Open the Word of Truth to: Matthew 28:1-8.
The Resurrection Accounts of Jesus are found in Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-9; John 20:1-10. (This study is not exhaustive.)
“Resurrection” is taken from a Greek word for resurrection which means “to stand up.”
PALM SUNDAY TO RESURRECTION SUNDAY (Eight Days That Changed The World Forever).
The greatest eight days in human history begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Resurrection Sunday. Yet, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is only the beginning for those who have received Christ as personal Savior. Have you?
The resurrection is trampled under the feet of Easter Bunnies. Where is our respect? Where is our love for Jesus? What a tragedy!
Christmas is about the birth of our Savior. Resurrection week is all about the death and resurrection of our Savior. The birth, the death, resurrection, and the Ascension of Christ are the greatest events in human history. Without these Divine Events, there would be no salvation for mankind.
God the Father designed a Plan; Jesus Christ the Son of God executed the Plan. The Holy Spirit reveals the Plan. Our God is an awesome God. Our God is the only God that provides salvation for those who will trust Him. In all other religions, men must work their way to their God. Which God would you rather serve? “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
The resurrection of Christ is the ultimate vindication of Christ’s’ rejection, true identity, suffering, shame and disgrace. The resurrection is the ultimate proof that Christ was (is) God. The resurrection is the foundation upon which everything Christian is built. Disprove the resurrection and you dismantle the Christian Faith — the salvation, and the hope of all mankind. How strategic is the resurrection? The answers are inexhaustible — it is the very heart of a relationship with God … the very purpose and meaning for life.
Please Note: The following outline presentation of the resurrection is taken from my study outline and study notes in 1973, and has been updated and edited for this study. — C. S. Craig.
We will begin our study by examination of Scripture concerning the type of body our Lord had in resurrection, because we will have a body like His body.
THE RESURRECTION BODY OF JESUS CHRIST
1). His body retained the nail prints and the scar in His side.
Historically recorded in John 20:25-27; Prophetically recorded in Zechariah 12:10; Psalm 22:16.
2). Christ was recognized as a human body. He could be touched. His body had substance of flesh and bones of a different kind — an eternal state, because He walked through walls and doors (Matthew 28:9; Luke 24:39-40; John 20:1, 19, 26). Christ could instantly appear or disappear (Luke 24:17).
3). Christ breathed, (John 20:22).
4). Christ carried on conversation, so He had vocal cords of some type (Luke 24:17, 36,38,39, 44-49; John 20:16).
5). Christ ate food (Luke 24:30, 43).
6). Our body will be like Christ’s, (Philippians 3:21; 1 John 3:2).
RESURRECTION MORNING – ORDER OF EVENTS
Earthquake: An Angel rolled away the stone (Matthew 28:1-2). Our Lord and Savior had already risen.
1). The stone was rolled away by angel so that the three women who came to the tomb could see that Christ was risen (Mark 16:1). The three women were Mary Magdalene, Mary, mother of Jesus and Salome.
2). Mary Magdalene, after seeing the stone rolled away and the empty tomb ran to find the disciples (John 20:1-2).
3) Mary the mother of Jesus and Salome saw the angel who told them “Jesus is risen” (Mark 16:5, 6).
4). Mary Magdalene finds Peter and John and they returned with her to the tomb and Peter wondered about what he saw (Luke 24:12).
5). John believed Jesus had risen (John 20:8).
6). Mary Magdalene came again to the tomb, but mistakes Jesus for the gardener, but meets Christ face to face (can you imagine how she must have reacted?) (John 20: 11-18).
POST RESURRECTION APPEARANCES OF CHRIST – SEVENTEEN IN ALL
PRE-ASCENSION APPEARANCES:
1). Mary Magdalene (John 20:15-17).
2). Five other women (Matthew 28:9-10).
3). Apostle Peter (1 Corinthians 15:5).
4). Two believers on the road to Emmaus: Cleophas and Mary (Luke 24:13:33; Mark 16:12).
5). Ten disciples (Thomas was not present) (John 20:19-25).
6). Th eleven (with Thomas) (John 20:26-29; Mark 16:14).
7). Seven of the disciples by the sea of Galilee (John 21:1-3).
8). Five hundred believers (1 Corinthians 15:6).
9). Jesus’ half brother James, who was an unbeliever until the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7; John 7:3; Acts 1:14).
10). Eleven disciples again on a mountain near Galilee (Matthew 28:16-20).
11). Those at the Lord’s ascension passage Acts 1:3-11).
THE POST-ASCENSION APPEARANCES OF CHRIST:
Our Lord probably ascended in June of 32 A.D., ACCORDING TO SCHOLARS:
1). Stephen (Acts 7:55-56).
2). Paul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-8; 1 Corinthians 15:8).
3). Paul again in Arabia (Galatians 1:12-17).
4). Paul in the Temple (Acts 22:17).
5). Paul (Acts 18:9; 23:11).
6). John on the Isle of Patmos (Revelation 1:12-20 — six times in all).
THE GOSPEL: 1 Corinthians 15:1-7:
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.” (See also Galatians 1:11-12; Romans 5:2)
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scripture; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” (please read Psalms 16:10,11; Isaiah 53:10; Luke 24:26; Acts 2:25. Then read 1 Corinthians 15:5-19).
I want to bring your attention to one more point of truth (doctrine): Notice in our context that “according to the scriptures” is stated twice. Paul is stating this as fact, and as already “in” scripture. Remember, as Paul said these words the New Testament was not yet written. But, Paul said “according to the scriptures.” Paul is relating the Old Testament references to this same Gospel. The Jews knew the O.T. Scriptures and Paul is reminding them of what has been written for centuries regarding the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Messiah.
In closing, also know that it is the Scriptures that declare God. It is the Scriptures that declare the Gospel. This Bible we hold in our hands is the most important document ever written. This Bible is from God. God breathed it to the writers for you to read, centuries before you and I were born. Please look up and read for yourself, the following declarations: Hebrews 11:3; 1 Peter 1-25; 2 Peter 1-21; 1 John 1-4. See also Matthew 24:35.
God’s Word confirms the truth that is in our hearts. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved (Acts 16:31).
Thank you Father for your Plan of Grace which is available to all who will believe in Christ. Christ paid the ultimate price for our redemption. Christ’s death, burial, resurrection and ascension provided man’s salvation, if man will only believe and receive by faith its victorious proclamation: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31a).
Thank you Father for this study and your Holy Spirit who reveals it to us for our benefit and edification. Amen.
Happy Studying in Fields of Grace!