He has Risen - He has Risen Indeed! This was and is an oft used phrase by christians around the world on Easter Sunday morning. One might wonder why do Christians believe it so earnestly, and what are the evidences?
The Christian Gospel was succinctly presented by St Paul: “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 that He was seen by Cephas (St. Peter), then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep (passed away). After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-7
Paul continues as to the importance of the resurrection when he says: “And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.” 1 Corinthians 15:14
Christians hold to the truth that when we place our faith and trust in him we are dead indeed to sin and have risen to a new life under His Lordship!
As to the evidences many are helped by the following historical support for the truth of the resurrection:
Execution - There is no dispute of Jesus’ death as there are 5 sources other than the Bible that evidence His life and death.
Empty tomb - There are no alternate contemporaneous stories contradicting the resurrection in history.
Eyewitnesses - Up to 500 eyewitnesses were alive at the time of writing of the New Testament. And the earliest eyewitnesses were women - in the middle eastern society of that time anyone creating a “story” would not have evidenced it by the testimony of women.
Early reports - The reports of His resurrection were discussed, circulated, and preached very early after the event, leaving no time for a so-called legend to develop.
Emergence of the Church - The fact that the Church emerged in so many varied geographies so quickly, and all held to the truth of the resurrection.
Endurance of the Apostles - Peter and Paul, and the Apostles, as well as many others who testified to His resurrection were persecuted and executed for their faith and belief in Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Paul took 4 life threatening journeys apparently for no benefit if Jesus had not risen. And none recanted their beliefs.
Enduring nature of the Christian message of the resurrection has stood the test of time for 2,000 years!
(Note: The above was drawn from Lee Strobel’s The Case for Christ)
On March 31, 2024, Christians around the world gather to celebrate and proclaim His resurrection and invite all to humbly do the same: “...Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead (resurrection), and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood” Revelation 1:5
Happy Easter!
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