RESURRECTION, CHRIST'S

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the very foundation of Christianity. If the Lord was not raised, the religion of Christ is a hoax (cf. 1 Cor. 15:4; 14-19). The Savior's resurrection was foretold by the prophets (Psa. 16:8ff), and promised by Jesus himself (Jn. 2:19-22; Mt. 12:39-40; 16:21). On the third day following his death, Jesus was raised out of the grave, according to the unanimous testimony of the Gospel writers (Mt. 28:1ff; Mk. 16:1ff; Lk. 24:1ff; Jn. 20:1ff). From Pentecost onward, the early disciples unashamedly proclaimed the resurrection of their Lord (Acts 2:24, 32: 3:15, 26; 4:10, 33; 5:30; 10:40; 13:30, 33-34; 17:31). If Jesus was not raised from the dead, what happened to his body? There are but three possibilities: (a) The Lord's enemies took the body. But if that was the case, why did they not bring it forth, and thereby completely silence the preaching of the apostles? The answer is obvious. They did not have it. (b) The disciples recovered the body and kept it hid. This is not a credible explanation. These humble folks were willing to endure all manner of persecution -- even violent death -- rather than recant their testimony that they witnessed the Lord's presence following his death, or else they knew others who had seen the Savior (cf. 1 Cor. 15:1-11). While one may forfeit his life willingly for a "belief" he holds to be true, he will scarcely sacrifice himself for a proposition he knows to be a lie. Were James, Peter, and Paul all willing to die as martyrs, knowing very well that they lied about their knowledge of the resurrection of Jesus Christ? That is a theory too absurd for serious consideration. (c) The only option remaining is this: Jesus Christ was raised from the dead; Christianity is the true religion through which reconciliation with God may be enjoyed (Acts 4:11-12). Some scholars contend that a stone monument, believed to date from the time of Claudius Caesar (cir. A.D. 40-50), reflects a Roman attempt to squelch the report that Jesus was raised from the dead. The inscription prohibits removing bodies from their tombs -- under the penalty of death -- and may constitute indirect evidence of the resurrection (Blaiklock).