Part one of three!

Apologetics Question: Resurrection: Why does it matter whether or not Jesus was literally resurrected (wasn’t "resurrection" simply a metaphor)?

N.I.V.

Jn.2:19-22 (Jesus) Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body. His disciples recalled what he had said after he was raised from the dead. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

Ac.1:22 (Apostles) begins from John’s baptism to when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

Ac.2:31 (Peter) Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay.

Ac.4:2 (Apostles) They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.

Ac.4:33 (Apostles) With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

Ac.13:35.37 (Paul) So it is also stated elsewhere: ‘You will not let your holy one see decay.

Ac.17:18 (Paul) They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.

Ac.17:32 (Paul) When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”

Ac.23:6 (Paul) I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.”

Ac.24:15 (Paul) I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

Ac.24:21 (Paul) ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”

1 Cor.15:1-8,12-20 (Paul) Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas,[ and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born...  But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

1 Cor.15:54-56 (Paul) Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lk.24:25 -27 (Jesus) He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

1 Pet.1:3 (Peter) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Thirteen Post-Resurrection appearances, NO APPARITION, NOT A GHOST: He appeared to Mary Magdalene as a gardener (Mark 16:9-11; John 20:11-18); He appeared to the other two women who were with Mary Magdalene—Salome and Mary the mother of James (Matthew 28:9-10); He appeared to Peter (Luke 24:34). He appeared to two men on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32). He appeared to the apostles, except for Thomas (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-25). He appeared to the apostles with Thomas (John 20:26-29). He appeared to seven of His disciples on the shores of the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-25). He appeared to the apostles on a mountain in Galilee (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18). He appeared to over 500 brethren (1 Corinthians 15:6). He appeared to His brother James (1 Corinthians 15:7).  He appeared to the apostles and ate a meal with them (Acts 1:3-8; Luke 245:44-49). His ascension (Acts 1:9-12; Mark 16:19-20; Luke 24:50-53) He appeared to Paul (1 Corinthians 15:8; Acts 9:1-6; 18:9-10; 23:11)

/Cont'd...

By: Dr. Laurence Wedderburn June 2024