The resurrection is the Bible's central event — Christ's bodily rising from the dead on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), the proof of his divinity (Romans 1:4), the basis of salvation (Romans 4:25), and the firstfruits of the believer's own bodily resurrection at his return (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). Without it, Christian faith is empty (1 Corinthians 15:14).
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central event of the Bible and the foundation of Christian faith. Several biblical truths. (1) Christ's resurrection was bodily and historical. The tomb was empty (Matthew 28:6). The disciples touched him, ate with him, walked with him (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:24-29). It was not a vision or metaphor. (2) It was the third day after the crucifixion. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 — 'Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.' Sunday — the first day of the week — is observed as the Lord's Day because of this. (3) The resurrection vindicated Jesus' divinity and identity. Romans 1:4 — 'declared to be the Son of God with power... by the resurrection from the dead.' The resurrection proves that Jesus is who he claimed to be. (4) The resurrection is the basis of justification. Romans 4:25 — 'Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.' Without resurrection, the cross would prove nothing. (5) The resurrection is the firstfruits. 1 Corinthians 15:20 — 'But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.' The believer's resurrection is patterned on Christ's. (6) Without the resurrection, Christian faith is empty. 1 Corinthians 15:14 — 'And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.' If Christ did not rise, there is no gospel, no forgiveness, no hope. Resurrection appearances. The risen Christ appeared to: Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18); other women (Matthew 28:9-10); Peter (1 Corinthians 15:5); the two on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32); the disciples without Thomas (John 20:19-23); the disciples with Thomas (John 20:26-29); seven by the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-14); 500 at once (1 Corinthians 15:6); James (1 Corinthians 15:7); the eleven (Matthew 28:16-20); and finally Paul on the Damascus road (1 Corinthians 15:8; Acts 9). The believer's resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 — 'It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.' The same body, glorified — not a different one. The final hope. Revelation 21:1-4 — new heaven and new earth, where 'there shall be no more death.' The resurrection of Christ inaugurates this; the resurrection of the dead at his return consummates it.
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”
“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”
“And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”
“Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”
“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.”
“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”
If Christ is raised, every Christian claim stands. Live in resurrection hope (1 Peter 1:3). Live in resurrection power (Philippians 3:10). Witness to the resurrection (Acts 2:32). Comfort the bereaved with it (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Look for Christ's return (Titus 2:13). The resurrection is not a doctrine alone; it is the foundation of every other doctrine and the energy of the Christian life.
The resurrection of Jesus is his bodily rising from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). The tomb was empty; he appeared to over 500 witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:5-8); he ate, was touched, and walked with his disciples for forty days before ascending (Acts 1:3, 9). It is the central historical event of Christianity.
(1) It proves Jesus' divinity (Romans 1:4). (2) It is the basis of justification (Romans 4:25). (3) It is the firstfruits of believers' resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20). (4) It is the foundation of Christian hope (1 Peter 1:3). (5) Without it, Christian faith is empty (1 Corinthians 15:14). Every other Christian doctrine depends on the resurrection.
Yes — at Christ's return. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 — 'the dead in Christ shall rise first.' 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 — believers receive glorified bodies, incorruptible and powerful. This is not a different body but the same body transformed. The pattern is Christ's resurrection (Philippians 3:21). For non-believers, there is also a resurrection — 'the resurrection of damnation' (John 5:29). The dead WILL rise; the question is to which destiny.
Christians point to multiple lines: (1) the empty tomb, conceded even by early Jewish polemic; (2) the appearances to over 500 witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:6); (3) the transformation of the disciples from fear to fearless preaching; (4) their willingness to die for the testimony; (5) the conversion of skeptics (James, Paul); (6) the women as first witnesses (unlikely in a fabrication); (7) the explosive growth of the early church. The historical case is substantial.