A Theological Study Of The Resurrection Of Jesus Christ

A THEOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST

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OUTLINE

1.PRIORITY OF THE RESURRECTION

2.PERSONS INVOLVED IN THE RESURRECTION

3.PRE-EMINENCE OF THE RESURRECTION

4.PHYSICAL NATURE OF THE RESURRECTION

5.PROOF OF THE RESURRECTION

6.PRIVILEGES OF THE RESURRECTION

7.POWER OF THE RESURRECTION

THE MESSAGE

A THEOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST

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1) PRIORITY OF THE RESURRECTION

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is very important to the Christian faith. If there was no resurrection then

(a) our preaching is in vain

(b) our faith is in vain

(c) the apostles become false witnesses because they testified that Jesus rose from the dead

(d) the believers are yet in their sins

(e) those who have already died have perished and there is no hope for them. Therefore the resurrection of Jesus Christ is very important to the Christian faith.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

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I CORINTHIANS 15:13-19 :

If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.

And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.

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.

For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.

If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.

2) PERSONS INVOLVED IN THE RESURRECTION

The entire trinity of the Godhead namely The Father , The Son and the Holy Spirit was involved in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Father demonstrated His mighty power in raising Jesus from the dead. The Lord Jesus said ’I have power to lay down my life and to take it again". The Holy Spirit quickened the body of Jesus Christ and raised him from the dead. Thus the entire trinity was involved in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

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EPHESIANS 1:19-20

" and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength,

which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, ".

JOHN 10:17-18

" The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again.

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

I PETER 3:18

" For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, ".

3) PRE-EMINENCE OF THE RESURRECTION

The resurrection of Jesus Christ was unique and special. Although many others in the Bible rose from the dead both in the Old Testament and New Testament the resurrection of Jesus Christ was different from the others. All the others in the Bible who were raised from the dead did not live forever . They died once again . But Jesus rose from the dead and is alive forevermore.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

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REVELATION 1:18

" Iam the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. "

4) PHYSICAL NATURE OF THE RESURRECTION

The resurrection of Jesus Christ was a physical resurrection. Jesus died physically and rose again physically.

The soldiers saw that Jesus was already dead and they did not break his legs . Another soldier pierced him with a sword and blood and water came out proving that Jesus was already dead. Joseph of Arimithea a noble man asked Pilate for the body of Jesus because Jesus was already dead. Pilate confirmed from the centurion that Jesus was really dead before giving the body of Jesus . The women brought spices to the grave on the first day of the week to anoint the dead body of Jesus. Above all Jesus himself said ’I was dead and behold Iam alive for evermore’. Therefore Jesus died physically .

The resurrection of Jesus was also physical. When Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection they could touch his feet . They could recognize his physical appearance .He had flesh and bones and they could see his nail scars and he even ate before them. Jesus himself predicted in the beginning of his ministry that he would physically rise from the dead .He spoke of his body when he said’ Destroy this temple and I will raise it up in three days’. David also prophesied that the body of the Messiah would not see corruption. Thus the resurrection of Jesus Christ was a physical resurrection.