The resurrection of Christ
Matthew 28:16~20 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (18~20)
♬ Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #268 Come Into My Heart, Blessed Jesus (#218 in previous version)
The Bible is the Word of God. Through the Bible, God delivers the reason why suffering and poverty continues among mankind. Also, He promises Christ who will end all problems of suffering. All problems of man stem from the incident of Genesis chapter 3. Satan was involved in the background. The Offspring of the woman was promised to crush the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15) for the people who have forfeited all happiness, and the Son of God appeared to destroy the devil’s work (1John 3:8). This Christ was crucified on the cross and He resurrected.
1. The Bible’s prediction of Christ’s resurrection
The existence of man is corrupted to the point where Christ had to die on the cross. The event of the cross and resurrection of Christ was predicted in the Old Testament, and brought to fulfillment in the age of the New Testament. Although there is a vast difference in time between the two, and the people of that age were different, it was accomplished just as predicted. Christ died and resurrected according to the Bible (1 Corinthians 15:3~4)
2. The historical fact of the resurrection of Christ
The event of Christ and the cross is a historical fact that took place during the rule of the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. Although the soldiers persistently guarded the tomb for three day, on the third day a ray of light appeared and the door stone moved as Christ, who had died, rose again. There are historical records that prove this fact. First is the Imposition Theory. This theory states that someone had stolen the corpse of Christ, which had lain in the tomb. Second, it is the Vision Theory that states that the soldiers had mistaken someone else for Jesus, and the other is the Swoon Theory, which is a hypothesis stating that Jesus had rather fainted instead of dying upon the cross. These three hypotheses are sure evidences that Jesus had indeed resurrected.
3. The evidence of resurrecting as the Savior Lord
The resurrection of Christ is the only event that eradicates the forces of darkness. Although the disciples were unable to fathom its truth, Jesus had met with them Himself. Paul knew the sure reason why Christ had to die upon the cross and why He had to resurrect, and he testified as such (Acts 17:3). Christ destroyed the works of darkness and Satan, and became the new way to meet God as He atoned for our lives (Hebrew 9:22). If you are capable of believing in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it is by the grace and works of the Holy Spirit. There is a relationship between your life and the cross. We must hear the calling of the resurrected Lord.
-May the resurrection and life of Christ revive your heart, mind, and spirit daily.
Immanuel Church Sunday Worship 1st Service / 2010. 4.4