Why Christian faith hinges on the resurrection

Why Christian faith Hinges on the Resurrection

As Christians, we know the importance and meaning of the resurrection of Jesus but when someone asks, “Why do you believe in the resurrection,” how do you respond? What are your reasons; your validation for believing in something that happened thousands of years ago? For some, the resurrection is hard to believe; simply because it happened so long ago and is  not relevant to their lives.

In my opinion, there are several indisputable proofs that Christ rose from the dead; one of the most basic proofs comes from Acts 1:3: 

“To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” Jesus showed himself alive after his death to His apostles. He showed them his wounds and the stripes on his back and the piercing in his side.

“Here in Acts 1:3, we are told that Christ was "seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3). It is important to note that the unbelieving Romans and Jews also knew that the tomb was empty. Matthew 28: 11-15 states: “Some of the watch came into the city…And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night and stole him away while we slept. And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day” What makes this fascinating to read and study is that he was seen not just a couple of times but many times!

Another important validation that Christ rose from the dead was his appearance to his disciples. He showed himself to his disciples many times over a 40 day period. When 10 of his disciples were gathered together in a locked room, He was there “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. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost" (John 20:19-22).”

However, Thomas, one of the disciples, was not there and when the others told him that they had seen the Lord, he did not believe them. He said,

“Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side [into the sword wound], I will not believe" (John 20:25).”

This action from Thomas and his other disciples clearly showed that Jesus had to convince his disciples and be adamant about it in order to prove to them that he did indeed, rise from the grave. This also showed that his disciples were not gullible or had a predisposition about resurrection.  There is an important and crucial fact here and that is his disciples did not hallucinate in what they saw and heard; even though Jesus showed them evidence of his sufferings on the cross.  Once they saw the wounds, talked with him and realized that indeed he was alive, then they believed.

Another very interesting fact from John 20: 26:

"And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold [look at] my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God" (John 20:26)

The third and most important proof of Jesus’s resurrection was when the disciples made a decision to die instead of denying that Christ rose from the dead. This, in my opinion, was the greatest proof of all of what transpired on the cross. Research shows in the Bible that his disciples lived out the rest of their lives saying to those who wanted to know; that Christ had risen from the dead and that they saw Him alive and well.

To conclude, for those who believe that Jesus rose from the dead, no further evidence is needed; however, for those who doubt about what happened so long ago, the proof is clearly presented in the Bible. All one has to do is to read it and then believe on it with faith! Most importantly, for Christians everywhere, there can be no cross without Christ!Ī

Copyright Toni Star 2017