Evidence for the Resurrection

Evidence for the Resurrection

April 15, 2019 | Richard Marsceau


The words of Paul are heart-stopping: “And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins…And if our hope in Christ is only for this life we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.”(1 Cor. 15:17-19)

Here is what we know. The gospel manuscripts are credible in terms of ancient documents that have been affirmed to be trustworthy. For example, there is more manuscript evidence for the New Testament books than for Plato’s writings. In these books we have witnesses of the empty tomb, the conspiracy to lie about the whereabouts of Jesus, because the religious officials of that day knew the ramifications of a resurrected Jesus.

Add to this the witnesses of the disciples who talked with Jesus, ate with him, and listened as he gave his final teachings for forty days. Over 500 saw him at one time, and all the apostles gave witness that he was alive. His resurrected life before his ascension was not ghost-like but real-time conversations, fellowship, breaking of bread, and including his final commission to his disciples.

Even with this evidence, no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit (12:3). It is God alone who opens our eyes to see the truth and the implications of the resurrection. Yet, the living Lord gave us historical proof. We do not blindly believe. Our faith is based in the reality of the Son of God, God in the flesh, who lived in our world and gave his life for our sins…all in keeping with the plan of God set in eternity past.

We should live in this heart-stopping truth every day. Never get over the wonder of our sins paid for by the life of our Savior, buried forever as he paid the price for us and then rose in victory. Death conquered. Satan dispatched by Jesus, the resurrected Savior.

Be encouraged and strengthened in your faith by these resources: The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel, especially chapter 13 on the Evidences of Appearances. GotQuestions.org is a reliable Christian website to browse for questions you have about the resurrection. Dallas Willard’s thoughts on the resurrection are helpful as well, as he answers the challenges of the critics in a loving and winsome way. Check out his book, The Allure of Gentleness.

 Gospel  

Richard Marsceau

Discipleship Pastor