Gregg's Rest Stop (Historicity of the Resurrection)
Published: Mon, 04/18/11
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This was a traditional greeting in the early Christian church that exuded great hope and confidence. This Rest Stop reviews the historical context of the resurrection of Jesus to seek, and to be encouraged by, the reasons for this hope and confidence.
The underlying conviction of my life is that God reveals through Scriptures the purpose of all of history: the cross and resurrection of Christ. Following are my convictions from studying the excellent biblical expositions of William Lane Craig, Research Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology.
Be encouraged by God and His faithfulness to protect and to reveal the truth of history -- His-story of His dear Son!
Historical Reality of Jesus' Burial
Several independent sources attest Jesus' burial (the 4 Gospels and 1 Corinthians 15:4). Mark and Paul provide the earliest information sources which are likely from eyewitness accounts.
The four Gospels provide the detail of Joseph of Arimathea as the one who made sure Jesus had a dignified burial. Because Joseph was a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin that condemned Jesus, it is unlikely the Gospel writers would have fabricated such a story.
Furthermore, if the burial by Joseph was ficticious, we could expect to hear other legends or other true descriptions of what actually did happen to Jesus' dead body. There are none.
The credible fact of Jesus' burial is highly significant because this means the burial site location was known to both Christians and unbelieving Jews. William Lane Craig well notes, "In that case, it is a very short inference to the historicity of the empty tomb."
Historical Reality of the Empty Tomb
If Jesus had not risen while His burial site was known: (1) the disciples could never have believed in the resurrection, and (2) Jewish authorities could have easily dispelled the resurrection.
Furthermore, the empty tomb has the same independent early sources as the burial of Jesus.
The four Gospels provide the detail of the women who first discovered the empty tomb. Because Jewish women were not highly regarded (could not even testify in a Jewish court of law), it is unlikely the Gospel writers would have fabricated such a story.
Matthew is the only Gospel writer who describes the guarding of Jesus' tomb and the subsequent attempt of the Jewish officials to claim Jesus' body had been stolen. William Lane Craig again well notes, "Thus the early opponents of the Christians themselves bear witness of the fact of the empty tomb!"
Historical Reality of Jesus' Appearances
It is vital to know that the empty tomb was not the source of the early disciples' faith in the risen Christ. Their faith was in the risen Christ Himself!
The empty tomb actually threw the disciples for a loop. Mary Magdalene ran to tell Peter, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him" (John 20:2). After Peter and John inspected the empty tomb for themselves, John 20:9 further reveals, "For as yet they did not know the Scripture that He must rise again from the dead."
However, an encounter with the risen Lord changes everything!
The women who first witnessed the empty tomb testified of their risen Lord after He appeared to them (Matthew 28:9, John 20:18). Thomas' doubts were dashed after the risen Lord invited Thomas to touch His scars (John 20:28).
A key part of Paul's gospel presentation was noting the eyewitnesses of the risen Christ: Peter, the first disciples, 500+ other disciples, and Jesus' younger brother James (1 Corinthians 15:5-7). Luke and John corroborate Peter and the first disciples.
Note: Journey in Christ is all about leading others to an encounter with the risen Lord...to grow in Him...and to share Him.
Historical Reality of the Disciples' Response
After these appearances of the risen Christ, the original disciples had a profound hope and confidence that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead despite their engrained preconceived perceptions.
For you see, Jews did not believe in a dying Messiah. Furthermore, Jews believed only in a general resurrection at the end of the world. Also, Jewish law required a man who was executed as a criminal to be deemed a heretic.
Yet, these first disciples believed in Jesus and were willing to die based on the reality of the resurrection of their Lord!
Closing
William Lane Craig notes, "The resurrection of Jesus is the best, and a miraculous, explanation of the evidence. But the evidence itself is not miraculous."
There have been serious critics who do not disagree with the four facts presented in this Rest Stop, and yet they still deny the resurrection because of their disbelief in a supernatural God.
To me, the historical reality of the resurrection has become an experiential reality. Christianity is not about living morally according to Christian principles. Christianity is Christ! The risen Christ has given me life -- His life. Because of His resurrection, you and I can have profound joy and purpose for living.
He is risen! He is risen indeed!
PS, You can access articles and audios of William Lane Craig at this link: Reasonable Faith
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Gregg Gibbons is
a missionary with
 a non-profit, non-denominational
discipleship counseling
and training ministry.
THE ONLY HOPE
FOR MANKIND
 Billy Graham
 Konrad Adenauer (1954)
Following is an interchange between Billy Graham and Konrad Adenauer, who became chancellor of West Germany (1949 to 1963)after the fall of Hitler.
This quote by Billy is from his autobiography Just As I Am (Zondervan, 1997).
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(864) 483-3201 (Gregg cell) gregg@journeyinChrist.org
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