The concept of resurrection, particularly the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is a cornerstone of Christian faith and theology. The belief in the resurrection is not only central to the New Testament but is also foreshadowed and anticipated in the Old Testament. The resurrection is presented as a credible and historical event, supported by scriptural evidence and eyewitness testimony.

Old Testament Foreshadowing

The Old Testament contains several instances that prefigure the resurrection. For example, the account of Jonah, who spent three days in the belly of a great fish, is seen as a typological foreshadowing of Christ's resurrection. Jesus Himself refers to this in Matthew 12:40 : "For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."

Additionally, the Psalms contain prophetic references to the resurrection. Psalm 16:10 states, "For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay." This verse is interpreted in the New Testament as a prophecy concerning the resurrection of Christ, as seen in Acts 2:31 : "Foreseeing this, David spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did His body see decay."

New Testament Testimony

The New Testament provides a detailed account of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, emphasizing its reality and significance. The Gospels record the discovery of the empty tomb and the appearances of the risen Christ to His disciples. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 , the Apostle Paul summarizes the gospel message: "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 underscores the credibility of the resurrection by listing the eyewitnesses who encountered the risen Christ. In 1 Corinthians 15:5-8 , he writes, "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."

Theological Significance

The resurrection is not merely an isolated miracle but is integral to the Christian understanding of salvation and eternal life. Romans 6:4 explains, "We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life." The resurrection signifies the defeat of death and the promise of new life for believers.

Furthermore, the resurrection is a testament to the power and faithfulness of God. Acts 26:8 poses the rhetorical question, "Why would any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?" This question challenges the skepticism of the resurrection by appealing to the omnipotence of God, who is capable of transcending natural laws.

Conclusion

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a foundational truth of Christianity, supported by scriptural prophecy, historical testimony, and theological necessity. It is not an incredible or implausible event but a demonstration of God's power and a pivotal moment in the divine plan of redemption.Mark 12:24
And Jesus answering said to them, Do you not therefore err, because you know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 26:8
Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Of the Resurrection of the Flesh, which Some Refuse to Believe ...
... of the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ may be believed, we accumulate
the testimonies of countless incredible miracles, but even so we do not bend ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 5 of the resurrection of.htm

Tillotson -- the Reasonableness of a Resurrection
... Having thus shown that the resurrection is not a thing incredible to natural reason,
I should now proceed to show the certainty of it from divine revelation. ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/tillotson the reasonableness of.htm

The Resurrection of the Flesh is not Impossible.
... were only recorded in a promise, and not seen accomplished ... this too would be much
more incredible than the ... But even in the case of the resurrection the Saviour ...
/.../chapter v the resurrection of the.htm

Of the Catholic Church, the Remission of Sins, and the ...
... the kingdom of God," [1649] that does not contradict the resurrection of the ... into
water, the nearness of the thing will make it not seem incredible to him ...
/.../a treatise on faith and the creed /chapter 10 of the catholic church.htm

The Resurrection Possible.
... Chapter XIX."The resurrection possible. And to any thoughtful person would anything
appear more incredible, than, if we were not in the body, and some one ...
/.../justin/the first apology of justin/chapter xix the resurrection possible.htm

Scripture Phrases and Passages Clearly Assert "The Resurrection of ...
... all the Scriptures which promise a resurrection of the ... by such authoritative
considerations, and not after the ... solely, because it is deemed incredible that the ...
/.../chapter xviii scripture phrases and passages.htm

We Would Say, Moreover, that Death Ceases in the World when the ...
... And it is not incredible that the gates which are said to open spontaneously ... Celsus,
moreover, has often mocked at the subject of a resurrection,"a doctrine ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxxvi we would say.htm

Proofs of the Resurrection.
... early Church universally believed in it; and it is incredible that a ... (5) They attested
this fact, not only by ... (6) Only the fact of the resurrection can account ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/proofs of the resurrection.htm

The Resurrection Morning
... seems to imply that it means belief in the resurrection. ... again the third day has
been thought incredible, but is ... our power of hearing and yet not hearing the ...
/.../the resurrection morning.htm

On the Resurrection of the Dead
... they that have done evil to the resurrection of damnation ... If we were not to rise
with the very same ... That in all this there is nothing incredible or impossible ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 137 on the resurrection.htm

Why should I believe in Christ's resurrection? | GotQuestions.org

What is the first resurrection? What is the second resurrection? | GotQuestions.org

Is the resurrection of Jesus Christ true? | GotQuestions.org

Resurrection: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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