Why I believe in the Resurrection

This post contains extracts from the book 'Why I Believe' by Chip Ingram.

Reason # 1: The historicity of Jesus of Nazareth.

The written evidence for the historicity of Jesus of Nazareth is extremely strong. There are over twenty-five thousand New Testament documents that authenticate the reality of Jesus Christ. There is more evidence supporting Jesus’ life than Shakespeare, Homer, or almost any other person who has ever lived. Non-Christian, extrabiblical sources also support the authenticity of the life of Jesus. Prominent historians include Pliny, a Roman governor and historian, Tacitus, a Roman historian living during Jesus’ time, and Josephus, a Jewish historian who lived shortly after the time of Jesus. Expert historians, Christian or not, agree that Jesus was a man who lived and died in first-century Palestine. Volumes have been written with amazing examples of the archaeological support of New Testament people, places and events. For further study in the area, I recommend The Popular Handbook of Archaeology and the Bible by Holden and Geisler.

Reason # 2: The Character of Jesus is Unquestioned.

Reason # 3: The Works of Jesus went Unchallenged.

The witnesses to His miracles and the religious establishment who felt threatened by Him never said “You faked that miracle – you didn’t really do it.” The validity of the miracles was evident to all. While skeptics questioned the source of His power to perform miracles, it was undisputed that He did perform miracle after miracle. Jesus’ miracles were verifiable and the fact that the crowds kept growing supports the validity of His miracles.

Reason # 4: The Identity of Jesus was Confirmed.

a) Jesus claimed to be God – see Mark 14, wherein Jesus answered Caiaphas’ question “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One’, with “I am…” In Daniel 7 the title of “Son of Man” is given to the exalted heavenly One who will rule heaven, and that is why Jesus uses that name for Himself.

b) God the Father Affirms Jesus’ Identity. The first time is during His baptism, and the second is on the Mount of Transfiguration [Mark 1:9-11, 9:47].

c) Jesus’ Disciples Claimed He is God [Mark 8:27-29].

d) Jesus’ Enemies Confirmed His Identity [John 10:33, Mark 1:21-28] “I know who you are – the Holy One of God!”

e) Extrabiblical Sources Confirm Jesus’ Identity. Pliny’s account confirms the identity of Jesus and His followers.

f) The Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecies Confirms Jesus’ Identity.

The evidence in the first century was so strong that His enemies and detractors aimed their attacks not at His life, His teaching, or the legitimacy of His miracles, but instead, they sought to prove He was merely a great man who was a great teacher with unexplainable, great powers.

Why Did Jesus Die? If He didn’t die, He didn’t rise. If He didn’t rise, He’s not God – He’s a liar and a fake.

Reason # 5: The Death of Jesus is Undisputed.

The ‘swoon theory’ says Jesus was only unconscious and appeared to be dead, or He used an ancient herb to appear unconscious. But, at the time, both friend and foe were convinced that he was dead. Eyewitnesses watched Him die.

· The Romans were crucifixion experts, and those who buried Jesus knew first-hand that He was dead.

· Jesus even told His disciples that He would die but be raised from the dead three days later [Luke 9:22].

· Jesus’ mother Mary, Mary Magdalene, John, and other followers of Jesus were at His crucifixion.

· The chief priests and scribes were there, and they mocked Him, saying “He saved others, but he can’t save himself ‘[Matthew 27:42]. The Roman soldiers were there and they testified to Jesus’ death.

· They did not break Jesus’ legs, which was customary in crucifixion, because He had already died [John 19:33,36]. This is another fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies [Number 9:12, Psalm 34:20, Exodus 12:46]. Later, they pierced His side to further confirm His death.

· A Roman centurion even assured Pilate of Jesus’ death [Mark 15:44-45].

· There is also medical evidence to support the death of Jesus. To ensure and confirm Jesus’ death, a Roman soldier pierced His side with a spear, “bringing a sudden flow of blood and water” [John 19:34]. The pericardial sac that surrounds your heart is filled with clear fluid. When the spear pierced Jesus’ side, it went through His heart, releasing the fluid form the pericardial sac, mixing with His blood. Medically, when the blood and fluid flow from a heart wound, death has occurred.

· Jesus’ burial preparation provides additional evidence of His death. After Jesus had died, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, two of the religious leaders who didn’t agree with Jesus’ crucifixion, asked for His body [John 19:38-40].

Reason # 6: The Burial of Jesus was Public and Secured.

Ø Because the Pharisees were concerned that the disciples would steal the body and tell everyone Jesus rose from the dead, they went to Pilate and asked for help [Matthew 27:62-66]. Pilate responded by placing a Roman guard to watch and protect Jesus’ tomb.

Ø We know from Scripture that the tomb was empty, and all that remained was the burial linen neatly folded. The chief priests decided the best course of action was to bribe the soldiers to say that the disciples stole the body while they slept [Matthew 28:11-13]. This is significant, because the guards could have faced capital punishment for falling asleep or failing at their duty, and thus their attention would have been flawless, and they would not have allowed anyone to steal Jesus’ body.

Ø The security of the tomb was undisputed because it belonged to Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy man in high standing in the community. The security of a wealthy man’s tomb was important and this tomb was carved out of solid rock.

Ø The Roman seal was an insignia representing the power and authority of Rome. It was used to guarantee that there would be no tampering with official business. The tomb was secure, and the seal was unbroken from the outside.

Ø The stone that sealed the tomb entrance was extremely heavy – it took four or five men to drop it into place in its ridge, and it would take a great many more to lift and roll it away.

Reason # 7: The Evidence is Convincing and Reasonable.

There is intellectual, historical, verifiable evidence.

A. It was predicted by the Old Testament prophets [Isaiah 53:5,7,9, Psalm 22:16-18].

B. Jesus predicted it openly many times [John 2:18-22, 10:17-18, Matthew 16:21, 27:62-64].

C. The testimony of women. At that time, the testimony of women in civil and criminal hearings was considered worthless. And yet it is to women that God gives the experience of being the first eyewitnesses of Jesus’ empty tomb and the joyful responsibility of sharing the good news with others. Why did the Gospel writers include their testimony if it wasn’t true or believable?

D. He appeared twelve different times to over 500 witnesses, over 40 days, in multiple locations. He appeared to the women [Luke 24:1-12], the two disciples on the Emmaus Road [Luke 24:18-32], the disciples minus Thomas [John 20:19-24, Peter and the disciples [John 21:1-14], more than 500 people at the same time [1 Corinthians 15:6]. Research done by psychologists has verified that mass hallucinations rarely, if ever, occur in groups, and it is impossible for a group of people to have the same hallucination in multiple locations.

E. The transformation of the disciples. The book of Acts sets out in detail how they changed to become people who performed miracles in Jesus’ name and preached the Good News.

F. The explosion of the early church.

G. It is not logical – in fact it is inconceivable – for the disciples to willingly ‘die for a lie’. No one will willingly die for what they know is a lie.

H. The conversion of Saul of Tarsus. The followers of Jesus thought there was no way this was possible, as he had been such a fervent persecutor of them.

I. The transformation of the Roman empire and the world.

The best legal minds state the evidence is conclusive. Simon Greenleaf, a professor and major contributor to the development of Harvard Law School, Frank Morrison, Sir Lionel Luckhoo, also CS Lewis, etc.