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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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