Essentials Of Christianity: The Resurrection (Key)
Written By: Steve Shirley
Why is believing this so important?
(Rom 10:9-10) If we don’t believe Jesus was raised, we can’t be saved.
Paul tells us that if Christ had not risen our faith is in vain (1 Cor 15:14), and we are still in our sins (1 Cor 15:17).
The resurrection forever changed the lives of the apostles and mankind. Why?
Let’s look at a top 10 list of reasons.
#1. (Acts 2:24): What does this tell us?
We have a Savior who is ALIVE! Death could not contain Him.
#2. (Jn 14:19)(1 Cor 6:14)(Rom 8:11)(Phil 3:21)(1 Cor 15:20): What do these verses tell us?
Because He overcame death, we can as well through Him.
#3. (Rom 8:34)(Heb 7:25)(Heb 9:24)(1 Jn 2;1)(Isa 53:12): What do these verses tell us?
He is seated at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us.
#4. Jesus prophesied His resurrection at least 15 times before He died:
Mt 16:21, 17:9, 17:22-23, 20:18-19, 26:32
Mk 8:31, 9:9, 9:31, 10:34, 14:28
Lk 9:22, 18:33
Jn 2:18-22, 10:17-18, 16:16-22
Why is this important?
It proves His promises are trustworthy.
#5. (Rom 1:4): What does this verse tell us?
He is indeed the Son of God.
#6. (Isa 26:19)(Dan 12:2)(Ps 16:10): What do these verses tell us?
Jesus’ resurrection fulfilled Old Testament prophecy.
#7. (Rom 4:25): What does this verse tell us?
His death was necessary for our justification.
#8. (Acts 17:31): What does this verse tell us?
It guarantees a final judgment.
#9. (1 Cor 15:19): What does this verse tell us?
It guarantees a final judgment.
#10. We also have a promise that one day we will get a new body that will never die, will be without sickness or disease, free from sin, glorious, powerful, and spiritual.
These truths turned the apostles from timidness to boldness, from dejected to elated; and many of them were martyred, no longer fearing death. The resurrection of Jesus became a cornerstone of their preaching and converting the lost. The book of Acts alone has numerous verses concerning the resurrection.
Acts 1:22-23, 2:23-24,31-32, 3:15-16,26, 4:10, 5:30, 10:39-41, 13:29-39, 17:30-31, 26:22-23
Jesus arose from the dead on the first day of the week: (Mt 28:1)(Mk 19:2,9)(Lk 24;1)(Jn 20:1). To commemorate this, both the Bible and history show us that the day of worshipping the Lord was changed from the Sabbath day to the Lord’s Day: (Lord’s Day: Rev 10:1)(1 Cor 16:1-2)(Acts 20:7).
**Two points to ponder:
(Acts 26:23)(1 Cor 15:20-23) tell us that Christ was the first to rise from the dead. What does this mean? Didn’t Jesus raise people from the dead before He died: (i.e. Lazarus: Jn 11:1-46, The widow’s daughter: Lk 7:11-15, The daughter of Jarius: Lk 8:41-42, 49-56)?
Jesus was the first to be raised from the dead who never died again.
The resurrection offers proof for the trinity! Question: Who raised Jesus from the dead?
(Jn 2:19) Jesus
(Rom 8:11) Holy Spirit
(Gal 1:1) Father
(Rom 10:9) God