What do you think?
Rate this book
The Plain Truth About Easter
WHY DO you believe the things you believe, do the things you do?The chances are you never stopped to ask yourself that question. You have been taught since childhood to accept Easter as the chief of the Christian holidays. You have supposed it is part of the true Christian religicn to observe Lent, "Holy Week," "Good Friday," to buy hot cross buns at the bakery, to have colored Easter eggs, to dress up and go to church Easter Sunday - perhaps to attend an Easter sunrise service!Because of the "sheep" instinct in humans, most of us believe a lot of things that are not true. Most of us do a lot of things that are wrong, supposing these things to be right, or even sacred!
Paperback
First published January 1, 1957
2 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Herbert W. Armstrong
118 books37 followersHerbert W. Armstrong founded the Worldwide Church of God in the late 1930s, as well as Ambassador College (later Ambassador University) in 1946, and was an early pioneer of radio and tele-evangelism, originally taking to the airwaves in the 1930s from Eugene, Oregon. Armstrong preached an eclectic set of theological doctrines and teachings that he claimed came directly from the Bible. These theological doctrines and teachings have been referred to as Armstrongism. His teachings included the interpretation of biblical prophecy in light of British Israelism, and required observance of parts of the covenant Law including seventh-day Sabbath, dietary prohibitions, and the covenant law "Holy Days".
Armstrong proclaimed that behind world events during his lifespan loomed various Biblical prophecies, and that he was called by God as an 'Apostle' and end-time 'Elijah' to proclaim the Gospel of God's Kingdom to the World before the return of Jesus Christ. He also founded the Ambassador International Cultural Foundation, which promoted the arts, humanities, and humanitarian projects. Through his role with the foundation, Armstrong and his advisers met with heads of governments in various nations, for which he described himself as an "ambassador without portfolio for world peace."
Armstrong proclaimed that behind world events during his lifespan loomed various Biblical prophecies, and that he was called by God as an 'Apostle' and end-time 'Elijah' to proclaim the Gospel of God's Kingdom to the World before the return of Jesus Christ. He also founded the Ambassador International Cultural Foundation, which promoted the arts, humanities, and humanitarian projects. Through his role with the foundation, Armstrong and his advisers met with heads of governments in various nations, for which he described himself as an "ambassador without portfolio for world peace."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 9, 2014
Easter is one of the Christian world's biggest festivals, but it's pagan origins are astounding!
August 13, 2024
AN ARGUMENT AGAINST THE CELEBRATION OF "EASTER," AND FOR THE CELEBRATION OF PASSOVER
This booklet was written by Herbert W. Armstrong (1892-1986), founder of the Worldwide Church of God. He also wrote booklets such as 'The Resurrection Was Not on Sunday!', and 'The Plain Truth about Christmas.'
He begins by saying, "What is the meaning of the name 'Easter'? ... The name 'Easter,' which is merely the slightly changed English spelling of the name of the ancient Assyrian and Babylonian goddess Ishtar, comes to us from old teutonic mythology where it is known as Ostern... Passover, the Days of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, and the holy days God has ordained forever were all observed by Jesus... Easter is one of the pagan days Paul warned Gentile converts they must not return to observing (Gel 4:9-10)." (Pg. 5-6)
He observes, "Jesus observed no Lent. The apostles and the early true Church of God observed no Lenten season... Jesus did not abolish Passover---He merely changed the emblems, or symbols used... But what has happened?... All Western nations have been deceived into dropping the festival God ordained forever ... and substituting in its place the pagan festival in commemoration of the counterfeit 'savior' and mediator Baal." (Pg. 8-9)
He notes, "did you know that dyed Easter eggs also figured in the ancient Babylonian mystery rites, just as they do in Easter observance today?... Why do people who believe themselves to be Christians dye eggs at Easter? Do they suppose the Bible ordained, or commands, this heathen custom? There is not a word of it in the New Testament... Then why should you do it today?" (Pg. 9)
He argues, "the true Church of God is pictured in prophecy as the 'LITTLE flock'! The New Testament describes this Church as continually persecuted, despised by the large popular churches because it is not of this
world ... but has kept itself unspotted from the world!... It has kept God's Festivals, not the pagan holidays... Then where did it go? Where was it during the Middle Ages... Under the lash of continual persecution and opposition from the organized forces of this world, it is difficult for such a people to remain united and organized together." (Pg. 13-15)
He asserts, "The Early Church of God in New Testament times was taught that Jesus was in the grave three days and three nights---that he arose at the close of the third day after the crucifixion. The crucifixion occurred upon a Wednesday, April 25, A.D. 31. The Passover was observed annually, on the ever of Christ's death, on Nisan 14 of God's Sacred calendar." (Pg. 18)
He contends, "'Then were the days of unleavened bread.' [Acts 12:3] But in the next verse we read of 'Easter.' ... this word 'Easter' is a mistranslation. The original Greek word is Pascha, meaning Passover... So this verse, instead of mentioning Easter, really proves that the Church, ten years after the death of Christ, was still observing Passover." (Pg. 29)
Christians opposed to the modern Easter celebration, or persons who like Armstrong's old WCOG writings, will be very interested in this brief booklet.
This booklet was written by Herbert W. Armstrong (1892-1986), founder of the Worldwide Church of God. He also wrote booklets such as 'The Resurrection Was Not on Sunday!', and 'The Plain Truth about Christmas.'
He begins by saying, "What is the meaning of the name 'Easter'? ... The name 'Easter,' which is merely the slightly changed English spelling of the name of the ancient Assyrian and Babylonian goddess Ishtar, comes to us from old teutonic mythology where it is known as Ostern... Passover, the Days of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, and the holy days God has ordained forever were all observed by Jesus... Easter is one of the pagan days Paul warned Gentile converts they must not return to observing (Gel 4:9-10)." (Pg. 5-6)
He observes, "Jesus observed no Lent. The apostles and the early true Church of God observed no Lenten season... Jesus did not abolish Passover---He merely changed the emblems, or symbols used... But what has happened?... All Western nations have been deceived into dropping the festival God ordained forever ... and substituting in its place the pagan festival in commemoration of the counterfeit 'savior' and mediator Baal." (Pg. 8-9)
He notes, "did you know that dyed Easter eggs also figured in the ancient Babylonian mystery rites, just as they do in Easter observance today?... Why do people who believe themselves to be Christians dye eggs at Easter? Do they suppose the Bible ordained, or commands, this heathen custom? There is not a word of it in the New Testament... Then why should you do it today?" (Pg. 9)
He argues, "the true Church of God is pictured in prophecy as the 'LITTLE flock'! The New Testament describes this Church as continually persecuted, despised by the large popular churches because it is not of this
world ... but has kept itself unspotted from the world!... It has kept God's Festivals, not the pagan holidays... Then where did it go? Where was it during the Middle Ages... Under the lash of continual persecution and opposition from the organized forces of this world, it is difficult for such a people to remain united and organized together." (Pg. 13-15)
He asserts, "The Early Church of God in New Testament times was taught that Jesus was in the grave three days and three nights---that he arose at the close of the third day after the crucifixion. The crucifixion occurred upon a Wednesday, April 25, A.D. 31. The Passover was observed annually, on the ever of Christ's death, on Nisan 14 of God's Sacred calendar." (Pg. 18)
He contends, "'Then were the days of unleavened bread.' [Acts 12:3] But in the next verse we read of 'Easter.' ... this word 'Easter' is a mistranslation. The original Greek word is Pascha, meaning Passover... So this verse, instead of mentioning Easter, really proves that the Church, ten years after the death of Christ, was still observing Passover." (Pg. 29)
Christians opposed to the modern Easter celebration, or persons who like Armstrong's old WCOG writings, will be very interested in this brief booklet.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews