Find out the true meaning of this significant day.
To some people, Easter is a public holiday period that comes with lots of rice and chicken. But, to Christians, this season, today, in particular, holds a totally different meaning.
For believers, this day is all about Jesus Christ, a day set aside for the commemoration of His resurrection. His gift to humanity.
On this day, we unite to celebrate Christ’s victory over death giving us access to eternal life.
We celebrate the foundation of our faith because we know that without His death and ultimately, resurrection, we have no Christianity and no eternal life.
Thanks to this sacrifice, the penalty for our sins, which is death, has been paid. So, we rejoice as we honor the Son of God who laid His life for us.
For these reasons, Easter, Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, will always be a special period to for Christians.
ALSO READ: 5 important Bible verses about resurrection of Jesus Christ
History of Christian Easter
The first celebration of Easter can be traced to 154 or 155, according to "A History of The Christian Church," when Polycarp (the bishop of Smyrna) visited Anicetus (the bishop of Rome).
The two met to figure out when Easter should be observed. Sadly, the two bishops were unable to decide on a date, leaving their followers to do what their leaders.
Polycarp observed Easter with a vigil, ending with the Lord’s Supper, while Anicetus had an Easter feast on Sundays.
Eventually, a date was set in 314 by the council of Nicaea. The council ordered that “the great event of the year was the Easter season. The period immediately before was one of fasting in commemoration of Christ’s sufferings. Customs differed in various parts of the empire.
“In Rome, a forty hours’ fast and vigil was held in remembrance of Christ’s rest in the grave. This was extended, by the time of the Council of Nicaea to a forty days’ Lent. All fasting ended with the dawn of Easter morning, and the Pentecostal period of rejoicing then began.
“In that time there was no fasting or kneeling in prayer in public worship. Easter Eve was the favorite season for baptism, that the newly initiate might participate in the Easter joy.”
Easter was made official in the third century in the Christian church.
Easter 2018: What does this day mean to Christians?
CLICK HERE TO READ FULL CONTENT
Brought to you by: RIDBAY | WEBSITE DESIGN & DIGITAL MARKETING
