Part 6: Jesus rose from the dead
So, over this week we have explored whether Jesus actually died, and focused on the four main theories as to what happened to Jesus body. Today we are going to look at whether it is true. Did Jesus actually rise from the dead?
According to Bible, there were many witnesses who saw Jesus rise from the dead. Here is what the Apostle Paul says in the Bible:
‘For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.’
The Bible – 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verses 3-8 (New International Version)
Paul references a number of people who were witnesses to Jesus after he died. He includes 500 people at the same time. Some people call these sightings of Jesus as hallucinations. And while this can occur when people have experienced the loss of a loved one, to have 500 people having the same hallucination just wouldn’t happen. No two people experience the same hallucination, as hallucinations are private experiences in an individual’s mind.
Paul also talks about some unlikely witnesses. James was once of Jesus’ half-brothers and we know that he did not become a believer until after Jesus’ resurrection, as did Paul himself. Paul was an avid opposer to Christianity in its early days, until he met Jesus after his resurrection.
Nearly all of these witnesses, certainly the disciples and James and Paul, all experienced persecution, torture and even death for believing that Jesus rose from the dead. Why would they do this if they were not convinced, beyond any doubt, that they had met with Jesus and that he really did rise from the dead?
Finally, many people’s lives were changed when they became convinced that Jesus rose from the dead. We have already said how James and Paul became believers, and certainly Paul had a complete turn-around of his life as a result. Paul changed from being someone who ordered the killing of Christians, to someone who would die for the faith he used to persecute.
Even today we see peoples’ lives being changed by faith in God. I personally have friends who were burglars and drug addicts before their lives were changed by coming to know Jesus.
So, now it’s time for you to make up your mind on what you think! You have read our views, our analysis of the evidence and our opinions. What do you think? Did Jesus not really die, did someone steal the body, or did Jesus rise from the dead? The answer to this question, could have a big effect on your future. If you come to conclusion that Jesus rose from the dead, then it could change your life from this point on, as it did with James, Paul and many others (including me!). So, take your time; think about it; research these and other theories; then make your decision. There is no-one else who can make this one for you.
