POINTS OF TRUTH CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES

Points of Truth

Newsletter

Crusade Church of God

P.O. Box 102, Russellville, Arkansas 72811 USA Ph. 501-498-4524

Personal from the Editor

This Blood is for You

Violently they grabbed His arms, as they tightly strapped each wrist.

There, the hellish look of a strong-armed soldier, whip clenched in his fist.

Laced with chips of bone, they beat Him hard, from His shoulders to His feet.

It sliced right through His olive skin, just like razors through a sheet.

Countless times the blood splattered, as each inhuman lash was given.

Several times His knees gave way, as His flesh just hung like ribbons.

Then surprisingly He turned His head, though the words He used were few.

The soldier's face turned pale when He said, "This blood is for you".

Uncaringly they tossed a garment across His weakened form.

And His blood pressure fell deathly low, as the crowds began to swarm.

They forced Him to carry His cross uphill, as His face they punched and smacked.

And the splinters from the crisscrossed beam dug deep into His back.

Through lack of sleep and dehydration His tongue began to swell. Weakened by His loss of blood, this prophet, teacher fell.

When He did some blood splattered on a man named Simon's shoe. And as He bent to wipe it off, the prophet said, "Simon, this blood is for you".

They pounded a spike through the bones in His wrist, bursting arteries and veins.

As they dropped the cross in the hole they dug, His body convulsed with pain.

Through an agony and torment that never a soul shall find.

He tilts His face toward heaven, with full control of His mind.

With more love than any human heard, before that time or since.

He made a statement that to this day makes the strongest skeptic wince.

He cried, "Father God forgive them for they know not what they do".

And as He gave His life for those lost in sin, He was saying,

"This blood is for you".

Some of you may recognize these moving verses. They are from Carmen's song "This Blood" It is one of the most spiritually powerful songs which illustrates God's great love for us.

On a Passover, some 2000 years ago, the Lamb of God was led to a cross to give His life for you and me. In John 15, Jesus instructed His disciples to "love one another." Not with a worldly kind of love, but in the same way that He loved them. He told them that there is no greater love than the love that would motivate one to willingly lay down his life for a friend. In verse 14, Jesus told His disciples that they would remain His friends if they obeyed His commandments.

Jesus did willingly lay down His life for us. But why was this necessary?

If you remember, when God created man he gave him a beautiful garden paradise to live in. God gave him permission to eat the fruit of all the trees in the garden except the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. God warned man that if he ate the fruit of this tree he would surely die! Most everyone familiar at all with the Bible knows the rest of the story. Adam and Eve, the first humans, disobeyed their Creator and ate of the forbidden fruit. Because of this their fate was sealed. Being removed from Eden and cut-off from the Tree of Life, they would eventually die!

Contrary to popular thought, man does not possess an immortal soul. Notice 1 Timothy 6:15-16 -"He (Jesus Christ) who is blessed and only Sovereign, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords; who ALONE possesses immortality." Here the Apostle Paul says that Jesus, the Son of God is the only man that has possessed immortality.

Many erroneously assume that man is imbued with an immortal soul from birth. But the Hebrew word (nephesh) translated "soul" when referring to man is the same word rendered "creature" when making reference to the created animals. There is simply nothing about the word that connotes immortality. Actually the contrary is true, -the prophet Ezekiel writes twice in chapter 18, that the "soul that sins will die."

Because man was created mortal, he would ultimately perish at death.

Man had little hope of ever living beyond this present age. Man was dead in his sins. Yet prior to the revealing of God's plan of redemption, a few through the ages put their faith in God and hoped in him. Men like Abraham, Moses and Job. Later God revealed His plan of redemption through the Messiah, by the Prophets. It would ultimately take the death of the Creator to redeem the works of His hands.

In Ancient Israel the High Priest made atonement for the people's sins once each year on the Day of Atonement. After offering a sacrifice (bull) for himself the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies with the blood of an unblemished goat. The Holy of Holies could be entered only once each year on Atonement. And only one man, the High Priest, could enter without dying. And He only after making atonement for himself, lest he die.

After entering the Holy Place, into the very presence of God, he would sprinkle the blood of the goat on the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant.

These sacrifices did not take away sin. They were simply reminders of man's sinful nature. Notice what the Apostle Paul says in Hebrews 10:3-4 -"But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. For IT IS IMPOSSIBLE for the BLOOD OF BULLS AND GOATS to TAKE AWAY SINS."

They reminded the people that they were in need of forgiveness. That innocent blood was shed for their sinful nature.

Picture yourself having to kill a beautiful, perfectly healthy little goat or lamb barely a year old. And knowing that you were taking its life to remind you of the sinful decisions you've made in your life. These sacrifices were to help man realize why the Messiah was needed.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God was the Creator prior to coming as the Messiah. John 1 tells us that He was the Word and the Word was with God the Father, and the Word was God, which is, God the Son. And John reveals, that ALL THINGS WERE CREATED BY HIM.

He was the Creator that made the universe and all things in it. He was the personage that walked and talked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. All life came from Him. Thus HIS LIFE IS WORTH MORE THAN THE SUM-TOTAL OF ALL MEN THAT HAVE EVER LIVED! His blood is sufficient, and His sacrifice is worthy to atone for the sins of all.

Notice Hebrews 9:11-15 -"But when Christ appeared as a HIGH PRIEST of the good things to come, He entered (the Holy of Holies) through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through HIS OWN BLOOD, He entered the HOLY PLACE once for all, having obtained ETERNAL REDEMPTION. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit OFFERED HIMSELF without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, in order that since a death has taken place for the REDEMPTION of the TRANSGRESSIONS that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the ETERNAL INHERITANCE."

The Godhead is composed of God the Father, and God the Son. The holy spirit is the very mind and power of both personages, and lives inside the Christian.

God the Father was well pleased to offer up His only Son to act as a living sacrifice for sinful man. To all that would receive it through belief and repentance. God the Son was submissive to and in agreement with the will of the Father.

God the Son left Heaven, emptied Himself and became a human. He was born in a manger, of humble circumstances to Joseph and Mary. His mission was to make a WAY for man to escape the penalty of death, and to establish His church.

Man had continually sinned since the days of Adam. The penalty for sin was death. Only the giving of the Creator's life could redeem the creation. Notice John 3:16 -"For God so lived the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."

OUR HEAVENLY CREATOR LOVES US SO MUCH THAT HE WILLINGLY SUFFERED THROUGH HUMILIATION, AND THE MOST EXCRUCIATING DEATH imaginable. And worst, He had to experience actual SEPARATION from God the Father. In doing this Jesus was feeling all the agony of the SECOND DEATH! Jesus' sacrifice does not take away the death of our flesh. It pardons the repentant of ETERNAL DEATH; of remaining dead in our sins.

The Father and Son did not want man to perish in his sins.(Romans 6:23) And because God felt compassion for the physical suffering of man, the Son allowed Himself to be brutally beaten in order that we may be healed in His name.(1 Peter 2:24)

We live in a much different world today. And we don't witness public scourging such as the Romans practiced. But we do have historical accounts that paint a vivid picture of what our Savior willingly endured for us.

The Scriptures say, Jesus could have called 72,000 mighty Angels at any time. But He didn't. No one took His life. He willingly laid it down for you and me.(John 10:18) And before our Lord was impaled to a cross to die in our place, he suffered a scourging for our healing, which took Him to the very brink of death.

The Roman soldier trained in administering scourging was called a lictor. His tool was a leather whip called a flagellum. Unlike an ordinary whip, the flagellum had strips of leather attached to a wooden handle. Each leather strip had pieces of sharp bone and metal sewn into it.

Just about 2000 years ago, our Lord allowed himself to be stripped naked and tied to a post. The lictor began his masterful work of beating Jesus to within an inch of death. The lictor struck Him from His head to His feet. Blow after blow he struck Him, while carefully monitoring the damage he was inflicting as to not kill Jesus. The crucifixion would accomplish that task.

Repeatedly the leather strips wrapped around our Lord causing chips of metal and bone to dig into His flesh. Each time they were snapped back, the sharp pieces tore through His skin sending bits of flesh and muscle flying through the air! He was beaten so badly, even His bones were exposed! The lictor saw that another blow from the flagellum could very well kill Jesus, so he gave orders for Him to be untied.

Disoriented, confused and in shock, our Lord slumped to the ground. His flesh, covered with blood, and now hanging like ribbons, spreading across the dusty earth.

Since Jesus was covered in blood and dirt, the order was given to douse Him with water and scrub Him clean. He cried out in agony as He regained His state of consciousness. To complete the humiliation, a crown of thorns was made for Him, and jammed on His head as they mockingly coronated Him- "King of the Jews".

He was led to Golgotha, where nails were driven deep into His feet and hands to impale Him to a wooden stake. The way He was hung on the cross made it extremely difficult to breathe. To take a breath, our Lord had to push His body up by His impaled feet! This of course caused excruciating pain. Then at about mid-afternoon a Roman soldier drove a spear into His side spilling out the precious blood of our Lord. Blood that was spilled for atonement for you and me.

Notice Hebrews 2:2-3 -"For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense, HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE if we NEGLECT so great a SALVATION?"

The SACRIFICE and suffering of Jesus Christ gives us an open door for SALVATION. All who will REPENT of breaking God's Commandments, receive Jesus and submit to the will of God as given us in the Bible, can receive SALVATION. After repentance, you will need to be baptized by immersion in water, and have hands laid upon you to receive the gift of the holy spirit, the seed of life.

On a Passover many years ago, your Creator laid down His life for you. If you hear Him calling, He is offering you salvation from certain death. How else can you escape if you neglect so great an offer of salvation? My friend, THIS BLOOD IS FOR YOU. Larry R. Lasiter

Why Celebrate Easter?

"There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." Proverbs 14:12

A reprint of a 1967 Plain Truth article

By: Gerhard Marx

Can you believe it? The observance of Easter is never once commanded in the Bible! Don't take our word for it!

Notice,- "There is no indication of the observance of the Easter festival in the New Testament." So states the Encyclopedia Britannica.

And,- "The celebration of Easter does not appear in the New Testament." (A Dictionary of Religion and Ethics, Mathews and Smith, pg. 140)

Have You Ever Wondered What Easter Eggs Have to do With Christ's Death?

And what Easter rabbits and hot-cross buns have to do with Christ's resurrection? What about the name "Easter" itself? Do you know its origin and meaning? And what about Easter Sunrise services? How did the "Christian" world come to accept and celebrate Easter? It's high time you knew the truth about Easter.

Easter Sunrise Services Before Jesus' Birth

Turn back the pages of history for a moment. See how Easter came to be accepted by the professing Christian world. Take the year 8 B.C. -4 years before Christ's birth. Notice what was taking place in that particular year among the non-Christian population of Europe, the Germanic people.

As was customary with the spring of each year, a particular event was about to take place. General excitement permeated the towns and villages.

It was a Saturday evening, called Sunnun-abend, when the event was to occur. On this particular evening in 8 B.C., everyone left his habitation and then gathered outside the village or town. All those capable would collect wood, place it around an oak tree, and set it alight.

As the massive mountain of wood began to burn, everyone would gather around the fire, completely encircling it. Flames would light up the entire sky. This ceremony occurred throughout the land.

Then followed the more solemn part of the evening. The populace would kneel and beseech Sunna their goddess of dawn as she was then called, imploring her to bring back the long-awaited spring days. The date of this festival was a Saturday night about the 21^st of March.

This was the time of the vernal equinox, when the short winter days cease and the long, warm spring months begin. (As a matter of interest, the German word for Saturday,- Sonnabend traces itself back to the Saturday night on which the goddess Sunna was worshiped. The ancient Germans counted their days from evening to evening. Thus Saturday eve was actually the beginning of today's Sunday.

After having offered sacrifices to the goddess of the spring on this evening, the people retired till early morning. On this morning,- Sunday, sometime before dawn, everyone would meet again outside with their faces to the East, toward the rising sun, praising their goddess Sunna for bringing them this long-awaited first day of spring.

This day, the first Sunday after March 21^st, was their annual holiday. It was a joyous day of various celebrations and games. One of the games was to find colored eggs which were hidden in the grass, around trees and in other hiding places. The children especially enjoyed these games.

Although the coloring varied, the predominate colors of the eggs were red and gold, symbolizing the bright rays of the sun. Some of the eggs were given as an offering to the spring goddess and the others were eaten. The egg was regarded as the emblem of germinating life in early spring.

Hot-cross buns were also baked and offered to the goddess. (See the Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics, vol. 2, pg 34 and The Westminster Dictionary of the Bible, John D. Davis, pg 145.)

Why Called EASTER?

Move forward in history to a time several centuries after the birth of Christ. We find the heathen populace of Europe still observing this annual spring festival to the goddess of dawn or spring. But now she was known by another, more general name,- EOSTRE.

The name Sunna had merely been the localized German name, which was now changed to the more general name Eostre. Here is what happened.

During the previous centuries, vast numbers of people from Persia and Assyria had settled on the European mainland. These Eastern peoples were also worshiping a spring goddess. Their celebration likewise coincided with the beginning of spring. In fact, even colored eggs were associated with their spring festival. Notice,- "The ancient Persians, when they kept the festival of the solar new year in March, mutually presented each other with colored eggs." (Chamber's Encyclopedia)

The spring festival of these Eastern immigrants was identical to the festival the Germanic people celebrated. There was only one difference. The name of their goddess was ISHTAR. The Germans pronounced it slightly different, resulting in EOSTRE or as we today pronounce "EASTER."

Thus the settlers from the East influenced the local population to alter the name of their goddess Sunna to that of Easter.

But it was still the same goddess. It was still the same festival on which they worshiped the goddess Sunna several centuries before. They still gathered wood on Saturday eve. They still had their huge bonfire that night. They still arose early the next morning for the sunrise service. And they still played games and looked for colored eggs on that day. It was still a highly popular festival. With the influx of the Eastern tribes, it became more generally celebrated than ever before. Nothing had changed except the name of their goddess, now Eostre, or in more modern terminology,- Easter.

Introduction into Christianity

But how and why did the Christian-professing world accept this festival, knowing its heathen origin? The first three centuries after Christ reveal what transpired.

The Church founded by Jesus Christ in 31 A.D., never kept Easter. . .Notice the words of a historian of the 3^rd century, Socrates Scholasticus,- "Neither the apostles, therefore, nor the Gospels have anywhere imposed. . .Easter." (Ecclesiastical History, v., 22) And again,- "The first Christians continued to observe the Jewish festivals (that is, the festivals God gave to His people Israel), though in a new spirit, as commemorations of events which those festivals had foreshadowed." (Encyclopedia Britannica, vol. 8, pg 828)

There was no holiday commemorating a resurrection, only a festival commemorating Christ's death. (The Passover) Notice what the historian Gieseler admits,- "There is no trace of a yearly festival of a resurrection among them." (Catholic Church, section 53, pg 178)

Instead of celebrating a resurrection or Easter festival, for which there was no Biblical injunction, the early Christians kept God's annual festival, the Passover. This yearly event commemorated the death of Christ. "The Jewish Christians in the early Church continued to celebrate the Passover."(International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)

This leaves no room for doubt, God's true Church never kept Easter, but instead commemorated Christ's death annually by observing the New Testament Passover.

As we come to the beginning of the second century, we find another Church, claiming to represent Christ's true Church. It introduced a new festival in place of the Passover. It called this unauthorized festival, the feast of the resurrection.

During the second and third centuries, Italy was infiltrated en masse by people from the East, from Syria, Persia and Babylon. Often these Eastern people would come in the forms of slaves who would later gain their freedom and settle down in the West. At the same time large-scale immigrations took place. So great was the influx of these Eastern peoples that, by the time of Tacitus, famous first century Roman historian, many of Rome's military men and senators were actually of foreign, Oriental blood.

There was also a tendency during these times for philosophers from the East to travel westward, bringing their philosophy with them. Their powerful influence actually changed the religion of the Roman populace. This is how it happened. "Some of the most powerful divine invaders who came from the East to conquer the West were SOLAR DIVINITIES. . .These immigrants from the East brought the religion of the SUN with them." (Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics, vol. 8, pg. 59)

And one form of sun-worship they were very familiar with was a resurrection festival in the spring.

Now these Eastern immigrants settling in the West, with their appealing sun-worship, made a profound impression on the minds of the average Roman. Because of this and the fact that a large percentage of the population was already Eastern in origin, the professing Christian world thought of a scheme to add immense numbers to membership rolls.

Realizing that a vast portion of the population in the Roman Empire was familiar with sun-worship, it was decided to make use of the day these Easterners worshiped on,- Sunday. There was instituted a resurrection feast, not to the literal sun, which the pagans worshiped, but supposedly in honor of the true Sun,- Christ.

This Sunday festival was introduced in the mid second century. "Celebrated since the second century" says the King's English Encyclopedia, referring to this Sunday feast.

Further: "There is also evidence in Irenaeus' language to Victor that such an annual celebration was then general, and that it had been so at least for a generation." (Irenaeus was a second century writer and Victor became head of the Church at Rome around 190 A.D.)(The Gospels as Historical Documents, Stanton, pg 192) This "resurrection festival" had not been kept from the beginning.(of the Christian Church) It originated from men in the second century.

If we go back a generation from Victor, we come to the time when the "Passover Controversy" arose. The very fact that this controversy arose in the second century, and not before, shows the change took place at that time.

And true enough, the "Passover Controversy" started after (the Church at) Rome (later known as Catholic) had instituted this new "resurrection festival." The Christians in Asia Minor (where disciples of the original apostles were) were alarmed at the institution of a "resurrection festival" (for which there was no Biblical injunction) in place of the New Testament Passover. Throughout Asia Minor, voices of protest arose.

At the height of this controversy, leaders from both East and West met to settle the dispute, but without success. History has recorded for us the words of one Church leader from Asia Minor. His name was Polycrates, living around the end of the second century.

FROM THE EDITOR: Polycrates was a disciple of Polycarp who was a disciple of the Apostle John. Polycarp refused to accept the replacement of the NT Passover with this "resurrection festival" stating to Anicetus, the Roman Bishop,- "I have always observed it (NT Passover) with John, the disciple of our Lord, and the rest of the Apostles with whom he associated."

The "history recorded" Mr. Marx is referring to the before mentioned paragraph is the letter from Polycrates to Pope Victor as referenced to by Eusebius, xxiv, - "We (Churches in Asia Minor) therefore observe the GENUINE DAY (NT Passover); NEITHER ADDING thereto nor TAKING THEREFROM. For in Asia great lights have fallen asleep, which shall rise again in the day of the Lord's appearing, in which he will come with glory from heaven, and will raise up all the saints;. . .Philip, one of the twelve Apostles, who sleeps in Heirapolis,. . .John, who rested upon the bosom of our Lord, . . .Polycarp of Smyrna, . . .ALL THESE OBSERVED THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF THE PASSOVER according to the GOSPEL, deviating in no respect but following the RULE OF FAITH, . . .and my relatives always observed the day when the people threw away the leaven (Abib 14). I therefore, brethren, am now 65 years in the Lord, who having conferred with the brethren throughout the world, and having studied the whole of the Sacred Scriptures, am not threatened, to intimidate me. For they who are greater than I, have said,- "WE OUGHT TO OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN." (End of Editor)

The controversy soon abated, finally leaving the Western Church victorious. (It was not until after Emperor Constantine in 325 A.D. forced all within his Empire to keep a resurrection feast on Sundays, that the keeping of the New Testament Passover gradually ceased)

Heathen Become "Christians" Overnight

Introducing this new festival on the pagan day of Sunday paid dividends. The heathen populace of Rome quickly noticed the similarity of the newly introduced festival with their own spring festival in honor of their goddess.

As a result, they became "Christians" in droves. The Church grew in number, speedily outgrowing all other rivals. Since the goal during the time of her ascendancy and growth was to quickly attract new members, Church leaders would often meet the heathen "half-way". This lenient policy made it easier for the unconverted to become members.

In soliciting new members, the Church would allow the unconverted populace to retain many of their heathen practices and beliefs, in a "watered-down" version.

For example, the Church knew that many of the immigrants from the East were used to celebrating a heathen spring festival. So these heathen practices and festivals were given a "Christian dressing". The newly converted were asked not to worship their pagan gods or goddesses on certain days, but rather to worship the true God and Savior on these days. And the days chosen for these "Christianized" celebrations were usually the identical days on which the pagans worshiped their false gods on, not the days God ordained.

This compromise is admitted by the scholar, Aringhus. He mentions that the Church,- "Found it necessary, in the conversion of the Gentiles, to dissemble and wink at many things, and yield to the times."(Taylor's Diegesis, pg 237)

Such compromise with the pagans gained "Christianity" vast numbers of converts. By the time of Constantine in 326 A.D., Church leaders were able to influence the emperor to pass a decree forcing all within the Empire to keep this Sunday resurrection. Notice,- The Roman practice gained ground everywhere. . .and was established by the Council of Nicaea in 325 as the law of the whole Church." (History of the Church, Schaff, vol 2, pg 218)

Simultaneously, it was strictly forbidden for any Christian to continue keeping the NT Passover. It was considered "Jewish". The pagans, now professing to be Christians, were left - "Free to develop a Christian philosophy of THEIR OWN, better suited to the Gentile temperament." (History of Jewish Christianity, Schonfield, pg 54)

Forced Conversion

In the following centuries, as the culture of the Roman Empire expanded into Central Europe, the religion of the Roman Empire also spread into these areas. The policy of "converting" pagans continued. Whole heathen tribes were forced into "accepting Christ" and into accepting what was claimed to be His religion.

This policy was zealously carried out by the "Christian" Emperors. Charlemagne (c.800 A.D.) was especially eager in bringing thousands of unconverted pagans into the fold of the (Catholic) Church. Here is what he did.

After being crowned "Emperor", Charlemagne set out to subdue the German tribes living in the East. The Western part of Europe, France, the Rhineland, and Italy, was already under his sway.

Defeating the unconverted Germans, he forced the German chiefs to be baptized with their entire people. At first King and subjects refused. But finally, seeing there was no choice, the defeated chiefs relented. Thus in one day, tens of thousands became "Christians."

Although these "newly converted" Germans resented the method used in their conversion, they soon found themselves right at home. Noticing especially the resurrection festival that was being kept on their own day of worship,- Sunday, the new converts needed little persuasion to celebrate this "Christian" spring festival, which was similar to what they had been used to in the worship of their spring goddess Easter.

As time passed, these former pagans, now "converted", were not satisfied to merely observe a Sunday resurrection festival to Christ. They coveted and yearned for the beautiful but pagan embellishments which they were accustomed to observing.

Thus, in the process of time, they were influential in changing the name from "resurrection festival" to Easter. But they didn't stop here. They further introduced into the Christian world more outright paganism.

Soon, all of Western Europe was hunting for Easter eggs on this man-made, unbiblical festival. The Easter rabbit also became a symbol of fertility. Many even continued to rise early Sunday morning to face the sun in prayer. Campfires were lit each Saturday evening leading up to Easter. Many pagan converts would also bake cakes called "hot-cross" buns and eat them at Easter. In due time these and other pagan spring rites were celebrated on Easter Sunday. Thus the man-made festival supposed to commemorate Jesus' resurrection, came to be embellished with more and more paganism.

What About Today?

Now you might ask, "What difference does it make? Easter seems such an enjoyable festive occasion. Certainly no harm can come from its observance," you say.

Of course, if there is no God, then it makes no difference at all.

If Christ is not alive, ruling this entire universe, and concerned with mankind, then it doesn't matter whether you keep this unauthorized, paganized Easter celebration.

But if you claim to be a Christian and believe religious beliefs and practices are to be founded on God's Word, then it does make a difference whether you keep Easter.

Then it becomes a matter of obedience to Christ, doing and believing what He commands, without adding or taking away. God does not take lightly any attempt by man to either add or take away from what He has commanded. (Deut. 4:2 / Rev. 22:18)

But you might reason, "Well, I know Easter is of pagan origin. But after all, we don't worship pagan gods. Certainly God would understand."

If you really are a Christian and a believer in God, then notice God's instructions in regard to Easter,- "When the Lord your God shall cut off the nations from before you, whither you go to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwelleth in their land (this parallels what happened when professing Christians went into Central Europe to convert the heathen) take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them. . .and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying HOW DID THESE NATIONS SERVE THEIR GODS? EVEN SO WILL I DO LIKEWISE. THOU SHALT NOT DO SO UNTO THE LORD THY GOD." (Deuteronomy 12:29-31) (God is saying, He doesn't want you to worship Him as the pagans worshiped their gods, using their customs to "honor" Him.)

Which course will you choose?

Will you obey man? Or God?

"THREE DAYS and THREE NIGHTS"

The Resurrection was not on Sunday

By: Larry R. Lasiter

On April 21 of this year, many will observe "Good Friday", the day they believe that Jesus was crucified. Then on April 23, Easter Sunday will be observed as the day Christ arose from the dead. But was Jesus truly crucified on a Friday and resurrected on a Sunday Morning? And does it really matter?

The Sign of Jonah

If you believe in Jesus as the Messiah, then it does matter, because the only sign which would be given to prove that He was the promised Messiah is the sign of Jonah.

When the Jewish religious leaders asked Jesus for a sign to prove that He was sent from God, Jesus answered,- "An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet NO SIGN shall be given to it BUT THE SIGN OF JONAH the prophet. For just as Jonah was THREE DAYS and THREE NIGHTS in the belly of the sea monster, so shall the Son of man be THREE DAYS and THREE NIGHTS in the heart of the earth." (Matthew 12:39-40)

Jesus said, not only three DAYS but also three NIGHTS.

That is 72 hours in the grave.

Many erroneously assume that because Jesus was crucified on the "day of preparation" that He was killed on "Friday", the weekly preparation day. Notice,- And behold, a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man, a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God; this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. And he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain. And it was the PREPARATION DAY, and the SABBATH WAS ABOUT TO BEGIN. Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed after, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid. And they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment." (Luke 23:50-56)

We can read the same account in the other gospels as well, so it is very clear that Jesus was killed and buried on the day of preparation. But how can we get THREE DAYS and THREE NIGHTS from near sundown Friday to Sunday morning? Friday NIGHT would be ONE NIGHT, Saturday would be ONE DAY. Saturday NIGHT would be TWO NIGHTS and Sunday morning could not even be counted as a DAY. This reckoning would give us only ONE DAY and TWO NIGHTS, not the THREE DAYS and THREE NIGHTS Jesus gave as His only sign.

Jesus certainly made no mistake so what is the answer to this puzzle? The answer can only be found when we understand which Sabbath is being prepared for observance. There are more "Sabbaths" than just the weekly Sabbaths. They are called "Annual Sabbaths" or "High Days."

These are a part of the annual Festivals commanded by God in Leviticus 23, and are the Lord's appointed times for assembly and observance. They may fall on any day of the week during the year.

The ANNUAL SABBATHS are (1) First Day of Unleavened Bread. (2) Seventh Day of Unleavened Bread. (3) Feast of Pentecost or First Fruits (always Sunday). (4) Feast of Trumpets. (5) Day of Atonement. (6) Feast of Tabernacles or Booths. (7) Last Great Day.

Now with this understanding let us read Leviticus 23:5-7,- "In the first month, on the FOURTEENTH DAY of the month at twilight is the Lord's PASSOVER. Then on the FIFTEENTH DAY of the same month there is the FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD to the Lord; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the FIRST DAY you shall have a HOLY CONVOCATION; you shall not do any laborious work."

Notice that this ANNUAL SABBATH follows the Lord's PASSOVER. Now notice Luke 22:15,- Jesus said to His disciples,- "I have earnestly desired to eat this PASSOVER with you before I SUFFER."

After the PASSOVER MEAL they departed to the Mount of Olives. In Luke 22, Verse 47 we find Jesus betrayed by Judas Iscariot and in Verse 54,- arrested.

All this happened on the PASSOVER, the 14^th of Nissan.

The following morning (still the Passover), Jesus was tried, beaten and sentenced to death by crucifixion. We find in Matthew 27, Verse 50 that Jesus cried out with a loud voice and died. Verse 46 tells us it was at the "ninth hour" of the day (Passover), which is 3 in the afternoon.

All of this, from the eating of the Passover, to His death and burial, took place on the 14^th of Nissan, the Passover.

Joseph, who asked Pilate for Jesus' body, had until sundown to prepare the body with spices and secure Him in His tomb. Days began and ended at sundown, so sundown would begin a new day, in this case a High Sabbath, the First Day of Unleavened Bread.(15th Nissan)

This day of preparation mentioned in the Gospels was not to prepare for a "weekly" Sabbath, but the First Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Jesus was crucified in 31 A.D. (I surmise) on Passover 14^th Nissan, a WEDNESDAY that year (30 A.D. and 31 A.D. both had a Wednesday Passover according to the perpetual calendar) was buried just prior to sundown which would begin the next day,- THURSDAY, 15^th Nissan a High Day. THREE DAYS and THREE NIGHTS later, near the end of the WEEKLY SABBATH (Saturday), He arose from the dead. Notice,- Luke 24:1-3,- "But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the Body of the Lord Jesus."

It was early SUNDAY MORNING and Jesus was ALREADY GONE.

He was not resurrected on Sunday morning, the tomb was already empty.

Fulfilling the "Sign of Jonah", Jesus was true to His own prophecy concerning Himself,- He was in the grave Wednesday NIGHT(1st), Thurs-DAY(1st), Thursday NIGHT(2nd), Fri-DAY(2nd), Friday NIGHT(3rd) Satur-DAY(3rd). Thus THREE FULL DAYS and THREE FULL NIGHTS.

If He arose on Sunday morning, that would be three days and FOUR NIGHTS, thus nullifying the Lord's own prophecy of His resurrection.

If Jesus was put in the tomb just before sundown, then He must have been resurrected from the tomb at that same time of day three days later. Which would be near the end of the weekly Sabbath as it was beginning to get dark. At sundown would begin Sunday, the first day it was noticed that He was gone from His tomb.

WHAT ABOUT MARK 16:9?

Many point out that Mark Chapter 16, Verse 9 does not harmonize with the other resurrection accounts given in the Gospel records. They may be right, notice,- "Now after He had risen EARLY ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons." (Translators added punctuation, so if a comma was supposed to be after "risen", then the Verse would be saying that "After Jesus had risen (previous evening), He appeared to Mary on the "first day.") But let's leave it as it is and consider the following.

So which gospel account is a sincere Christian to believe? Well, the answer is in your own Bible if it has a center-reference. If you look closely at Mark 16, beginning in Verse 9, you will see that Verses 9 through 20 are in "brackets". Why? Check your own center-reference and you will read that these Verses are not found in the older manuscripts of the Bible. This is the translators way of warning the reader that what they are reading may be "spurious." Meaning that it may have been ADDED at a LATER DATE to promote a targeted agenda.

After the second century the Scriptures were penned by Scribes who would later be known as Catholic Monks living in Monasteries. Since the "resurrection festival" was promoted by those who would later be known as the leaders of Catholicism, and was ordered held on "resurrection Sunday", it is likely that these Verses in Mark were added during the "Passover Controversy." Incidently, there has been other Verses which have been found to be spurious and later removed from future translation revisions.

One such Verse is found in 1 John Chapter 5, Verse 7, which reads in the KJV,- "For there are three that bear record in Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one."

The true rendering of this Verse from the oldest Greek Manuscripts is,- "And it is the spirit which bears witness, because the spirit is the truth."

As you can see, nothing at all alike. Why? The first rendering is from the Latin Vulgate, a Roman Catholic translation by the Bishop, Jerome. Why would Jerome take the liberty to alter a verse to say that there are THREE in Heaven comprising the God-Head, and further add that THEY ARE ONE? Perhaps it is because of another "controversy", this time concerning the "Nature of God." After years of debate, the Catholic Church finally ruled that God is a Trinity of beings,- yet one. Many translations do not add this Verse, realizing that coming from the Latin Vulgate ( completed in 405 A.D.) was probably spurious, being too self-serving to the Catholics new doctrinal position.

Jesus was Crucified on a Wednesday PASSOVER, because He IS OUR PASSOVER LAMB. God always does things ON TIME and at His APPOINTED TIMES. Everything surrounding the first Passover observance in ancient Egypt was foreshadowing Him, the true Lamb to come that would save man from death by giving His own precious life as a sacrifice.

As Christians, we no longer observe this very special day as a memorial of deliverance of Israel from Egypt, but as a memorial of the death of our Lord who delivered us from eternal death. Don't neglect this meaningful memorial.

Should Christians Observe the Passover?

By: Larry R. Lasiter

Mention that you observe the Passover, but with New Testament symbols to most "Christians" and you will often be asked,- "Are you a Christian Jew?" It is the common conception today that Christianity observes Easter and only Jews observe the Passover. But Why?

Did you know that Jesus, Himself commanded that the Gentile converts to Christianity be taught to observe the NT Passover?

He most certainly did, and though it is easy to overlook, it is right there in your Bible.

A Little Background First

The Apostle Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles, Notice,- "Seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised (Gentiles) just as Peter with the gospel to the circumcised (Israelites)." (Galatians 2:7)

Paul was not one of the original twelve Apostles, but was chosen by Jesus after the resurrection. In fact, Paul led a persecution against the early Christian converts, having many arrested. But on the road to Damascus the glorified Jesus struck Paul blind and revealed to him that He had indeed been the Messiah and commissioned him as Apostle to the Gentile converts. All but one of Paul's letters to the Churches were to predominately Gentile congregations.

Did Paul Teach Gentiles to Observe the Passover?

In his first letter to the Churches of God in the Gentile city of Corinth Paul wrote,- "For Christ, OUR PASSOVER also has been sacrificed. LET US therefore CELEBRATE THE FEAST, not with the old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the UNLEAVENED BREAD of sincerity and truth." (1 Corinthians 5:7-8) Paul was not only teaching Gentile Christians to observe the Passover, but to "Celebrate the Feast" of UNLEAVENED BREAD which follows it. How can we know that Jesus instructed Paul to teach its observance? We will soon see in Chapter 11.

1 Corinthians is a "Letter" not a "Book"

What does that mean? It means that it was composed in a single time frame, and what is mentioned later may be connecting to something previously stated. And the letter was read in the Churches of Corinth from beginning to end in one sitting.

The reference to the Passover and Unleavened Bread in Chapter 5 would likely mean that the letter arrived in the spring about the time of their commanded observances.

There must have been a problem with HOW these new converts were observing the Passover, because later in his letter, Paul corrects them. It appears that some were bringing their own meals to eat before the actual Passover ceremony, and were eating freely in the presence of poorer brethren who had brought no food for themselves.

In Chapter 11, Verse 20, Paul reminds them that they are not coming together to eat the "Lord's Supper",- meaning that unlike the Jewish Passover where a lamb is eaten, that their "Lamb" is Jesus and His "meat" is unleavened bread.

Notice Verses 23-26,- "For I RECEIVED FROM THE LORD that which I ALSO DELIVERED TO YOU, that the Lord Jesus IN THE NIGHT IN WHICH HE WAS BETRAYED took BREAD; and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said,- "THIS IS MY BODY which is for you, DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE of Me." In the same way He took THE CUP also, AFTER SUPPER, saying,- "THIS is the NEW COVENANT in MY BLOOD; DO THIS, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you PROCLAIM the LORD'S DEATH until He comes."

Notice carefully, that concerning the NT Passover observance,

Paul said that he "DELIVERED" to the Gentile converts that which he had "RECEIVED" from the Lord.

Paul was not saying, "Do this ANYTIME or OFTEN." But "as often as you do" you proclaim the Lord's death. It is a memorial of the Lord's death. The memorial is 14^th Nissan, the Passover, the same day the first Passover lamb was slain in Egypt which foreshadowed the blessed Lamb to come. Remember Paul instructing them to "Celebrate the Feast" of Unleavened Bread earlier in his letter? This shows when they were partaking of the Bread and the Wine,- it was at Passover. Notice also that this is the "New Covenant" ceremony for Christians to observe, in its appointed time.

"The Lord's APPOINTED TIMES which you shall proclaim as HOLY CONVOCATIONS,- MY APPOINTED TIMES ARE THESE. . .In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight is the Lord's PASSOVER." (Leviticus 23:1,5)

On that first Passover in Egypt, a lamb was slain, its blood smeared on the front of the Israelites homes to protect them from DEATH which would pass through the land THAT EVENING. More than 1000 years later, a Lamb called Jesus gave His life on this very day, the Passover, the Lord's appointed time to spill the precious blood that would save the world. This year it is the evening of April 18^th.

NEWS, Letters & Odds `n' Ends

SPRING HOLY DAY SCHEDULE: Passover Services will be held the evening of April 18, which is Tuesday at 7:30 pm here in Russellville. The bread and the wine are for Baptized believers only, but visitors are welcome. Baptized believers who attend elsewhere are also welcome to share the table of our Lord with us. For information and directions, call 501-498-4524.

Services for the Feast of Unleavened Bread will be held here in Russellville on both the first High Day and the Seventh Day. Thursday, April 20 and Wednesday, April 26. Services will begin with a special meal at 12 noon, with praise, worship and sermon following. Visitors are welcome to celebrate this meaningful Festival with us. For information and directions, call 501-498-4524.

Services for the Feast of First-fruits or Pentecost will be held here in Russellville on Sunday June 11. Services will begin with a special meal at 12 noon. Visitors are welcome. For information or directions call 501-498-4524.

Update from our Brethren in the Ukraine

In December of 1998 we received the following letter from Savchishin Vladimir, an update will follow.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ! Greetings from Ukraine! My name is Vladimir, I am 34 years old, married, have two children. I work (as) a manager of (a) computer laboratory in college. Recently in my life has taken place the unexpected and surprising event! I was convinced that Jesus Christ, about whom is told in the Bible, (is) alive, he rise from the dead!!!! Now I have my Savior and I am very glad, I want to sing and to dance!! My young friends play on a guitar in our church and on the streets. We want to sing and to play about the God, but we are not professional musicians. We must to play better! We have acoustic and electric guitars, but we need the decent strings. And it is necessary to us to study to play better. There are no professional teachers-guitarists in our town. The videocassettes with lessons and exercises for guitar, CD audio and other educational materials are especially necessary for us. The various musical styles are interesting to us. We ask you for help. If you can and want to help, we shall be very glad to receive the help from you. Sorry, but I cannot to pay because my monthly salary (is) $50. God will bless you completely in new year and ALWAYS! JESUS WILL COME SOON!!!!! Vladimir

From the Editor: We did help Vladimir and the brethren there, about forty in number, by sending them music instruction books, new strings and various gospel tracts and literature. Recently we received the following update.

Dear Pastor Larry and Family, Greetings to you from Ukraine! I am Vladimir, I hope you remember me. I remember your open-hearted letters and help for musical group from my church. Praise to God.

I received (January 2000) Newsletter from you a day or two ago, THANK YOU! I must to tell you thing I want not to tell but I must. I have pressing need now. This winter was very hard for me and my family. We have very strong economic crisis in Ukraine. I and my wife have work full time but earn only $45 in sum. (And we have 2 childs)

I earned $45 by myself year ago. There is very hard time for 90% of people here. A lot of illnesses, low food, vitamin deficiency. I had a decent health before, but I was sick four times last of half-year. I must to ask for help. May you can give me $40-$45? I could buy vitamins and good food for my family this spring. It will be very essential help for us. If you can to help you can do it by sending guitar strings, for example. I could sell them and buy food and vitamins. Is it possible for you? I thank to the God for this chance. God bless you! Vladimir

P.S. Dear Family, I have overlooked to tell you one remarkable news! Musical group from our church is blessed by God! Their song got in hot three songs in Ukrainian FM radios! It is inconceivable!!! Song ABOUT GOD sounds on FM! Praise to the God! Vladimir

From the Editor: Thanks to the kindness and giving of God's saints we were able to send a care-package along with over three months salary to these dear brethren in the Ukraine.

Dear Pastor Larry and Church, THANK YOU and PRAISE TO GOD FOR THIS GIFT! HALLELUJAH!!!

God will bless you and your family more and more! Thank you again and pass on my greetings and blessings to your family and brethren. I see His love per you, how it is wonderful!!!! Vladimir

Dear Vladimir, Family and Brethren, It was our pleasure, it is truly better to give than to receive. We cherish the thought that our small congregation has a part in helping you bring Christ to your Ukrainian people. Fantastic news about songs of Christ on Ukrainian radio! Praise God!

Now you can HEAR the Newsletter! It's Free !

The POINTS OF TRUTH Newsletter is now available on audio tape. To receive your copy call, write or email today, and consider requesting one for a friend.

Email: lasiter@pointsoftruth.com