Great Doctrines of the Bible
Lesson 4
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
(It’s Proof Power, and Purpose)

Introduction
The fact of Christ’s literal resurrection does not grow out of the beautiful story of His life, but the beautiful story of His life grew out of the fact of the resurrection. Renan, a French skeptic, said, “You Christians live on the fragrance of an empty tomb.” This fact was the dominating theme of apostolic preaching. A thorough grasp of its reality and significance is essential for all who would proclaim the glorious Gospel of Christ.

Importance of this Lesson

• The uniqueness of Christianity among all other religions is the physical resurrection of its supernatural founder. No other religious founder ever made the same claims for himself.
• Faith in a resurrected Christ is absolutely essential to one’s personal salvation (Romans 10:9).
• Christ’s resurrection validates three other basic doctrines of our Christian faith:
  • His incarnation (Hebrews 10:5)
  • His virgin birth (Matthew 1:18)
  • His actual death for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15)
• The resurrection confirms Christ’s deity and lordship (1 Corinthians 15:57; Acts 16:31; Romans 1:4). His full title, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, is never used of Him until after the resurrection.
• The moral and ethical teachings of Christ (The Sermon on the Mount, etc.) would have little or no significance had Christ not risen from the dead.
• Without the resurrection there would have been no Pentecost (John 14:16-17; John 16:7; Acts 1:4-8); no New Testament (Acts 1:1-2; 1 John 1:1-2); and thus, no supernatural power to witness or to live a new and resurrected life (Philippians 3:10; Acts 1:8; Romans 6:4).
• The vast importance of the resurrection is seen in the abundant space devoted to it throughout the New Testament.
  • It is stated specifically over 100 times.
  • It was the one event treated fully by all four of the Gospel writers.
  • Of the approximate 20 brief speeches in the book of Acts, 13 emphasize the resurrection.
  • It was the central theme of all the Pauline epistles.
• The significance of the resurrection is probably most evident in the terrifying and devastating consequences of what would happen if Christ were not risen. Paul listed these consequences in 1 Corinthians 15:12-19. If there is no resurrection:
  • Christ is not risen (verses 13, 16).
  • Apostolic preaching was a meaningless, useless waste of breath (verse 14).
  • The faith of the saints of all ages is a vain, hollow thing (verse 14).
  • The apostles and all preachers of the resurrection are liars (verse 15). (Not mistaken, deceived, or deluded – but liars!)
  • The apostles were bearing false witness against God Himself (verse 15).
  • All who are in the graves, and all who died having trusted Christ will never rise again – (verses 15, 18).
  • The faith of all believers is mere foolishness (verse 17).
  • Deceased believers have died in their sins and have utterly perished (verses 17- 18).
  • Christians have not known deliverance, but are still in their sins (verse 17).
  • There is no hope, no future blessedness for anyone. The grave is the end (verse 19).
  • Believers are the most deceived and miserable people on earth and are to be pitied (verse 19).
• Further results if Christ did not rise from the dead:
  • Christ lied to and deceived His followers.
  • Pentecost is a wild imagination.
  • Our Christian experience is a mere delusion.
  • The Bible is false – pure legend.
  • Sin has no solution.
  • The world is without hope.
  • Eternity remains a dark and fearful mystery.

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The Lesson

I. PROOFS OF THE RESURRECTION

1. The FACT of an empty tomb and Christ’s physical resurrection.
   There are those who teach that Christ’s resurrection was merely spiritual, and that He did not rise bodily from the grave. This cannot be, for all facts in the New Testament Gospel narratives contradict such a theory.
   1. The witness of the Angel “He is not here…” (Matthew 28:6).
   2. The women found it empty (Luke 24:3).
   3. Mary Magdalene found it empty (John 20:1-2).
   4. Peter and John found it empty (John 20:3-7).
   5. The Roman guards would not have allowed His body to be stolen. The grave was sealed. The keepers were later paid to lie (Matthew 27:63-66 and Matthew 28:12-15).
   6. No thief would have left the linens lying in such perfect order (John 20:7).
   7. His disciples recognized Him and touched him. He still had the nail prints (John 20:25-27).
   8. Christ denied being a spirit (Luke 24:39).
2. The FACT of the many Christophanies (physical appearances of Christ) after the resurrection:
   1. To Mary (John 20:14-18).
   2. To the ten disciples (John 20:20).
   3. To the eleven disciples (John 20:27-29).
   4. To the two disciples on the Emmaus road (Luke 24:13-32).
   5. To the fishermen (John 21:12-14).
   6. To the 500 at one time (1 Corinthians 15:6 – Many of these were still alive when Paul wrote this and could easily have contradicted him).
   7. To Paul on the Damascus road (Acts 9).
   8. To Stephen when being stoned to death (Acts 7).
   9. To Peter, “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses” (Acts 2:32).
   10. To John on the Isle of Patmos (Revelation 1:9-18).
   11. To Luke, “To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3).
3. The Argument from Cause and Effect
   1. THE LORD’S DAY (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Revelation 1:10).
      • It was extremely difficult for a Jew, even those who had placed their faith in Christ, to forsake the Saturday Sabbath for the first day of the week. Saturday observance had been a major part of their religion, the Law, and the Mosaic Covenant for 1400 years. To worship and observe the Sabbath on Sunday was a radical departure for a devout Jew.
   2. THE NEW TESTAMENT – Paul wrote because he had met and heard the risen Lord (Acts 9:5-15). John wrote because he had heard, seen, looked upon and handled the risen Lord (1 John 1:1-4). Thus, without the resurrection, there would be no New Testament.
   3. THE TRANSFORMED DISCIPLES (compare Matthew 26:56 with Acts 4:2,8,13,and 31). Cowardly, frightened disciples were changed into bold, fearless witnesses. The great cause was the resurrection.
   4. PENTECOST (John 16:7 and Acts 1:5,8). Christ said clearly that the Holy Spirit could not come until He departed. The risen Christ promised the Holy Spirit. So, without the resurrection –
      no Pentecost and no power.
   5. THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH – The church triumphant, with its hymns, worship and ministry has been a glorious effect for 1900 years. The great cause is the resurrection.

II. THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION

1. The resurrection declared the deity and omnipotence of Christ (Romans 1:4).
2. The resurrection demonstrated Christ’s power over the laws of decomposition, the law of gravity (His ascension) and over death itself (Acts 2:24; Acts 1:9; Philippians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:54-57).\
3. The resurrection assured the world of Christ’s power to purge and put away sin and to destroy the works and power of Satan for all who will believe (Hebrews 9:26; 1 John 3:8; Hebrews 2:14).
4. The risen Christ said, “…ALL POWER is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore…” (Matthew 28:18-19).

III. THE PURPOSE OF THE RESURRECTION

1. To make available to all who will believe a new life and resurrection power.
   1. All believers experience a spiritual resurrection (Romans 6:4; Colossians 3:1).
   2. All believers can know the same supernatural power God exercised when He raised Jesus from the dead (Philippians 3:10; Ephesians 1:19-20).
2. To make the Christian life a reality.
   The Christian life is the living out, the manifestation of a risen, in-dwelling Christ (Galatians 2:20).
3. To guarantee to all that believe a future physical resurrection and a blessed, immortal eternity, (1 Corinthians 15:20, 23; 1 Peter 1:3; John 11:26; John 14:19; 1 Corinthians 15:51-57).
4. To provide for all who repent, believe, and obey the Gospel, not only a risen life, but a risen, living Lord who can be known, loved, and served (Revelation 1:18; John 20:29; Romans 10:12; Acts 10:36; Romans 1:4; Acts 2:36).
5. To assure our justification (Romans 4:25). The word “for” here, should read “on account of.” God raised up Jesus because the work was done! Our sins had been paid for. God was satisfied.
6. To declare loudly and clearly the reality of sin and that all men everywhere must repent, turn to God and prepare for eternity (Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30; Luke 24:46- 47; Acts 2:21; Romans 5:12).
7. To assure the world that a great day of judgment is ahead for all who reject Christ and the glorious gospel concerning Him (Acts 17:31; John 5:22, 27; Hebrews 10:26-27).
   

Examination

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