Who Says Jesus is Risen?

Who says Jesus is risen from the dead?  Let’s see.

Of course, the four gospels tells us of Jesus’ resurrection (Matt. 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-49; John 20:1-29)  and the book of Acts speaks of the risen Savior (Acts 1:1-11).

Peter speaks of Jesus resurrection in his first sermon in Acts 2:24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. Every sermon in the early church was an Easter sermon.

Steven prayed to the risen Jesus in Acts 7:59-60 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Paul meets the risen Christ (Acts 9:1-9) and writes about Him (Rom. 8:11)  If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

The writer of Hebrews says Jesus is risen:  Heb. 13:20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, ²¹ equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Apostolic Fathers:

Clement of Rome (circ. 80 a.d.)  “Let us consider, beloved, how the Lord continually proves to us that there shall be a future resurrection, of which He has rendered the Lord Jesus Christ the first-fruits by raising Him from the dead.” (1 Clement Chapter 24)

Polycarp (circ. 155 a.d.)  “But He who raised Him up from the dead will raise up us also, if we do His will, and walk in His commandments, and love what He loved, keeping ourselves from all unrighteousness, covetousness, love of money, evil speaking, false witness;”  (Polycarp’s Epistle to the Philippians chapter 2)

Ignatius (circ. 108)  Jesus Christ, who was descended from David, and was also of Mary; who was truly born, and did eat and drink. He was truly persecuted under Pontius Pilate; He was truly crucified, and [truly] died, in the sight of beings in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth. He was also truly raised from the dead, (Epistle of Ignatius to Trallians, Chapter 9)

Non-Christian Historian:

The Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus, a contemporary of Paul, wrote this:  “At this time there was a wise man called Jesus, and his conduct was good, and he was known to be virtuous. Many people among the Jews and the other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. But those who had become his disciples did not abandon his discipleship. They reported that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion, and that he was alive. Accordingly, he was perhaps the Messiah, concerning whom the prophets have reported wonders. And the tribe of the Christians, so named after him, has not disappeared to this day” (Antiquities 18.63-64, ca. AD 93 Agapian version).

Most Importantly

Jesus Himself claimed to have been raised in the same body that died on Calvary, not a spirit, not someone else created for this purpose.  Jesus left no room for misunderstanding this:

Luke 24:36-43 (ESV)  As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.

Why is this important?

There are people today who deny the bodily resurrection of Jesus even within what we might call Christianity yet they can hardly be called Christian if they deny the central miracle upon which our faith is based. 

1 Cor. 15:12-14 (ESV)  Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. ¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.