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Resurrection is a word found 41 times in the New Testament in 40 verses. It means to rise again from death. This is one of the single greatest evidences for believing on the deity of Christ in both history and the scripture.

The word “resurrection” implies that Jesus both died and rose from death. He did not swoon or go into a coma for that was not medically possible. The preponderance of the evidence points to the fact that Jesus did indeed die in the cross, was buried and rose again just as the scripture has said. When the formally antagonistic Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians decades after the resurrection, he said there were over 500 witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection that could be interviewed alive to that day who could testify of this fact.

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 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 ‭15:3-6

Paul was not just antagonistic, he was zealously opposed to Jesus Christ and his followers persecuting them severely before his own conversion because he could not bear the implications of the messianic prophecies being fulfilled in this man presumed to be of Galilee.

“And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.” Acts‬ ‭22:4

‬Paul would be one of many skeptics of Christ and his resurrection that would repent of their unbelief and bow their knee and to Christ Jesus and confess from a contrite heart full of faith that Jesus is Lord and Christ. Like many who would follow Paul was used mightily of God to promote the good news that Jesus has died on the cross for our sins, was buried and rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

Long list of skeptics

Many persons were skeptical and even antagonistic to the claims of the Bible that Jesus is the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. Among them were archeologist Sir William Mitchell Ramsay (1851-1939, pictured in this story). Ramsay started out as an atheist scholar to disprove the book of Acts, only to confess its accuracy 15 years later to the dismay of the atheist community. He trusted Christ as Savior and wrote seven books as an apologist for the veracity of the Bible calling Luke one of the greatest historians in n history because of the accuracy in which he recorded the information on n Luke and Acts.

English Journalist Albert Henry Ross (1881-1950) wrote under the pseudonym Frank Morrison. He set out to disprove the Bible only to become convinced and confess Christ. He authored a book called, “Who moved the Stone?” Which God used to convince many to trust Christ as Lord and Savior.

Sir Lionel Alfred Luckhoo (1914-1997) was considered by Guinness book of world records to be the worlds “most successful lawyer” for his work as a defense attorney seeing 245 consecutive murder cases acquitted. In addition, he was counsel to the Queen of England. None of his accomplishments and accolades compared however, to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. God convinced Lionel of his sin late in life through the ministry of a para-church business men’s organization. Luckhoo went on after his conversion in 1978 to author books on the veracity of biblical evidence from a legal and religious perspective.

Josh McDowell is known to many as a prolific evangelist, author and apologist but he started as a devout atheist. While in college, McDowell set out to disprove the myth of Christianity only to become convinced of the historical reality of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross for our sins. Believing that Jesus did indeed resurrect, ascend to the third heaven just as the scripture says, Josh placed his faith in Christ. He has written many books not the least of which is, “More than a Carpenter’ and “Evidence that Demands a Verdict.” Josh is still active into his 70s preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Lee Strobel is one of the contemporary converts to Christ. Like many before him, Lee struck out as an award-winning investigative Journalist for the Chicago Tribune to disprove the claims of Christ only to find to his surprise and dismay that Jesus is who he claimed to be! He is God manifest in the flesh! He lived a sinless life as our spotless Lamb and died a cruel death in our stead in the cross for our sin. He didn’t swoon but died, was buried and rose again the third day just as the scripture says and is alive forever more. Lee went on to write the book “The Case For Christ,” among many others and has recently been the subject of a movie titled the same.

Many more great minds through the centuries have been convinced and converted through faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross convinced by the record of scripture.

We need look no further than the scripture for evidence of the resurrection. Though the word resurrection was not used, the truth of the resurrection has been the hope of all s saints who await the coming of Christ. Job looked forward to his own resurrection because he knew his redeemer lived.

“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” Job‬ ‭19:25-27

Do you know your redeemer lives? This is why we celebrate the resurrection! Because he lives we live too!

“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:20-22

Don’t be a fool. Believe upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved today! Some of the greatest minds of every century have saw fit to realize the significance of the resurrection leading them to the conclusion that Jesus is God and he is alive right now calling all men everywhere to repent.

Would you be one who would call upon the name of the Lord? Allow scripture to convince you of the need and supply of Jesus as your sacrifice for sin. Don’t be counted as the fool who says there is no God only to someday stand before him with no justification for why you refused his call to salvation.

“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.” Psalms‬ ‭14:1‬ ‭‬‬

‬‬Join us Easter Sunday at HBF as we celebrate Christ’s resurrection! If you would like to know more about how you can receive the gift of eternal life call our office at 816.380.3033 or email us at contact@hbfcass.org. We would love to help you understand from scripture how you can know you will partials of Christ’s resurrection.