Evidence for the Resurrection

What is so Unique About Christianity?

I has to do with a holiday coming up in just another week.

Many in the world celebrate this holiday by hiding eggs, eating candy and thinking its all about a rabbit!

But this holiday points to the single most important event in all of human history!

Nothing in history has been more pivotal, more controversial, more impactful than this single event.

As you may have guessed, we’re talking about the resurrection of Jesus Christ

It Can Be Tested for Truth!

What do I mean by tested?

Marriage Illustration

I could tell you I’m married to Amy McWhirter

You see her beauty - skeptical

So you ask her, but think she’s in on a joke

You check Instagram for wedding photos

Courthouse records

Paul shows how Christianity can be verified

1 Corinthians 15:12-17

English Standard Version Chapter 15

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.

English Standard Version Chapter 15

12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.

If the resurrection didn’t happen

If it can be proven or shown to be false

If it can be proven or shown to be false

Everything collapses

The losing Jinga Block

So if someone were looking to disprove Christianity it would make since to investigate the resurrection event.

Paul also provides evidence for its truth

1 Corinthians 15:3-8

English Standard Version Chapter 15

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

The major historical events of the Christian faith, specifically the death, burial and resurrection didn’t happen in private!

It all took place in public!

These two passages of Scripture are giving us:

The single Jinga block that our faith rests on

Historical claims to go an investigate

Three Facts: That Demand an Answer

Discovery of Jesus’ Empty Tomb

6 independent sources - Very early sources

Historical confidence rises dramatically when:

There are 2 or more sources

The sources are dated earlier to the event in which they record

Women were reported to be the ones that discovered the body was missing

If it were a lie or a story made up later, a man’s report would have been more trusted

Response by the Jewish authorities

They claimed the disciples stole the body. If the body was still there there would be no reason for the story.

The Appearances of Jesus Alive after His Death

Paul lists the appearances to specific people and groups of people in 1 Corinthians

The appearances are independently confirmed by the Gospel accounts. 4 Additional sources each confirming Jesus appearances

Scholars agree that Peter and the disciples had experiences after Jesus’ death in which Jesus appeared to them as the risen Christ.

The Disciples’ Belief that Jesus Rose

After the crucifixion Jesus’ followers were devastated, demoralized and hiding in fear for their lives.

1st Century Jews had no concept of a Messiah that would be executed and then come back to life

Their only concept of a resurrection was to happen at judgement day after the end of the world

We must study these events through the eyes of a 1st century Jew, not a 21st century American looking back down the path of history

But despite all of this, a group of scared, demoralized and devastated disciples came to believe Jesus was raised from the dead.

How convinced were they?

They were willing to go to their death when:

To save their lives they only needed to deny the claim

They would have known first hand if it were a lie

Their cultural beliefs, 1st century Jews, would have guaranteed they would have been sent to hell if they were wrong

Paul’s conversion

James conversion

The Empty Tomb, Jesus’ Appearances, Disciples’ Belief

Simply three facts amongst many, many others that cry out for an explanation

How do we Explain WHAT Happened?!

Skeptics Have Tried

Perhaps he didn’t really die - swooned

Mass hallucinations

Misplaced the Tomb

Conspiracy

Legend

All Have Been Rejected!

So if all naturalistic explanations fail to adequately explain what actually happened. What are we left with as an explanation?

The Gospel