A Case For The Resurrection Pt 2

Evidence From The Empty Tomb

I feel the resurrection is the supreme sign of Christianity.  If Jesus was risen from the dead then he truly was the son of God and the Bible is the Word of God.  Many men died on this planet, but only one has risen from the grave to become a savior to those who submit to him.  Before we consider the empty tomb we will consider the above statement.

The resurrection proves that Jesus is the son of God.  The resurrection is an obvious sign of deity.  Mere men can not raise themselves from the dead.  Jesus himself said the resurrection is a divine sign. Jn 2:18-21  Paul referred to the resurrection as a sign of Jesus' divine power.  Rom 1:4  If Jesus was raised from the dead he is absolutely trustworthy and all his claims are to be held in the same manner.

The resurrection proves the Bible as the Word of God.  Jesus told the apostles would be taught and guided by the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:26) This makes their writings the very words of God.  2Ti 3:16  Understanding that the resurrection proves the Bible to be the Word of God and Jesus to be deity will allow us to consider the empty tomb.  We will try to figure out what happened to the body of Jesus.  If someone can prove that Jesus never resurrected from the dead, he can be called a liar and the Bible will not be the infallible Word of God.  However, if someone can not disprove the resurrection, Jesus must be considered Lord and the Bible as infallible.  So what happened to the body of Jesus that was put into the tomb?

Since we know the body of Jesus was not in the tomb when people had arrived there, and we are attempting to reason with a person who is suspect of the resurrection, we will consider it to be stolen.  So, who stole the body?  If we cannot produce an acceptable culprit it must be believed that Jesus has resurrected from the dead.  

Did the Jews take the body?  Remember, they are the people who wanted to crucify Jesus.  Why would they want anyone to think Jesus had resurrected?  The fear Jesus would resurrect was the entire reason the tomb was guarded and sealed.  Mt 27:62-66  Also, if the Jews had stolen the body, don't you think they would have silenced Peter in his sermon on Pentecost by producing the body?  Therefore, it is reasonable to think the Jews did not take the body.  They were, however, afraid Jesus disciples would take it.

Did the disciples take the body?  The first question that arises is, how did they get past the guards?  Remember, they were hiding from the Jews at this point. Jn 20:19  I ask another question, if the disciples did take the body would they die proclaiming a lie?  Maybe one or even two might have that kind of characteristic, but all of them?  Well, it must be added here that John is the only one to die not as a martyr.  Would ten men be tortured and killed for a lie?  If Jesus had not resurrected and the disciples had stolen the body it is reasonable to think one of the ten men would have spilled the beans under such extreme persecution of a lie!  Therefore, it reasonable to believe they did not steal the body.

Did the Roman Government steal the body?  It would seem that if they did steal the body they would have produced the dead body of Jesus to stop the friction between the Jews and the Christians.  The reason they didn't do that is because they didn't have the body.  If the Roman government had stolen the body there would have been a complete different response by Felix (Acts 24) and Agrippa (Acts 26).  If the Roman government had stolen the body Agrippa would never had asked Paul if he was trying to persuade him to be a Christian.  Acts 26:28   He would have told Paul he was a fool because the Roman government had taken the body from the tomb.  That being said, it is reasonable to say the Roman government did not steal the body of Jesus.

Did the Roman guards steal the body?  If they did the above scenario with Felix and Agrippa would come into play.  If they did steal the body how would they explain it to their superiors who told them to watch the tomb in order to prevent someone from stealing the body?  History says that if a prisoner escaped while under the guard of a Roman soldier that soldier was sentenced to death.  That is why the jailer was going to kill himself in Acts 16:27   Can you bribe a man when his life is on the line?  I don't think so!  What guard really admits they fell asleep?  What motive would the Roman guards have to steal the body?  It would be against their orders and then sentenced to death.  It is reasonable to think that the Roman guards did not steal the body.

Did a group of separate individuals steal the body?  Again, what motive would a separate group of people have to steal the body? How would they get past the guards at the tomb entrance?  It wold be reasonable to believe that if this group of people did such a thing they would have eventually produced the body to silence the many people who claimed to witness the resurrected Jesus. 1Co 15:5-8  Therefore, it is reasonable to think a group of separate people did not steal the body.

Maybe, no one stole the body and Jesus didn't really die on the cross.  Considering the condition he would have been in after the beating he took, carrying the cross,  then having his hands and feet pierced, and then hanging several hours on a cross by those pierced hands and feet.  Would that man be strong enough to open a sealed tomb, fight off the guards, and walk away?  NO WAY!  Keep in mind, the disciples must not know about Jesus' escape because they died believing Jesus had resurrected.  The Roman government could not have known about it, or either Felix or Agrippa would have told Paul about it.  Therefore, it is reasonable to think that Jesus did die on the cross and he did not escape from the tomb. 

The only logical reason to think why Jesus' body was not in that tomb is because he had risen!  So what does this do for us?  Well, the resurrection conditionally gives us hope of eternal life.  1Co 15:1-4  It allows us to live without fear.  The bible says, "as I walk through the valley of death, I shall fear no evil."  The wages of sin are death and the resurrection removes that fear of death!  Jesus came to put to end the works of the devil (1Jn 3:8) and the resurrection tells us he did that very thing.  The resurrection brings about change.  It changed Peter fearful and following at a distance to a courageous preacher.  It changed Saul the persecutor to Paul the preacher.  It changed the Jewish remnant into the Church.  It changed the Sabbath into the Lord's Day.  Finally, it changed Thomas from an unbeliever to a believer.  It can change people today just like it did in the past.

Today, share the life changing story of our risen savior, Jesus Christ.  He is not in the tomb.  He is preparing a place for those who are prepared to go with him.  I have adopted this saying, "Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people."  I tell you it is a fact that Jesus' body was not stolen from that tomb, rather he has risen from the dead.  Now I ask you, are you prepared to go with him to the prepared place?  

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

We must hear the Word of God:  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We must believe or have faith:   Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We must repent of our sins:  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We must confess Christ before others:  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We must be immersed into Christ (baptized) Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38

We must be faithful:   Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22        

A Case For The Resurrection Pt 1

Saul's Conversion

We will pick up the story at Acts 26:1-29.  Luke is recording Paul's defense while he is before Agrippa.  He is about to provide some historical and verifiable evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Paul is about to witness to Agrippa.  Remember, there is a difference between confessing and witnessing.  See a previous blog on this subject for reference.  He begins his apologetic account with his manner of his life from his youth.  He then tells them he lived as a Pharisee.  Finally, he says he stands before Agrippa on trial for "the hope of the promise made by God."  He even says this hope is what the "twelve tribes hope to obtain."  This hope is the resurrection!  Far too many people today think our inheritance is heaven, but that is not true.  Our inheritance is the resurrection which is reserved for us in heaven. 1Pe 1:3,4   We know Paul is referring to the resurrection, not because of our knowledge of it being our hope, but because he challenges Agrippa with the credibility of God raising the dead in vs 8!  You see, the force of Paul's argument for the resurrection lies in the manner of Paul's life before he had become a Christian.  His sincere and furious zeal against Christianity was so severe that a man's attempt to convert him would be near impossible.

Consider what Paul says in Gal 1:11-14.  Paul first says the gospel he had been preaching came not from a man, but from the Lord Jesus himself.  How did he receive this from Jesus if Jesus was crucified and buried while Saul was not a follower?  He didn't learn the gospel he preached from a man, so the apostles didn't teach him.  The only conclusion we can come to is either Jesus resurrected from the grave or Paul is a liar.  Now, Paul died for preaching Christ.  Do you know a man that will die for teaching a lie?  I don't!  After claiming having a personal revelation from Jesus, after he was dead and buried, Paul lays out a short three part argument of Jesus' resurrection from his past manner of life.  

First, he says how he used to "persecute the church of God beyond measure" in Gal 1:13.  It is obvious that the Galatians were familiar with this persecution as he doesn't go into detail.  Thank the Lord, we have enough information from Dr. Luke to piece together a good understanding of Paul's past life.  Dr. Luke introduces Saul of Tarsus as one of those who consented to the death of Stephen. Acts 7:58  It is said that Saul entered the homes of Christians and dragged them to prison. Acts 8:1-3  His hatred of Christianity went as far as Saul obtaining letters from Jewish authorities empowering him to arrest and imprison Christians in Damascus. Acts 9:1,2  He was known as the one who persecuted those "who called on this name" after his conversion and he was preaching in the name of Jesus! Acts 9:21  In Acts 26:9-12 Paul says he locked up "many of the saints in prison", he "voted for their death", he would "force them to blaspheme", and he even pursued them "to foreign cities."   Reading all this of Paul's past manner of life you would have to label him as a fanatic.  A fanatic has extreme enthusiasm or zeal in religion.  A fanatic thinks they are absolutely and positively doing the right thing. Acts 26:9  Remember, Paul said he persecuted the church "beyond measure."  How do you deal with a fanatic like Saul?  YOU CAN'T!  This is the point Paul is making.  There is no way a man could have converted a fanatic like Saul.  Christians never could have done it,  Jews wouldn't want to do it.  Who could have possibly converted this fanatic Saul of Tarsus?  Paul affirmed it was the resurrected Jesus Christ.  If Jesus appeared to Saul, Jesus must have risen from the dead.

Paul is just getting started.  Secondly, Paul says he was advanced in the Jews' religion in Gal 1:14. Paul was advanced as a scholar under Gamaliel. Acts 22:3  I read somewhere that it was thought that Saul was going to be the greatest Rabbi of that time.  He was also advanced socially among the Jews.  Remember he was a part of the great group called the Pharisees. Phi 3:5  He was advanced in his power.  Look at the power that he exemplified as he persecuted the church beyond measure.  He had a power that was feared by those in opposition of him!  Acts 9:13,14  You could say Paul was somewhat of  Jewish celebrity.  He would definitely be considered a success.  He was so prominent that Festus said Paul's "great learning has made him mad."  Acts 26:24  Saul's prominence was outstanding!  What would make a person who is advanced as a scholar, a member of a revered group, advanced in power, and looked upon as a great success want to give all that up and become a Christian?  Only Jesus could have provided the dynamics to convert a man like that.  But how, he was crucified and put into a sealed tomb?  The only way Jesus could have converted Saul is if Jesus had risen from the dead. 

Finally, Paul was "extremely zealous of his ancestral traditions" in Gal 1:14.  His ancestors were the Pharisees. There traditions were of the Law of Moses.  The Pharisees were famous for their conflicts with Jesus1Ti 1:13  Sincerity, like prejudice, is often misunderstood.  Sincerity is not a sign of truth.  A person can be sincere in their beliefs even if they believe a lie.  Saul was prejudiced from ignorance and sincerely WRONG about his beliefs!  Remember, he truly thought he had to do harm to Christians in Acts 26:9.  He was sincerely prejudiced.  Saul was wrong and ignorant.  

How do you convert a sincerely prejudiced, extremely prominent, and zealous fanatic?  HOW DO YOU DO IT?  It sounds impossible when it is communicated that way doesn't it?  If human beings can't do it, that only leaves God.  The impossible has happened.  Saul was converted and became the apostle Paul.  This is a matter of history, not fantasy.  A Pharisee named Saul did exist.  That man became the apostle Paul, and he did exist.  This is historically true my friends.  The question is who converted Saul?  If it was Jesus, then he had to have been resurrected from the dead.  This is what Paul is affirming to Agrippa.  

It is obvious that Saul of Tarsus met the resurrected Jesus on that road to Damascus, Saul was instructed to go to the house of Judas on Straight Street, and it was there the gospel of salvation was revealed to him.  He no doubt had a belief, that was now true, in Jesus.  He no doubt had repented of his sins.  We already said he confessed and witnessed Jesus before others.  Now it was time for his sins to be washed away and he could receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  What did Ananias say to Saul?  Acts 22:16  "...get up and be baptized and wash away your sins..."  

Today, I encourage you to follow Jesus Christ who resurrected from the dead.  Only Jesus can convert a person.  It is his words that will do the work and by those very words we will be judged!  Jn 12:48  Will you share the wondrous story of the risen Savior we have in Jesus Christ?  Will share with the lost how Jesus Christ converted a sincerely prejudiced, extremely prominent, and zealous fanatic in Saul of Tarsus and how he, Jesus, is wanting to convert them as well?

Remember, Jesus told us to do three things.  Deny our self, take up our cross, and follow him. Lk 9:23.  You can't do the last until you have done the first two! 

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

We must hear the Word of God:  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We must believe or have faith:   Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We must repent of our sins:  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We must confess Christ before others:  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We must be immersed into Christ (baptized) Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38

We must be faithful:   Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22        

Shame on the Church!

Pliny the Younger (c. 62 - c.113 AD) was the Roman Governor of Bithynia (present-day northwestern Turkey). Around 111 or 112 AD, he wrote the following letter to Emperor Trajan of Rome asking for advice on how to deal with Christians. 

It is a rule, Sir, which I inviolably observe, to refer myself to you in all my doubts; for who is more capable of guiding my uncertainty or informing my ignorance? Having never been present at any trials of the Christians, I am unacquainted with the method and limits to be observed either in examining or punishing them. Whether any difference is to be allowed between the youngest and the adult; whether repentance admits to a pardon, or if a man has been once a Christian it avails him nothing to recant; whether the mere profession of Christianity, albeit without crimes, or only the crimes associated therewith are punishable -- in all these points I am greatly doubtful. 

 In the meanwhile, the method I have observed towards those who have denounced to me as Christians is this: I interrogated them whether they were Christians; if they confessed it I repeated the question twice again, adding the threat of capital punishment; if they still persevered, I ordered them to be executed. For whatever the nature of their creed might be, I could at least feel not doubt that contumacy and inflexible obstinacy deserved chastisement. There were others also possessed with the same infatuation, but being citizens of Rome, I directed them to be carried thither. 

 These accusations spread (as is usually the case) from the mere fact of the matter being investigated and several forms of the mischief came to light. A placard was put up, without any signature, accusing a large number of persons by name. Those who denied they were, or had ever been, Christians, who repeated after me an invocation to the gods, and offered adoration, with wine and frankincense, to your image, which I had ordered to be brought for that purpose, together with those of the gods, and who finally cursed Christ -- none of which acts, it is into performing -- these I thought it proper to discharge. Others who were named by that informer at first confessed themselves Christians, and then denied it; true, they had been of that persuasion but they had quitted it, some three years, others many years, and a few as much as twenty-five years ago. They all worshipped your statue and the images of the gods, and cursed Christ. 

 They affirmed, however, the whole of their guilt, or their error, was, that they were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft, or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food -- but food of an ordinary and innocent kind. Even this practice, however, they had abandoned after the publication of my edict, by which, according to your orders, I had forbidden political associations. I judged it so much the more necessary to extract the real truth, with the assistance of torture, from two female slaves, who were styled deaconesses: but I could discover nothing more than depraved and excessive superstition. 

 I therefore adjourned the proceedings, and betook myself at once to your counsel. For the matter seemed to me well worth referring to you, especially considering the numbers endangered. Persons of all ranks and ages, and of both sexes are, and will be, involved in the prosecution. For this contagious superstition is not confined to the cities only, but has spread through the villages and rural districts; it seems possible, however, to check and cure it.

Consider what Peter wrote in (1Pe 4:12-19).


Notice some things Piny said in his letter:

First Paragraph

He wasn't sure if there should be any difference in punishment between the young and adults. 


He wasn't sure if the punishment fit the crime.  WHAT CRIME?!?!  Christianity?

Second Paragraph

Those who refused to renounce Christ were executed.  No specific crime, but the Christians expressed inflexibility the Roman cause and faithfulness to Christ.  Keep in mind that Tacitus writes that Christians were wrapped in skins of wild beasts and allowed to be killed by wild dogs.  They were also clothed in flammable material and used as lights in his garden or lights at his circus.

Third Paragraph

Anyone who denounced Christ and worshiped an idol God was set free!

Fourth Paragraph

Does this not sound like what we do on the Lord's Day?  We sing hymns to worship and take the Lord's Supper.

What Pliny calls, "depraved and excessive superstition" I call FAITH!

Fifth Paragraph

Again, what we know as faith is superstition to Pliny.

Notice what the goal was to do with Christianity.  To "cure" it.  

     In conclusion, I read what the early church endured for their faith and I compare that to the 21st century church and I am appalled.  We won't even miss a football game to worship God today.  We put off worship for work.  We put anything an everything before the Lord's Day!  In doing so, we still feel like God owes us something because we are there once a month or every other week.  That's OK though.  The "By-Laws" of our congregation says we are still a member as long as we come once a month!  SHAME ON THE CHURCH TODAY!  (Mt 16:24,25)  These verses are not suggestions.  Satan must only make God second in your life not last!  (Mt 22:37,38)

Have a red letter day!

What are miracles for?

There are some amazing things in the Bible we can read about.  When we read about many of the Old Testament miracles we often forget we serve the same God that performed those miracles.  We forget that we serve the same  God that parted the Red Sea.  We serve the same God that sent Manna to his people. 


Many people today have the meaning of miracles twisted.  People do not understand the meaning of miracles.  Today we are taught that miracles are a reward of righteousness.  Let me tell you, MIRACLES ARE NOT A REWARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS!    


Look at a few examples in scripture. 
SAMSON
Jdg 13:24,25 Then the woman gave birth to a son and named him Samson; and the child grew up and the LORD blessed him.25 And the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him in Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.
We can see that he grew up in the Lord.  Fitting for a man who was going to deliver God's people.  He was well known for his strength.    He performed many miracles with his mighty hands.  

JDG 16:3 Now Samson lay until midnight, and at midnight he arose and took hold of the doors of the city gate and the two posts and pulled them up along with the bars; then he put them on his shoulders and carried them up to the top of the mountain which is opposite Hebron. 
This was another miracle performed by Samson.  Are familiar where he was and what he did just prior to doing this?  

JDG 16:1,2 Now Samson went to Gaza and saw a harlot there, and went in to her.2 When it was told to the Gazites, saying, “Samson has come here,” they surrounded the place and lay in wait for him all night at the gate of the city. And they kept silent all night, saying, “Let us wait until the morning light, then we will kill him.”
You see, the people of Gaza was planning to kill him but did you notice he was with a harlot.  Prior to this miracle HE WAS WITH A PROSTITUTE!  Do you still think miracles are a reward for righteousness?


BALAAM
Balaam was a sorcerer.  He knew of the one true God but made his services available on a freelance basis, so to speak.  Balak, the King of Moab, tried to make use of his services to curse the Israelites in Numbers 22:1-21.  God tells Balaam not to do it.  King Balak sent his men to Balaam again.  This time the Lord tells him to go with them this time but to only say and do what God says!  Soon enough Balaam speaks to the words of God!

NU 22:38 So Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come now to you! Am I able to speak anything at all? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I shall speak.” 

You see, Balaam prophesied!  He was a sorcerer.  He was not righteous!  MIRACLES ARE NOT A REWARD FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS!


BALAAM'S DONKEY
Consider this, when we read in chapters 22 and 23 in the book of Numbers another miracle happens!  BALAAM'S DONKEY SPEAKS IN TONGUES!  We read where Balaam's donkey was given the ability to speak in man's language!

NU 22:28-30 And the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”29 Then Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a mockery of me! If there had been a sword in my hand, I would have killed you by now.”30 The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I ever been accustomed to do so to you?” And he said, “No.”
MIRACLES ARE NOT A REWARD FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS! 
What righteousness does a donkey have.  Did the Lord make a donkey in his own image?(GE 1:27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them)  
Did the Lord breathe life into a donkey?(GE 2:7 Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.)   NO!!


DAVID
1SA 13:14 “But now your kingdom shall not endure. The LORD has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.” 
This is what Samuel says to Saul in reference to David.  David was known as "a man after God's own heart."  I want you to know that the man after God's own heart NEVER PERFORMED A MIRACLE!


JOHN THE BAPTIST
MT 11:11 “Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist!
This is what Jesus says concerning John the Baptist!  I want you to know that the greatest  among those born of a woman NEVER PERFORMED A MIRACLE!

MIRACLES ARE NOT A REWARD FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS!

So, what are miracles for?  Miracles happened for two reasons.
TO REVEAL A NEW TRUTH AND TO SHOW THE AUTHORITY OF THE ONE WHO DID THEM!
 JOS 3:7 Now the LORD said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you. 
Look at what God told Joshua.  "I will begin to exalt you; that they may know; I will be with you"  


Look at the miracles mentioned earlier!


Samson was in a position of authority to deliver Israel.

JDG 13:5 “ For behold, you shall conceive and give birth to a son, and no razor shall come upon his head, for the boy shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” 


Balaam was revealing a truth or the word of God!

NU 23:5 Then the LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and you shall speak thus.”

NU 23:16 Then the LORD met Balaam and put a word in his mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.”

Balaam's Donkey showed to Balaam God's authority not only to speak to man but his authority over animals.  This was also to announce to Balaam that he will say and what the Lord tells him when he speaks with Balak.  See Num 22:22-35

Have a red letter day,
Chad