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Although Scripture does not attempt to “prove”
that Jesus was raised from the dead, it does present conclusive evidence that He was in fact resurrected. Christ’s resurrection is recorded in Matthew 29:1-20; Mark 16:1-20; Luke 24:1-53 and John 20:1-21:25.
The resurrected Christ also appeared in the Book of Acts (Acts 1:1-11). From these passages you can gain several “proofs”
of Christ’s resurrection. Look at the dramatic change in the disciples. They went from scared and hiding in a room,
to courageous and sharing the Gospel throughout the world. What else could explain this dramatic change other than the risen
Christ appearing to them?
Look at the
life of the Apostle Paul. What changed him from being a persecutor of the church into an apostle for the church? It was when
the risen Christ appeared to him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-6). Another convincing “proof” is the empty
tomb. If Christ wasn’t raised, then where is His body? The disciples and others saw the tomb where He was buried. When
they returned, His body was not there. Angels declared that He had been raised from the dead as He had promised (Matthew 28:5-7).
Yet another evidence of His resurrection is the many people He appeared to (Matthew 28:5,9,16-17; Mark 16:9; Luke 24:13-35;
John 20:19,24,26-29; 21:1-14; Acts 1:6-8; 1 Corinthians 15:5-7).
The key passage
on Christ’s resurrection is 1 Corinthians 15. In this chapter, the Apostle Paul explains why it is crucial to understand
and believe in Christ’s resurrection. The resurrection is important for the following reasons: (1) If Christ was not
raised from the dead, believers will not be either (1 Corinthians 15:12-15). (2) If Christ was not raised from the dead, His
sacrifice for sin was not sufficient (1 Corinthians 15:16-19). Jesus’ resurrection proved that His death was accepted
by God as the atonement for our sins. If He had simply died and stayed dead that would indicate His sacrifice was not sufficient.
Without the resurrection, believers could be forgiven for their sins, but then they would still remain dead after they die
(1 Corinthians 15:16-19) – there would be no such thing as eternal life (John 3:16). “But now Christ has been
raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20 NAS). Christ has been raised from
the dead – He is the first fruits of our resurrection.
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