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Evidence for the Resurrection

Answering Sincere Skeptics

4/1/2012

Rev. Jim Shaffer

Evidence for the Resurrection

The resurrection of Christ is without a doubt, the single most important event in human

history. The apostle Paul said, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless;

you are still in your sins.” 1 Corinthians 15:17 (HCSB) Christianity rises and falls on

the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

For the last several years on Easter Sunday, I have presented a lesson for my Sanctuary

Bible Class that detailed the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the lesson I

attempted to provide answers for the common objections set forth by those who are

skeptical or doubt the reality of the resurrection. The purpose of these lessons was not to

convince those who attended the class, but to provide them with material that they could

use with neighbors and friends.

Let’s face it. Believing that someone came back from the dead is a difficult thing. All of

our experiences in life teach us that it just doesn’t happen. Death is final. Many have

said that they accept the resurrection by faith and there is no doubt that faith is required.

Our faith however is based upon fact. The resurrection of Christ really happened.

The following eight objections will be discussed along with the ultimate proof of the

resurrection.

1. Jesus Was A Mythological Figure – He Never Really Lived

2. Jesus Was Just A Good Man – Nothing More

3. The Resurrection Wasn’t That Important To The Early Church

4. Jesus’ Followers Just Made It Up

5. The Eye Witnesses Hallucinated

6. Jesus Didn’t Really Die On The Cross – The Swoon Theory

7. The Body of Jesus Was Stolen – The Official Story

8. Everyone Went To The Wrong Tomb

9. The Ultimate Proof

It is my hope that this information will be helpful as you share your faith with those who

are not believers. Remember, you cannot argue someone into the kingdom of God. This

material will help you fulfill the admonition in I Peter 3:15.

But honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to

anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. (16) However, do this with

gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused,

those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame. (HCSB)

Evidence for the Resurrection Answering Sincere Skeptics

Objection #1 – Jesus Was a Mythological Figure

This is almost a silly objection. No serious Bible scholar disputes that Jesus actually

lived. The evidence is substantial. There is the testimony of eye-witnesses, secular or

pagan historians, and the early church fathers.

A. Eye-Witness Testimony

For some reason, skeptics refuse to accept the eye-witness testimony of those who were

closest to Jesus, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul and Peter. Because these eye-witness

testimonies are a part of our Bible, they are rejected. Why? Before they became a part of

the New Testament they were books or letters that were shared with many. Here are just

a few of the eye-witnesses.

Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled

among us. (2) They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early

disciples. (3) Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have

decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus, (4) so you can be

certain of the truth of everything you were taught. Luke 1:1-4 (NLT)

Did you notice that Luke claims that he used eyewitness accounts to write his gospel.

(Plural) In addition, he carefully investigated everything.

We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming

of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 2 Peter 1:16 (NIV)

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of

the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (ESV)

We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and

seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the

Word of life. 1 John 1:1

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in

this book; (31) but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the

Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:30-31 (ESV)

B. Secular Historians

Titus Flavius Josepheus was a Jewish Historian (37 – 100 AD) who wrote during the

lives of the disciples. In his book, Antiquities of the Jews, he mentions John the Baptist,

and Jesus is mentioned twice.

AAnnttiiqquuiittiieess 2200..99..11

""SSoo hhee aasssseemmbblleedd tthhee SSaannhheeddrriinn ooff jjuuddggeess,, aanndd bbrroouugghhtt bbeeffoorree tthheemm tthhee bbrrootthheerr ooff JJeessuuss,,

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ssttoonneedd......""

AAnnttiiqquuiittiieess 1188..33..33

""NNooww tthheerree wwaass aabboouutt tthhiiss ttiimmee JJeessuuss,, aa wwiissee mmaann,, ((iiff iitt bbee llaawwffuull ttoo ccaallll hhiimm aa mmaann,,)) ffoorr

hhee wwaass aa ddooeerr ooff wwoonnddeerrffuull wwoorrkkss,, aa tteeaacchheerr ooff ssuucchh mmeenn aass rreecceeiivvee tthhee ttrruutthh wwiitthh

pplleeaassuurree.. HHee ddrreeww oovveerr ttoo hhiimm bbootthh mmaannyy ooff tthhee JJeewwss,, aanndd mmaannyy ooff tthhee GGeennttiilleess.. ((HHee wwaass

tthhee CChhrriisstt;;)) aanndd wwhheenn PPiillaattee,, aatt tthhee ssuuggggeessttiioonn ooff tthhee pprriinncciippaall mmeenn aammoonnggsstt uuss,, hhaadd

ccoonnddeemmnneedd hhiimm ttoo tthhee ccrroossss,, tthhoossee tthhaatt lloovveedd hhiimm aatt tthhee ffiirrsstt ddiidd nnoott ffoorrssaakkee hhiimm,, ((ffoorr hhee

aappppeeaarreedd ttoo tthheemm aalliivvee aaggaaiinn tthhee tthhiirrdd ddaayy,,)) aass tthhee ddiivviinnee pprroopphheettss hhaadd ffoorreettoolldd tthheessee aanndd

tteenn tthhoouussaanndd ootthheerr wwoonnddeerrffuull tthhiinnggss ccoonncceerrnniinngg hhiimm;; aanndd tthhee ttrriibbee ooff CChhrriissttiiaannss,, ssoo

nnaammeedd ffrroomm hhiimm,, aarree nnoott eexxttiinncctt ttoo tthhiiss ddaayy..""

CCoorrnneelliiuuss TTaacciittuuss ((5566 -- 111177 AADD)) wwaass aa RRoommaann SSeennaattoorr && HHiissttoorriiaann ooff tthhee RRoommaann

EEmmppiirree.. IInn hhiiss wwoorrkk AAnnnnaallss,, hhee mmeennttiioonneedd NNeerroo’’ss ppeerrsseeccuuttiioonn ooff CChhrriissttiiaannss.. IItt iiss oonnee ooff

tthhee eeaarrlliieesstt sseeccuullaarr rreeffeerreenncceess ttoo CChhrriisstt.. HHeerree iiss tthhee qquuoottee.. NNoottiiccee aallssoo tthhee rreeffeerreennccee ttoo

PPoonnttiiuuss PPiillaattee..

AAnnnnaallss 1155..4444..22--88 ""NNeerroo ffaasstteenneedd tthhee gguuiilltt aanndd iinnfflliicctteedd tthhee mmoosstt eexxqquuiissiittee ttoorrttuurreess oonn aa

ccllaassss hhaatteedd ffoorr tthheeiirr aabboommiinnaattiioonnss,, ccaalllleedd CChhrriissttiiaannss bbyy tthhee ppooppuullaaccee.. CChhrriissttuuss,, ffrroomm

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aatt tthhee hhaannddss ooff oonnee ooff oouurr pprrooccuurraattoorrss,, PPoonnttiiuuss PPiillaattuuss,, aanndd aa mmoosstt mmiisscchhiieevvoouuss

ssuuppeerrssttiittiioonn,, tthhuuss cchheecckkeedd ffoorr tthhee mmoommeenntt,, aaggaaiinn bbrrookkee oouutt nnoott oonnllyy iinn JJuuddaaeeaa,, tthhee ffiirrsstt

ssoouurrccee ooff tthhee eevviill,, bbuutt eevveenn iinn RRoommee......""

TThheerree aarree mmaannyy aaddddiittiioonnaall ssoouurrcceess tthhaatt ccoouulldd hhaavvee bbeeeenn iinncclluuddeedd.. IIff yyoouu wwoouulldd lliikkee mmoorree

iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn,, rreeaadd EEvviiddeennccee FFoorr CChhrriissttiiaanniittyy bbyy JJoosshh MMccDDoowweellll.. HHee mmeennttiioonnss 3399

aanncciieenntt ssoouurrcceess iinn aaddddiittiioonn ttoo tthhee NNeeww TTeessttaammeenntt ssuucchh aass:: LLuucciiaann ooff SSaammoossaattaa,,

SSuueettoonniiuuss,, PPlliinnyy tthhee YYoouunnggeerr aanndd TThhaalllluuss jjuusstt ttoo nnaammee aa ffeeww..

CC.. TThhee EEaarrllyy CChhuurrcchh FFaatthheerrss

NNeexxtt ttoo tthhee wwrriitteerrss ooff tthhee NNeeww TTeessttaammeenntt,, tthhee eeaarrllyy cchhuurrcchh ffaatthheerrss pprroovviiddee aann aabbuunnddaannccee

ooff hhiissttoorriiccaall eevviiddeennccee ffoorr tthhee lliiffee ooff CChhrriisstt.. TThheessee iinnddiivviidduuaall wweerree ppaassttoorrss aanndd tteeaacchheerrss

tthhaatt ffoolllloowweedd oonn tthhee hheeeellss ooff tthhee aappoossttlleess.. TThheeyy aallll nnoott oonnllyy bbeelliieevveedd iinn tthhee hhiissttoorriiccaall

JJeessuuss bbuutt bbeelliieevveedd tthhaatt hhee wwaass GGoodd.. OOnnccee aaggaaiinn,, EEvviiddeennccee FFoorr CChhrriissttiiaanniittyy bbyy JJoosshh

MMccDDoowweellll pprroovviiddeess aann oovveerrvviieeww ooff tthheessee mmeenn,, iinncclluuddiinngg CClleemmeenntt ooff RRoommee,, IIggnnaattiiuuss,,

AArriissttiiddeess,, aanndd JJuussttiinn MMaarrttyyrr..

TThheerree iiss nnoo ddoouubbtt tthhaatt tthhee mmaann JJeessuuss wwaallkkeedd oonn eeaarrtthh.. HHiiss iimmppaacctt oonn tthhee ccoouurrssee ooff

hhiissttoorryy iiss uunnddeenniiaabbllee..

OObbjjeeccttiioonn ##22 –– JJeessuuss WWaass JJuusstt AA GGoooodd MMaann,, NNootthhiinngg MMoorree

LLoorrdd ,, LLiiaarr oorr LLuunnaattiicc –– CC..SS.. LLeewwiiss –– MMeerree CChhrriissttiiaanniittyy

CC..SS.. LLeewwiiss aarrgguueess tthhaatt JJeessuuss ccaannnnoott bbee ccoonnssiiddeerreedd aa ggoooodd mmaann.. HHee wwaass eeiitthheerr wwhhoo hhee

ssaaiidd hhee wwaass -- LLoorrdd,, oorr hhee wwaass aa lliiaarr oorr aa lluunnaattiicc.. "A man who was merely a man and said

the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a

lunatic - on the level with a man who says he is a poached egg - or he would be the devil

of hell. You must take your choice. Either this was, and is, the Son of God, or else a

madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool or you can fall at His feet

and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His

being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us." (Mere Christianity)

Jesus taught men to put their trust in Him for their eternal destiny. Jesus told him, “I am

the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John

14:6 (HCSB) If he knew that He couldn't deliver on the promise He was a liar or worse

a lunatic. In addition, Jesus claimed to be God. (Mark 14:61-64, John 10:25-33, John

5:17,18, John 8:58) If he wasn’t God then he had to be a liar. Jesus was who He said He

was.

Prophetic & Mathematical Argument

Another way that we can argue the deity of Christ is from a mathematical position. The

Old Testament contains over 200 prophecies that Christ fulfilled. Here are just 8 of those

prophecies:

1. Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)

2. He would be preceded by a messenger (Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1)

3. He entered Jerusalem on a donkey ( Zechariah 9:9)

4. He would be betrayed by a friend (Psalms 41:9, Psalms 55:12-14)

5. He was betrayed for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12)

6. Money thrown into temple & is used to purchase Potter’s Field (Zechariah 11:13)

7. He was silent before his accusers (Isaiah 53:7)

8. His hands & feet would be pierced and he would be crucified between thieves

(Psalms 22:16, Isaiah 53:12)

What are the odds that one man would fulfill just eight prophecies? According to the

science of probability it would be 1 in 1017

power. That is 100,000,000,000,000,000. If

you took that number (1017

) of silver dollars, they would cover the entire state of Texas,

two feet deep. Now take one of those silver dollars and put a big black X on it.

Blindfold a man and turn him loose to walk through the state of Texas. At anytime he

wants have him pick up one of those silver dollars. What would be the odds of him

picking up the one with the black X on it? That would be comparable to the odds of one

man fulfilling just 8 prophecies. Any idea what the odds would be of one man fulfilling

48 Biblical prophecies? 10157

That is a 1 with 157 zeroes following it. It takes more

faith to believe that Jesus just happened to fulfill over 200 prophecies than it takes to

believe that Jesus was God in human flesh.

Objection #3 – The Resurrection Wasn’t Important To the Early

Church

The idea behind this objection is that Christians after the time of the apostles created the

idea of the resurrection of Christ. In this view, the early church just taught the basic

principles of Jesus but didn’t believe that He was God or that He rose from the dead. The

only problem with this view is that it doesn’t square with the historical evidence.

One of the first creeds of the early church is found in I Corinthians 15:3-8.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for

our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4

that he was buried, that he was raised on the

third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5

and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the

twelve. 6

Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of

whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7

Then he appeared to James, then

to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. (ESV)

Isn’t it interesting that the entire creed concerns the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As Paul

said in verse 17 of the same chapter; “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is

worthless; you are still in your sins.”

The sacraments of water baptism and Holy Communion also make up some of the earliest

creeds in the church. Both of these center around the death and resurrection of Jesus

Christ. Baptism represents the sinner being buried and rising in newness of life just like

Jesus. The Lord’s Supper deals with the death of Christ. The bread is his body and the

wine is his blood, which were given for us. The instruction was to partake as often as we

would. Paul then tells us in 1 Corinthians 11:26 why.

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until

He comes. (HCSB)

From the very beginning the church has been proclaiming the death of Christ. The

phrase, “until He comes” acknowledges the resurrection, his ascension into heaven and

the promise of His return.

Objection #4 – Jesus’ Followers Just Made It Up

Those who hold to this objection believe that after Jesus died, his followers invented a

plan to deceive the entire world into believing that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the

fulfillment of Scripture, and the Son of God who rose from the dead. The question that

we have to ask is why? How would the creation of such a story benefit them? Did their

deception bring them untold riches, popularity, or power? Remember, all of the disciples

except for John will die a martyr’s death. When confronted with death not a single one of

them recanted their story.

Here are several additional reasons why I don’t believe that Jesus’ followers made it all

up.

1. Unlearned Men - These were unlearned and ignorant men. They were

fisherman, hated tax-collectors and zealots.

2. Fearful Men - The historical record shows them as fearful men who abandon

Jesus when he was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane. Peter followed at a

distance. They were in hiding after the crucifixion. Yet less than 50 days later

they stood fearlessly and proclaimed the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

What had changed? All of them would hold to the message even as they faced

death. Why? Maybe seeing a risen Christ that had defeated death chased away

all fear.

3. Women Eye-Witnesses – According to the Bible, the first people to see the

empty tomb were women. It has been suggested that if the disciples wanted to

pull off a deception, the worst thing they could have done was to have the first

witnesses be women. In that culture, the testimony of women was worthless.

Why have women as witnesses if you wanted to convince people of something?

The only explanation that makes sense is that the first people to see the empty

tomb and meet the risen Christ were women because that was the truth.

4. Skeptics Became Believers – I think all of us can relate to doubting Thomas. He

wanted proof before he would believe. He must have gotten that proof because he

followed Christ all his life eventually giving his life while serving as a missionary

in India. And what about Saul? He begins persecuting the church but after

encountering a risen Christ he changes sides and becomes the one who is

persecuted. What was his motivation to go along with a deception?

Objection #5 – The Eyewitnesses Hallucinated

All of the appearances of a living Jesus after his death were mere hallucinations. This is

an interesting argument. There is no doubt that great stress, regret and fear can produce

hallucinations. But is it possible that so many people would all have the same

hallucination? I don’t think so. Consider the following reasons.

1. More than 500 people could not have the same hallucination. Psychologist Gary

Collins writes, “Hallucinations are individual occurrences. By their very nature

only one person can see a given hallucination at a time.”

2. Hallucinations require expectations. The disciples didn’t expect him to rise from

the dead. In fact, they didn’t believe it when first told.

3. Hallucinations are individual occurrences and are not ongoing. The Bible tells us

in Acts 1:3.

After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs

that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about

the kingdom of God. (NIV)

The Bible records eleven appearances of Christ. Here they are:

1. Mary Magdalene

2. Certain Women

3. Simon Peter

4. 2 Disciples Road to Emmaus

5. 10 Disciples – No Thomas

6. 11 Disciples – Thomas Included

7. Disciples When Fishing

8. 500 Brethren at the same time

9. James

10. Apostles – Ascension

11. Paul at Damascus

Objection #6 – Jesus Did Not Die On The Cross

The Roman soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross, but he did not die there. Jesus passed out,

and everyone thought he was dead. He was removed from the cross and was placed in

the tomb. Later, Jesus was revived by the coolness in the tomb and left the tomb in a

weakened condition. This has been called the Swoon Theory and a variation of it was the

subject of the book The Passover Plot.

If this were true then ...

He had to survive massive blood loss & torture. He was flogged by the Roman soldiers

with a cat of nine tails, a whip with pieces of bone and stone. So brutal were the Roman

beatings that many died before they were crucified. A crown of thorns was thrust upon

his head. He fell beneath the weight of the cross as he carried it to Golgotha's hill.

The Roman soldiers were experts at torture and death. The reason that they broke the

legs of the others on the cross was to hasten their death. If Jesus had still been alive they

would have broken his legs.

According to John 19:34, "But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and at

once blood and water came out." This seeming insignificant detail actually tells us a

great deal. According to medical experts, if Jesus was still alive when the spear pierced

His side only blood would have flowed. The presence of the water indicates that His

heart had ruptured. You could say that He died of a broken heart.

Had Jesus simply passed out every eyewitness would have had to be mistaken. Those

who spent hours wrapping the body with linen surely would have seen.

To believe in the swoon theory, the beaten, crucified Christ would not only have to

survive the best (worst) efforts of the Roman soldiers but would have to have the strength

to push away a stone which many believe weighed more than two tons. He would then

have to overpower the guards who were placed at the tomb. Does this sound even

remotely possible.

Had Jesus overpowered the guards they would have been executed. Instead, they were

told to tell the story that the disciples had stolen the body.

As the disciples stood and preached the resurrection of Christ, why didn't the Jewish

authorities claim that he never died. They knew that no one would believe such a tale.

Had Jesus merely swooned there would be a record of his eventual death. There is no

evidence to support this.

Finally, would the disciples who were taught the importance of truth, perpetuate a

resurrection story if they knew that Christ had never really died. Would they have

defended it till their dying day.

Objection #7 - The Body of Jesus Was Stolen

There are two possible stories connected with this objection. Some have suggested that

the body of Jesus was taken by the Jewish authorities so that the disciples couldn't claim

that Christ was risen. The other story has the disciples stealing the body in the middle of

the night. It is important to point out that this was the only competing story to the

resurrection of Christ.

As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the

leading priests what had happened. (12) A meeting with the elders was called, and they

decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. (13) They told the soldiers, “You must say,

‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’

(14) If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.”

(15) So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story

spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today. Matthew 28:11-15 (NIV)

The idea that the Jewish authorities took the body is hardly worth refuting. If this were

true Christianity would never have started. When Peter and the others stood up on the

day of Pentecost and preached that Christ had been killed and rose again on the third day,

all the authorities would have to do is present the body of Christ. The disciples would

have been a laughing stock and no one would have joined their cause.

The second variation is a little more interesting. It is the "official" story. I wonder

however if it would have stood up against cross examination. Let's look at it a little bit

closer and examine the evidence in a make believe court of law.

Defense Attorney: So let me get this straight. You expect this court to believe that the

disciples came in the middle of the night and took the body of Jesus.

Jewish Authorities: Yes that is correct

Defense: Are these the same disciples that ran away in fright the night that you had Jesus

arrested.

Authorities: Well, uh yes.

Defense: Could you identify them?

Authorities: Well it was dark but the guards said that Peter was the ring leader.

Defense: Is this Peter the fisherman, that denied even knowing Jesus, three times on the

night Jesus was arrested?

Authorities: Well I don't know why he did that. But, but it was him.

Defense: So, you contend that these simple, uneducated, untrained men overpowered the

guards that you had placed to guard the tomb so this sort of thing wouldn't happen?

Authorities: Well, they didn't overpower the guards. The guards were asleep.

Defense: The guards that were given the responsibility of guarding the tomb, a tomb that

had the Roman seal of protection on it, fell asleep.

Authorities: We will deal with the guards.

Defense: So the disciples snuck in, pushed a 2 ton rock out of the way and took the body

of Jesus without waking the guards.

Authorities: Yes that is correct.

Defense: Tell me. If the body of Jesus was taken while the guards were asleep, how did

they know that it was the disciples who did it?

Authorities: Uh, uh - Who else would have done it?

Defense: Maybe it was - God !

The historical record clearly tells us that this was a cover-up. The disciples weren't

equipped to carry out a mission against these soldiers. They were timid men who were in

hiding. Their leader was dead and gone. They were afraid that they would be next. It is

almost inconceivable that they would risk their lives to steal the body. What would it

profit them? Furthermore, the soldiers would not have fallen asleep in fear of death.

Objection #8 - Everyone Went To The Wrong Tomb

This objection would have us believe that every person who witnessed the empty tomb

was peering into the wrong tomb. Jesus’ body was in a different location.

This is just plain ridiculous for the following four reasons.

1. The women observed where Jesus’ body was laid only a few days earlier.

2. Peter & John ran to the tomb after the women. Did they make the same mistake?

3. If Jesus’ body were still in its correct tomb, his enemies could have produced the body

immediately.

4. Joseph of Arimathea, the owner of the tomb would have corrected them.

The Ultimate Proof

Read the first sermon following the resurrection which was given by Peter. Something

has happened to him. He is no longer afraid. He speaks boldly and with conviction. He

points his finger at the Jewish authorities. He claims that they killed Jesus but God raised

him from the dead. He doesn't say, they tried to kill him but it didn't work.

Acts 2:22-41 - “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by

doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. (23) But

God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was

betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him.

(24) But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for

death could not keep him in its grip. (25) King David said this about him: ‘I see that the

Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. (26) No wonder

my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts his praises! My body rests in hope. (27) For you

will not leave my soul among the dead allow your Holy One to rot in the grave. (28) You

have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.’

“Dear brothers, think about this! You can be sure that the patriarch David wasn’t

referring to himself, for he died and was buried, and his tomb is still here among us. (30)

But he was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David’s

own descendants would sit on his throne. (31) David was looking into the future and

speaking of the Messiah’s resurrection. He was saying that God would not leave him

among the dead or allow his body to rot in the grave. (32) “God raised Jesus from the

dead, and we are all witnesses of this. (33) Now he is exalted to the place of highest

honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the

Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. (34) For David himself

never ascended into heaven, yet he said, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of

honor at my right hand (35) until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under

your feet.” (36) “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this

Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” (37) Peter’s words pierced

their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we

do?” (38) Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins, turn to God, and be

baptized in the name of Jesus Christ to show that you have received forgiveness for your

sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (39) This promise is to you, and to

your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”

(40) Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners,

“Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” (41) Those who believed what Peter

said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. (NIV)

Peter preached this message not in some far away city but right in the heart of Jerusalem.

The same place that Jesus had been crucified. He didn't preach years or decades after the

crucifixion but just a little over a month later. That day, about 3,000 were baptized.

Remember what baptism represents. (The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ).

Starting on the day of Pentecost, the church began to grow. 3000 people were added to

the church on day one. A few days later following the arrest of Peter, the number of

Christians grew to over 5000 not counting women or children. (Acts 4:1-4) In the sixth

chapter of Acts it states that the number of Christians multiplied and verse 7 is very

revealing.

So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in

Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too. Acts 4:7 (NIV)

The greatest proof of the resurrection of Jesus Christ can be found in the changed lives of

His followers. From a group of cowardly men, champions of God are formed by the

power of the resurrection. According to history, all of the disciples will die a martyr's

death except for John who was banished to the isle of Patmos. They all stood firm in

their life changing belief that Christ had risen.

In closing, let me remind you of an old song of the church, "He Lives".

I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today;

I know that He is living, whatever men may say;

I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,

And just the time I need Him, He's always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me

A-long life's narrow way.

He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives?

He lives within my heart.

If you want to know the power of the resurrection, ask Christ to come into your heart and

life. He is risen .... He has risen indeed.