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"THE RESURRECTION
"The
apostle Paul states in 1 Corinthians 15:17, "If Christ has not
been raised your faith is futile and you are still in your
sins." The resurrection of Jesus Christ is of momentous
importance for everyone. Because Jesus conquered death, we have the
opportunity to live again. His resurrection guarantees our
resurrection.
Christianity is not founded
upon a series of arguments that can be debated intellectually. The
validity of the Gospel testimony does not remain at the mercy of the
latest exaggerated claims of the "best seller" or some
archaeological find in the Middle East. Christianity rests on faith
based on a living and ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ, the
living Savior! Luke 24:5-6, "Why seek ye the living among the
dead? He is not here, but is risen."
The four Gospels document
evidence for Christ's death burial and resurrection. Upon acceptance
of the Gospels as valid, we have internal evidence for believing.
These writings are emphatic that Jesus' execution was a public and
state-certified spectacle (Mark 15:29). Our Lord's words immediately
following proof of His resurrection to "doubting Thomas" are
recorded in John 20:29, "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou
hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have
believed."
Why did the first century
disciples "turn-the world upside down" (Acts 17:6) ? The living
Christ had changed their lives. He does the same for You and I
today. The empty tomb is the central theme of
Christianity.
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