Does the bible tell us to keep Easter as a holiday?
The word Easter is not found in the original Greek writings of the New Testament. It is found in the King James Version (KJV).
And G2532 when he G3739 had apprehended G4084 him, he put G5087 him in G1519 prison, G5438 and delivered G3860 him to four G5064 quaternions G5069 of soldiers G4757 to keep G5442 him; G846 intending G1014 after G3326 Easter G3957 to bring him forth G321 G846 to the G3588 people. G2992.intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people..
Acts 12:4 KJV with Strongs references
Easter listed here is a mistranslation of the Greek word for Passover, Strongs Reference G3957.
Strongs G3957 πάσχα or pascha or pas’-khah
Of Chaldee origin (compare [H6453]); the Passover (the meal, the day, the festival or the special sacrifices connected with it): – Easter, Passover.
Strongs G3957
Total KJV occurrences: 29
Even Strongs lists “Easter” as a possible translation, not because it is valid but because the Englishman most likely kept the Easter holiday. Thayer another bible dictionary does not mention Easter.
This Greek word is found in 26 other verses in the New Testament KJV version of the bible and all of them are properly translated properly as Passover. All other bible translations translate all references to this Greek word as Passover.
The Easter holiday was created by a portion of the early church that wanted to dis-associate themselves with Jewish (Old Testament) practices. Easter is a made-up man-made holiday just like the 4th of July in the USA. There is nothing wrong with the 4th of July, however it is not a biblically commanded holiday.
Easter is not described in the bible anywhere, let alone commanded to be kept. Its origin is actually from pagan spring worship rites and has nothing to do with the resurrection of Yeshua (Jesus). Should we keep a pagan festival to honor the death and resurrection of Yeshua, the Saviour of the world, God in the flesh?
Does the bible tell us to keep Passover?
Does bible instruct God’s people to keep Passover? Most assuredly and in multiple places in both the Old and New Testaments. It is reference in 71 verses in the Old and New Testaments. Yeshua kept the Passover Festival. Yeshua/Jesus was sinless, and it is a commandment to keep Passover.
In the Old Testament it is commanded in multiple places:
Passover is another time when you must come together to worship me, and it must be celebrated on the evening of the fourteenth day of the first month of each year.
Lev 23:4 CEv (Contemporary English Version)
Observe the month of Abib and keep the Passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.
Deu 16:1 ASV (American Standard Version)
In the New Testament, they kept the Passover and Yeshua/Jesus commanded it:
And he said unto them, “With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:” Yeshua
Luk 22:15 ASV
The disciples did as Jesus commanded them, and they prepared the Passover.
Mat 26:19 WEB (World English Bible)
Some will tell you, that keeping Passover is only if you are an Israelite or are Jewish, please read article on the Food Laws https://onfireforhim.org/food/ to see who is part of Israel and who should keep the commandments of God/Yeshua.