The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
The Authentication of Jesus Christ
The Basis for the Resurrection of the Believer
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Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came to earth in form of man and who lived a life without sin, purchased salvation for all mankind on a rugged Roman cross. He did this by paying the penalty-price for all of man’s sins by dying both spiritually and then physically; thereby, suffering the penalty and curse of sin in mankind’s place. He did this because of the grace of God and His love for mankind. This substitution-sacrifice made by God Himself in the Person of Jesus Christ opened the door to every human being who draws breath on earth to become a child of God by simply turning from every other confidence (such as good works or religious practice) and accepting by faith (trusting in) the payment Christ made on the cross. To say it succinctly, God grants eternal life to anyone who by faith alone accepts His Son alone for his personal salvation. The truth stated in the opening paragraph is absolutely true, but it is only true because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If Jesus Christ did not rise from the dead He would be no better than the multitude of religious leaders who have proliferated on earth from the dawn of time and who have died and have remained dead. If Jesus Christ did not rise from the dead then Christianity would only be a religion, one with all the others that provide no hope for man. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the one event that unequivocally demonstrates that He was God in the flesh, that His words were true, that His sacrifice on the cross is truly efficacious and that He is the only way, the only truth, the only (eternal) life and the only hope for mankind. Because of this, the resurrection is the authentication of Jesus Christ and the Christian Message—the Gospel. The Doctrine of the Resurrection is two-fold within Scripture. It encompasses (1) the resurrection of Jesus Christ and (2) the resurrection of humanity, including both the saved and the unsaved (Acts 24:15). Old Testament saints anticipated a resurrection of their bodies—Job 19:26; Psalm 49:15; 71:20; John 11:24; Hebrews 6:2. It was illustrated in Old Testament type, e.g., the two birds of Leviticus 14:4-7 and the “firstfruits” of Leviticus 23:10, 11. The resurrection of Jesus Christ was prophesied in the Old Testament, e.g., Psalms 16:9, 10; 22:22-31; 118:22-24; Acts 17:2, 3; 26:22, 23; Romans 1:2-4. King David spoke of it, as recorded in Acts 2:25-31. Jesus Christ predicted His own resurrection in Matthew 16:21; 26:32; Mark 9:9; 14:28; 16:6; Luke 24:6; John 2:19; Acts 26:22, 23. The resurrection of Jesus Christ was verified by eye witness testimonies of many, e.g., Matthew 27:66; 28:6; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:6, 39; John 20:20; Acts 1:3; and 1 Corinthians 15:4-8. Resurrection—Critical to the Person of Christ First, and although it was the penalty-price made by Christ on the cross, which was experiencing and suffering spiritual separation from God the Father, that technically secures a person’s eternal salvation once received by faith, it was His resurrection that validates that He was in fact God and the only Person who could pay such a price and satisfy a holy God. Jesus Christ clearly stated in John 10:17 & 18, “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” Again He proclaimed in John 2:19, “Destroy this temple [His body], and in three days I will raise it up.” Jesus Christ repeatedly declared He was Deity—God in the flesh—and that whosoever would simply believe in Him would receive eternal life. Yet all His words and promises would mean nothing if He could not bring Himself back from the dead as was foretold by prophetic passages in the Old Testament and by His own declaration. The importance of the resurrection to the Person of Jesus Christ in terms of His Deity was clear to the Apostle Paul, as he expressed it in Romans 1:1-4: Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. (underlining by author of this study) The resurrection was critical to the Person of Jesus Christ for it was and is the ultimate vindication of His claim to Deity. Second, the resurrection of Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of John 11:25 wherein He proclaimed, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he die; and whosoever lives and believes in Me will never die.” Only Jesus Christ, as God, had the power to lay down His life and then take it up again (John 2:19; John 10:17, 18). When a person accepts by faith Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, he in fact believes into Christ and thereby becomes a part of His resurrection (both a single event and a composite term incorporating the resurrections of all believers). At the moment of salvation the Holy Spirit permanently, mysteriously and spiritually unites the person with Jesus Christ, who has already been resurrected and is now at the right hand of God. Once the person’s body physically dies, his spirit is released and he (his spirit) immediately ascends to be with Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:8)—this is part of a binary eternal relationship with God. The person’s body will follow when eventually it is resurrected in accordance with Scripture and in the fullness of time, but his resurrection, which is the second part of the binary eternal relationship, has been made possible by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is the firstfruit of the resurrection and to whom the believer is eternally linked through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Because of this it is the resurrection of Jesus Christ that guarantees the resurrection of those who believe in Jesus Christ, since He is the “firstfruits” of the resurrection. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. . . For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. (1 Corinthians 15:20, 22, 23)Resurrection—Critical Component to the Gospel Message The Apostle Paul stated emphatically that the resurrection of Jesus Christ was an integral part of the Gospel message when in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 he said, “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand . . . for I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures . . . .” And again in Romans 10:9 he declared, “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Why is the resurrection of Christ so important to the Gospel message? Because it is only by His resurrection that one may know that the facts of the Gospel message is from God. If a person cannot accept the resurrection of Jesus Christ, He in effect does not believe that Christ was God and thereby cannot conceivably believe that God has truly and eternally paid for his sins. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a crucial element of the Gospel. The following passages stipulate the importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ to the Gospel Message: Acts 2:23, 24; 3:14, 15; 4:33; 10:39-41; 13:30, 31; 17:2, 3; Romans 1:1-4; 4:25; 6:9; 10:9; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; 15:17; Ephesians 1:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:14; 2 Timothy 2:8 and 1 Peter 1:3. Resurrection—Critical to the Christian Faith The 15th chapter of 1 Corinthians is considered by some theologians as one of the, if not the most, important chapter within the Bible. Its theme is the resurrection and the importance of the resurrection to the Christian Faith. Read the words of the Apostle Paul in verses 12-19. Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up--if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. The Apostle Paul is confronting those who do not believe in a resurrection. He informs them that if there is no resurrection then (1) Christ did not rise from the dead (which would then nullify His Deity), (2) their faith would have been in vain, (3) they would still be in their sin, (4) those who have died believing in Christ would perish with no hope of eternal life and (5) Christians would be most pitiful—having such a false hope. Later, in verse 32, the Apostle Paul declares, “If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!’” So the resurrection is essential to the Person of Jesus Christ and thereby it is fundamental to the Christian Faith. It is the Foundation Stone of the Christian Faith. Resurrection of Humanity—Foretold & Promised Not only was the resurrection of Jesus Christ foretold in the Old Testament and the promise of the resurrection of humanity promised in the Old Testament, but they were also foretold and promised in the New Testment. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:40)Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” (John 11:25)I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust . (Acts 24:15)But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. (Romans 8:11)And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power .(1 Corinthians 6:14) Knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. (2 Corinthians 4:14)For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. (Philippians 3:20, 21) For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first .(1 Thessalonians 4:16) Resurrection—Hope (Confidence) and Comfort of the Believer It is the anticipation of being resurrected in a supernatural body that provides complete confidence and comfort for the believer. He understands that Christ’s death is only a doorway, one which will provide an avenue directly into the glory and presence of God. He also realizes that eventually his body will be resurrected and transformed into a glorious body, not unlike that of the resurrected body of Jesus Christ, in which he may fellowship with Christ for all eternity. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” (John 11:25)I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust . (Acts 24:15)The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. (Ephesians 1:18-21; underlining by author of this study)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. . . .who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. (1 Peter 1:3-5, 21; underlining by author of this study) Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ . (Titus 2:13)Resurrection—Stimulates Christian Service It is the anticipation of being resurrected and being in a transformed body forever in God’s presence that excites the believer to do more for his Savior—to serve the One who made him and who, through His sacrifice, made eternal life with Him possible. Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead? And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour? I affirm, by the boasting in you whom I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!" . . . Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord . (1 Corinthians 15:29-32, 58)Resurrection—Stimulates Spiritual Growth The eager expectation of being with Jesus Christ in a resurrected body drives the believer to greater heights in spiritual growth. It encourages in-depth study of Bible doctrine and increasing endeavors of surrender to God’s Holy Spirit in all aspects of life. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (1 John 3:2, 3) Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4) Resurrection—the Body Jesus Christ rose from the dead after three days. He arose with a new body, a resurrected body similar, if not the same, as every believer will inherit at his or her resurrection. Jesus Christ will occupy His resurrected body for all eternity. It will be the visage with which every believer will relate to Christ forever more (1 Thessalonians 4:17). To understand the resurrected body of Christ is to possibly better understand the resurrected body each believer will eventually occupy (1 Corinthians 15:49). The following is a partial list of distinctions that apply to the resurrection body of Jesus Christ, and some that will definitely apply to each believer’s resurrected body. Glorious—1 Corinthians 15:43 Powerful—1 Corinthians 15:43 Spiritual—1 Corinthians 15:44 Immortal—1 Corinthians 15:54 Imperishable—1 Corinthians 15:42 May take physical form—Matthew 28:9, 10; Luke 24:30, 38, 39; John 20:27 Morphing capable—Mark 16:12; Luke 24:16; John 20:14; 21:4 Food consumption capable—Luke 24:30, 41-43; John 21:13 Matter transitional capable—John 20:19, 26 Recognition capable—Matthew 28:9, 17; Mark 16:9 NOTE: The question sometimes occurs as to how God may be able to individually resurrect each person in his or her uniqueness. The answer of course lies in the fact that nothing is impossible with God, and God has on record a DNA sequence for every person created from the dawn of time. Resurrection—One Exception There is one exception to death and subsequent resurrection for the believer. It will occur during the Rapture. This is the time when Jesus Christ will return at the end of the Church Age. He will descend in the sky and with a shout and the sound of the trumpet of God He will snatch up to Himself all believers who are still physically alive. At that instant of time their bodies will be transformed into an eternal and supernatural body, not unlike the body of Jesus Christ. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-54) For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17)Resurrections—Of Jesus Christ, of the Just and the Unjust The resurrection of Jesus Christ has already occurred. The resurrections of the just and the unjust are soon to come. The question is this, are you ready and for which one? But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. . . But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. Then comes the end [resurrection], when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. (1 Corinthians 15:20, 23, 24) I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust . (Acts 24:15)And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years . (Revelation 20:4-6)Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)Epilog The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone that establishes His Deity and is a fundamental component of the Gospel and the Christian Faith. It is the basis for the believer’s hope of eternal life. Its concept encourages and accelerates spiritual growth and service. It is the defining element that separates God’s purpose and plan for mankind as revealed in Holy Scripture from the myriad religions that have inundated all societies from the creation of man and which have been the primary tool of Satan in leading man away from His Creator. The Christian serves a living Savior and God. Because Jesus Christ rose from the dead, the believer will rise in a new body and will be like Him. Without this assurance in a person’s life, there is no hope for eternal life with God. It is up to each person reading this study to make the choice for his or her participation in either the resurrection of the just or the resurrection of the unjust. Choose the way of religion and works to participate in the resurrection of the unjust and to experience eternity separated from God—or choose the way of grace by trusting in the Person and sacrifice of Jesus Christ for your personal salvation, which will then assure your place in the resurrection of the just and an eternity with God. |