Theology Bites: The Good News of the Resurrection
“Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:12-14).
Paul, the apostle is making a bold statement! He is stating that if Jesus resurrected, we will also be resurrected at a given time after earthly death. More important to understand, our entire Christian faith is completely invalid if the resurrection did not occur over 2000 years ago. This action is what our entire faith rests upon.
So how do we know it actually happened? Even atheist scholars have admitted that events in the gospels of the Bible meet historical method standards for accuracy as recorded in both scriptural and non-scriptural accounts. Not only did the resurrected Jesus (Yeshua) appear to over 500 people at various times and places, he foretold it many times in Scripture as recorded by his followers. In other words, he said it would happen and it did, much to our human bewilderment! How can this be? In our human mind, we cannot comprehend such a thing, and yet, it happened. We should be eager for the day when we are also resurrected, but sobered, as we will make account for our earthly lives before the God of the universe!
THIS, in a nutshell, is the gospel, the good news! Jesus (Yeshua, his Hebrew name) is God manifested as man for a time to suffer and die for our sins as it is impossible to atone for ourselves. This is powerful. Indeed, it was foretold from the beginning. But the incredible good news is that He was resurrected from the dead! Death and Hades could not hold him. He overcame the grave! (Acts 2:24) We will too if we repent of our sins and give our hearts to Him.
Amen and Maranatha – He will come again as it was also foretold!
Tonya Noren
April 17, 2022
Resurrection Day!