The Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

BIBLE DOCTRINE II LECTURE 36 CHRISTOLOGY – THE RESURRECTION

THE EVIDENCE FOR THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST A. THE EMPTY TOMB: Luke 24:1-7 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. (Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; John 20:1-10)

B. THE NUMEROUS POST-RESURRECTION APPEARANCES OF CHRIST: Luke 24:34,36-40 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.

1. To Mary—John 20:16. 2. To the women —Matthew 28:5-9. 3. To Peter —Luke 24:34. 4. To the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus -Luke 24:13-35. 5. To the disciples in the Upper Room —John 20:19. 6. To the disciples, with Thomas present -John 20:26-29. 7. To John and Peter —John 21:5-7. 8. To the Eleven -Matthew 28:16; Acts 1:4. 9. To a whole company of believers -4 Corinthians 15:4-7. 10. To Paul—I Corinthians 15:8.

C. THE CHANGED LIVES OF THE APOSTLES: For example, Peter the “denier of Christ” became the great “preacher of Christ.” “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all” — Acts 4:33.

D. THE RESURRECTION PREACHING OF THE APOSTLES: The resurrection of Jesus Christ was central to all the Gospel preaching recorded in the Book of Acts. “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses” — Acts 2:32.

E. THE INSTITUTION OF THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK: The first day of the week, Sunday, or the “Lord’s Day” is the resurrection day. The “Sabbath” (the day of cessation, rest) is the seventh day — and still is!! i.e. Saturday! Nobody changed the Sabbath. Christians do not hold to Sunday as the ‘Christian Sabbath,’ but it is evident that the early churches began meeting on this day. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come” — I Corinthians 16:2.

F. THE WITNESS OF JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF: “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death” — Revelation 1:18.

III. THE NATURE OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST A. NEGATIVELY CONSIDERED: 1. Resuscitation. 1 Some believe Christ merely “swooned” (fainted) on the cross and was subsequently revived by the coolness of the tomb.

2. Hallucination. The disciples had not been eating mushrooms. Mary Magdalene went to the tomb expecting to anoint a dead body — she did not expect to meet her risen Saviour. See Mark 16:9; John 20:1-1 8.

3. Spiritual Materialization. No “séance” was involved. Christ rose bodily from the dead. Luke 24:39; John 20:24-29.

4. Myth. The Jews at first did everything to prevent a “religious myth” from eventuating — Matthew27:62-66; then later attempted to perpetrate a myth — Matthew 28:12-14

5. Removal Of Christ’s Body. Some hold that the dead body of the Lord Jesus Christ was removed, and the “resurrection” was subsequently concocted. If this were the case, the question must then be asked, ‘Who took the body?” There are only five possibilities: a. The Disciples Took It. The “sentinels” — guards on the lookout for such an act [would have easily have spotted them.] The “seal” — that would show evidence of tampering. The Bible says the disciples were dispersed immediately after the crucifixion —Matthew 26:56,58. b. The Two Mary’s Took It. Some claim these two women executed an early Sunday morning “sting!” According to Matthew 27:60, the stone was “great” in size. Historians say such a stone would require several men to move it. c. Joseph of Arimathea Took It. Others theorize that Joseph decided not to keep Jesus in his tomb, and so removed the body. Joseph had gone to a lot of trouble —John 19:38-40—it would seem strange for him to change his mind. d. The Jews Took It. Of all people who would want the body of Jesus, it would have been the Jewish religious leaders. Why didn’t they produce the body when, seven weeks later, the apostles were winning thousands of converts to this Christ by preaching the resurrection??? e. The Roman Soldiers Took It. Some would have us believe that the disciples bribed the soldiers who were guarding the tomb. For the soldiers to remove the body, it meant direct disobedience to their orders — Roman army discipline for sleeping at their posts, accepting bribes, or breaking the seal would mean summary execution. The Romans were out to keep the peace — why be the cause of a civil uproar??

B. POSITIVELY CONSIDERED: The resurrection of Jesus Christ was personal, visible, and bodily.

1. Jesus Rose Personally From The Dead. “HE is not here: for HE is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay” — Matthew 28:6.

2. Jesus Rose Bodily From The Dead. “And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord ... Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing” — John 20:20,27.

3. Jesus Rose Visibly From The Dead. “Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils ... After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country ... Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart,

2 because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen”—Mark 16:9,12,14.

VI. THE MEANS OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ was accomplished by the power of the triune God: A. HE WAS RAISED BY THE FATHER: “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 6:4.

B. HE AROSE BY HIS OWN POWER: “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” (Jn 10:17,18)

C. HE WAS QUICKENED BY THE HOLY GHOST: “But if the Spirit of Him that raisedup Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you” — Romans 8:11.

V. THE RESURRECTION BODY OF JESUS CHRIST A. IN SOME WAYS IT WAS DIFFERENT FROM HIS FORMER BODY: 1. Mary Did Not Recognize Him Immediately. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and l will take him away”—John 2O:15.

2. His Disciples Did Not Recognize Him At The Sea Shore. “But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.” — John 21:4

3. It Evidently Had Some Variableness In Form. “After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country” — Mark 16:12.

B. IN SOME WAYS IT WAS SIMILAR TO HIS FORMER BODY: 1. It Was Flesh And Bone “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” Lk 24:39 2. He Could Partake Of Food. “And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them” — Luke 24:42,43.

3. He Could Be Recognized At Times. “And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God” — John 20:28.

C. IT WAS NOT HINDERED BY THE NATURAL LAWS: 1. He Could Pass Through Solid Matter. “Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.” Jn 20:19 2. He Could Disappear. “And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.” — Luke 24:31. 3. He Was Not Limited By Natural Laws. “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight” — Acts 1:9.

VI. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST A. It Affirmed His Deity— Rom 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

3 B. Christ’s resurrection fulfilled Old Testament prophecies that Christ would rise again – Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

C. It gives us assurance that He is going to Judge the world. – Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

D. Justified us. – Rom 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

E. It fulfills the promise of God to the nation of Israel. Acts 13:32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again;

F. You have hope to be saved from Hell 1 Cor 15:16-19 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

G. It Is The Basis Of Our New Life In Christ. Rom 6:4 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. 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

H. It Reveals The Nature of our Resurrection Body. Php 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body. ------

INTERESTING FACTS ON THE RESURRECTION (by David Warner) JESUS CHRIST IS ACTUALLY “THE RESURRECTION” (THE AUTHOR AND CAUSE OF IT) John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

THE SADUCCEES SAID THERE WAS NO RESURRECTION Mark 12:18 Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,

THERE WAS A GREAT EARTHQUAKE AFTER HE HAD RISEN Matt 28:2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

MANY WERE RESURRECTED RIGHT AFTER JESUS CHRIST WAS Matt 27:52-53 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

HE APPEARED FIRST TO A FORMER DEVIL POSSESSED WOMAN Mark 16:9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

THE APOSTLES WERE ORDAINED TO BE WITNESSES OF HIS RESURRECTION Acts 1:22,26 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

THERE ARE TWO RESURRECTIONS COMING UP John 5:28-29 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

ONE MUST BELIEVE IT IN ORDER TO BE SAVED Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.