Evidence of the Resurrection of Christ

EVIDENCE OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS

From Wilmington’s Study Guide, p510-413

Edited and posted by Russell Earl Kelly PHD

February 5, 2020

78. Evidence supports the resurrection, p510-513. 

A. God declares that we should accept His word by faith alone. (Heb 11:6)

B. Compile evidence of our faith. (1 Pet 3:15)

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A. The empty tomb.

(1) His friends did not remove the body; they were surprises also (John 20:1-9).

(2) His enemies die not remove the body. They were bribed to lie (Mt 28:12-15).

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John McDowell

(1) If the tomb had not been empty, the disciples would not have returned to Jerusalem to preach the resurrection with boldness. Jesus’ enemies admitted the tomb was empty.

(2) Josephus wrote that Jesus’ body was not in the tomb. This admission from hostile witnesses is strong. Gamaliel suggested the Christian movement may have been of God (Acts 5:34-42). Justin Martyr (Dialog with Trypho) said Jews spread the rumor that His disciples stole the body.

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B. Sudden change in the disciples:

(1) Peter changed from denying Jesus to publicly preaching Him.

(2) John changed from contempt of Samaritans to preaching to them.

C. Roman and Jewish enemies could not refute the empty tomb. Instead, they accused the disciples of stealing the body.