The Resurrection of Christ 

Memory Verse: "He is not here; for he is risen, as he said, Come, see the place where the Lord lay" (Matthew 28:6).

Scripture Reading: Acts 2:22-36.

Introduction: The resurrection of Christ is fundamental to the Christian faith for, "If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain" (1 Corinthians 15:17). Paul reasons with wonderful logic in verses 12-19. He reminds all that any hope of a general resurrection from the dead rests in whether or not Christ arose; that our sins are not purged if Christ is dead.
  The establishment of a historical fact is by competent witnesses and records of it. Many historical events have been accepted as authentic by far less witnesses and records than were those related to the resurrection of Christ. This historical evidence consists of the four Gospel Books--Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (containing reports and testimonies of eyewitnesses); of the experiences of Paul as recorded in Acts; of the experience of John on the island of Patmos (where a risen Christ unrolled the panorama of the future for John to record).
  Matthew, John and Paul were eyewitnesses of much that they recorded. They were also in contact with other eye-witnesses. Mark and Luke had a great deal of continuous contact with the eyewitnesses of the risen Christ. Both of them were missionary companions of other apostles.
  All of our gospel historians, therefore, had ready access to the known facts they recorded. They were impressed with the importance of setting forth an authentic, written history of these events. Luke was a learned, professional man. He was a Gentile convert, probably Greek or Syrian. He was especially impressed with the importance and responsibility of setting forth a true record of events, fully verified for posterity.
  It is certain that the eyewitnesses intended to tell the truth. They had nothing personal to gain and much to lose, as far as the world was concerned. They faced dangers and certain death if they continued to declare the story of Jesus. But they were motivated to relate the true events by the wonderful fact of the resurrection and the inspiration of God.
  We have every right to believe and accept the testimony of those who accepted persecution, torture, and death in order to establish the truth of these historical events. No greater proofs are needed to accept the veracity of the historical evidence of the bodily resurrection of Christ.

Questions:

1. How was Paul convinced of the resurrection of Christ? 1 Corinthians 15:1-9.

2. What scripture did Paul probably have in mind according to 1 Corinthians 15:3 (last part)?

3. Review briefly Isaiah 53.

4. Why was Paul called in question by religious and civil authorities? Acts 23:6; 24:21-25.

5. What was the logic of Paul's defense before Agrippa? Acts 26. (Note: Paul acknowledged that he was one of the most extremely fanatic persecutors of the Christian Cause. How could he have reversed himself and all his habits, traditions and philosophies? Why would he begin to suffer with the people he had formerly sought to kill? An experience such as he described in verses 12-19 would be the logical answer.)

6. What are some of the infallible proofs of the bodily resurrection of Christ? Matthew 27:66; 28:2; Luke 24:36-43; Acts 1:33.

7. Who were the witnesses of these things? Acts 3:15; 4:33; 10:41.

8. What type of witnesses did God choose? Acts 4:2,3; 5:18,19; 7:59,60; 6:25,26,37; 2 Corinthians 11:23-27.

9. What great importance is Christ's resurrection to believers? John 11:25; Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:12-19; 2 Corinthians 4:14.