Table of Contents
The Resurrection of Christ
The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the basis of the Christian faith. Without it, Christianity would be a hoax. The apostle Paul writes, “[I]f Christ hath not been raised, our faith is vain” (1 Corinthians 15:17). The resurrection of Christ is important for the following reasons:
First- It testifies to the mighty power of God.
Only the Creator can resurrect His creatures when they die. “So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:54-55 also Isaiah 25:8; Hosea 13:14).
Because of the resurrection, Christ is considered the firstfruits of them that are asleep. Paul wrote, “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming” (1 Corinthians 15:20,23).
Second-It’s a sign that Christ is the Son of God.
Paul affirmed that Christ is “declared to be the Son of God with power . . . by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). Christ had repeatedly claimed that He was the Son of God (Matthew 27:43; John 5:17–30; 10:36) and had predicted that He would rise again on the third day (Matthew 12:40; John 2:19, 21).
Third-It fulfills the Scriptures.
The resurrection is a direct fulfillment to the Old Testament Messianic prophecy which says, “For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption” (Psalm 16:10).
Fourth-It proves Christ’s divine holy nature.
The fact that Christ rose bodily on the third day implies that His body, in contrast with the bodies of other men who die, did not suffer any decomposition (Acts 13:35).
Fifth-It validates the words of Christ.
Christ, the founder of Christianity, is alive whereas the founders of all other religions are in the grave. He said, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25) and those that believe in Him will not experience eternal death (1 John 5:11–12). The Scriptures affirm that many saints in Jerusalem rose at the resurrection of Christ “and appeared to many” (Matthew 27:50–53). Sixty years after his resurrection—Christ appeared to John and said: “I am the first and the last, and the Living one; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore” (Revelation 1:17-18).
Sixth-It’s the guarantee for the Christian’s victory.
As Christ was resurrected, He is able to resurrect the believers’ bodies from the “works of the flesh” ( Galatians 5:19-20). “He was… raised to life for our justification” (Romans 4:25). This change in character in the lives of His children is done through His Spirit (Romans 8:11). And thus, believers will have victory over sin and death. John writes, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death” (Revelation 12:11).
Seventh-It’s the eternal hope for all believers.
“According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). All those that died in the faith will see that their labor was “not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58 also 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18). Thus, the resurrection of Christ is the pledge for the believers’ own resurrection at His second coming. “And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power” (1 Corinthians 6:14 also 15:20–23; 2 Corinthians 4:14; Philippians 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:14).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
