Lesson 10 - God the Son: His Resurrection

     The Bible speaks of a general resurrection (Job 19:25-27; Dan. 12:2), as well as the resurrection of Christ (Ps. 16:9-10; cf. Acts 2:24-31; 13:34-37). Jesus predicts both His own death and His resurrection (Matt. 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:17-19; 26:12, 28-29, 31-32; Mark 9:30-32; 14:28; Luke 9:22; 18:31-34; John 2:19-22; 10:17-18).

     Jesus’ resurrection is an essential part of the gospel message (1 Cor. 15:3-4).  If Jesus is not raised from the dead, then His death on the cross was not effective, and we have believed in a false Messiah (1 Cor. 15:17).  However, the Scriptural testimony is very clear: Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day after His crucifixion and forty days later ascended to heaven.  Here are several biblical facts about Jesus resurrection:

1. It was predicted by Jesus (Matt. 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:17-19).
2. It showed Jesus overcame death (Acts 2:23-24).
3. It was central to the gospel message (Acts 26:22-23; 1 Cor. 15:3-4).
4. It had many eyewitnesses (1 Cor. 15:5-8).
5. It was argued as true against those who disbelieved (1 Cor. 15:12-19).
6. It reveals Jesus as the first among many to be resurrected (1 Cor. 15:20).
7. It reveals Jesus as the Son of God (Rom. 1:3-4).
8. It is the basis for our new life (1 Pet. 1:3).
9. Resurrected believers will not know the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:6).

     Jesus’ resurrection from the dead guarantees our future. His life is our life, and His victory is our victory. We will be raised because He has been raised. In the resurrection, our new bodies will be like Jesus’ new body, which will never know sin or decay (Phil. 3:20-21; 1 John 3:2).