Proof of the Resurrection of Christ

Proof of the Resurrection of Christ Created by: Zachery Herrera-Beyel

Common Disputes with the Resurrection • Could it have been the wrong tomb? • Could it have been hallucinations? • Perhaps Jesus had swooned • Maybe the body was stolen • Maybe the Apostles lied

Plausible Facts that will be addressed • The Broken Roman Seal • The Empty Tomb • The Large Stone Moved • Roman Guard Go AWOL • Graveclothes Were Untouched • Jesus’ Public Appearances

The Empty Tomb If the tomb being empty had not been established, then the resurrection could not have been maintained by the Apostles, especially in Jerusalem where the tomb was located.

The Empty Tomb There is no evidence that the Jews tried to refute the claim of an empty tomb. In fact they paid the soldiers to say the disciples stole the body.

The Empty Tomb No veneration of a burial site of Jesus. The fact that woman are recorded as witnesses makes the story more believable. Woman were not allowed as legal witnesses and one of the women was known to have once been possessed by demons.

Could it have been the wrong tomb? If it HAD been the wrong tomb, Jewish authorities would have wasted no time in producing the body from the correct tomb Jewish authorities, who asked for Roman guards to be stationed at the tomb to prevent Jesus' body from being stolen, would not have been mistaken about the location.

Apostles Trick the World • Apostles stole the body • After stealing the body they lied about the resurrection of Jesus • But first they must……….

Move The Large Stone Move 1 ½ to 2 ton stone had been rolled away from the entrance to the grave. This could not have been done without waking up the Roman Guard. Several men would be needed to overcome the Roman Guard.

The Broken Seal The breaking of the roman seal that was placed on Jesus’ grave was a serious offence Punishment was upside down crucifixion

The Broken Seal People had feared the breaking of the seal Unlikely the disciples gathered such courage to overcome the Roman Guard and break the seal after what had happened to Jesus. In fact the disciples continued to hide from authorities possibly because of such accusations. John 20:19

Maybe the body was stolen The disciples were depressed and showed cowardice, surely they would not have even attempted to slip past Roman guards in order to steal Jesus’ body Also there were witnesses to the risen Christ, how would it have been possible for them to have stolen the body and still produce a living Jesus?

Apostles Lied • It is unlikely the Apostles created a myth about Jesus rising from the dead since 11 of the 12 were killed for their faith. To die for a lie with no personal gain (wealth, power, etc.) is not logical.

Roman Guards Go AWOL Mt: 28: 11-15 The guard went into the city and told the chief priests what had happened. …they gave the soldiers a large sum of money telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’ And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.

Roman Guards Go AWOL Roman Military training was exceptional, trained to noticed the minutest detail especially in night watches One punishment for falling asleep while on watch was being stripped of his clothes and then burned alive in a fire started with his garments or they would be crucified upside down

Roman Guards Go AWOL If it was not apparent which soldier had failed in his duty, then lots were drawn to see which one would be punished with death for the guard unit's failure. Surely the entire unit would not have fallen asleep with such punishment looming over their heads

The Graveclothes Went Untouched The first thing in the minds of witnesses is the most accurrate. Saw empty burial cloths with “the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial linens, but rolled up in a separate place. (John 20:6-8)

Jesus’ Appearances Well over 500 witnesses to the risen Christ This could not be hallucinations because such psychological phenomenon happen to individual not groups, and do not last for 40 days

Jesus’ Appearances Jesus appeared to a hostile witness and convinced him that He was truly alive.

Jesus’ Appearances Saul, later known as Paul, renown for persecuting, was converted by an experience with the risen Christ. He is no longer a zealous opponent of Christianity, but the Church’s most zealous evangelist.

Could it have been hallucinations? This is greatly unsupported by psychological principles governing the appearances of hallucinations ; they do not last for 40 days. Besides, if there was a body… why was it not produced?

Perhaps Jesus had swooned It is impossible that a human being could survive a crucifixion, move a two ton stone, and crawl out of his grave three days later then wander seeking medical aid and bandaging to have given to the disciples the impression that He was a Conqueror over death and the grave, the Prince of Life

When presented with this information, it is up to individuals to decide whether or not they believe in the resurrection.

Proof of the Resurrection of Christ