Volume 19: Easter & Resurrection
The Cornerstone of Christian Faith, History & Hope
Easter & Resurrection centers on the historical bedrock of the Christian faith: the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day. It demonstrates that the empty tomb and apostolic eyewitness testimonies guarantee the believer's justification, victory over death, and future bodily resurrection.
The historical evidence, scriptural accounts, theological necessity, and cosmic implications of the physical bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Key facts
- The Apostle Paul asserts in 1 Corinthians 15:17 that 'if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.'
- Early creedal formulas cited in 1 Corinthians 15:3-7 date to within three to five years of Jesus' crucifixion.
- Women are uniformly recorded as the primary eyewitnesses to the empty tomb across all four Gospels, a powerful criterion of historical authenticity.
- Christ's resurrection is not merely a resuscitation, but the inauguration of the glorified physical life of the New Creation.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the resurrection the cornerstone of Christianity?
Without the resurrection, Jesus would be merely an executed teacher; His physical resurrection validates His claims to deity, confirms His sacrifice was accepted by the Father, and conquers death.
What evidence exists for the bodily resurrection?
The empty tomb in Jerusalem, multiple independent post-resurrection appearances to individuals and groups of over 500, and the dramatic transformation of cowardly disciples into bold martyrs.
Could the disciples have hallucinated Jesus' resurrection?
Hallucinations are private, individual psychological phenomena; the biblical accounts document simultaneous, multi-sensory experiences by diverse groups who spoke with, touched, and ate with Christ.
What does Christ's resurrection mean for believers today?
It guarantees that our sins are forgiven, that we possess spiritual resurrection power in the present, and that we will receive glorified, immortal physical bodies at Christ's return.