Did Christ rose from the dead? One of the greatest events in history that clarify the genuineness of the Christian faith is the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but how genuine is the event?
Though, there are skeptics who would say that the resurrection is a myth or a fable. However, if Christ didn’t rise from the dead, then that would have probably been the end of Christianity.
Here are 7 concrete reasons to believe that Christ rose from the dead.
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Jesus Said He Would Rise From The Dead
Long before he was crucified, he talked about his death and then his resurrection from the dead.
“The son of man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.” (Mark 8:31)
There were a lot of people who didn’t believe any of these words. Some even said it’s a plot to make people believe that he was immortal. Some of his accusers said in Matthew 27:63,
“Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘after three days I will rise’”.
The first evidence is that Jesus himself spoke of it.
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The Empty Tomb
After he died on the cross, Joseph and Nicodemus came to collect his body, took him away and buried him. A large stone was then rolled over the tomb. But on the day of the resurrection, the stone had been rolled away and his body was no longer there.
I Cor. 15:3-4 tells us that not just that Jesus died, but that he was buried. He was laid in a tomb after his death. But on resurrection morning, his body was not there any longer.
The tomb still remains empty today.
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Post-Resurrection Appearances
Over the span 40 days, he appeared to his disciples in different places. He didn’t just appear to them, but he also ate with them, walked with them.
Even the doubting Thomas was able to touch him.
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The Risen Jesus Appeared To Apostle Paul
Apostle Paul was once an adept persecutor of the gospel. He explained in Galatians 1:11-17 that his gospel comes from the risen Jesus Christ, not from men.
He said Jesus appeared to him on his way to Damascus where he was going to violently oppose the Christians.
This experience changed his life. He risked his life for the gospel.
He was one of the greatest apostles.
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His Body Was Never Found
After they learned of his resurrection, a lot of efforts were made to find out what really happened.
His tomb was empty on the third day. It remains empty today.
His enemies never denied that his tomb was empty, they said his disciples stole his body. Yet the tomb was protected by Roman guards.
This empty tomb offers some of the greatest evidence that he rose from the dead.
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The Martyrdom Of The Apostles
After the reappearance of Jesus for 40 days, the apostles left their businesses, careers, homes, and families behind, and went to different parts of the world to preach the gospel.
Throughout their journey, there was at least one person looking to kill them.
These people gave their lives and died horrible, gruesome and painful deaths because they believed in Christ.
Despite the cruel and painful ways they were killed, not one of them changed their story.
Do you think anyone would do this to protect a lie?
They knew the same Christ who defeated death would raise them up, too.
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Miraculous Ending To A Miraculous Life
The journey of Jesus Christ was filled with so many wondrous acts.
Whenever he preach the word, he never left without at least one sign of a miracle.
He healed the blind, the deaf and the dumb, cured the lepers, and forgave the sinners.
He made the lame walk and brought others back to life.
He fed 5000 men by miraculously multiplying five loaves of bread and two fishes.
The storms obeyed his voice.
He died after doing all these and rose on the third day.
“A miraculous end to a miraculous life”. What else should we expect?
Interest-based Suggestions:
NO MATTER THE CHALLENGE, SPREAD THE GOSPEL – Acts
