Title: Evidence of the Resurrection
Contents
Subject: Evidence of the Resurrection
Text: 1 Corinthians 15:14-19
entry
The Christian faith is the resurrection faith. Therefore, those who believe in the resurrection of Jesus can be true Christians, but those who do not believe in His resurrection can never be true Christians. Therefore, when the disciples who experienced the resurrection of Jesus received the Holy Spirit, they suddenly became bold witnesses of the gospel and began to preach the gospel. It was proof that he was resurrected.
The resurrection of Jesus was an event that proved the truth that He was truly the Son of God and that He died for our sins. Romans 1:4 “He was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead according to the spirit of holiness, our Lord Jesus Christ.”
We are all sinners, and the penalty for sin is death. So everyone dies. But if there is an innocent man, he must not die forever. If Jesus is the Son of God, as he claimed, then He must not die. But He died on the cross. The fact that He died means what does His death have to do with it? It has to do with sin. Then whose sin was his death? If He said that He died for our sins and did not rise again after He died, there is no way to know whether His words are true or false. But by his resurrection he proved himself to be the immortal, immortal Son of God.
Despite these obvious facts, many people still dismiss the story of the resurrection of the dead as being nonsense. Paul also asked, "Why do you consider it unbelievable that God raises the dead?" (Acts 26:8). The Christian faith is the belief in the resurrection, and the death on the cross for our sins by Jesus' resurrection from the dead was effective and revealed that He was truly the Son of God. But people deny the resurrection. It is the same as in the age of the resurrection of Jesus or in the present age of science. There are people who can believe all the words and life of Jesus, but not only the resurrection. To deny the resurrection is to deny all the truth.
1. Theories that deny the resurrection
* Theft theory: This was the time when Jesus was resurrected, the bewildered Jewish leaders bribed the Roman soldiers guarding His tomb to spread false rumors that His disciples stole His body (Matthew 28:11-15). . “As the women were leaving, some of the guards entered the city and reported to the chief priests what had happened. 12 They gathered with the elders to discuss and give money to the soldiers, 13 saying, ‘You say, His disciples came by night and we "They stole him while he was sleeping." 14 If the governor hears this, we will persuade you so that you will not be troubled. 15 The soldiers took the money and did as they were taught, and this saying has spread throughout the Jews to this day." Who would risk their life for a lie? That is also true of all the disciples. Can you manipulate the resurrection and lay down your life for that lie?
* Bribery theory: A hypothesis that denies the resurrection on the contrary to the theft theory, the disciples bribed the Roman soldiers and took the body of Jesus and moved it. . Do you remember the jailer about to kill himself when the door was opened in Paul's prison in Philippi?
* Fainting theory: He didn't actually die, but was awake and revived in the cold morning air--even if that were the case, how could a corpse wrapped in linen cloths with 32 kg of aloes in its entire body rise up and take off them and come back to life? are there? Who else can open the stone door? Aren't they worried that the women who actually visited the tomb could open the stone door for them? And how could he get away from the Roman soldiers guarding the tomb?
* Fantastic theory: The disciples' hearts melted at the death of Jesus, and they missed him, and they only had a vision--if only one person could do it. But didn't the women, the 10 disciples, and the 500 brothers see the risen Lord at once? Is group fantasies possible? Such a thing is absolutely impossible.
2. Outward Evidence of the Resurrection
The content of the disciples' messages was focused on the evidence of the resurrection. When the disciples saw Jesus captured and brutally crucified, they were all disappointed, and all were filled with sorrow and worry. However, after the Pentecost, they changed at once and began to stand boldly in front of the Jews and proclaim the gospel. Even though they were caught and beaten several times and threatened, they shouted and proclaimed that Jesus, whom you killed, has been raised by God. Literally, they risked their lives to preach the news of the resurrection of Jesus.
The resurrection changed all of the disciples. Above all, the evidence of the amazing resurrection is the fact that the disciples, who had been trembling in fear and disappointment a while ago, suddenly changed and boldly told the story of the resurrection. Their despair turned into hope, and their fear turned into boldness, and those who feared death became those who experienced a marvelous change, even immortalizing martyrdom. They did not have such boldness temporarily, but eventually became those who devoted their whole lives to witnessing and preaching the risen Lord. What made these changes possible? The event of the resurrection of Christ became a decisive turning point.
3. The Inner Evidence of the Resurrection
Paul's Inner Evidence: As in the case of the Apostle John, the core of Paul's Christology is called "en Christos" (in Christ). It teaches us that Jesus did not simply resurrected and went to heaven, but He lives in us today. Paul teaches the eternal unity where he is in Christ and Christ abides in him. In the Apostles' Creed, Jesus is now described as one who is far away from us in the kingdom of heaven. But Jesus is the one who enters into us today as the Holy Spirit, speaks to us today, listens to us and guides us.
My own inner witness: I personally and personally met the resurrected Jesus 40 years ago. And despite my disloyalty, the Lord has been with me for 40 years, comforting, challenging, guiding, empowering, consecrating, protecting, and living in His love. Even now, the Lord is leading me to another blessed land that I do not know. And I'm sure you will continue to do so in the future. Therefore, an exciting future is expected. As long as I spend the rest of my life obedient to the Lord's guidance, I am confident that the Lord will still use me and use it for His glory.
words coming out
Years ago, I saw a movie called "The Day After" on TV. It was a movie depicting the horrific situation of darkness that mankind will face in a nuclear war someday in the future, and the Earth will be completely destroyed by nuclear bombs. However, as we celebrate Easter today, we are thinking of another movie title. The Day After Resurrection, “After Resurrection.” What happens after Resurrection? After Resurrection, it is only necessary to walk with Him every moment of the day and live a life of obedience to Him. No matter how much you believe in Resurrection, Resurrection If we do not walk with Him who is working in the hearts of those who believe in us, our lives will not change or experience any power. We are those who have the risen Jesus as their Lord. Therefore, we no longer believe in ourselves. When we give up judging, planning, and living by our own strength, relying on the Lord who entered our heart, discussing with Him, and living our lives wholeheartedly in loving Him more, it is possible to live a victorious life while enjoying the Lord of the resurrection who is still alive and working. will do