Question:
Why isn't Easter named Resurrection Day? Acts 12:4 in the King James Version improperly translates the Greek word for Passover as "Easter." "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" (Acts 12:4, KJV). This is clearly a deliberate attempt by translators to instill the pagan word "Easter" into Christian minds -- and to focus on a pagan holiday rather than the resurrection of our Savior.
Answer:
The use of the word "Easter" in Acts 12:4 was a decision by the King James translators to substitute "Easter" for pascha (Passover). The New International Version, and other more up-to-date versions, correct this -- accurately translating the word pascha as Passover. But we should understand that the reference in Acts 12:4 is not a reference which is addressing whether or not Christians observe Passover (or Days of Unleavened Bread -- as they are mentioned in Acts 12:3). Rather, the reference is to a general time of the year which the original readers would recognize. It was springtime. The verse says, in the NIV, "Herod intended to bring him [Peter] out for public trial after the Passover." It's simply a reference to the time of the year -- which those readers, at large, would have known as Passover -- for the early New Testament church was composed of Christians who were primarily former Jews.
I might say today that I want to visit my grandchildren after St. Patrick's Day -- or that my wife and I are intending to visit some friends after Labor Day. I don't intend to convey my belief that one should observe either day -- it's merely used as a benchmark on the calendar. The word "Easter" is neither good nor bad -- but some, because of negative associations with the ancient, pagan associations of the word, prefer to speak of the Resurrection, Resurrection Sunday, or some other term. I understand and appreciate that sentiment.
Of
course conversion takes place over a period of time, and it often does not
include some emotionally explosive, memorable moment in time.
It can include a “Road to Damascus” experience, but not necessarily.
A “Road to Damascus” experience is not normative or required for
Christians. Conversion is both an
act and a process, and the process is, according to the Bible, one of the works
of the Holy Spirit.
One
of the best responses to this idea that we all must “witness and share your
testimony about when you got saved” that can quickly become legalistic
self-righteous behavior is an anecdote about a biblical scholar who was once
asked when he was saved. He replied,
“Why, I should think that was almost 2000 years ago at the cross of Christ.”
In
Christ,