The Risen Christ: Introduction

Acts 1:1–3 (NLT)

1 In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach

2 until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit.

3 During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.

Acts 1:1-3 SBLGR

1 Τὸν μὲν πρῶτον λόγον ἐποιησάμην περὶ πάντων, ὦ Θεόφιλε, ὧν ἤρξατο ὁ Ἰησοῦς ποιεῖν τε καὶ διδάσκειν

2 ἄχρι ἧς ἡμέρας ἐντειλάμενος τοῖς ἀποστόλοις διὰ πνεύματος ἁγίου οὓς ἐξελέξατο ἀνελήμφθη·

3 οἷς καὶ παρέστησεν ἑαυτὸν ζῶντα μετὰ τὸ παθεῖν αὐτὸν ἐν πολλοῖς τεκμηρίοις, διʼ ἡμερῶν τεσσεράκοντα ὀπτανόμενος αὐτοῖς καὶ λέγων τὰ περὶ τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ θεοῦ·

INTRODUCTION:

A- The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is One of the best-witnessed event in all of history-especially ancient history.

1- We have the record of many people who were eye witnesses.

a- While no eyes beheld the actual moment of the resurrection, many saw Christ following his resurrection.

b- The scriptures give the following list of those to whom Jesus appeared after his resurrection from the dead.

2- Christ's post resurrection appearances:

* In every case, Jesus appeared to and with the people in question

• to Mary Magdalene, (John 20: 10– 18)

• to the other women. (Matthew 28: 8– 10)

• to Cleopas and another disciple on the road to Emmaus. (Luke 24: 13– 32)

• to eleven disciples and others. (Luke 24: 33– 49)

• to ten apostles and others, with Thomas absent. (John 20: 19–23)

• to Thomas and the other apostles, - eight days later. (John 20: 26– 30)

• to seven apostles. (John 21: 1–14)

• to the disciples. (Matthew 28: 16– 20)

• to the apostles at the Mount of Olives before his ascension. (Luke 24: 50– 52 and Acts 1: 4– 9)

*  to 500 at one time (1 Corinthians 15:6)

*   to James, his 1/2 brother (1 Corinthians 15:7)

*  to Paul (1 Corinthians 15:8)

B- Luke gives the following synopsis:

1- This is the second book he has authored (Acts 1:1)

Acts 1:1 (NLT)

1 In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach

2- These books are written from eyewitness accounts. (Luke 1:1-4)

Luke 1:1–4 (NLT)

1 Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us.

2 They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples.

3 Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus,

4 so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.

a- The first book focused on the eyewitness accounts of the things Jesus said and did during his ministry.

b- This book focuses on the things that have occurred since the close of his first book.

3- Jesus proved to his disciples that he was alive over a period of 40 days.

a- Jesus appeared to different ones during that 40 day period.

b- Jesus appeared in different settings during that 40 days.

c- Jesus proved to them he was actually alive.

I- He was seen by them. (Acts 1:3a)

Acts 1:3a (NLT)

3 During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.

3 οἷς καὶ παρέστησεν ἑαυτὸν ζῶντα μετὰ τὸ παθεῖν αὐτὸν ἐν πολλοῖς τεκμηρίοις, διʼ ἡμερῶν τεσσεράκοντα ὀπτανόμενος αὐτοῖς καὶ λέγων τὰ περὶ τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ θεοῦ·

ὀπτάνομαι: to be seen by or to be visible to, in the sense of being within the range of sight—‘to be seen by, to be visible to.’ (from the root word optomai = to see with the eye)

II- He provided physical evidence: (Acts 1:3b)

Acts 1:3 (NLT)

3 During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.

3 οἷς καὶ παρέστησεν ἑαυτὸν ζῶντα μετὰ τὸ παθεῖν αὐτὸν ἐν πολλοῖς τεκμηρίοις, διʼ ἡμερῶν τεσσεράκοντα ὀπτανόμενος αὐτοῖς καὶ λέγων τὰ περὶ τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ θεοῦ·

τεκμηρίοις = that which causes something to be known as verified or confirmed—‘evidence, proof, convincing proof.’

A- He allowed them to touch him. (Luke 24:38-39)

Luke 24:38–39 (NLT)

38 “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt?

39 Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.”

(Matthew 28:8-10)

Matthew 28:8–10 (NLT)

8 The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message.

9 And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him.

10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

B- He ate in their presence. (Luke 24:41-43)

Luke 24:41–43 (NLT)

41 Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”

42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish,

43 and he ate it as they watched.

C- He prepared food for them and fed them. (John 21:1-14)

John 21:1–14 (NLT)

1 Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened.

2 Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.

3 Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.

4 At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was.

5 He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied.

6 Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.

7 Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore.

8 The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore.

9 When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.

10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said.

11 So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.

12 “Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.

13 Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish.

14 This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.

III- He gave them specific instructions.

Acts 1:3 (NLT)

3 During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.

3 οἷς καὶ παρέστησεν ἑαυτὸν ζῶντα μετὰ τὸ παθεῖν αὐτὸν ἐν πολλοῖς τεκμηρίοις, διʼ ἡμερῶν τεσσεράκοντα ὀπτανόμενος αὐτοῖς καὶ λέγων τὰ περὶ τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ θεοῦ·

A- He talked to them.

1- λέγων = to speak or talk, with apparent focus upon the content of what is said—‘to say, to talk, to tell, to speak.

2- The Lord is still in the business of speaking to his people.

The question is… Are you and I listening?

(Luke 6:46)

Luke 6:46 (NLT)

46 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?

B- He gave them specific instructions.

And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.

1- He talked to them about the kingdom of God.

a. He gave specific instructions and taught them specific things.

He taught Cleopas and his companion about himself. (Luke 24: 25-27)

Luke 24:25–27 (NLT)

25 Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures.

26 Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?”

27 Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

He instructed them about their kingdom mission. (Matthew 28:18-20)

Matthew 28:18–20 (NLT)

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.

19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

CONCLUSION:

Over the next weeks, we will take a look at some of the post-resurrection appearances of our Lord. We will take a look at the evidence Jesus gave us and his instructions for us to follow.

The question for today is what is Jesus speaking to you about today? Is he telling you you need to receive him as Savior and Lord? Is he instructing you that you need to share the Good News of Jesus with someone?

What will your answer be?