THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS IS HISTORY AND HOPE

In as much as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so 
that you may know the exact truth about the things which you have been taught (Luke 1: 1-4).

Luke MD, being a professional, was not easily persuaded that a dead person could raise from the dead, he had seen too much of it, but in his gospel he proclaims just that, "He has risen" (Luke 24:6).  The resurrection of Jesus Christ from death, which was caused by His crucifixion, was the most essential fact that was to be believed by a Christian--if there is no resurrection, there is no Christianity (1 Corinthians 15: 16-19).

The Christian religion is a faith that is based in history.  If the history is not true, neither is the faith; it has been presented that way from the beginning.  There was a historical Jesus of Nazareth who performed miracles.  There was a historical Pontius Pilate who ordered Jesus' execution on a cross. There was a historical resurrection of Jesus from the dead.  If the record is not true on one of those points, the faith is not true.  Though the credibility of the Biblical record has been attacked, the credibility of the witnesses has been attacked, the attacks have failed because the Bible is true!

The faith stands true and that is why, still today, Christians are willing to die for their faith.  The One who conquered death has conquered death for all believers assuring us of eternal glory.

A word of warning for non-believers, God is now declaring to all men that all people  every where should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man  whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead (Acts 17: 30,31).  While the resurrection means eternal life for some, it means eternal punishment for those who refuse to bow to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our Father's Love
Tom