Is the observance of Easter of Christian origin?
Easter - "Astare" (a Chaldean goddess who was known as the "queen of Heaven."
Originally, the religious observance of Easter was actually borrowed from pagan religions. It is true that one does find the word "Easter" in the King James version of the Bible (Acts 12:4), but the Greek word (pascha)would have been more appropriately translated "Passover." No, the observance of Easter is not a part of true Christianity.
What did the Lord set aside for us to observe? His own death (1 Corinthians 11:26). Isn't it peculiar that religious groups go out of their way to observe things that were never intended to be observed, and yet fail to observe what was specifically commanded?
There is, though, a proper way to scripturally "observe" the resurrection of Christ. It involves a proper understanding of the gospel. What is the gospel? We know that the gospel has the power to save us (Romans 1:16). But what is the gospel in specific terms? It is Christ's death, burial and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
This pure and simple gospel must be obeyed (2 Thessalonians 1:7,8; Romans 10:16). But if the gospel is the fact that Christ died, was buried and was raised up again, how does one obey a fact? How does one obey a death, burial and resurrection?
In Romans 6:1-4, we obey the gospel in baptism, which is representative of his death. Romans 6:5 tells us that we are brought out of the water, representative of his resurrection. When lost people obey the gospel, in that act of baptism they receive the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:38) and they proclaim the grand event of Christ's resurrection.
Acts 12:4 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.
1 Corinthians 11:26
Romans 1:16 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:2 Thessalonians 1:7,8
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:Romans 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Romans 6:1-4
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.Romans 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
