OceanSide church of Christ
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Part of the series: JESUS' RESURRECTION
FACTS ABOUT THE RESURRECTION
Victor M. Eskew
A. “The first Christians, Jewish and Gentile, were certainly aware of the Hebrew calendar, and there is no direct evidence that they celebrated any specifically Christian annual festivals…Direct evidence for the Easter festival begins to appear in the mid-second century” (Wikipedia.com, “Easter”).
1. Regardless of what one thinks of Wikipedia, the statement above is true.
2. We can read the New Testament from beginning to end, and the first century church, complete with the apostles of Jesus Christ, never celebrated a special Sunday called Easter.
3. Since it is not authorized in the Bible, we in the churches of Christ do not celebrate Easter as a religious holiday (See Col. 3:17).
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, to all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
B. That being said, many minds are drawn to the resurrection of Jesus Christ on this day.
1. The resurrection of Jesus is a Biblical topic.
2. This morning, therefore, we want to speak on the subject: “Facts about the Resurrection.”
I. THE MEANING OF RESURRECTION
1. To stand again
2. A rising up
3. A rising from the dead
1. Jesus was laid in Joseph’s tomb (Matt. 27:59-60a).
And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own tomb…
2. When the angels spoke to the women at the tomb, they said: He is not here: for he is risen, as he said (Matt. 28:6a).
C. Another way of defining resurrection is “the conquering of death.”
1. Acts 2:24
Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
2. Romans 6:9
Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
II. THE NEW TESTAMENT AND RESURRECTION
A. The word “resurrection” is specifically mentioned in regard to Jesus’ resurrection eight (8) times (Matt. 27:53; Acts 1:22; 2:31; 4:33; Rom. 1:4; Phil. 3:20; I Pet. 1:3; 3:21).
B. Other words:
1. Quickened – 1 time (I Pet. 3:18)
2. Rose – 6 times (Acts 10:41; Rom. 14:9; I Cor. 15:4, 12; II Cor. 5:15; I Thess. 4:14)
3. Rise – 10 times (Matt. 20:19; 27:63; Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:34; Luke 18:33; 20:9; 24:7, 46; Acts 26:23)
4. Risen – 15 times (Matt. 17:9; 26:32; 28:6, 7; Mark 14:78; 16:6, 9, 14; Luke 24:6, 34; John 2:22; 21:14; Acts 17:3; Rom. 8:34; I Cor. 15:20).
5. Raised – 32 times (Matt. 16:21; 17:23; Luke 9:22; Acts 2:24; 3:15, 26; 4:10; 5:30; 10:40; 13:30, 33, 34, 37; 17:31; Rom. 4:24; 6:4, 9; 74; 8:11; 10:9; I Cor. 6:14; 15:15, 16, 17; II Cor. 4:14; Gal. 1:1; Eph. 1:20; Col. 2:12; I Thess. 1:10; II Tim. 2:8; I Pet. 1:21).
6. NOTE: The makes for a total of 72 verses that refer to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
C. A total of 16 New Testament books mention the resurrection of Jesus.
III. THE RESURRECTION WAS PROPHESIED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
A. Psalm 2:7 contains the first prophecy.
I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
1. The words “have I begotten thee” involve the resurrection.
2. Acts 13:33 specifically applies these words to the Lord’s resurrection.
God hath fulfilled the same unto us his children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
3. See also Hebrews 1:5
B. The second prophecy is found in Psalm 16:8-11, specifically v. 10.
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
1. Peter noted this prophecy in his sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:25-31, esp. v. 31).
He (David), seeing this before, spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
2. Paul also used this text as a prophecy of the resurrection in Acts 13:35-37
C. Jesus’ words to His apostles reveal that the Old Law spoke of both Jesus’ suffering and resurrection (Luke 24:44-47).
And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus is behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
IV. THE RESURRECTION WAS PREDICTED BY JESUS
A. Numerous times Jesus told His disciples that He would go to Jerusalem, suffer, die, and be raised the third day (Matt. 20:18-19; Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:34; Luke 18:33).
Behold, we go up to Jerusalem and the Son of man shall betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
B. Jesus foretold of His resurrection in a unique way in John 2:19.
Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
1. The Jews were confused, thinking that Jesus was referring to the temple of Herod (John 2:20; See also Matt. 26:61; Mark 14:58).
2. Jesus, however, had reference to “the temple of his body” (John 2:21).
3. John 19:22
When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and he believed the Scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
V. THE RESURRECTION HAPPENED
A. Matthew 28:1-8
In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: and for fear the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen as he said. Come see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there ye shall see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
B. There is ample proof that Jesus was raised from the dead.
1. An empty tomb
2. No arrests of the apostles
3. No body of the crucified Lord returned to the authorities
4. Eye witnesses (Acts 10:40-1)
Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
5. Radically altered lives: Paul
6. A vibrant, growing church of Christ
A. These are five facts about the resurrection of Jesus.
B. We know what it means to be resurrected. We also have seen that the resurrection was predicted and fulfilled.
C. The angels gave the women at the empty tomb some instructions that all of us can follow.
1. Fear not
2. See the place where Jesus lay (the tomb is still empty)
3. Go quickly
4. Tell that He is risen