Resurrection Of Christ
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RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
(Christology: Doctrine Of Christ)
SECTION 1: EVIDENCE OF THE RESSURECTION
1. Number Of Witnesses
1 Corinthians 15:6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
* he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once;
2. Written Testimonies
Matthew to John, 1 Peter to Jude
3. Conviction Of Skeptics
a. There Were 2 People Who Doubted That Jesus Died And Raised Himself From The Dead But When Jesus Showed Himself In Front Of Them, They Got Convicted And Believed
Luke 24:13-34 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?
19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;
23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.
24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.
29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,
34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
b. Thomas Said He Will Not Believe Until He See's Him. When Jesus Appeared To Thomas, He Called Jesus "My Lord And My God"
John 20:25-29 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27 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.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
c. The Jews Hated And Kills Christians During That Time. Paul Was One Of Them Who Went Against Christianity But Got Converted
Philippians 3:4-7 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
4. The Empty Tomb
Matthew 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
* They can't find his body
5. Risking Everything Upon A Living Saviour
1 Corinthians 15:16-19 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
* Paul said everything that he had done counted for nothing if they found the body of Jesus
SECTION 2: EXPLANATION OF THE RESSURECTION
1. THE MYTH THEORY
* This theory says Jesus' ressurection is just a myth, a traditional story and its not true
Answer (a): There Is No Way A Myth Can Be Formed Within A Short Frame Of Time Once The New Testament Was Finished.
* A myth takes a number of generations to form a myth.
* The new testament didn't take a number of generations to be completed. It took less than a hundred years. The new testament completed few years after the time Christ.
* Polycarp manuscripts
* Historian Josephus (not a christian) was alive during Jesus time and was recorded in his book
Answer (b): Many Infallible Proofs
Acts 1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
2. THE HALLUCINATION THEORY
* This theory says its sensory experiences that appears real but created in one's mind
Answer (a): They Touched And Handled Him
Matthew 28:9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
Answer (b): Sceptics Believed
John 20:25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
Answer (c): 500 People WItness Jesus
1 Corinthians 15:6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep
3. The FRAUD THEORY
* This theory says they were all lying and made it all up
Answer: The Disciples Were Scared That The Jews Will Torture Them During That Time
John 20:19 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.
4. THE SWOON THEORY
* This theory says Jesus didn't actually die but just fainted
Answer (a): Every Last Drop Of His Blood Was Gone
John 19:34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
Answer (b): They Put Spices On His Body
John 19:40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
* Spices is poisonous and will kill a man
Answer (c): The Tomb Was Shut Off By A Huge Stone And Would Require Several Man To Roll Away That Stone
Mark 16:1-4 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?
4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
Answer (d): The Tomb Was Guarded Sure By The Soldiers
Matthew 27:62-66 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,
63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
* Soldiers were told to guard the tomb because they don’t want anyone to steal the body of Jesus
5. THE STOLEN BODY THEORY
* This theory says robbers came to steal Jesus’ body and disciples thought Jesus Christ raised Himself from the dead
Answer: No Robbers Would Steal Something While Leaving The Bandages Unwrapped With The Head Cloth Lying
Matt 18, Mark 16
* These verses show Jesus when he was buried, Jesus was wrapped with bandages like a mummy and a head cloth on around his face
* When Jesus raised Himself from the dead, He went through the bandages because the bandages were not unwrapped or torn. No robber in his or her right mind would steal a body by unwrapping the bandages and wrapping it again. On top of that, with armed Roman soldiers guarding the tomb?
6. THE GHOST THEORY
* This theory says they only saw Jesus' ghost and not his real body
Answer: Jesus Ate And Drink, Jesus Said It Himself That He Is Not A Ghost, People Touched Him
Luke 24:39, 43 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.
43 And he took it, and did eat before them.
7. THE EXCAVATION THEORY
* This theory says that Jesus actually died because someone found a body with the name Jesus while excavating
Answer: There Were A Lot Of People Named Jesus Even During The Time Of Jesus Itself
Acts 7:45 Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;
* This is an example of another person also with the name Jesus
SECTION 3: HIS RESSURECTED BODY
1. It Had Flesh And Bones
Luke 24:39 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.
2. It Is A Glorious Body
Philippians 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
3. It Is An Immortal Body
Romans 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
4. It Is A Spiritual Body
1 Corinthians 15:44-45, 47 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
* A body which is holy, sinless and spotless
5. It Phases Through Solid Objects
John 20:19 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.
6. It Will Be Liken To The Bodies Of Christians
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
SECTION 4: RESULTS OF THE RESSURECTION
1. It Proves The Existence Of God
Romans 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.
2. It Proves The Deity Of Christ
Romans 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
* This proves He is actually God, otherwise how can he raise himself from the dead
3. It Means Salvation Is An Accomplished Fact
Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
* Salvation is complete, Jesus doesn't need to die again
4. It Guarantees That Everyone Will Rise Too
1 Corinthians 15:16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
5. It Has Us Walking In Newness Of Life
Romans 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.
* The ressurection represents us walking as a new life in Jesus christ. Our old life is before we got saved, we were dead in sin. When we got saved, we got a new life
6. So That He Can Fulfill His Next Promise
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
* How can Jesus Christ come again for us if He is dead
SECTION 5: STORY OF HIS ASCENSION
1. He Spent 40 Days On Earth After His Ressurection To Prove He Is Alive And Prepare His Disciples In His Teachings
Acts 1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
2. He Went Up To Heaven On A Cloud Bodily and Visibly
Acts 1:9-11 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus,which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
* He went with his body and everyone saw Him
3. He Ascended To Sit On The Right Hand Of The Father
Ephesians 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
a. Its A Geogprahical Location, Steven Said He Saw Jesus Standing On The Right Hand Of God
Acts 7:56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
SECTION 6: PROPHECY OF HIS ASCENSION
1. It Was Prophesied In The Bible
Psalms 68:18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.
Psalms 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Luke 9:51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
John 6:62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
John 14:28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
John 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
SECTION 7: IMPORTANCE OF HIS ASCENSION
1. The Holy Spirit Comes Upon Believers
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
2. Christ Preparing Mansions For Believers
John 14:2-3 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
3. Disciples Can Do Greater Works
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
4. So That The Father Can Be Glorified
John 17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
5. Christ Became Prince And Saviour
Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
6. Jesus Gave Gifts To Men
Ephesians 4:8, 11 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
* God gave gifts to us to help take care of His ministry
7. Christ Had To Demonstrate That Sins Were Completely Purged
Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
* So that He can show Himself to the Father
8. Jesus Can Interceed For Us As Our High Priest
Hebrews 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
9. We Can Come Boldly In Front Of God For Prayer
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
10. We Can Look In Christ In Heaven As Our Goal
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
* So that we are heavenly minded
11. A Part Of Us Is Already Sitted Together With Christ In Heaven
Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
* Noticed the verse: “made us sit” (this is past tense). It did not say “will make us sit”
* That means a part of us is already settled sitted in a reserved place in heaven with God when we got saved
* In God's eye, since the first person that God saved to the last person that got saved during the church age, a part of them are already sitted in heaven with Him
* That means we may be alive on earth, but when we trust Jesus Christ as our saviour, a part of us is already sitted in heaven
* => Eternal security (Once saved always save)
12. Christ Can Fill All Things
Ephesians 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.
* Thats why we can never fear because christ is always near
13. Recognition Of The Authority Of Christ
1 Peter 3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.