T he Resurrection

The Resurrection The Evidence…. The Facts…. FACT? FAITH? Both?

Historical Facts • Charles Lindberg was the 1st man to _________ __________________________? • The Emancipation Proclamation ended _________? • Thomas Edison Invented the ____________? • Alexander Graham Bell invented the __________? • The ___________ were the 1st to Fly an airplane?

“The resurrection of Jesus Christ’s body is a fact of history, and as such is non-repeatable. One might ask: “How can it be proved?” Rather, we should be asking: 1. How was it proved back then? 2. Is there new information (evidence) which would change 2000 years of history?

Over the next 2 weeks, let’s look at the evidence and witnesses of the Resurrection …when we do, we mustapply reason in the proper historical context to the facts …

The Resurrection • Resurrection proclaimed as FACT by the Apostles • Testimony of a converted skeptic • The number and quality of the witnesses • The apostles’ transformation • Lack of a Rebuttal to the resurrection • The empty Tomb • “Overnight” converts from Judaism • Ongoing experience of the Resurrected Jesus

1st Proof of the Resurrection:The Witnesses Claim

The Witnesses’ Claim • Acts 1:22---beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection • Acts 2: 32---“God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this.” Just a few Weeks after the CROSS and Resurrection and just Days after the Ascension, the apostles publically, plainly and repeatedly claimed Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection as FACT.

Consider the Apostle’s Claim in it’s proper historical context…. • Just a few Weeks after the CROSS, the BEDROCK foundation of Christianity was being laid on one central theme: the resurrection of Jesus. • Why is the timing of their claim significant? -2 main points-

Compare these truth claims…. • “BothScripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence. • sacred Tradition, Sacred Scripture and the Magisterium of the Church are so connected and associated that one of them cannot stand without the others • Mary was a perpetual virgin (Ever – virgin) and preserved from all stain of original sin and by a special grace of God committed no sin of any kind during her whole earthly life. Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, was redeemed from the moment of her conception----as Pope Pius IX proclaimed in 1854

1st Proof Summary Unlike a legendary story, folk tale or myth…the resurrection claim was made by the apostles as public fact while they themselves were still living very soon after the actual events . 2000 years ago, Christianity was founded on this message: Jesus was crucified and resurrected for this sins of all men and now sits on his heavenly Throne.

2nd Proof of the Resurrection:Conversion of a persecutor

Who was Saul? Pharisee… 1.Jews 2. The strictest observers of the Mosaic Law 3. By descent, especially esteemed. 4. Character traits… a. Zealous of the law and traditions c. Outwardly moral (ex: Rigid in fasting) d. Self-righteous and ambitious for precedence/status e. Fond of public salutations and distinguished titles

Pharisees continued… • Had disciples themselves • Some had condemned Jesus for associating with sinners • Most were offended by Jesus’ teaching • Some had attributed Christ’s miracles to Satan’s power • Sent officers to apprehend Christ

Saul….Pharisee & Persecutor The Stoning Death of Stephen after his resurrection message to the Sanhedrin • Acts 7: 57-58; Acts 8:1-3 • Acts 9: SaulPaul

Paul’s pre-conversion autobiography Philippians 3:4–6…although I once also had confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: • circumcised the eighth day • of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin • a Hebrew born of Hebrews • regarding the law, a Pharisee • regarding zeal, persecuting the church • regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless.

In the Historical Context… Pre-conversion Paul (Saul) had a very impressive resume and a life many Jews would have strongly desired…. He gave it all up after encountering ______________?

SaulPaul the Missionary 2 Corinthians 11:21–28--Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? I am more. I have worked much harder…. • been in prison more frequently • been flogged more severely (OT punishment-Deut) • been exposed to death again and again • Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. • Three times I was beaten with rods Continued….

I have: • three times I was shipwrecked • once I was pelted with stones • I spent a night and a day in the open sea • I have been constantly on the move • I have been in danger from rivers • in danger from bandits • in danger from my fellow Jews • in danger from Gentiles • in danger in the city, in danger in the country Continued….

I have: • in danger at sea • and in danger from false believers. • I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep • I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food • I have been cold and naked • Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.

Paul • Philippians 3: 7-11 • written 27-30 yrs after the resurrection • 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 14, 30-33 • written 22-25 years after the resurrection

Question Considering Paul’s life history, why can his conversion and his VITAL role in establishing the church be considered our 2nd proof for the resurrectionbeing a historical fact?

God did not confine evidence of Jesus’ resurrection to only the apostles or believers in him while Jesus was on earth….If the resurrection was confined only to them the Resurrection story would have been labeled __________ and untrustworthy…. After Paul’s encounter with the resurrected Jesus on the Damascus road he gave up the lifelong legacy, comfort, prestige, and nobility as Pharisee/Religious Elite to enter into unimaginable suffering for 3DECADESpreaching the resurrection…..WHY?

The Resurrection • Resurrection proclaimed as FACT by the Apostles • Testimony of a converted skeptic and persecutor • The number and quality of the witnesses • The apostles’ transformation • Lack of a Rebuttal to the resurrection • The empty Tomb • “Overnight” converts from Judaism • Ongoing experience of the Resurrected Jesus

Number & Quality of the Witnesses Willing to DIE for testimony they originated Knowing full well* about the imprisonment, persecution and murder of the witnesses before them, the witnesses continued to preach the resurrection (DBR)….which therefore makes them quality witnesses

3rd Proof of Resurrection • Knowing many others had been jailed, persecuted and killed the hundreds of witnesses pressed on…..They didn’t jump ship! • All the witnesses could have saved their lives by changing their testimony…but they didn’t. • This can only be explained as solid evidence and affirmation of the truth of the resurrection

The Resurrection • Resurrection proclaimed as FACT by the Apostles • Testimony of a converted skeptic and persecutor • The quality of the witnesses • The apostles’ transformation • Lack of a Rebuttal to the resurrection • The empty Tomb • “Overnight” converts from Judaism • Ongoing experience of the Resurrected Jesus

Disciples Before the Cross • Mark 14: 27– 31 • Jesus was arrested • Verse 50: “Then everyone deserted him and fled” • Peter denied even knowing Christ 3 times

Friday leading up to and during the cross & Sunday Friday: only the disciple John was present at the cross standing along side several women Sunday Morning: 1stheard it they didn’t believe it …the women's news that Jesus had risen “seemed like nonsense” Sunday Evening: -On the evening of that 1st day of the week, the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews

Finally See Jesus Resurrected • 1st time they See the resurrected Jesus • “startled and frightened thinking they saw a ghost” • “doubts arose in their minds” • “still didn’t believe it” so Jesus asked for a piece of fish • “He opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures”

4th Proof • Disbelief, Scared, Fearful, Skeptical, witnesses to Fearless and Forever Faithfull witnesses… • Imprisonment, flogging, nor death could shake them from their message • “All reason demands that it would take a fact as stupendous as Jesus’ resurrection to transform this timid band into courageous apostles who turned the Roman Empire and their world upside down for Christ for 3 decades”

The Resurrection • Resurrection proclaimed as FACT by the Apostles • Testimony of a converted skeptic and persecutor • The quality of the witnesses • The apostles’ transformation • Lack of a Rebuttal to the resurrection • The empty Tomb • “Overnight” converts from Judaism • Ongoing experience of the Resurrected Jesus

Lack of Rebuttal • Acts 26: 25- 32---“I am convinced that none of this has not escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner” • For 2000 years, the burden to provide a logical rational rebuttal to the resurrection has been and continues to stump an unbelieving world…. • The SILENCE is significant.

5th Proof “Now, if the best brains of the human race, facing the Bible’s challenge to disprove the resurrection of Jesus, have been unable to find a solid refutation to the claim for two millennia, obviously one does not exist. A lame, “I don’t believe it” just will not wash; it clearly reeks of, “I’ve made up my mind, don’t confuse me with the facts”

The Resurrection • Resurrection proclaimed as FACT by the Apostles • Testimony of a converted skeptic and persecutor • The quality of the witnesses • The transformation in the apostles • Lack of a Rebuttal to the resurrection • The empty Tomb • “Overnight” converts from Judaism • Ongoing experience of the Resurrected Jesus

Ancient Roman Crucifixion protocol “most victims of crucifixion were either thrown in a graveyard reserved for common criminals or simply left on the cross for birds and other prey to feed upon” The cross was part of God’s sovereign plan …(Acts 2: 23-24)…

1st century Jewish Burial Tomb

Matthew 27:59-60 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting opposite to the tomb.

Mathew 27: 62-66…The Guard • Mathew 28: 5-8…Resurrection Sunday at dawn • He is not here! He is risen, just as he said…Now quickly go and tell the disciples…so the women hurried away… • Mathew 28: 11-15…The Guard’s Story • “some of the guards went into the city” • “they gave the soldiers a large some of money” • “so the soldiers took the money and did what they were instructed”

Where was Jesus’ body? • The disciples stole it?—guard’s story. • The women went to the wrong tomb? • Hallucination Theory- • “Swoon” Theory-

All the Romans or Jews had to do was produce Jesus’ crucified body and “the way” (Christianity) would have been D. O. A.

Quick rundown of Judaism Moses, was inspired BY GOD, understood and integrated the available written records, oral traditions, and material revealed directly to him BY GOD---wrote .—”Pentateuch”(1446-1406 B.C.) “The Pentateuch is important to Jews because it chronicles creation through the Jewish nation's deliverance from Egypt, and outlines God's instructions (laws) to Israel…”

Resurrection 30 A.D. Adam 4000+ B.C. Moses 1500 B.C. David 1000 B.C. Abraham 2000 B.C. OLD COVENENT NEW COVENENT

Resurrection 30 A.D. Acts 2:41 - 3,000 converts Acts 5:14 - multitudes of converts Acts 4:4,5 - 5,000 converts Acts 6:7 - numbers multiplied

7th Proof– “Overnight” conversion Thousands upon thousands of devout tradition dominated Jews who were obsessed with a law keeping, Sabbath-observing, sacrifice offering religion…”overnight” converted to one based on Faith in Jesus’ DBR, thereby disowning and divorcing from thousands of years of religious heritage and beliefs…. Only explanation- The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Ongoing experience of the Resurrected Jesus • YOU and ME… and all of the millions of people who by FAITH…. • have been saved • are being saved • Will be saved

Time permitting…. • Are these men any different than the Muslim men who died for their Islamic faith on 9/11?….Consider the original source and how each was originally started and grew …. Public vs. Cave …. Repent vs. Force

Chronology of Early Islam • 570 - Birth of Muhammad in Mecca • 595 - Muhammad marries Khadijah a rich widow several years older than him. • 610 - Mohammed, in a cave on Mt. Hira, hears the angel Gabriel tell him that Allah is the only true God. • 613 - Muhammad's first public preaching of Islam at Mt. Hira; gets few converts • 619 - Marries Sau'da and Aisha

622 - Muhammad immigrates from Mecca to Medina, which was then called Yathrib, getsmore converts. • 623 - Battle of Waddan. • 623 - Battle of Safwan. • 623 - Battle of Dul-'Ashir. • 624 - Muhammad and converts begin raids on caravans to fund the movement. • 624 - Zakat becomes mandatory. • 624 - Battle of Badr. • 624 - Battle of Bani Salim. • 624 - Battle of Eid-ul-Fitr and Zakat-ul-Fitr. • 624 - Battle of Bani Qainuqa'. • 624 - Battle of Sawiq. • 624 - Battle of Ghatfan. • 624 - Battle of Bahran. • 625 - Battle of Uhud; 70 Muslims are killed. • 625 - Battle of Humra-ul-Asad. • 625 - Battle of Banu Nudair. • 625 - Battle of Dhatur-Riqa. • 626 - Battle of Badru-Ukhra. • 626 - Battle of Dumatul-Jandal. • 626 - Battle of Banu Mustalaq Nikah. • 627 - Battle of the Trench. • 627 - Battle of Ahzab. • 627 - Battle of Bani Quraiza. • 627 - Battle of Bani Lahyan. • 627 - Battle of Ghaiba. • 627 - Battle of Khaibar. • 628 - Muhammad signs treaty with Quraish. • 630 - Muhammad conquers Mecca. • 630 - Battle of Hunsin. • 630 - Battle of Tabuk. • 632 - Muhammad dies. • 632 - Abu-Bakr, Muhammad's father-in-law, along with Umar, begin a military move toenforce Islam in Arabia. • 633 - Battle at Oman. • 633 - Battle at Hadramaut. • 633 - Battle of Kazima.

T he Resurrection