Importance of ResurrectionResurrection is PhysicalResurrection Prophesied and Witnessed
Who Resurrected Jesus?
Let us consider certain resurrection related issues and texts.
Importance of Resurrection:
1st Corinthians 15:4, 12-22 “he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures_Now if Christ is preached that He has been risen from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up- if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!
Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep, For sine by man came death, by man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.”
Resurrection is Physical:
John 2:19-21 “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ Then the Jews said, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?’ But He was speaking of the temple of His body.”
Luke 24:37-43 “But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Handle me and see, for spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.’ When He had said this, He showed them His hands and feet. But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, ‘Have you any food here?’ So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. And He took it and ate in their presence.”
John 20:27 “Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach your finger here, and look at my hands; and reach you hand here, and put it into my side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.’”
Resurrection Prophesied and Witnessed:
Matthew 12:39-40 “He answered, ‘A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth’”
Matthew 28:6-7 “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.’”
Acts 1:21-22 “Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.’”
Who Resurrected Jesus?:
Jesus:
John 2:19-21 “‘destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.’ Then the Jews said, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple and will you raise it up in three days?’ But He was speaking of the temple of His body.”
John 10:17-18 “Therefore my Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from my Father.”
The Father:
Acts 2:24 “But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him”
Romans 4:24 “but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness-for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead”
Romans 8:11 “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
1st Thessalonians 1:9-11 “you turned from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”
1st Peter 1:21 “Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.”
The Holy Spirit:
1st Peter 3:18 “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.”