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What does the 'Easter Egg' and the 'Rabbit' actually represent?

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Easter is derived from an very ancient Germanic name for the month of April, Eostremonat--or rather Eostre Month, in dedication to the goddess Eostre. Eostre, or Ostara was a German goddess of fertility and her return was marked by the coming of spring and the sun. The Ost in her name refers to the East--the rising of the sun. The rebirth of the day and the rebirth of the spring were her specialties, and her celebrations occured during the vernal equinox--the first day of spring. Of course calendar dateshave gotten juggled about for quite a few different reasons over time and now April is no longer where it once was on the calendar at what is now March 21st.

The rabbit was a traditional symbol of the goddess because of its great fertility, and the fact that the coming of spring marked the time when all of the little bunnies were seen starting to be born.

When Christianity became the predominant religion it was an easy transition to introduce the rebirth of the Christ figure into the already extant birth and rebirth tradition. Old ways die hard, and the bunny stuck around.

Although there are several explanations for the eggs the Easter bunny brings, (other than eggs are another traditional symbol of birth/rebirth) the most likely is that eggs were forbidden during the fast of lent, and were decorated and eaten in abundance to mark the end of the fast.

German protestants, although breaking with Roman Catholocism and the tradition of the lent fast, liked the egg tradition and kept it. And when German immigrants came to America, they brought with them the traditions of the Osterhase (Easter hare) and his eggs.

Most churches know this but are still practicing paganism.  The entire responsibility lies in the influence of the pastor to initiate a change.  Sometimes we have to wonder what Christ will to say to this “adultery” in His Church…

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Praise the Lord!

The Holy Spirit is working in a mighty way by imparting to people for the establishment of the true church. I too, feel Easter Eggs and Bunnies do not belong in churches. It is totally pagan. Would Muslims allow an Aum in a masjid or Hindus the inscription of Allah in a mandhir? NO! Then why do we Christians tend to compromise just for the sake of debauchery. The gratification of our senses, being the eyes and tongue.

I even feel the word Easter should not be used. the only translation you find this term is the King James Version. In the original manuscript it is Pesach, which is Passover. I think we too should just call it Pesach. Otherwise its like calling Diwali the festival of Allah or Eid the festival of Ram. An absolute oxymoron.

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When someone converts to Christianity, all his old ways are criticised by the church in order for him to leave his old ways.  If this person is an Indian, then anything religious or cultural is shaken to such an extent to uproot every bit of Hindu roots present in him.... even their name is forcefully changed in cases if it Ram or something realating to any Hindu diety!!

But the funny thing is, who will legislate the Christianity with it's prepackaged pagan hints that has been handed to these new converts??  Easter and Christmas being the primary pagan heavyweights...

We need a breed of radical Christians to rise up and pull down this stronghold..?

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Thats the biggest problem with many Indian churches. They may change their names, the name of the God they worship, but their ways, thoughts and ideals remain the same. The word of God was given to us for a reason, to help cleanse us from our old ways with the Holy Spirit. Many think salvation is all the Bible teaches, and that is the goal of life, but its not. They overlook sanctification. Many Indians also stick to the same diet, or go vegetarian to make a covenant with God, to get what they want. Does this profess a good condition of their faith? Does it profess faith at all? How did Jesus heal people in the Bible? Because He saw their faith was well. I actually had a dream where I saw a cross with a red swastika in the front of it. This was on a large truck where I was in a car looking at it. This is what many Indian churches are about. Putting their Hindu ideals in front of the cross, rather it being dissolved by the power that comes from the cross. I pray this car with become larger than the truck.

Im for celebrating Pesach/Passover. Throughout the Bible we see verses pointing to the event of the messiah's death. Why not make is a legal sabbath/holiday. Celebrate it the same time as the Jews. The 14th day of Nissan.

Christmas was actually saturnalia. A pagan festival. But again, I don't see the harm of celebrating the birth of God the Son, Lord and Saviour. But thats my opinion. I know many are against the celebration of both Easter and Christmas.

This relative radicalism is rising and I feel it is in conjunction with the Revival. Bring it on! Let the Holy Revival break out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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The reason why there's no change in lives of Christians' is because they are not saved.  Going to church doesn't make you a Christian as much as standing in your garage makes you a car.  

When someone sees the sacrifice clearly portrayed (Gal 3) and realises the reason behind it, repents of his sinful ways he is receives eternal life.  But those who actually receive this gift of salvation via the process of sanctification will DEFINITELY grow.  The growth maybe a it slow but it will definitely grow....this is the seed of the Spirit we are talking about!!  Gal 5:22 lists these manifestations of this concatenated fruit.  Note that there's is only one fruit but nine manifestations.  

This on going process of sanctification is heavily relied on "inward" and "outward" aspects of one's life.  Inward aspect is mainly a fervent life of prayer, worship and intense study of the word of God.  Outward mainly lines with James 1:22 and Matt 28:18 ie, carrying out the commission in the way Christ has called you.  The most important stewardship in a Christian life is the stewardship of the heart (mind) Pro 4:23.

The Bible is the only operational manual for this salvation process.

Remember:
WE ARE SAVED BY FAITH ALONE, BUT AFTERWARDS FAITH AND WORKS IS THE BY PRODUCT OF SALVATION!!

It pretty evident that the Bible uses a different yardstick to acknowledge once acceptance.  The things that DO NOT guarantee to your entry are, prophesy in His name, cast out demons in His name, and do many mighty works in His name (Matt 7:22).  So what gets us in?  

Well, fruit bearing is a start.  We can't forcefully produce fruits.  We only prepare fertile "ground" for it in the "inward" aspect of one's Christian life (mentioned earlier).  If the Word of God is the Spiritual food, then is not also the fuel for successful growth hence the fertiliser to enrich the "ground?".

The whole living revolves around finding what our King expects of us on a personal, relational (family and career obligations) and ministerial level.  Once this information is obtained, the WHOLE life has to change, goals re-analysed and ALL effort put into achieving them.  We will only then be clay in the hands of the Potter...vessels of honour in the Master's service...all Glory to God.

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ok, time for a friendly debate. May we be open, edify one another.

How can a Christian be a Christian if he is not saved? What is your stance on soteriology? Justification by faith alone? or something else? Being a pentecostal, our doctrine of soteriology is Romans 10:9
[SUP] [/SUP]If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

Being saved means you get to enter the kingdom and receive eternal life. Sanctification is to inherit the kingdom and inherit eternal life.

Look at parable of the ten virgins/bridesmaids. The virgins/bridemaids are the church. They are saved. In the original greek wise = single-minded, foolish = double-minded. oil represents their spirit (not holy spirit). The wise were single-minded on the word, and they were spiritually prepared. They were more sanctified than the other five, as they were double-minded, with the world and the word, so they were less spiritually prepared. The groom, ie. Jesus comes and says "I never knew you" and they dont have that communion with Him. They are locked out in the outer darkness of the kingdom. The english translation does not give this parable any justice. Esp as Jesus knows us all, by name. In Greek - it is "I never had a strong relationship with you" ie. you were not sanctified.

So there is Justification and Sanctification. One is saved, that is justified, or has righteousness credited to him, just as Abraham had, through faith. Paul makes this clear.

But to inherit the kingdom, and not "be locked out" one must be sanctified. Love Jesus, by obeying His commandments and strive to be more like Him.

Many will have different opinions on this.

Know I take no offence and am open to be sharpened. Especially by another who is strong in the faith as yourself. As iron sharpens iron, so shall man sharpen man. Lets sharpen away. Sick of being blunt, which is why I left my previous church. I was even Youth Pastor there, but had enough.

You go to Father's House right?