Topical Bible: The Resurrection of Christ: Asserted and Preached by the Apostles

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The resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as a cornerstone of Christian faith, a pivotal event that the apostles fervently asserted and preached. This miraculous event is not only a testament to the divine nature of Christ but also the foundation of the hope of eternal life for believers. The apostles, as primary witnesses, played a crucial role in proclaiming this truth to the world.

Biblical Foundation

The resurrection is first and foremost a fulfillment of Scripture. Jesus Himself foretold His resurrection, as recorded in the Gospels. In Matthew 16:21 , it is written, "From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."

The apostles, having witnessed the risen Christ, became the primary heralds of this truth. In Acts 2:32 , Peter declares, "God has raised this Jesus to life, to which we are all witnesses." This assertion is not merely a claim but a testimony grounded in their personal encounters with the resurrected Lord.

Apostolic Preaching

The resurrection was central to apostolic preaching, as evidenced in the early chapters of Acts. Peter's sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2) emphasizes the resurrection as the validation of Jesus' messianic identity and divine mission. In Acts 2:24 , Peter proclaims, "But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for Him to be held in its clutches."

Paul, another key apostolic figure, also underscores the resurrection in his epistles. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 , he writes, "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 the resurrection, asserting that without it, faith is futile (1 Corinthians 15:14).

Witnesses and Testimonies

The apostles' testimony is corroborated by multiple post-resurrection appearances of Jesus. He appeared to Mary Magdalene, the disciples, and over five hundred brethren at once (1 Corinthians 15:6). These appearances provided undeniable evidence to the apostles, transforming them from a group of disheartened followers into bold proclaimers of the Gospel.

The Book of Acts records numerous instances where the apostles preached the resurrection. In Acts 4:33 , it is noted, "With great power the apostles continued to give their testimony about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all." This powerful testimony was instrumental in the rapid spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire.

Theological Implications

The resurrection is not merely a historical event but a theological cornerstone. It affirms Jesus as the Son of God, as Paul states in Romans 1:4 , "and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord." It also assures believers of their own future resurrection and eternal life, as Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:14 , "For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him."

The apostles' unwavering commitment to preaching the resurrection, even in the face of persecution and martyrdom, underscores its centrality to the Christian message. Their testimony, preserved in the New Testament, continues to be a source of hope and assurance for believers across the ages.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 25:19
But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 26:23
That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light to the people, and to the Gentiles.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Although, Even if There Went Before no Testimonies Concerning ...
... might be set forth,) proclaiming His Resurrection, His Ascension, which they asserted
that they had ... that the Apostles lied concerning Christ, of Whom ...
/.../augustine/concerning faith of things not seen /10 although even if there.htm

Chapter vii.
... we confess to be the case; still what we asserted is true ... purpose remotely connected
with the Christian history, we have the resurrection of Christ, and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/paley/evidences of christianity/chapter vii.htm

The Apostolic Witnesses
... The whole Church with one voice asserted it ... For, if He be not risen, there is no
resurrection; and, if ... If Christ be dead, then that awful vision is true, 'As I ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the apostolic witnesses.htm

The Lord is Risen Indeed
... I. That they were competent judges of what they asserted is evident: (1.). From
their numbers. ... (4.). But the proof of the resurrection of Christ, which is the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xl the lord is.htm

The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
... The first asserted that they were followers of Paul; the second preferred the
rhetorical ... Paul claims for the fact of the resurrection of Christ the witness ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter x the first epistle.htm

The Acts of the Apostles
... Without the resurrection, the Church would have collapsed at ... men on equal terms,
and that Christ was the ... It is asserted by such writers as Martineau, Sabatier ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter vii the acts of.htm

Faustus Willing to Believe not Only that the Jewish but that all ...
... the Sadducees we may answer the Manich??ans, for they too deny the resurrection,
though in ... And if there are some, Christ may have asserted that there were. ...
/.../faustus willing to believe not.htm

Acts 17:16-17. Athens.
... the true nature of God to the worshippers of images made with hands,"that he asserted
the nearness ... But if, as we believe, the resurrection of Christ is an ...
/.../chapter ix acts 17 16-17 athens.htm

Concerning Faith of Things Not Seen
... might be set forth,) proclaiming His Resurrection, His Ascension, which they asserted
that they had ... that the Apostles lied concerning Christ, of Whom ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/concerning faith of things not seen /

The Progress of the Gospel from the Death of Christ to the Death ...
... doctrine of passive obedience, and asserted principles which ... religionists without
perceiving that Christ was "the ... His death, of His resurrection and ascension. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter iv the progress of.htm