Thoughts on Jesus' Resurrection

by Perry 76 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • Perry
    Perry

    I think that in our various discussions about life after the WT, we many times forget about the cornerstone of Christian life - The Resurrection. The implications of the existence a man who holds the power of life and death is manifold. It makes discussions about the existence of God obsolete.

    For all of scientists' accomplishments they have never been able to make even one amobea come alive from non-life. Yet, this is the central belief and assertion of the New Testament writers. The power to make Life was in Jesus.

    Consider the below copy from an internet source:

    Archaeological discoveries continue to support the Bible's historical accuracy. We tend to forget that the Gospels and book of Acts are eyewitness accounts of the life and death of Jesus. Further nonbiblical evidence for Jesus' existence comes from the writings of Flavius Josephus,Cornelius Tacitus, Lucian of Samosata, and the Jewish Sanhedrin. The following seven proofs of the resurrection show that Christ did, indeed, rise from the dead.

    The Resurrection Proof #1: The Empty Tomb of Jesus

    The empty tomb may be the strongest proof Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Two major theories have been advanced by unbelievers: someone stole Jesus' body or the women and disciples went to the wrong tomb. The Jews and Romans had no motive to steal the body. Christ's apostles were too cowardly and would have had to overcome the Roman guards. The women who found the tomb empty had earlier watched Jesus being laid away; they knew where the correct tomb was. Even if they had gone to the wrong tomb, the Sanhedrin could have produced the body from the right tomb to stop the resurrection stories. Jesus' burial cloths were left neatly folded inside, hardly the act of hurrying grave robbers. Angels said Jesus had risen from the dead.

    The Resurrection Proof #2: The Holy Women Eyewitnesses

    The holy women eyewitnesses are further proof that the Gospels are accurate historical records. If the accounts had been made up, no ancient author would have used women for witnesses to Christ's resurrection. Women were second class citizens in Bible times; their testimony was not even allowed in court. Yet the Bible says the risen Christ first appeared toMary Magdalene and other holy women. Even the apostles did not believe Mary when she told them the tomb was empty. Jesus, who always had special respect for these women, honored them as the first eyewitnesses to his resurrection. The male Gospel writers had no choice but to report this embarrassing act of God's favor, because that was how it happened.

    The Resurrection Proof #3: Jesus' Apostles' New-Found Courage

    After the crucifixion, Jesus' apostles hid behind locked doors, terrified they would be executed next. But something changed them from cowards to bold preachers. Anyone who understands human character knows people do not change that much without some major influence. That influence was seeing their Master, bodily risen from the dead. Christ appeared to them in the locked room , on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, and on the Mount of Olives . After seeing Jesus alive, Peter and the others left the locked room and preached the risen Christ, unafraid of what would happen to them. They quit hiding because they knew the truth. They finally understood that Jesus is God incarnate, who saves people from sin.

    The Resurrection Proof #4: Changed Lives of James and Others

    Changed lives are yet another proof of the resurrection. James, the brother of Jesus, was openly skeptical that Jesus was the Messiah. Later James became a courageous leader of the Jerusalem church, even being stoned to death for his faith. Why? The Bible says the risen Christ appeared to him. What a shock to see your own brother, alive again, after you knew he was dead. James and the apostles were effective missionaries because people could tell these men had touched and seen the risen Christ. With such zealous eyewitnesses, the early church exploded in growth, spreading west from Jerusalem to Rome and beyond. For 2,000 years, encounters with the resurrected Jesus have changed lives.

    The Resurrection Proof #5: Large Crowd of Eyewitnesses

    A large crowd of more than 500 eyewitnesses saw the risen Jesus Christ at the same time. The Apostle Paul records this event in 1 Corinthians 15:6 . He states that most of these men and women were still alive when he wrote this letter, about 55 A.D. Undoubtedly they told others about this miracle. Today, psychologists say it would be impossible for a large crowd of people to have had the same hallucination at once. Smaller groups also saw the risen Christ, such as the apostles, and Cleopas and his companion. They all saw the same thing, and in the case of the apostles, they touched Jesus and watched him eat food . The hallucination theory is further debunked because after the ascension of Jesus into heaven, sightings of him stopped.

    The Resurrection Proof #6: Conversion of Paul

    The conversion of Paul records the most drastically changed life in the Bible. As Saul of Tarsus, he was an aggressive persecutor of the early church. When the risen Christ appeared to Paul on the Damascus Road, Paul became Christianity's most determined missionary. He endured five floggings, three beatings, three shipwrecks, a stoning, poverty, and years of ridicule. Finally the Roman emperor Nero had Paul beheaded because the apostle refused to deny his faith in Jesus. What could make a person willingly accept—even welcome—such hardships? Christians believe the conversion of Paul came about because he encountered Jesus Christ who had risen from the dead.

    The Resurrection Proof #7: They Died for Jesus

    Countless people have died for Jesus, absolutely certain that the resurrection of Christ is anhistorical fact. Tradition says ten of the original apostles died as martyrs for Christ, as did the Apostle Paul. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of early Christians died in the Roman arena and in prisons for their faith. Down through the centuries, thousands more have died for Jesus because they believed the resurrection is true. Even today, people suffer persecution because they have faith that Christ rose from the dead. An isolated group may give up their lives for a cult leader, but Christian martyrs have died in many lands, for nearly 2,000 years, believing Jesus conquered death to give them eternal life.

    (Information in this article was compiled and summarized from the following sources:gotquestions.org, xenos.org, faithfacts.org, newadvent.org, tektonics.org, biblicalstudies.info,garyhabermas.com, and ntwrightpage.com)

  • unstopableravens
    unstopableravens

    amen! the bible teaches a resurrection and the jehovahs witnesses believe that jesus was reincarnated from a man who died and came back as an angel.

  • OnTheWayOut
    OnTheWayOut

    For all of scientists' accomplishments they have never been able to make even one amobea come alive from non-life. Yet, this is the central belief and assertion of the New Testament writers. The power to make Life was in Jesus.

    And for all the millions (billions even) of people that believe in a monotheistic "God," nobody has ever proven that such a personage/being/spirit could do it either.

    The Gospels are NOT eyewitness accounts, Perry.

    Your arguments here are like saying the Harry Potter series are the greatest proof that an actual wizard school exists.

  • Perry
    Perry

    That's right USR! ...Was a man on earth, still a man in heaven ... always holding the power of LIFE within himself:

    For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

  • unstopableravens
    unstopableravens

    acts 17:31 and col 2:9 as well .

  • OnTheWayOut
    OnTheWayOut

    Remember, USR. Perry says these things because he has doubts. He wants others here to convince him he is right or convince him he is wrong. Deep down, he knows that the stuff he posts is pure balderdash.

  • Finkelstein
    Finkelstein

    Those ancient people sure liked telling stories though for there were many people said to be walking around Jerusalem who had been resurrected.

    Archaeologically supported of course.

  • unstopableravens
    unstopableravens

    otwo: i dont know why you say that about perrys beliefs, i havent really been on here in a long time(alot going on). but if he does have moments of doubt. i will pray for him. peter lost faith after walking on water and seeing jesus walk on water. so it not because hes a hypocrite if its even the case. its because its part of the christain life, and we all need to improve in out faith in god

  • Vanderhoven7
    Vanderhoven7

    Here is a related article I found...

    COMMON ARGUMENTS AGAINST RESURRECTION

    1. The disciples stole the body of Jesus.

    2. The Romans stole the body.

    3. The Jews stole the body.

    4. The women found or went to the wrong tomb.

    5. He (Jesus) wasn't really dead when he was placed in the tomb and He resuscitated.

    6. Everyone was hallucinating.

    7. The disciples made the whole thing up.

    Had the Romans or the Jews stolen the body (arguments 2 & 3), they could easily have disproved the Resurrection and expose Jesus as a fraud by simply producing the body if they were in possession of it.

    Had the women gone to the wrong tomb (argument 4) they would have simply kept looking until they found the right one.

    No one ever survived Roman crucifixions (argument 5). Further, John reports (John 19:34) that Jesus was pierced with a Roman spear as a final gesture to assure His death. Hallucinations are temporary and do not change reality (argument 6).

    The only arguments remaining center on the disciples. Specifically, the disciples were either telling the truth when they preached the crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus or they were preaching lies.

    A LOOK AT THE DISCIPLES

    Prior to the death and resurrection of Jesus the disciples were disorganized in their understanding of the teachings of Jesus. Peter was unstable in his faith as evidenced by his three denials of Jesus. (Matthew 26:70-75). John was harsh and selfish to an extent that Jesus actually referred to John and James as "the sons of thunder" (Mark 3:17). Thomas was always filled with doubt.

    Cowards, fearing for their own lives, all the disciples with the exception of John, deserted Jesus when He was arrested and carried away to be crucified. It appears that John was the only disciple that was present at the crucifixion.

    The disciples underwent cataclysmic changes after the Resurrection. They show consistency in their understanding and preaching of what Jesus had taught them. Peter became the epitome of stability within the Church. John's ways were transformed from selfishness to loving and Thomas became a full believer never to doubt again. Thomas preached in India which was probably the most difficult "assignment" of all. Their cowardice was transformed to that of courage as they preached throughout the "then known" world.

    THE FINAL ARGUMENT

    Finally, to answer the question, "Were the disciples preaching lies or were they telling what they knew to be the truth concerning the death and Resurrection of Jesus".

    The disciples were scattered throughout different countries as they preached the Gospel. They preached alone not knowing if they would ever see their fellow disciples again.

    All the disciples, with the exception of John, were tortured, persecuted and eventually put to death for peaching the Gospel.

    Peter was crucified in Rome.

    Andrew was crucified in Edessa.

    James was killed by the sword in Jerusalem.

    Philip was crucified in Heliopolis, Phyrgia.

    Bartholomew was beaten and crucified in India.

    Thomas was speared by idolatrous priests in Parthia, India.

    Matthew was axed to death in Nadabah, Ethiopia.

    James (the son of Alphaeus) was clubbed to death in Jerusalem at the age of 94.

    Thaddaeus was crucified in Edessa.

    Simon Zeolotes was crucified in Brittainnia.

    Stephen was stoned to death and was the first to be martyred.

    Paul (an apostle) was beheaded in Rome.

    Matthias (an apostle) was stoned and beheaded in Jerusalem.

    Mark (an apostle) was dragged to death in Alexandria.

    Luke (an apostle) was hanged by priests in Greece.

    (The above compilation is taken from Fox's Book of Martyrs by John Fox)

    Any of the disciples could have saved his own life by simply admitting that he was preaching lies. Most likely none of the other disciples would have ever known of such an admission since they were separated from the others.

    Yet, not a single disciple retracted his story! They preached the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ even unto their own deaths. They preached what they knew had happened. They were witnesses to the events that Jesus had predicted. Jesus came out of the tomb as He said He would and since He did then Jesus has to be everything He claimed He was.

    End quote.

    Home www.moelder.freeservers.commailto:[email protected]

  • Perry
    Perry

    Any of the disciples could have saved his own life by simply admitting that he was preaching lies.

    Exactly. They MUST have had first hand observational knowledge of the fact that Jesus himself had the power of LIFE. This knowledge proved that there was no downside to speaking truth.

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