Have you ever heard someone say, “I don’t believe Jesus really rose from the dead,”? As Christians, we need to be ready to give an answer for what we believe. As we approach Easter, this is the perfect time to look at historical evidence for the Resurrection of Christ.
Here are 4 proofs of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
An Empty Tomb
Three days after Jesus’ crucifixion, a group of faithful women visited the garden tomb. Yet they were shocked to find the stone rolled away from an empty tomb. Two angels explained to them, “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen…” (Luke 2:5-6)
Astonished, they returned to the disciples and told them what they had found. Peter and John also visited the tomb and found it empty, just as they had said.
News spread quickly throughout Jerusalem. Even though the priests tried to hush it up, the disciples boldly preached of the resurrection in Jerusalem. If Jesus had not truly risen, they could not have preached with such great success.
Writer Matt Perman explains, “No one would be foolish enough to believe a man had raised from the dead when his body lay dead in the tomb for all to see.” The empty tomb gave credence to the disciples’ preaching.
Multiple Eyewitnesses of the Resurrected Christ
“And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.”
1 Corinthians 15:5-6
As Paul teaches in these verses, Jesus appeared on several different occasions after His resurrection.
-He appeared to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18).
-He appeared to Salome, Joanna, the other Mary, and another woman (Matthew 28:1).
-He appeared to Simon Peter (Luke 24:34).
-He appeared to Cleopas and another disciple on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-15).
-He appeared to the eleven disciples minus Thomas (Luke 24:36-43).
-He appeared to the eleven disciples including Thomas (John 20:26-29).
-He appeared to disciples and a large gathering of people at a mountain in Galilee (Matt. 28:16-17).
-He appeared to James (1 Corinthians 15:7).
-He appeared to the disciples before His ascension to Heaven, 40 days after the Resurrection (Luke 24:49-53).
Although a small group of people could have agreed to lie about seeing a risen Jesus, it would be impossible to involve 500 people in such a plot. Jesus’ multiple appearances provide convincing evidence for the Resurrection.
The Disciples’ Transformation
When Jesus was in the grave, His disciples were fearful and confused. They worried about what the religious leaders might do to them. Instead of public preaching, they worshipped in secret.
“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.” (John 20:19)
After Jesus’ Resurrection, the disciples became so bold that they preached on the street, in the temple, and before the high priest. God even used them to heal people and work miracles.
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13)
The disciples changed dramatically because they believed their Saviour had risen from the dead. Many of them later became martyrs for their courageous faith.
The Growth of the Early Church
After Peter’s first sermon, which proclaimed the Resurrection of Christ, three thousand people were saved. Despite great persecution, the Early Church continued to grow and prosper. They sent out missionaries; they baptized converts daily; and they rejoiced in God’s goodness.
If Jesus had not truly risen from the dead, His followers would soon have given up preaching about Him. Their credibility would have been lost. Yet, the opposite happened.
Thousands of years later, the Church has grown beyond the disciples’ wildest dreams. Millions around the world call Jesus Lord and Saviour. They have experienced His power firsthand…as their lives have been transformed by it. Marriages have been healed. People have found freedom from addictions and spiritual oppression.
At the local church’s prison ministry, we are so thankful for the Resurrection power of Jesus that is available to every believer. And we rejoice in seeing how He can change lives!
He Arose
We hope this article has helped you understand more of the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection. Feel free to contact us at the local church’s prison ministry with your questions or comments!
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