Topical Bible: The Resurrection: Certainty of, Proved by the Resurrection of Christ

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The resurrection of the dead is a foundational doctrine in Christian theology, affirmed and exemplified by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This event is not only central to the Christian faith but also serves as the ultimate proof of the certainty of the resurrection for all believers.

Biblical Foundation

The resurrection of Christ is documented in all four Gospels, with each account providing unique details that collectively affirm the historicity and significance of the event. In Matthew 28:5-6 , the angel at the tomb declares, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said." This proclamation underscores the fulfillment of Jesus' own predictions about His resurrection (see also Matthew 16:21, 17:23, 20:19).

In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 , the Apostle Paul emphasizes the resurrection as a core element of the gospel: "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." Paul further elaborates on the significance of Christ's resurrection as the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:20), indicating that Christ's resurrection is a precursor and guarantee of the future resurrection of believers.

Eyewitness Testimonies

The New Testament provides numerous accounts of post-resurrection appearances of Jesus, which serve as compelling evidence for His resurrection. In 1 Corinthians 15:5-8 , Paul lists several appearances: "and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. And last of all He appeared to me also, as to one of untimely birth."

These appearances were not isolated incidents but were witnessed by a diverse group of individuals, including skeptics and former doubters, such as James, the brother of Jesus, and Paul himself, who was a former persecutor of Christians. The transformation in the lives of these witnesses, many of whom faced persecution and martyrdom, further attests to the authenticity of their testimonies.

Theological Implications

The resurrection of Christ is not merely an isolated miracle but is intrinsically linked to the hope of resurrection for all believers. In Romans 6:5 , Paul writes, "For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection." This union with Christ assures believers of their future resurrection and eternal life.

Moreover, the resurrection of Christ is a demonstration of God's power over death and sin. In Romans 8:11 , Paul assures believers, "And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who dwells within you." This promise highlights the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, who guarantees the believer's future resurrection.

Conclusion

The resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as the cornerstone of Christian faith, providing irrefutable evidence for the certainty of the resurrection of the dead. Through His victory over death, Christ assures believers of their own resurrection and eternal life, fulfilling the promises of Scripture and demonstrating the power and faithfulness of God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 15:12-20
Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Did Christ Predict his Resurrection?
... If he had had only a confident certainty that the Holy ... its moral import by the assurance
of resurrection as does ... But can it be proved that Christ predicted his ...
/.../section 294 did christ predict.htm

Cannot be Proved from Scripture, that Believers under the Old ...
... it will be fully consummated after the resurrection of the body ... 16:22.) But it is
not proved, that Heaven ... the place, but only maintains with certainty that they ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/article x it cannot be.htm

The Resurrection of the Dead
... How, then, dare any man say that the Christian religion is not true, when we know
for a certainty that Christ ... Having thus proved the resurrection of Christ ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the resurrection of the dead.htm

How Christ Performed the Office of Redeemer in Procuring Our ...
... in us.3. The pledge of our future resurrection. ... this cannot be without satisfaction),
the certainty here required ... This id proved by the testimony of Paul, "As ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 16 how christ performed.htm

The Resurrection
... By what arguments may the resurrection be proved? ... At the resurrection Christ shall
give the saints such a recipe. ... The reduplication denotes the certainty. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/3 the resurrection.htm

The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment:
... The apostle, when he had in the fifteenth of the 1st of the Corinthians proved
the truth and certainty of the resurrection, he descends to the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the resurrection of the dead.htm

Christ Our Life.
... By His death He proved that He possessed life only to hold it, and ... And as we come
to the resurrection life, the life in the faith ... And oh, the Divine certainty. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the masters indwelling/vi christ our life.htm

The Grave of the Dead John and the Grave of the Living Jesus
... It sounds plausible to say, Hallucination is a proved cause of ... But to those to whom
the Resurrection of Christ is ... Here we have a solid certainty, and here alone ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the grave of the dead.htm

The Father Seen in Christ.
... Faith in Christ is to become an unquestioned certainty. ... fact is, that the death and
resurrection of Christ ... of theirs grew strong and proved itself victorious ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/x the father seen in.htm

The Character of the New Testament Scripture.
... certainty of which my own and my children's highest interests depend; so that, if
they proved to be untrue, eg, the report of the resurrection of Christ, we ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxv the character of the.htm