Is Jesus Alive?

Acts 17:30-32  The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead." Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, "We will hear you again about this."

I Cor. 15:16-19  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 this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

The Cornerstone of Christianity  If Christ has been raised, then He will judge the world.  If Christ has not been raised, then Christianity is the biggest sham this world has ever seen!

Empirical Evidence Jacob Neusner, JP Meyers, Jon Dominic Crossan don't even consider the resurrection because it is supernatural and unempirical!

Empirical Evidence  Stone Moved and Empty Tomb (Matt. 28:2; Mk. 16:4-6; Lk. 24:2, 3; Jn. 20:1-8)  Eyewitnesses and Eating (Jn. 21:8- 15; I Cor. 15)  Scars from Crucifixion (Jn. 20:24-28)  Preaching and Writings of 1 st Century Christians and Non-Christians

The Crucifixion  Confirmed by all four gospel accounts. –Scourged and Crucified –Verified Death (Jn. 19:34)  Confirmed Extra-biblically –Tacitus –Josephus –Many others...

Burial  Confirmed By All four Gospel Accounts –Carefully Wrapped for Burial –In Tomb that was Sealed with a Large Stone –Guarded by Soldiers  Confirmed Extra-biblically

The Resurrection  Proclaimed In All Four Gospels (Mt. 28; Mk. 16; Lk. 24; Jn. 20) –Stone Rolled Away –Angels –Appearances –Prophecy (of Jesus Himself)  Proclaimed By Paul as “of First Importance” (I Cor. 15:1-8)

Suetonius - Secretary to Hadrian ( AD) “After the great fire at Rome... punishments were inflicted on the Christians (by Nero) who created a new mischievous belief.” What could this new belief be?

Acts 4:33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.

The Attacks Was Jesus buried in a tomb?

Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography (JDC)  Jesus was not buried in a tomb.  Thrown in revene or shallow grave  Eaten by dogs  The Resurrection was fabricated story

Problems:  Acts 2 & 13 – The disciples preached the empty tomb from the very beginning.  Justin Martyr (2 nd Cent. Christian Author)

Dialogue w/ Tripho (educated non-Christian Jew) “A Galilean deceiver, whom we (the Jews) crucified, and his disciples began to proclaim he rose from the dead after stealing his body.”

Dialogue w/ Tripho  Does not even discuss the validity of death, burial, or empty tomb.  The best the Jews could come up with because they could not produce the body was that Jesus' Body was stolen.

The Attacks They must have gone to the wrong tomb.

Wrong Tomb?  In the dimness of the morning (“early”), ladies lost their way.  Peter and John ran to the wrong tomb in a rush.

Problems:  Wrong Tomb, Right Circumstances?  Joseph, Sanhedrin, or any other anti- Christians could not find the right tomb just a short time later?

The Attacks The Disciples Stole the Body!

“The Disciples Did It!”  Matt. 27:62-66  Matt. 28:11-15

Problems:  Punishment for Guards to fall asleep: Most likely Death (Jewish or Roman Guards)  All the guards fell asleep?  “Liars Make Bad Martyrs!”

The Attacks The Swoon Theory

Could it be?  Jesus drank a chemical that made Him unconscious.  Woke up 3 days later and escaped the tomb.  Appeared to the disciples needing no medical attention.

Problems:  No water or food for over 3 days.  No one could survive the scourging and Crucifixion with no medical attention (Crucifixion From A Medical Standpoint – Davis)  Blood and Water Flowed (Jn. 19:34)  Roll the Stone and Escape Guards  Appear and then Hide for rest of life?

The Attacks Mistaken Identity or Hallucinations

Mistaken Identity and Hallucinations  Time of Mourning; Emotionally Forced  Everyone looks like Jesus to those who cannot accept His death.  Just men who do look similar  Dreams and Visions

Mistaken Identity and Hallucinations  Group Hallucinations (I Cor. 15; Jn. 20)?  Paul's Testimony; He would have no remorse for killing Jesus (Acts 9; Acts 22; Acts 26)

Resurrection Transformations Paul and James

James  Brother of Jesus who did not believe(Jn.7:5)  Jesus appeared to him(1 Cor.15:7)  James became leader at the church in Jerusalem(Acts 15, Gal.2)  He wrote the book of James

Paul  Trained by Gamaliel, Pharisee of Pharisees (Acts 22:3, 23:6)  Member of Sanhedrin or will be.  Persecuted and murdered Christians (Acts 8:1, 9:1)  Suffered and was killed for Christ (Acts 22,26, 2 Cor. 4, 2 Tim. 4)

Acts 2: About 3,000

3,000 Believers - Why?  Most witnessed Jesus' death or knew that it was undeniable.  There was an empty tomb and no one could produce the body.  Prophecies became clear.  This means he is the Son of God and has authority to judge the world (Rom 1:4, Matt.28:18, Mal. 3)

Weigh the Evidence for Yourself  Everybody says he lived.  Everybody says he was murdered.  Over 500 people said they saw him alive again.  Prophecies of resurrection up to 1,500 years old.  Disciples suffered and died because they believed in Jesus.

Do You Believe? John 3:16-18