From: "Hebraic.Heritage.Newsgroup@sol.wwwnexus.com"
<Hebraic.Heritage.Newsgroup@sol.wwwnexus.com>
To: Hebraic Heritage Newsgroup <heb_roots_chr@geocities.com>, Hebraic Heritage
Newsgroup 2 <heb_roots_chr@geocities.com>
Subject: History of the Passover/Easter Controversy
Date: Thu, 8 Apr 1999 16:07:10 -0800
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From: Derek & Jan Williams
To: <heb_roots_chr@geocities.com>
Subject: Easter/Pesach
Hello All,
I've been a member of this newsgroup practically since it began and I had GOBS of
letters saved. I hated deleting the letters as most were very educational
and full of MEAT. Anyway, I had some really good ones saved regarding
Easter and Passover. They taught SO MUCH about Easter and its origins --
down to even the reasons certain foods were eaten. I can remember being
shocked and amazed. Then our computer went down and I lost everything I'd
saved and am finding I need the old letters. You see, recently my new
sister-in-law called me 'petty' for choosing Passover over Easter. She
claimed her God isn't petty and wouldn't care which day she chose to honor
- as long she honored Him. I'm sure most of you, if not all of you, are
familiar with the arguments (they get old, huh?). *sigh* I dropped the
subject as she was getting very defensive even without provocation on my
part. We are going to sit down with her and the whole gang and have a
little study when time allows. At that time I want to have all my ducks in
a row so we can present all the facts to them -- sisters-in-law and
brothers-in-law, 6 of us all totaled. All are believers, but not
enlightened just yet. Anyway, I'm hoping someone out there saved the
letters like I did and can send me the old letters that were so full of
facts. I would appreciate it. Thanks so much.
Jan
***********************************************************************
From: Neal Walters
To: heb_roots_chr@mail.geocities.com
Subject: The Passover Controversy
Dear Eddie,
I've been sitting back reading and enjoying the news group. Now, I
have something that is worth sharing. Keep up the great work.
Source of the Material Below:
The entire text below is directly quoted from an out-of-print book
called "The Church and the Jews - The Biblical Relationship", by
Daniel Gruber (published by the General Council of the Assemblies of
God, Intercultural Ministries, 1991, Springfield, MO). After reading
it, you may understand why there was not a great demand for
republishing. I found this book at a MJAA Yeshiva Class on Messianic
Theology. I apologize for any typos, I keyed it in and edited it in
a hurry to get it done this week.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Beginning of quotes from the section entitled "The
Passover Controversy": ----------------
How did the Passover controversy arise? Jesus had celebrated
Passover on the fourteenth of Nisan because that is its Biblical
date. He observed all the Levitical holy days on the days when God
had decreed and designed them to be observed. The Apostles and the
first century Church did much the same.
"As the Christian Passover was celebrated at the same time as the
Jewish, this simultaneous observance was preserving the Jewish ritual
in the Christian festival, and strengthening the bonds between
Christianity and Judaism. The date must be changed. In some
quarters the Church attempted to restrict the celebration to a single
day, 14 Nisan; elsewhere - and this became the prevailing custom -
she made Holy Week the week in which fell 14 Nisan (the day when the
Jewish feast began), and removed the festival, which had already
changed its character, to the Sunday following Holy Week. In all
these cases there was dependence on the Jewish calendar, a
'humiliating subjection' to the Synagogue which irked the Church."
Besides changing their dates the Church also gave to the Jewish
festivals, which she adopted, a purpose different from that which
they had for the Jews. [Thus] Sunday commemorates the resurrection
of the Lord, the victory over the Jews. (1)
Sometime in the second century, some of the churches in the west,
among the Gentiles, began to celebrate Passover/Easter so that their
commemoration of the Lord's resurrection would always take place on a
Sunday regardless of the Biblical calendar. Towards the end of the
second century, these western churches, led by the bishops of Rome,
Casesarea, and Jerusalem (where there were no longer Jewish bishops),
began to agitate for all the churches to keep the Passover on their
fixed Sunday, rather than on the fourteenth of Nisan. They also were
accustomed to using the Roman calendar, rather than the Biblical
calendar.
Eusebius says, "There was a considerable discussion raised about this
time, in consequence of a difference of opinion respecting the
observance of the paschal season. The churches of all Asia, guided
by a remoter tradition, supposed that they ought to keep the fourteen
day of the moon for the festival of the Savior's Passover, in which
day the Jews were commanded to kill the paschal lamb.But as it was
not the custom to celebrate it in this manner in the churches
throughout the rest of the world.there were synods and convocations
of the bishops on this question.There is an epistle extant even now,
of those who were assembled at the time; among whom presided
Theophilus, bishop of the church in Cesarea, and Narcissus, bishop of
Jerusalem. There is another epistle extant on the same question,
bearing the name of Victor [the bishop of Rome].(2)
"The bishops, however, of Asia, persevering in observing the custom
handed down to them from their fathers, were headed by Polycrates.
He, indeed, had also set forth the tradition handed down to them, in
a letter which he addressed to Victor and the Church of Rome.
"We,' said he, 'therefore, observe the genuine day; 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 Hierapolis,
and his two aged virgin daughters. His other daughter, also, who
having lived under the influence of the Holy Ghost, now likewise
rests in Ephesus. Moreover, John, who rested upon the bosom of our
Lord; who also was a priest, and bore the sacerdotal plate, both a
martyr and teacher. He is buried in Ephesus; also Polycarp of
Smyrna, both bishop and martyr. Thraseas, also, bishop and martyr of
Eumenia, who is buried at Smyrna. Why should I mention.
"All these observed the fourteenth day of the passover according to
the gospel, deviating in no respect, but following the rule of faith.
Moreover, I, Polycrates, who am the least of all of you, according
to the tradition of my relatives, some of whom I have followed. For
there were seven, my relatives bishops, and I am the eighth; and my
relatives always observed the day when the people (i.e. the Jews)
threw away the leaven. I, therefore, brethren, am now sixty-five
years in the Lord, who having conferred with the brethren throughout
the world, and having studied the whole of the sacred Scriptures, am
not at all alarmed at those things with which I am threatened, to
intimidate me For they who are greater than I, have said, "We ought
to obey God rather than men."
".Upon this, Victor, the bishop of the Church of Rome, forthwith
endeavored to cut off the churches of all Asia, together with the
neighboring churches, as heterodox, from the common unity. And he
publishes abroad by letters, and proclaims, that all the brethren
there are wholly excommunicated."(3)
There were others, like Irenaeus, who "with much severity" exhorted
Victor to withdraw his decree. Irenaeous reminded Victor of what had
happened about fifty years earlier. Anicetus, the bishop of Rome at
that time, had tried to persuade Polycarp. "For neither could
Anicetus persuade Polycarp not to observe it, because he had always
observed it with John the disciple of our Lord, and the rest of the
apostles, with whom he associated."(4) In another section, Eusebius
says this about Polycarp: "He always taught what he had learned from
the apostles, what the church had handed down, and what is the only
true doctrine." (5)
The issue, in a slightly altered from, was finally settled by the
Council of Nicea in 325 AD. There it was decided that all the
churches should celebrate Passover, or actually Easter, on the
ecclesiastically chosen Sunday rather than the Biblical date. All
the churches were thus informed. The Emperor Constantine sent his
personal exhortation to all the churches concerning the decision of
the Council. What the Emperor said had great weight. After all,
Constantine was the one who had ended the persecution of the
churches. He was the founder of the Holy Roman Empire. He openly,
personally professed the Christian faith. He had convened the
council. The churches, therefore, were more than willing to hear
whatever he had to say to them.
What he had to say to them is a clear presentation of the sentiment
and theology of the Council of Nicea. It expresses what then became
the nearly universal sentiment and theology of the Church. Following
are excerpts from his letter:
---- beginning of Constantine's letter ----
Constantine, august, to the Churches.
Having experienced, in the flourishing state of public affairs, the
greatness of the divine goodness I though it especially incumbent on
me to endeavor that the happy multitudes of the Catholic [i.e. the
universal] Church should preserve one faith, be united in unfeigned
love, and harmoniously join their devotions to the Almighty God. .
When the question arose concerning the most holy day of Easter, it was
decreed by common consent to be expedient, that this festival should
be celebrated on the same day by all, in every place. For what can be
more beautiful, what more venerable and becoming, than that this
festival, from which we receive hope of immortality, should be
suitably observed by all in one and the same order. it seemed to every
one a most unworthy thing that we should follow the custom of the Jews
in the celebration of this most holy solemnity, who, polluted
wretches! Having stained their hands with a nefarious crime, are
justly blinded in their minds.
It is fit, therefore, that, rejecting the practice of this people, we
should perpetuate to all future ages the celebration of this rite, in
a more legitimate order, . Let us then have nothing in common with the
most hostile rabble of the Jews. We have received another method from
the Savior. A more lawful and proper course is open to our most holy
religion. .
As it is necessary that this fault should be so amended that we may
have nothing in common with the usage of these parricides and
murderers of our Lord; and as that order is most convenient which is
observed by all the churches of the West, as well as those of the
southern and northern parts of the world, and also by some in the
East, it was judged therefore to be most equitable and proper, and I
pledge myself that this arrangement should meet your approbation, viz.
That the custom which prevails with one consent in the city of Rome,
and throughout all [list of countries] .., and to have no fellowship
with the perjury of the Jews.
And, to sum up the whole in a few words, it was agreeable to the
common judgment of all, that the most holy feast of Easter should be
celebrated on one and the same day. . it is your duty to receive and
establish the arguments already stated, and the observance of the most
holy day; ..
---- end of Constantine's letter ----
In this letter, Constantine officially establishes an anti-Judaic
foundation for the doctrine and practice of the Church, and declares
that contempt for the Jews, and separation form them, is the only
proper Christian attitude. ..
The most revealing question to ask is, "When did God give such
authority over the Church to Constantine?" It is a question that was
not really articulated at that time nor in most of the sixteen and a
half centuries since.
The relationship of Church and State which began under Constantine was
seen as the greatest blessing of God. There was an end to what had
seemed like endless persecution. But with the end of persecution and
the beginning of new alliance came great compromises which have
distorted the nature of the Church to this day. .
>From that point on, Church doctrine was to be enforced by the sword
of the State. Those who would not conform were to be exiled or put to
death. The book of heretics - those who taught what was contrary to
the accepted teaching - were to be burned and exterminated from the
earth. After all, as Constantine had written, "no pretense was left
for dissension or controversy respecting the faith."
The Church ceased to be the Church of Jesus, and became the Church of
Constantine. It was no longer the bride of Messiah. It had become
the bride of Caesar. The light within turned to darkness. The Church
changed from a means of salvation into a means of destruction. It
poisoned the waters of eternal life, turning them into an everflowing
fountain of death.
Jesus had warned his followers, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it
over them; and those who have authority over them are called
'Benefactors." But not so with you, but let him who is the greatest
among you become as the youngest, and the leader as the servant.":
(Luke 22:25-26). Constantine presented himself as the Benefactor of
the Church, having ended the persecution, and therefore expected the
Church to conform to his will. The prophetic voice of the Church vis
a vis the State was silenced, and a hierarchical structure was imposed
upon it.
Under Constantine, Eusebius wrote a history of the church that
pointedly eliminated any positive references the restoration of Israel
and earthly reign of Jesus. .
The Church made a significant official change both in doctrine and in
the way doctrine was to be established. . For what was approved by
300 bishops can only be considered as the pleasure of God. God's Truth
was to be determined by Church councils, and not by the Word of God.
Consequently, the teaching which was a blasphemous heresy to Justin
Martyr became the new, unchallengeable orthodoxy.
It is remarkable that this change was made over such a clear, but
seemingly insignificant issue as when the Church should celebrate the
Passover. The Bible sets the date for Passover as the fourteenth of
Nisan. That is when Jesus celebrated the Passover. The apostles did
the same.
The Apostle Paul, whose ministry was to the Gentiles, observed the
Biblical dates. The book of Acts records, simply in passing, that
Passover (Acts 20:7), Shavuot [Pentecost] (Acts 20:16) and Yom Kippur
[the Day of Atonement] were fixed, significant dates for Paul. .
Eusebius tells the story in The Last Days of Constantine. All these
edifices the emperor consecrated with the desire of perpetuating the
memory of the Apostles of our Savior before all men. He had, however,
another object in erecting this building (i.e. the Church of the
Apostles at Constantinople); an object at first unknown, but which
afterwards became evident to all. He had in fact, made a choice of
this spot in the prospect of his own death, anticipating with
extraordinary fervor of faith that this body would share their title
with the Apostles themselves, and that he should thus even after death
become the subject, with them, of the devotions which should be
performed to their honor in this place, and for this reason he bade
men assemble for worship there at the altar which he placed in the
midst. He accordingly caused twelve coffins to be set up in this
church, like sacred pillars in honor and memory of the apostolic band,
in the center of which his own was placed, having six of their on
either side of it. (5). .
"Planning the Church of the Apostles, Constantine had dreamed of
resting there forever in the midst of the Twelve, not merely one of
them, but a symbol of, if not a substitute for, their Leader. During
the months of the church's construction, his agents had been busy in
Palestine collecting alleged relics [i.e. bones] of the apostles and
their companions, to be laid up in the church with his body, awaiting
the general resurrection."(6)
"The project was started but not completed. However, an official
search was made for the locations of the bodies of the Apostles, and
this official search was possible the precipitating cause for the
inventory which was made for the Apostolic remains or relics. After
this time there arose the practice of the veneration of relics.(7)
Constantine sought bones and buildings as the focus of worship.
Constantine built buildings which were called churches, and people who
were not the Church began to fill them. They 'went to church," but
did not seek to "be the Church." Rome was to become the new "holy
city", geographically defining and confining worship.
Paul had warned the Gentile believer in Rome, "Don't be arrogant
towards the natural branches. Don't be ignorant of God's faithfulness
to the Jewish people."
FOOTNOTES:
1) Les Juifs dan l'empire romain I, Paris 1914, P.308ff,quoted in "A
Note on the Quartodecimans," C.W. Dugmore, Studia Patristica, Vol.IV,
Berlin, 1961, P.412.
2)The Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius
Pamphilus, op.cit., Bk 5, Ch.23, P.207.
3) ibid, Bk.5, Ch.24,Pp..208-209.
4) ibid, Bk 5, Ch.24,Pp.210-211.
5) ibid, Bk.4, Ch.14,P.141.
6) J. Stevenson, A New Eusebius, P.395, quoted in The
Search for the Twelve Apostles, William Steuart McBirnie, Tyndale
House, Wheaton, IL., 1977, P.19
7) John Holland Smith, Constantine the
Great, Pp.301-302, quoted in The Search for the Twelve Apostles,
William Steuart McBirnie, Pp.19-20.
8) The Search for the Twelve Apostles, P.20
Neal Walters
***********************************************************************
To educate, train and equip for study both the Jew and
Non-Jew in the Rich Hebraic Heritage of our Faith.
Please visit the Hebraic Roots Global Network
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1999 Feast of Tabernacles Celebration
and
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