Fact: the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
One of the cornerstones of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that he rose bodily from the grave following his crucifixion and ascended into heaven where he is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2). The scriptures leave no doubt about this for us. We are told that after his resurrection he was seen of “Cephas (Peter), then of the twelve (disciples): after that, he was seen of about five hundred brethren at once…After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles…last of all he was seen of me (Paul) also” (I Corinthians 15:5-8).
His resurrection was the central point of apostolic preaching in the early church. Follow Peter’s message on Pentecost as he preaches the risen Christ. “Jesus of Nazareth…ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up…This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses” (Acts 2:23-24, 32; emphasis added).
Again, when the people were amazed at Peter for healing the lame man outside the temple, he declared “Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this…as though we by our own power or holiness had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham…hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up [to Pilate] …and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised up, whereof we are witnesses” (Acts 3:12-15; emphasis added).
While Peter was testifying, “the priests…and the Sadducees, came upon them, being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead” (Acts 3:1-2). “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them…be it known unto you all…that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole” (Acts 3:8-10; emphasis added).
Paul culminated his preaching in the synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia with “And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him [Jesus] in a sepulcher. But God raised him from the dead: and he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people” (Acts 13:29-31; emphasis added).
At Mars Hill in Athens, Paul linked this vital truth of the resurrection to coming judgment. “God … now commandeth all men every where to repent: because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31; emphasis added).
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a fact and became the very message that “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). Have you become convinced of his resurrection or are you still skeptical? The message is the same now as it was that first Easter morning. The angel spoke to Mary at the empty tomb. “Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said” (Matthew 28:5-6)
Randy Livingston serves as a chaplain for a local police department. He writes devotionals for his ministry which also appear at his blog, From the Chaplain. We republish this post by permission.