Conclusions & Questions From the Resurrection of Jesus

Introduction

At the beginning of our class we talked about the centrality of the resurrection. With it being so important, naturally there are many things that are affected by such an important topic. Today, we are going to discuss some of the consequences and further considerations that stem from the overwhelming case for the resurrection.

I provided you with the handout that shows the things we are going to talk about, in question form. Each of these are large questions, and there are several, so we won’t be talking exhaustively about them.

If the resurrection of Jesus is true, what impact might that have on questions about the existence of God?

· If the resurrection of Jesus is true, what impact might that have on questions about the existence of God?

What place of importance should the resurrection of Jesus take in questions of Christian apologetics?

· What place of importance should the resurrection of Jesus take in questions of Christian apologetics?

If the resurrection of Jesus is true, what other things might follow as being true? (Consider Scripture, Jesus Deity, etc.)

· If the resurrection of Jesus is true, what other things might follow as being true? (Consider Scripture, Jesus Deity, etc.)

If the resurrection of Jesus is true, what does that mean for me in light of ?

· If the resurrection of Jesus is true, what does that mean for me in light of ?

How can, and should, I use this information when talking to people about the Gospel? What place should this information have in my discussions with them?

· How can, and should, I use this information when talking to people about the Gospel? What place should this information have in my discussions with them?

Question #1 - If the resurrection of Jesus is true, what impact might that have on questions about the existence of God?

General argument: The Resurrection of Jesus stablished —> Jesus resurrection is a supernatural event —> God resurrected Jesus —> Therefore God exists

Question #2 - What place of importance should the resurrection of Jesus take in questions of Christian apologetics?

Christian Apologetics - can be described as rationally defending the Christian faith

The resurrection of Jesus is the central fact of the Christian faith, therefore it should be one of the (if not exclusively) central issue of apologetics.

If the resurrection of Jesus is not true, then we shouldn’t bother with the rest of it

Question #3 - If the resurrection of Jesus is true, what other things might follow as being true? (Consider Scripture, Jesus Deity, etc.)

Jesus predicted events and made supernatural claims about himself, he was resurrected from the dead, therefore the claims about his deity, exclusivity relating to God, etc. are all true

Jesus was resurrected from the dead —> His claims were true —> Claims of scripture about him are true —> other claims can be demonstrated to be true —> scripture becomes verified

Question #4 - If the resurrection of Jesus is true, what does that mean for me in light of ?

I can know Jesus death saved me from my sins (v. 1, 3, 17, 18)

Like Jesus was resurrected, we know we will be resurrected (vv. 20-22)

Christ rule and authority is established (v. 24ff)

We will be resurrected with a glorious body like Jesus’ (v.35ff)

Question #5 - How can, and should, I use this information when talking to people about the Gospel? What place should this information have in my discussions with them?

Two main uses for this information:

Build the faith of Christians

Convince non-believers with the supreme “proof”

Compare with the preaching of Acts, where much of it is centered around the resurrection as a proof to Jesus

The resurrection of Jesus, should be of certain centrality when talking with people about the validity of the Christian faith, or when giving certainty to Jesus and his message