Why is the resurrection of Jesus so important?
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is so crucial and foundational to those who call themselves Christ followers because it is the very root of what we believe. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most important aspect of the Christian faith. God who sent His only begotten Son who was crucified, buried in a tomb, resurrected, ascended into heaven where He is currently sitting on the right hand side of God praying. The core of the Christian faith is true today this very minute as it was the day and very minute that Jesus rose from the grave, lingered on earth for a time then joined His Father on the throne.
Apostle Paul, the dominate writer of the New Testament shares the truth and sound doctrine of this argument in his first letter to the church at Corinth. Paul focuses on Christ resurrection and makes it very clear to those who have questions, the doubters and the skeptics of who Christ is and what Christ did. In Chapter 15 Paul builds on his thesis by giving step by step understanding; He starts off with the 1) Fact of Christ’s resurrection, then 2) the importance of Christ’s resurrection, 3) the order of the resurrection 4) the moral implications of Christ’s resurrection and 5) ending with the bodies of the resurrected dead.
Paul declares that; “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.”
Paul does not leave any room for those people in Corinth who continue to question or to those who read these scriptures now. The facts are before the reader, bringing them to a place of selecting truth or fallacy. Gary Habermas says “Skeptics must provide more than alternative theories to the Resurrection; they must provide first-century evidence for those theories.
There are several documented facts that prove the resurrection of Jesus. And because historians look for hypotheses that best fit the available facts. The hypothesis that fits all the facts is the best explanation. Once all the hypotheses have been weighed against the facts, we have confidence in the explanation that outweighs the rest. The resurrection of Jesus is the best explanation of the facts!
Non Christians, Historians, Enemies believed in the Resurrection
Jesus’ death by Roman crucifixion is one of the most well attested events of ancient history.
Recorded in all four New Testament Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) as well as Non-Christian sources such as; Josephus-A Jewish Historian, Mara Bar-Serapion Tacitus-A Roman Historian, The Jewish Talmud, Lucian of Samosata, Greek Satirist; Syrian prisoner
So even though many did not believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Son of Man, there was evidence in their writings that prove Jesus was resurrected.
Jesus’ appearances to the disciples and others
Nearly all scholars who study Jesus’ resurrection agree that Jesus’ disciples believed he had appeared to them raised from the dead, following his crucifixion. The conclusion comes from data that suggest two main factors. The disciples themselves claimed the risen Jesus appeared to them. The disciples were transformed from frightened individuals who went into hiding and denial at Jesus’ death to bold witnesses proclaiming the resurrection of the Lord. These two points are confirmed by Paul’s testimony about the disciples, the oral tradition of the early church, and the written works of the early church. Peter, Paul, and John wrote their own personal experiences throughout scripture. Paul shares in I Corinthians 15 his account. In addition, these appearances were established by the written tradition, including the Gospels and works of the apostolic and early church fathers (Origen, Polycarp, Tertullian) Not to mention Jesus appearing to the men on the road and others.
Jesus’ tomb was empty
These points clearly proves that the tomb was indeed empty due to the Resurrection of
Jesus Christ.
All four Gospels report that the tomb of Jesus was discovered empty by women. The culture of the Jewish society, a women’s testimony would not be honored in a court of law. So if someone was making this up as a false claim, that person would use male witnesses that would be honored in that culture. The fact that the gospels document the women as witnesses is a fact that points to the tomb being actually empty due to the resurrection of Christ.
Enemies testified of a empty tomb. If someone does not support facts as being true, then why would they mention it as such? If testimony about an event or person is given by a source who does not sympathize with the person, message, or cause then there is reason to believe the testimony is true/ Some of these sources include: Justin Martyr’s Dialogue with Trypho 108, Tertullian’s Spectacles 30,Jewish Toledoth – “he was not in his grave” Matthew 28: 11-15 "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.‘”
The most plausible explanation covering this historically reliable information is that Jesus Christ was crucified, buried, and was resurrected from the grave.
Call to Action:
Now that you have come, you have read and you have seen, will you believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Will you believe in Him as your personal Lord and Savior?
This month as the world annually celebrates Resurrection Sunday, will you join in celebration through demonstration of bowing your knee, humbly confessing sins and completely serving Jesus Christ as your Lord
Resources:
1. Mary Jo Sharp- Confident Christianity http://www.
2. International Society of Women in Apologetics ISWA- www.womeninapologetics.com
3. I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be An Atheist by Norman Geisler, Frank Turek.
4. The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus by Gary Habermas, Mike Licona
NOTE:
Firm Foundations is published every first Wednesday of the month in the Rim Review
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About the Author:
Simone Lake is a Christ follower, bride of Pastor Dr. John Lake (of Church on Randall Place), Bible teacher and a passionate pray-er. A graduate of Golden Gate Theological Seminary, Simone holds a Master’s degree in Theology Studies and Apologetics Certificate from BIOLA University. She is an active member of International Women in Apologetics.
Visit her on: www.deeprootsinchrist.com, www
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