The Fact of the Resurrection
By Bro David Petersen
"If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept" (1 Corinthians 15:19-20).
One of the main differences between Christianity and other faiths is that Christianity is based on actual historical events, not philosophical precepts. The Christian faith does have its own philosophy and teachings. Those teachings are very important but the faith is not based on them. Instead it is based on historical fact and on the resurrection of Jesus in particular. The resurrection is THE central event in Christianity. Islam does not have an empty tomb. Buddhism does not have twelve men who were willing to give up their lives to testify that their Lord had risen from the dead.
The apostle Peter wrote "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty." 2 Peter 1:16.
So the accounts that we have in the four gospels are not cleverly devised fables or myths, but are instead the testimony of eyewitnesses.
And the apostle Paul wrote "And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain." 1 Cor 15:14.
What Paul is saying is that if Christ is not risen then there is no reason to be a Christian. Without the resurrection our faith would be useless because it would be hoping in a falsehood. But Christ has in fact risen from the dead.
The purpose of this article is not to defend the authenticity of the resurrection. There are plenty of resources that do that. Overwhelming evidence can be brought forth to substantiate the historicity of the resurrection. Our purpose here is to show that the Christian faith is based on the fact of the resurrection, and not on principles as other religions are. This is what Paul taught the church at Ephesus.
"That ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead" Ephesians 1:18-20.
Our hope or "earnest expectation" is that the mighty power that raised Christ from the dead will also raise us at the last day. "And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power." 1 Corinthians 6:14.
As Christians we trust in the power of God to raise us from the dead. He has given us ample evidence of his power by raising Christ from the dead. The resurrection of Christ is what Paul called a "firstfruits" that is, a preview or guaranty of the general resurrection of the dead. In doing this he has clearly demonstrated that he can back up his promise of eternal life to all who trust in Christ as their Savior.
May you have a blessed Easter this year and rejoice in the historical fact of the resurrection which is the basis for our hope. But remember too that you can celebrate the risen Lord and the eternal life that he freely gives every day of the year.