This article appeared in our April 2007 Newsletter.
THE REASON FOR FAITH
One of the sure signs of Spring is the onslaught of TV specials challenging the historic Christian understanding of Jesus and the Resurrection. And of course, these always seem to appear just in time for Easter…as if to throw a wet blanket on our Lenten festivities. This year is no exception. Many of you have seen or at least heard of the recent ‘documentary’ on the Discovery Channel entitled: The Lost Tomb of Jesus. The basic premise of this film is that Jesus’ bones have been discovered in a tomb in Jerusalem and therefore, we can conclude that he did not rise from the dead. Furthermore, there is evidence that he married Mary Magdalene and sired a son with her. Sound familiar? It also happens to be the claim of last year’s Da Vinci Code.
Thankfully, many brilliant scholars and archaeologists have weighed in on this matter and have exposed it for the fraud that it is. [If you’d like to pour through all the rebukes, go here.] Even so, as followers of Christ, we really should prepare ourselves for future attacks and be ready to defend our faith. Toward that end, I’d like us to review the basic reasons we are convinced that Jesus’ body did not see decay but that it did, in fact, rise in glory and power and confirm His position as the only Lord and Savior for this world.
TWO REASONS TO BELIEVE
In 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, the Apostle Paul lays out two reasons that he is, and we should be, fully convinced in the reality of the Resurrection:
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
Reason #1: The Predictions of the Resurrection in the Scriptures. Paul first mentions that Christ’s death and resurrection were all in accordance with the Scriptures. By this, he means that the Old Testament foretold these events in some detail hundreds of years before they took place. There are many prophesies, but three in particular stand out: Psalms 16 & 22 and Isaiah 53.
Reason #2: The Testimonies of the first Christians. This seems to be the weightiest argument in Paul’s mind. Note especially that...
• These witnesses had physical encounters with the risen Christ. (1 John 1:1). They not only heard His voice and saw His face, but they touched him and ate with him. Jesus spent 40 days with his disciples giving them many convincing proofs that He was alive (Acts 1:3) On numerous occasions he encouraged them to touch him and see! (Luke 24:39)
• Jesus appeared to His disciples on many and various occasions. Paul mentions just six of these times in this passage. But we are aware of several others in the Gospels. These appearances were to individuals, small groups and even to a large crowd of 500. He appeared indoors and outdoors, on a beach, along a road, on a mountain…you get the idea!
• These witnesses were highly regarded by the people of their time. (Acts 5:13). Paul mentions Peter and James by name since these were the two great leaders of the church in Jerusalem. These men also placed heavy emphasis on the truth and on speaking only that which is true. (See James 5:12, Ephesians 4:15)
• These witnesses were fully convinced. (Acts 4:18-20) One of the most convincing proofs of the resurrection is to consider the deaths of the Eleven Apostles. Ten were tortured and executed in some of the most horrific manners imaginable…only John died in exile. And their deaths were the direct result of their proclamation of the Resurrection. As has been said many times before: “people will not die for something they do not believe to be true.”
Now that’s just a start for us. If you wish to study this further, may I recommend the following books: Evidence that Demands a Verdict (by Josh McDowell), Know Why You Believe (by Paul Little) and The Case for Christ (by Lee Strobel). In the meantime, may your worship of the Risen Christ be full of faith and joy!