And take…the sword of the Spirit, which  is the word of God.   Ephesians 6:17

THE
SPIRIT’S
SWORD

Volume 14, Number 45
12/25/2011

Published by
Mt. Baker
church of Christ

Location:
   1860 Mt. Baker HWY
Mailing Address:
       P.O. Box 30821
  Bellingham, WA 98228
       (360) 752-2692

Sunday:
Bible Classes..........9:30 AM
Worship..10:30AM; 6:00PM

Wednesday:
Bible Classes.........7:00 PM
All sing last Wednesday

Web sites:
Mt. Baker church
Bible Answers

Editor......Joe R. Price

Elders
Morris Bass
Rick Holt
Joe Price

Deacons
Aaron Bass
Rich Brooks
Mike Finn
Dan Head

In this issue:

• The Resurrection of Jesus: Is it True? What Does it Mean for Me?
• Sermon Outlines:
  • Where Christ Is
• Noteworthy News:  Peace on Earth

The Resurrection of Jesus:
Is it True? What Does it Mean for Me?
Joe R. Price

“So what if Jesus was resurrected from the dead? What difference does it make? The resurrection is just a theological debate with no practical meaning.” Not so! Such descriptions of the importance of the resurrection of Jesus are utterly false and show a dreadful lack of understanding and faith. The importance of the resurrection of Jesus cannot be over-emphasized.

The resurrection of Jesus is one of the most historically verifiable events of human history. It is no exaggeration to say that if it is proved that Jesus of Nazareth did not rise from the dead, then Christianity is the greatest hoax ever conceived and perpetrated. On the other hand, if the evidence supports the authenticity of the event, one ought to believe and yield to the great power of God in Christ Jesus.

All admit these facts: 

1) Jesus lived and was crucified;

2) He was buried in a sealed tomb,

3) The tomb was empty. 

Since space limits a complete treatment of all the evidence that supports the fact of Christ’s resurrection, let us consider just a few, beginning with the nature of the tomb in which He was buried.

The Scriptures say Jesus was buried in “a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid” in a garden where the crucifixion occurred (Jno. 19:41). It is unreasonable to think the Roman soldiers (who guarded the tomb), the women and the disciples all went to the wrong tomb. (Even if they did, the real tomb would still be holding the body of Jesus - but the body was not there.)

Next, consider that the tomb was cut out of solid rock and sealed with a great stone (Matt. 27:60, 66). This eliminates a number of the skeptic’s speculations, including:

1) The disciples stole the body. How? There was only one entrance, and it was guarded by soldiers and sealed so that any tampering would be obvious. 

2) Jesus had merely swooned, later revived inside the tomb and removed the great stone. Such a theory unfairly indicts the credibility of the soldiers and centurion who certified Jesus to be dead while still on the cross (Jno. 19:33; Mk. 15:44-45). Besides, where would Jesus have gotten the strength to roll away a great stone that three healthy women could not move (Mk. 16:3)? Incredible! 

3) The disciples stole the body.  This was the lie that the chief priests paid the soldiers to tell (Matt. 28:11-15)! How did fishermen with only two swords defeat a guard of fully armed Roman soldiers (Lk. 22:38)? Amazing! The facts about the tomb itself provide abundant evidence to believe Jesus was raised from the dead.

Furthermore, the theories of men do not explain the empty tomb:

1) The swoon theory is too far-fetched to believe (Jno. 19:33). 

2) To suggest the enemies of Jesus stole the body is directly opposed to their stated intention (Matt. 27:62-64). 

3) The accusation that the disciples stole the body leaves unanswered how they could have done so (Matt. 27:66) and why they were depressed about the whereabouts of the body (Lk. 24:21-24). This theory charges the apostles with being liars and deceivers of the worst sort (Acts 2:32)! 

4) To suggest that the women went to the wrong tomb is unreasonable (cf. Matt. 27:61). The enemies could simply go to the right tomb and show the dead body of Jesus!

5) The hallucination theory (that the disciples wanted to see Jesus so badly that they simply thought they saw Him alive) calls into question the integrity of over five hundred people (1 Cor. 15:5-8). Talk about mass delusion!

To deny the resurrection of Jesus one must also address the problem of the body of Jesus.  hat happened to it?  The tomb was empty! If not, the enemies could easily prove the announcement of His resurrection a lie by producing the dead body. Every explanation offered to deny the resurrection of Jesus fails:

1) The disciples could not steal the body and dispose of it successfully. That was a lie spread by bribery, the difficulty of which has already been noted (Matt. 28:13-15).

2) The Jews would not steal the body. That would defeat their purpose (Matt. 27:62-64). If they had the corpse of Jesus they could have produced it on Pentecost and ended Christianity before it began (Acts 2)!

3) The Romans dared not remove the body.  What possible motive could they have had for removing the body? To do so would jeopardize their standing before the governor (Matt. 28:11-14).

So, where was the body of Jesus? “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” (Matt. 28:5, 6-9)

What does all this mean for you and me? What is the practical value of the resurrection of Jesus? Well, since its occurrence cannot be successfully denied, it should cause us to believe Jesus is the Son of God (Rom. 1:4). Because Jesus Christ is the Son of God, we should obey Him in all things. 

1 Corinthians 15:12-19 states the consequences if Christ was not raised from the dead, showing the central (and practical) importance of it in the Christian’s life. If Christ was not raised, then: 

1) Gospel preaching is vain, v. 14

2) Your faith is vain, v. 14, 17.

3) The apostles are false witnesses (liars), v. 15.

4) Christians are still lost in their sins, v. 17.

5) Dead Christians have merely perished, v. 18.

6) And Christians are truly to be pitied, v. 19.

But, Christ has been raised from the dead (1 Cor. 15:20)! Thus declared to be the Son of God, His resurrection shows His power over death and assures the future judgment of all men by Him (Rom. 1:4; 1 Cor. 15:21-22; Acts 17:30-31). Practical?  Yes, indeed. The One who has power over death will also be our Judge in the last day (2 Cor. 5:10). What greater motive do we need to obey Jesus now? Nothing is more important than be forgiven of every sin by the blood of the One who “was delivered up for our offenses, and was raised because of justification” (Rom. 4:25; cf. 1 Cor. 15:50-58)! Baptism saves us “by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 3:21). Do you believe in the resurrection of Christ? Then “arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

Reprint (revised): The Spirit's Sword (VI:41) February 16, 2003

Where Christ Is