Proof for resurrection

Wednesday, May 30, 2007
proof for Resurrection
The evidence available for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is appealing both to the intellectual and spiritual realm. The first century christians and the apostles, spread the good news of the gospel by preaching the resurrection of Jesus Christ. They never emphasized on sin, death, heaven or hell, though a mention of it is made. The focus was on the bodily resurrection, the triumph over death and the reconciliation with God. Today's people might think, "What a dumb way to preach!!" especially to people who have seen Jesus Christ being crucified and laid in a tomb in their own place. The truth is Jesus is risen!!
THE TOMB IS EMPTY!!
Let us look at some of the points which will lead us to the same conclusion.
1. The disciples preached in Jerusalem first, where Jesus was crucified, died and kept in the tomb. If Jesus's body would be still there in the tomb, then could they preach to a people who have seen all the things happening right in their midst? Would not someone say "excuse me, but what about the body of Jesus lying in the tomb"? We do not have any documentation within or outside the bible citing any negative statements regarding the resurrection.
2. Enemy attestation is another evidence. The die hard jews, the pharisees never pointed out to the tomb of Jesus to show his body, but said that the disciples stole the body. This is ample proof that the tomb was empty. Note that the statement that "the disciples stole the body" is proved false by even the liberal scholars and skeptics of the Bible. Even now if we consider the circumstances cited for stealing the body, we can also agree that it is false. Roman guards fell asleep and the disciples stole the body!! Are we hearing an oxymoron. Roman guards......asleep?? The guards could be killed for such an act, why would any admit such thing?? Why were they let alone without being punished by the Roman government. Smells fishy! right?
3. If the claims that Bible writers fabricated the events of resurrection, then why would they report that the women were the first to find the empty tomb and to see the risen Lord. The first century jews and the cultures around them, never held women in a high position. Their witness is never considered in the court of Law. Even the Jewish talmud says "It is better to burn the law than to hand it over to a woman", such is the respect of women. No writer could think of presenting this as an evidence for resurrection, unless they were recording the incidents as they occured.
4. Jesus appeared not only to the disciples,but also to many people - approximately 500 was the count given. Skeptics mentioning the event as a hallucination does not work out in a public setting and mass hallucination is never possible. By the time the gospels were written most of the people who saw Jesus were still alive and could refuted to any wrong things written in those scripts.
5. Transformation of the disciples and transformation of skeptic James and the persecutor Saul of tarsus (Paul) are an irrefutable argument. James was the half-brother of Jesus who never accepted His diety during the life time of Jesus, but was transformed when he saw the resurrected Jesus. According to the first century writers like Josephus, Tacitus, Clement of Alexandria and Tertullian James has become the head of the first century church and died a martyr death for the cause. Paul's transformation happened when he saw the resurrected Jesus on the way to Damascus. Paul is an ardent Jew who weilded the sword for his religion, his change and proclamation of Jesus as the risen Christ is a strong evidence as he did not have any earlier affiliation with Jesus.
I appeal to all people who read this to carefully study the resurrection of Jesus Christ and to yield your life to the one who has given up His life to pay a ransom for Yours.John 14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
2:34:00 AM
Posted By Suresh Anand Comments (0) Uncategorized