Scripture for Today, 4-12-17

Series: Resurrection of Jesus Christ
#3 Proof Jesus Arose from Death

4-11-17, Dr Morris -- ​All through the ages mankind has struggled wanting their own way to eternal life in heaven. Many refuse to believe that Jesus Christ is THE ONLY WAY to forgiveness and eternity with God. The apostle Paul speaking to the philosophers in Athens said: 

"Ye men of Athens. . . . in all things ye are too superstitious" (Acts 17:22).  "God that made the world and all things therein . . . is Lord of heaven and earth. . . . 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 17:24,31).

There is no doubt that Jesus really did die on that cross. Pilate was given assurance of this by the centurion (Mark 15:43-45). The savage spear thrust into His side by the soldier (John 19:34) made certain of His death, "and forthwith came there out blood and water," evidencing complete collapse of the heart cavity.

​The first evidence the disciples had for the resurrection was that of the empty tomb. As Peter and John entered the tomb, they saw an amazing thing. The heavy wrappings of linen clothes which Joseph and Nicodemus had wound around the body of Jesus (John 19:39-40) were still there, just as they had been, but the body had vanished out of them and the grave clothes had, as it were, collapsed inward on themselves. No wonder the record says that when John entered the tomb, "he saw, and believed!" (John 20:8). Christ had returned to life, in such a remarkable form that it could simply pass through the linen wrappings and enter henceforth into the power of an endless life!

After Jesus Resurrection from the Dead
His appearances:

Not only was the tomb empty, but the disciples and more than five hundred others actually saw the resurrected Lord. On at least ten separate occasions after He left the tomb He was seen in the following order:

1. To Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18; Mark 16:9)
2. To the other women (Matthew 28:8-10)
3. To Peter (Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5)
4. To the two on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35; Mark 16:12)
5. To ten of the disciples (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-29)
6. To all eleven disciples, eight days later (John 20:24-29)
7. To seven disciples by the Sea of Tiberias (John 21:1-23)
8. To five hundred followers (1 Corinthians 15:6)
9. To James (1 Corinthians 15:7)
10. To the eleven, at the ascension (Acts 1:3-12)

​THE WITNESS OF THE APOSTLES
The Foundation of Christianity
Without the resurrection [1], it is quite certain there could be no Christian church. We realize that there is no possibility that the apostles could have continued as teachers of the Messiah Jesus Christ's doctrines and precepts without the death of and bodily resurrection of their Master. Clearly, others could not have been persuaded to follow them, without their assurance that Christ was alive. They went forth everywhere proclaiming His resurrection, regardless of their persecution & martyrdom, causing multitudes to become believers in their Living Lord.

Until that day, when He "[makes] all things new" (Revelation 21:5), His promise of forgiveness, salvation, resurrection and eternal life is available on an individual basis to every person who repents of their sin, believes and accept Him as their Lord.

"For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled 
to God by the death of His Son, much more, being 
reconciled, we shall be saved by His life" (Romans 5:10).

[1] Acts 2:22-36; 3:13-18; 4:10-12, 33; 5:29-32; 10:37-43; 13:27-37; 17:23, 30-32; 23:6; 24:14-16; 25:19; 26:68, 22-23

​Excerpted and adapted full original article here

References:

1. Arnold, T. 1854. Sermons on Christian Life, Its Fears and Its Close , 6th ed. London, UK: 324.
2. Greenleaf, S. 1874. The Testimony of the Evangelists. New York, NY: 28.

This booklet is adapted from a section of one of his books on scientific Christian evidences, Many Infallible Proofs (San Diego: Master Books, 1974, 381 pp.).

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