The resurrection of Jesus Christ is central to the Christian faith. As the apostle Paul said, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17). There are several reasons to believe that Jesus did indeed rise from the dead:
1. The empty tomb
All four Gospels record that Jesus was buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea and that the tomb was found empty on the third day (Matthew 27:57-28:6; Mark 15:42-16:6; Luke 23:50-24:3; John 19:38-20:9). If anyone wanted to disprove the resurrection, all they would have to do is produce a body. But no body was ever produced. Both Jewish and Roman authorities had motivation to find the body to squash the growing Christian movement, but they never could. The empty tomb points to a resurrection.
2. The post-resurrection appearances
There are numerous accounts of Jesus appearing to his followers alive after his death. He appeared to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18), to two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32), to Peter (Luke 24:34), to ten disciples in a locked room (John 20:19-23), to all eleven disciples as well as others (Matthew 28:16-20), and to 500 people at one time (1 Corinthians 15:6). He also appeared to James (1 Corinthians 15:7) and to Paul (Acts 9:3-6). The Spread and growth of early Christianity centered on the fact that people kept seeing Jesus alive.
3. The dramatic change in the disciples
Before the crucifixion, Jesus’ disciples deserted Him in His greatest hour of need. Peter denied three times even knowing Christ (Matthew 26:69-75). The disciples were afraid and hid themselves after Jesus’ death (John 20:19). But after seeing the risen Christ, the disciples were transformed and boldly proclaimed the Gospel, with most dying as martyrs. What could account for this radical change other than that they had seen the resurrected Lord?
4. The conversion of skeptics
One of the most dramatic conversions was the apostle Paul. He was an avid persecutor of the early church until encountering the risen Jesus on the Damascus road (Acts 9). This turned him into Christianity’s most ardent preacher. James and Thomas were also skeptics turned believers after seeing the resurrected Christ.
5. The establishment and spread of the church
Beginning with just 120 followers (Acts 1:15), the church grew rapidly after Pentecost to thousands in only a few decades. This growth came despite intense persecution. Both Christian and non-Christian writers from the first and second centuries acknowledged that the resurrection was the root cause of the church’s growth.
6. Changed lives and societies
Wherever the message of a risen Savior went, lives were changed dramatically. Drunkards, prostitutes, thieves, and others found purpose and left behind sinful lifestyles. Where Christianity spread, society was changed for the better through the teachings of Jesus. Schools, orphanages, hospitals, and countless other charitable works were established.
7. Early creeds confirm the resurrection
Several creeds that originated very early in church history contain the resurrection account, meaning that it was an essential part of Christianity from the very start. These include Philippians 2:5-11, 1 Timothy 3:16, and 1 Corinthians 15:3-7, which most scholars date from within a few years of Christ’s death.
8. Willingness of martyrs
In the decades following Christ, tens of thousands of Christians willingly died as martyrs rather than renounce their faith. It defies reason that so many would die for what they knew to be a lie. But their willingness makes sense if they had seen the resurrected Christ and refused to deny Him.
9. Continuity with Old Testament prophecy
The Old Testament contains over 300 prophecies concerning the coming Messiah, many with amazing specificity. Jesus fulfilled these, confirming His identity. The resurrection was the final sign, since the Messiah was prophesied to have an eternal kingdom (Isaiah 9:6-7).
10. Supernatural power of the church
The growth of the early church in the face of intense opposition, the miracles performed in the name of the risen Christ (Acts 3:1-10), and the supernatural unity of believers despite great differences all pointed to divine approval and power. This divine approval validates the resurrection.
11. The miraculous nature of Christ
Jesus performed incredible miracles that defied natural explanation, like healing blindness, leprosy, and raising the dead. His power over nature, demons, and disease showed His divinity. This divine power makes His conquering of death through the resurrection believable.
12. Fulfilled prophecy about Jesus
Beyond specific prophecies about the Messiah, Jesus also fulfilled prophecies about Himself, like prophesies that He would enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9; Luke 19:35-37) and that He would be betrayed for thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12; Matthew 26:15). Since He fulfilled prophecies in His life, it is reasonable that He would also fulfill the prophecies of resurrection.
13. Unity of the Gospel accounts
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all record different details about the resurrection while maintaining strong agreement on the core facts, which gives the accounts credibility. If it was all an elaborate hoax, their stories would not line up as perfectly as they do.
14. Unbelief of Jesus’ brothers
John records that Jesus’ brothers were unbelievers during His life (John 7:5). The fact that they later became Christians, even to the point of James dying a martyr, strongly suggests they encountered the risen Christ. Otherwise they would have continued in unbelief.
15. The resurrection best explains the facts
When examining alternative explanations for the evidence surrounding the resurrection, the resurrection hypothesis best fits all the facts. Naturalistic hypotheses do not hold up under scrutiny. The evidence is powerful and comprehensive.
16. Continuing encounters with Christ
Millions of people have testified to personally encountering the risen Jesus even 2000 years removed from the event itself. This experience of the living Christ confirms the reality of the resurrection in a way nothing else can.
17. The truth of Scripture
The resurrection of Jesus Christ affirms the divine inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture. Because the Bible accurately and repeatedly predicted this event, we can trust the Bible to be true in everything it affirms. The truth of the resurrection validates the truth of the Bible.
18. Christ’s claim to be God
Jesus claimed equality with God and used the divine name in reference to Himself (John 8:58). His victory over death authenticates these radical claims. A mere human could not have risen from the dead on his own power.
19. Importance in apostolic preaching
The resurrection was at the heart of every sermon recorded in the book of Acts. The apostles traveled the known world with the message that Christ rose from the dead. They could easily have removed the resurrection to make their message easier, but they never did.
20. Centrality to Christianity
As Paul said, without the resurrection Christianity is meaningless. Christianity universally affirms the risen Lord. Those who deny this central tenet cannot rightly be called Christians. The resurrection cannot be removed and still leave Christianity intact.
These are just some of the compelling and reasonable evidences for believing in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The case is substantial and convincing to any honest seeker. The resurrection is more than just a story in an ancient book. It is a reality that can still transform lives today.
Common objections to the resurrection
Despite the strong evidence for the resurrection of Christ, skeptics over the centuries have raised objections:
1. The Swoon Theory
This theory claims Jesus did not really die but only lost consciousness on the cross, later reviving in the tomb. However, Jesus being flogged and crucified until pronounced dead by the Romans is confirmed by non-Christian historians. Plus, a half-dead man could not have moved the huge tombstone or convinced hundreds of witnesses of His power over death.
2. The No Burial Theory
Proponents claim Jesus was never buried in the tomb, leaving it empty. But Scripture specifically records Joseph of Arimathea burying Jesus there. Also, Christianity started in Jerusalem a short time later, which meant an occupied tomb site would have been well-known and exhumed if Jesus were not buried there.
3. The Conspiracy Theory
This suggests Jesus’ followers fabricated the resurrection. However, many witnesses saw Jesus after death, and it is unrealistic to think so many people could keep such an elaborate scheme quiet. And there was no motive for doing so. Christianity brought the disciples hardship and death, not wealth or comfort.
4. The Hallucination Theory
Those advancing this theory say people hallucinated seeing the risen Jesus, influenced by their deep grief and wishful thinking. But Christ appeared to numerous people in different places and circumstances, making mass hallucination implausible. And His followers were skeptical at first, not gullible.
5. The Stolen Body Theory
This claims Jesus’ body was stolen from the tomb, explaining its vacancy. But Roman guards watched the tomb to prevent such theft. Moving the huge sealed stone without waking sleeping guards stretches belief. And where is there proof of this body?
6. The Wrong Tomb Theory
Proponents argue that the women visiting the tomb went to the wrong one by mistake, finding it empty. However, the women were present at His burial and Mary had recently examined the tomb area carefully. Such a mix up is unlikely.
7. The Legend Theory
Some believe the resurrection is a legend that gradually developed long after the events. But the Gospels containing resurrection accounts originated within a few decades of the crucifixion, from geographical areas of eyewitnesses. And non-Christian historians from that time period documented first-hand knowledge of Jesus and his followers’ belief in the resurrection.
These alternate theories all crumble under close scrutiny. The simplest explanation that best fits the facts is that Jesus was resurrected from death, just as Scripture records.
The meaning of the resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus Christ has profound implications for us today. Here are some of the key meanings and impacts of the resurrection:
1. Victory over death and sin
The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). But by rising from death, Jesus broke the power of both sin and death, offering eternal life for those who believe in Him (John 11:25). The resurrection represents Christ’s triumph over evil through the cross.
2. Means of forgiveness
The resurrection provides the basis of divine forgiveness. Believers can be washed clean from sin and reconciled to God through the fully complete sacrifice of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:17). Forgiveness comes because the Son of God paid the penalty of sin and rose again.
3. Redemption is accomplished
Jesus declared “It is finished” upon the cross (John 19:30). The resurrection proves that God accepted the sacrifice of His Son for the sins of mankind. The work of redemption was accomplished through His death and resurrection.
4. The divinity of Christ confirmed
By His resurrection, Jesus was “declared to be the Son of God with power” (Romans 1:4). His victory over death was a public affirmation by God of His deity and glory. Only God in human flesh could conquer death in this way.
5. The truth of Scripture established
The Old Testament contains prophecies about the Messiah’s death and resurrection which were fulfilled hundreds of years later. The resurrection confirms the inspiration of Scripture. What the Bible says about future events can be trusted because of the resurrection.
6. The Messianic claims of Jesus validated
By His miracles, Jesus made radical claims to being the prophesied Messiah. His bodily resurrection powerfully substantiated those claims. It cemented His role as the long-awaited Savior and only begotten Son of God.
7. The future resurrection guaranteed
The resurrection of Jesus is a prototype and promise of the future resurrection of believers (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). His resurrection intertwines the destiny of believers with His. Because He rose, we too shall rise after death into new eternal bodies.
8. Reconciliation with the Father
The Son’s perfect obedience led Him to the suffering of the cross out of love for the Father and mankind. The resurrection shows the Father’s love for the Son and His satisfaction with Christ’s work. It brings reconciliation between God and man (Romans 5:10).
9. The sending of the Holy Spirit
After rising from the dead, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to indwell, guide, and empower His followers (John 16:7; Acts 2:32-33). His resurrection and ascension were a prerequisite for sending the Spirit into the world and into our hearts.
10. The birth of the Church
Following Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples were emboldened to preach the Gospel despite persecution. The resurrection thus gave birth to the Christian church. The preaching of a risen Christ fueled the rapid growth of early Christianity.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the pivotal event upon which all Christianity stands or falls. This one event in history that assures us of an eternally glorious future if we trust fully in the sinless Savior who conquered death once and for all.
