melchizedek used the same tokens (bread and wine) when he met Abraham. The bread and the wine are very old. Some people call this the last supper. I find that very strange, because after the Lord's resurrection He ate with His apostles on the seaside. So that last supper statement is a myth.

Most people think the Old Testament and the New Testament are separated. That's not so. The New Book is the spirit of prophecy, in other words it is the word of prophecy. Let's go to Matthew the 26th chapter and watch how both the Old and the New work together.

Matthew 26:17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the Passover?

Notice what's being said, they called the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the Passover. The Passover takes place the day before the Feast of Unleavened Bread it is outlined in Leviticus 23 and Exodus the 12th chapter. When Moses and the children of Israel came out of Egypt they left in haste. The bread did not have a chance to rise. That is why they called the Passover the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Matthew 26:18 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at thy house with my disciples.

Did the verse say I will eat the last supper at your house? No! It states, "I will keep the Passover at your house.

Matthew 26:19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the Passover.

The disciples made ready the Passover not the last supper. As I mentioned earlier, Jesus ate several times after this. Let's move on.
Matthew 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

Jesus did not change the Passover, He changed the ordinance. Remember in Exodus the 12th chapter they took a Lamb every year, killed, and ate it. Being that Jesus represents the lamb, He wasn't going to die every Passover. He was sent to die one time for all that bring themselves under His blood. So, He used the bread and wine to replace the lamb. Notice what he says "Take, eat; this is my body." He gave us the bread and the wine to replace His body just as He replaced the lamb.
Matthew 26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Notice what the Lord says, “This is the blood of the New Testament or New covenant.” But notice something very important. He says shed for many, not for all. Why did He say many? Because, you must do the same thing they did in Egypt. If you fail to put the blood over your door post, the death angel will get you. You simply must be under the Lord's protection or under His blood. How do you get that protection? You must confess that Jesus is Lord, "repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38). You must walk in the new covenant, which are the same old Ten Commandments the Lord gave the people Himself on Mount Sinai.The Lord says, "If you love Him keep His commandments. So, if you love Him so much, you should have no problem walking in His Law. Which includes the Sabbath day on the seventh day of the week.

Now let's see who Jesus is to us. I Corinthians 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us:

Paul says, "Purge out therefore the old leaven". In other words purge yourself of sin, and become a new lump, being unleaven. Meaning one that is not sinful, why? Christ is our Passover and he was sacrificed for us. Just like the lamb in Exodus was their sacrifice Christ is ours. Remember, it was the blood of the lamb that protected the children of Israel in Egypt, and for us it is the blood of Christ that will protect us. If you don't bring yourself under the blood, when death comes about, you will die for yourself even the second death, which is the LAKE OF FIRE.

The Passover represents the passing over of your sins, and the only way your sins will be passed over is if you bring yourself under the blood of the Lamb.

 

[miamited]

Hi Bro.Tan

Look, as I've said, if you want to celebrate the Passover that God instituted for His people, Israel, then go right ahead. You won't get any complaint from me. But let me test your ability here to prove your point. Are there any references with the Scriptures that the followers within the new covenant fellowships ever did such? I mean, you do know that Paul and a couple of the other disciples discussed the covenant of circumcision and declared that the new covenant believer is free from such a practice. Is there any chance that you might understand that just like the covenant of circumcision, and God called it a covenant, it was a covenant that He made with the Jew and not the people who are now coming to know Jesus as their savior. Just as the Passover was a time in which the Jew was to give remembrance to what God has for what He had done 'for them' in bringing them out of Egypt.

And quite frankly, when I read God's reason for 'why' He asked Israel to honor the Passover, I understand that the death of His Son for our eternal salvation is a much, much better work than what He did for Israel in bringing them out of Egypt. God's word says that the Jew is to honor the Passover because it was on that day that He rescued them from their captivity. Well, the resurrection of Jesus is the day that God rescued EVERYBODY!!! that will believe. Not just Israel. The whole world!!!!!!!

So go ahead. Celebrate the Passover. I'll be praising and thanking God for what He did in raising His Son from the dead as His sign to us that He can do what He has promised to do for those who love Him. You see, the Passover doesn't apply to me. God didn't save any of my relatives from the Egyptian captivity. So I don't need to remember that as what He has done for me.

And thank you for your lesson on the Passover, although I'm pretty familiar with the mechanics and purpose of it's remembrance.

God bless,
Ted

 

[Bro.Tan]

Hi Bro.Tan

Look, as I've said, if you want to celebrate the Passover that God instituted for His people, Israel, then go right ahead. You won't get any complaint from me. But let me test your ability here to prove your point. Are there any references with the Scriptures that the followers within the new covenant fellowships ever did such? I mean, you do know that Paul and a couple of the other disciples discussed the covenant of circumcision and declared that the new covenant believer is free from such a practice.

Paul did make such statement, but I want you to just understand what Peter says in 2 Peter 1: 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
So let's go into into the scriptures and read future prophesy in Ezekiel 44: 6 And thou shalt say to the rebellious, even to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O ye house of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations, 7 in that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations. 8 And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.

This is how the Lord feel about the stranger being uncircumcised in the heart and flesh, so I'll leave that right here.

peace in Jesus name

Is there any chance that you might understand that just like the covenant of circumcision, and God called it a covenant, it was a covenant that He made with the Jew and not the people who are now coming to know Jesus as their savior. Just as the Passover was a time in which the Jew was to give remembrance to what God has for what He had done 'for them' in bringing them out of Egypt.

And quite frankly, when I read God's reason for 'why' He asked Israel to honor the Passover, I understand that the death of His Son for our eternal salvation is a much, much better work than what He did for Israel in bringing them out of Egypt. God's word says that the Jew is to honor the Passover because it was on that day that He rescued them from their captivity. Well, the resurrection of Jesus is the day that God rescued EVERYBODY!!! that will believe. Not just Israel. The whole world!!!!!!!

So go ahead. Celebrate the Passover. I'll be praising and thanking God for what He did in raising His Son from the dead as His sign to us that He can do what He has promised to do for those who love Him. You see, the Passover doesn't apply to me. God didn't save any of my relatives from the Egyptian captivity. So I don't need to remember that as what He has done for me.

And thank you for your lesson on the Passover, although I'm pretty familiar with the mechanics and purpose of it's remembrance.

God bless,
Ted

 

[miamited]

Paul did make such statement, but I want you to just understand what Peter says in 2 Peter 1: 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
So let's go into into the scriptures and read future prophesy in Ezekiel 44: 6 And thou shalt say to the rebellious, even to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O ye house of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations, 7 in that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations. 8 And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.

This is how the Lord feel about the stranger being uncircumcised in the heart and flesh, so I'll leave that right here.

peace in Jesus name

Hi Bro.Tan

And I have no idea how any of that Scripture applies to this discussion.

God bless
Ted

 

[Bro.Tan]

Hi Bro.Tan

And I have no idea how any of that Scripture applies to this discussion.

God bless
Ted

Well, you mention about Paul telling the Gentiles which are strangers, that don't have to be circumcised. So I show you in Ezekiel 44th Ch, how the lord feels about the strangers not being circumcised.

 

[Josef]

Hey All,
Let me throw another wrench in the works Bro.Tan.
I'm a gentle, a heathen by all accounts Jewish; but a believer as well.
If I am reading you correctly, God, through Paul, would welcome me into his church. But God, through Ezekiel, would not allow me in the temple. Same God, different standards. Please explain.


What? Did they have circumcision police?
Did a person have to prove it before they were allowed into the temple?

Keep walking everybody.
May God bless,
Taz

 

[Bro.Tan]

G

Hey All,
Let me throw another wrench in the works Bro.Tan.
I'm a gentle, a heathen by all accounts Jewish; but a believer as well.
If I am reading you correctly, God, through Paul, would welcome me into his church. But God, through Ezekiel, would not allow me in the temple. Same God, different standards. Please explain.


What? Did they have circumcision police?
Did a person have to prove it before they were allowed into the temple?

Keep walking everybody.
May God bless,
Taz

Good questions.....Let's first start off by saying that the God in the Old Testament is the same God of the new. Let's take a look at a few verses to prove that. Let's go into John 17: 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. Let' take a look another example in 1 Corinthians 10: 1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3and did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. So, who was the God in the Mountain that gave Moses the Law? That God was CHRIST! One more example in John 8: 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

According to the Bible and the world today. Gentiles are Caucasians or white people. Now Jewish people are from Esau or Edomities, which looks Caucasian but are Shemites or from Abraham seed. Now the Jews are the Israelite's which are 12 tribes and also from Abraham seed, who the priest of God still to this day, but are still in captitvity. You may or may not no all that but it helps to have that understanding in mind when dealing nations of people.

Let's also understand that the lord have not changed his ways. For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed (Malachi 3:6) or Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Lets take a look into (Ephesians 2:11-22) let’s look at the 11th through 13th verses. "Wherefore remember, that ye being in the time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called the circumcision in the flesh made by hands; (12th vs.) That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenant of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: (13th vs.) But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

So the door is open to the Gentiles as a nation of people, in time past stranger or any other nation of people had to do the same thing Israel have to do. In the scriptures it's written in Genesis 17: 9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. 11And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. 12And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. 13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.

Let's get another example about the passover in Exodus 12: 43 And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: there shall no stranger eat thereof: 44but every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof. 45 A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof.

48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. 49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you. 50 Thus did all the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.
So if a male is not circumcise he cannot take of the Passover according to the word of God. This why Peter says in 2 Peter 1: 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Now Ezekiel 44th Chapter is the future, beyond us....6 And thou shalt say to the rebellious, even to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O ye house of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations, 7 in that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations. 8 And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.

I understand what Paul says, but Peter says we have a more sure word of prophecy, and we read what the Lord says about the stranger being circumcise in Ezekiel.

Hey All,
Let me throw another wrench in the works Bro.Tan.
I'm a gentle, a heathen by all accounts Jewish; but a believer as well.
If I am reading you correctly, God, through Paul, would welcome me into his church. But God, through Ezekiel, would not allow me in the temple. Same God, different standards. Please explain.


What? Did they have circumcision police?
Did a person have to prove it before they were allowed into the temple?

Keep walking everybody.
May God bless,
Taz

 

[Josef]

Hey All,
"According to the Bible and the world today. Gentiles are Caucasians or white people." Quote from BroTan

What you are saying is that God is a racist.

Acts 10:34
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

How can you say such things? A child of Israel is not solely defined by race or ethnicity. Mixed marriages (Israeli/gentile) were allowed. Their offspring were considered Israelites.

Matthew 1:5
And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;

So Ruth was not an Israelite by birth. And there she is in the genealogy of Jesus. How is this possible given your statement. Joseph had not been intimate with Mary. In fact, there are four women;
Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba. All four are either non-Israelites or connected to non-Israelite families, and yet they are ancestrally linked to Jesus.

You also have a problem with your resurrection timing. If Jesus was entombed on Wednesday, as you assert, you have problem with Scripture. If Wednesday afternoon, before sunset was the correct time Jesus was laid to rest, Jesus' 3 days and 3 nights would be fulfilled on Saturday afternoon; not Sunday morning. Your timing does not work with what Scripture records.

I don't need an explanation. There is nothing you can say that justifies your position.

Taz

 

[miamited]

Hi Josef

Gentiles are Caucasians or white people." Quote from BroTan

Yeah, I must agree that Bro.Tan seems to be making out the Gentiles are white people. That's the dumbest claim I think I've ever heard as an explanation for 'who' are the Gentiles. According to the Scriptures, the Gentiles are all people who are not born Jewish. Even converts to Judaism were certainly at one time before they converted... Gentiles! However, I do tend to consider that Jesus' death may have been on Thursday. I get the Friday crucifixion can be made to fit three days. But there's just no way you can fit in three nights. Tell me, how do we get three nights from a death that occurred on Friday?

For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

I mean the Scriptures tell us: It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon,

So, it was about 3 in the afternoon, on Friday, when Jesus breathed his last, according to the current accounting. So yeah, I get that we can fudge around and say, "well, it was part of Friday and all of Saturday and part of Sunday, so that makes three days". But how do we explain the three nights? On the other hand, if we believe John's testimony that it was a 'special' Sabbath that was being referred to, which would be the Sabbath of the Passover, or what is also referred to as the feast of unleavened bread, then it could be Thursday. If it was Thursday, then hey, Jesus was in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights... just as he said.

God bless,
Ted

 

[Bro.Tan]

Hi Josef

Yeah, I must agree that Bro.Tan seems to be making out the Gentiles are white people. That's the dumbest claim I think I've ever heard as an explanation for 'who' are the Gentiles. According to the Scriptures, the Gentiles are all people who are not born Jewish. Even converts to Judaism were certainly at one time before they converted... Gentiles! However, I do tend to consider that Jesus' death may have been on Thursday. I get the Friday crucifixion can be made to fit three days. But there's just no way you can fit in three nights. Tell me, how do we get three nights from a death that occurred on Friday?

"Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: For the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land." (Hosea 4:1)

Due to this lack of knowledge, man is on the brink of destruction, because of his transgression against God. The ability to think, and to know good from evil is the only thing that separates man from beast. Man has taken this gift from God for granted, and has chosen evil over good.

In the scriptures it's written in Genesis 10:1-5 - "Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood. The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal , and Meshech, and Tiras. And the sons of Gomer; Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah. And the sons of Javan; Elishah,and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations". The sons of Japheth are the people known as Gentiles. Now lets break down these families: Gomer (Celtics), Magog (Russia), Madai (Medes), Javan (Greece, Syria), Tubal (south of the Black Sea, Spain), Meshech (Russia), Tiras (Thracians).

For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

I mean the Scriptures tell us: It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon,

So, it was about 3 in the afternoon, on Friday, when Jesus breathed his last, according to the current accounting. So yeah, I get that we can fudge around and say, "well, it was part of Friday and all of Saturday and part of Sunday, so that makes three days". But how do we explain the three nights? On the other hand, if we believe John's testimony that it was a 'special' Sabbath that was being referred to, which would be the Sabbath of the Passover, or what is also referred to as the feast of unleavened bread, then it could be Thursday. If it was Thursday, then hey, Jesus was in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights... just as he said.

God bless,
Ted