The Resurrection of Jesus What it means For us

The Resurrection of Jesus Does it matter? 1Co 15:13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 1Co 15:14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.

“1Co 15:16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. “

Did Jesus rise from the dead? F Morrison “Who moved the stone” Deals with common objections by detailed analysis of the gospel records:  Did the women mistakenly go to the wrong tomb?  Did Joseph of Arimathea move the body?  Did the Authorities move the body?  Did the disciples steal the body and claim resurrection?  Did Jesus not really die on the cross?

How reliable are the gospel records? “The Biblical Manuscript Evidence the manuscript evidence for the New Testament is stunning. The most recent count (1980) shows 5,366 separate Greek manuscripts represented by early fragments, uncial codices (manuscripts in capital Greek letters bound together in book form), and minuscules (small Greek letters in cursive style)! Among the nearly 3,000 minuscule fragments are 34 complete New Testaments dating from the 9th to the 15th Centuries Uncial manuscripts provide virtually complete codices (multiple books of the New Testament bound together into one volume) back to the 4th Century, though some are a bit younger. The most fascinating evidence comes from the fragments (as opposed to the codices). The Chester Beatty Papyri contains most of the New Testament and is dated mid-3rd Century.”

Did Jesus rise from the dead?  Did the women mistakenly go to the wrong tomb?  Did Joseph of Arimathea move the body?  Did the Authorities move the body?  Morison argues:  The Jewish authorities were desperate to stamp out Christianity: It would have been a simple matter to produce the body of Jesus and disprove the resurrection!

Did Jesus rise from the dead?  Did the disciples steal the body and claim resurrection?  Morison argues:  The disciples were changed men after their encounters with the risen Jesus. Most of them even died as martyrs to their belief that Jesus had risen. If it was a hoax which they had invented, would they really have all been prepared to suffer like this?

Did Jesus rise from the dead?  Did Jesus not really die on the cross?  Evidence provided by Dr Alexander Metherell:

Did Jesus rise from the dead? Yes! “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep”

Some thoughts on Resurrection... Greek words for “Resurrection” and “raised” Resurrection = Anastasis = “A standing up again” Raised = Egeiro = “to waken or rouse” Both imply a full bodily resurrection

Some thoughts on Resurrection... Jesus' words to the Sadducees who didn't believe in resurrection Luk 20:37 But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. (Ex 3 v 4) Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him. " Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in God's view, although dead, are merely sleeping, waiting for the resurrection Rom 4:17 as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"--in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.”

Teaching of Jesus on Resurrection... Joh 5:28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice Joh 5:29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. “All” here is all that are eligible for resurrection Psa 49:16 Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him.... his soul will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never again see light. Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.

Some of the many Bible references to Resurrection Isa 26:19 Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead. Act 24:15 having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. Dan 12:2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Joh 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

Practicalities... The resurrection body: Raised mortal and capable of death if rejected at the judgement seat of Christ 2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. Following resurrection and judgement, a change of nature for the faithful: 1Co 15:53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. What will the immortal body be like? 1Co 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body

The Kingdom of God: The promise to those who have been faithful, earnestly following the teaching of Jesus: bodily resurrection and the granting of immortality, living in a refurbished Earth in which the impact of sin has been completely removed Rev 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. Rev 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

Discussion points... 1) Was Jesus in the tomb for 2 or 3 nights? 2) How many women visited the tomb? Matt 28 v 1, Mark 16 v 1, Luke 24v10, John 20v1 3) When did the women visit the tomb? Matt 28v1, Mark 16v2, Luke 24v1, John 20v1 4) What did the women see in the tomb? Matt 28 v 1-7, Mark 16v2-7, Luke24v1-8, John 20v11-13