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Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?
Posted by SBC Today | March 18, 2008
In doing research for an upcoming sermon, I was reminded of a debate I had back in seminary. It seemed that a debate ensued around the “spiritual man” vs. the “natural man” of Paul found in 1 Corinthians 2:15.
The debate went something like this: Jesus did not need to be raised from the dead bodily because it is his spirit that is God. His body was of this world and as such really did not need to rise from the dead. As Paul says in Corinthians there are different kinds of flesh. So Jesus really did not need to rise from the dead because his spirit received different flesh and thus received a new body.
As you argue this I want you to give text and other supporting evidence. Let’s not just give the tired example, “The Bible says it and that settles it.” That is the lazy way out of the argument. Let’s help each other develop a clear argument on how to deal with the thought that Jesus only rose from the dead in spirit.
Topics: Gospel issues, Preaching |
March 18th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 15 to address pretty much exactly that discussion.
Could I make a request? (I hate to hold Outpost up as an example in anything, but…)
At Outpost, they have started labeling the author of each post. That helps me. I like to know who wrote what. Paul and Todd Littleton actually have some useful things to say sometimes. When it is Ben Cole, at least you know what to expect - vitriol directed at PP.
I have no authority or right to make demands. But I would love to know the author of the article.
March 18th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Dave,
This one was written by Tim Rogers. We posted it as being from “SBC Today” so Tim wouldn’t get all the emails it generates. He got enough with the last one, so we’re giving him a break.
Normally, our posts tell you who the author is, unless it’s more of a general announcement kind of post. This is a rare exception where we’re just trying to give Tim a break.
Thanks for your participation.
March 18th, 2008 at 11:59 am
wes,
could you give me tim rogers email address?
david
March 18th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Brother Dave,
Unlike other collaborative blogs we take ownership in what we say. If one of the resource management team members desires to post something the others do not agree with, then it is debated among us before it sees the light of day. Thus, when you see something up here as Posted by SBC Today, you can rest assured that the rest of the team members agree with the direction of the post. We may not agree in the intricate details but we agree with the direction of the article.
Therefore, this article, while contributed by me, is an article we desire to see the various arguments are for the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. I have noticed that Hank Hanegraff has some interesting thoughts on this and uses and argument he calls FEAT. Fatal Torment–Empty Tomb–Appearances of Christ–Transformation
Was Christ resurrection a physical bodily resurrection, or was it a spiritual resurrection? If it was bodily; did he arise in the same body or was it a new body? If his appearances among the disciples was in a new body, then why did he still have the nail scars and the spear mark in his side?
Help me, Sunday is coming. :>)
Blessings,
Tim
March 18th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
I read Romans 10:9 and figure that the resurrection was one of the essentials, so yes, I believe that’s precisely what happened.
I also think that trying to figure out some way to make it not say that, or to say something else, is akin to predicting the date of the rapture. Call me a simpleton, but I ain’t going there.
Oh … the anti-spam word I had to type in was “fruit”.
Interesting.
March 18th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
First I want to say that david worley’s comment made me forget the original question.
I don’t want to take up too much space here, so I will start with this passage that leads me to believe in a physical bodily resurrection. “When they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus” (Luke 24:3). The tomb was empty. I also take into consideration that witnesses saw his nail scarred hands and feet.
March 18th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
We all know that Jesus did not REALLY rise up bodily from the dead, because of what the old hymn says, “You ask me how I know He lives? He lives…within…MY HEART.”
Boom. Case closed.
**Disclaimer: I really do believe that Jesus bodily rose from the dead. However, for those people who do not take sarcasm and satire well, this disclaimer is presented for you.
March 18th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
“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.”
-Luke 24:38-39 NASB
Following the logic presented above, there would also have been no need for Jesus to die a physical death. Yet both the human and divine natures combined were neccesary for numerous things, including but not limited to:
-propitiation
-the imputation of righteousness
-He who knew no sin becoming sin on our behalf.
-The demonstration of His Lordship over death.
Interestingly, my anti-spam word was “patience.” Funny, since the older I get the less of it I have with people like your debater, Tim.
March 18th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Jason,
Thanks for your comment. You know, when you think about that hymn (which we will probably sing Sunday), it does argue more for a spiritual rather than a physical resurrection, especially in the first verse:
Perhaps we should focus on songs that emphasize the literal, physical resurrection.
Interestingly, in The Baptist Hymnal (1991), He Lives is in a section called “Testimony,” while Low in the Grave He Lay is in the section titled “Resurrection.”
March 18th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
If Jesus did not literally rise from the grave, I just have one question. Where’s the body? Both the Roman and Jewish leaders had great incentive to show that the bodily resurrection was a hoax. They could have once and for all done so very quickly, if they could produce the corpse. But over 500 brethren plus the Apostles saw Him ALIVE after His death and burial (I Cor. 15:3-8). Over 500 witnesses, many of whom gave their lives testifying to the risen Lord.
Ron P.
March 18th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
This passage establishes that the resurrection we receive is the same as Christ’s:
1 Cor 15:12-26 (HCSB…I left the note marks in it because I’m lazy…go to Biblegateway.com to actually get links)
‘12 Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, (S) how can some of you say, “There is no resurrection of the dead”? (T) 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is without foundation, and so is your faith. [c] 15 In addition, we are found to be false witnesses (U) about God, because we have testified (V) about God that He raised up Christ—whom He did not raise up if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, Christ has not been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Therefore those who have fallen asleep in Christ (W) have also perished. 19 If we have placed our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone.
Christ’s Resurrection Guarantees Ours
20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits (X) of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death (Y) came through a man, (Z) the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. (AA) 22 For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. (AB) 23 But each in his own order: (AC) Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, at His coming, the people of Christ. 24 Then comes the end, (AD) when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father, (AE) when He abolishes all rule and all authority and power. (AF) 25 For He must reign (AG) until He puts all His enemies under His feet. (AH) 26 The last enemy to be abolished is death. (AI)’
This passage speaks to hell including a body:
Matthew 10:28 (HCSB)
‘28 Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; (AF) rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.’
Job speaks of seeing his redeemer in “my skin and my flesh”:
Job 19:25-27 (HCSB)
‘25 But I know my living Redeemer, (S) [h]
and He will stand on the dust [i] at last. (T) [j]
26 Even after my skin has been destroyed, [k]
yet I will see God in [l] my flesh. (U)
27 I will see Him myself;
my eyes will look at [Him], and not as a stranger. [m]
My heart longs [n] within me. (V)’
I offer the KJV as well because it literally sings:
‘25For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
27Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. ‘
And this one is Jesus’s own comment on resurrection:
John 5:24-29 (HCSB)
‘24 ” I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life (W) and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.
25 ” I assure you: An hour is coming, and is now here, (X) when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. (Y) 26 For just as the Father has life in Himself, so also He has granted to the Son (Z) to have life in Himself. 27 And He has granted Him the right to pass judgment, (AA) because He is the Son of Man. (AB) 28 Do not be amazed at this, because a time is coming when all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come out—those who have done good things, to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked things, to the resurrection of judgment.”
Greg Harvey
March 18th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Tim “THE GNOSTIC” Rogers,
Since you will not take the Scripture in its complete revelation as an answer will you be willing to accept the 1956, 1975 and 1991 editions of the Baptist Hymnal as an answer.
Also I have a question for you and your other liberal friends since they all agree to you putting up this post.
Was it prior or after Jesus arose from the tomb that He did not leave foot prints in the sand or was it before and after.
Signed: The Last True Conservative Left In Blogtown, cb
March 18th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Tim:
Does that mean the church is alive? Just a little tease for my upcoming ditty!
March 18th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
The editors of SBC TODAY are from this day forward known as:
Wes THE APOSTATE Kenney
Joe THE JUDIZER Stewart
Robin THE REPROBATE Foster
Tim THE GNOSTIC Rogers
Let all the brethren of Blogtown consider these four heretics accursed and banned from the table of communion at all future SBC meetings.
They are not get the preacher discount at LifeWay.
They must pay full price for all motel and hotel rooms at the convention.
They do not get any free meals at the Pastors’ Conference in Jacksonville.
They do not get discount prices on anymore suits at Tatum’s.
They are not invited to the Scott-Cole suite for late night planning meeting and free food at the SBC from this day forward.
Lastly, they are forever to have to preach from a small print Bible from Cokesbury Publishing House of the United Methodist Church and are not allowed to buy another giant print “roll up” Charles Stanley Bible for any revival they preach.
Signed: cb, President Of the Last True Conservative Left In Blogtown Club.
March 18th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
It seems that every time that Jesus appears after the resurrection He is eating something. Now I don’t claim to be any expert in this regard, but wouldn’t it be hard for a “Spirit ” to digest?
Also, the “footprints in the sand” or lack of footprints definately happened after the resurrection. You can find this in the Gospel of Thomas I believe.
Seriously though, when we start talking about the “spirit” resurrection, are we not tip toeing around the fringes of Sabellianism? Why deny that Christ actually rose from the dead with a “body” whether it be the same body, or a body that is “like” His old one?
ABClay
March 18th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
I guess I wonder why this is even a question. 1 Corinthians 15 is clear.
Did Jesus rise from the dead bodily? (Any answer of more than one word is verbal waste.)
YES!
March 18th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
C.B.,
You cannot possibly imagine how deeply I am stung by your next-to-last paragraph. I was really looking forward to that…
March 18th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Tim,
I told you CB Scott is always RIGHT ON. If CB is Wrong he will always admit it and ask for Forgiveness.
In His Name
Wayne
March 18th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
I think N.T. Wright has put to death any old liberal theories about a “spiritual” resurrection in his book “The Resurrection of the Son of God.” Wright has some other doctrines that should cause us to question him, but in regards to arguing for a bodily resurrection he can’t be beat.
He primarily focuses on the Jewish understandings of resurrection at the time, and also the Jewish messianic expectations. Obviously I can’t put 900 pages worth of work into a few brief sentences, but I highly suggest the book for anyone studying this topic.
March 18th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
CB,
I still got your number…and as the only unassigned manager here at SBCToday…let me assign myself the title of Scott THE HITMAN Gordon. Yes, I’ve been absent much lately…those reconnaissance missions have been killers.
You know fully well that there are those who claim a conservative label who couldn’t reason their way out of a wet paper bag. They believe what they believe because their Sunday School teacher, pastor, or Dr. MacArthur said it. They couldn’t find a scripture to support their position if their life depended on it. And they couldn’t explain the reason for using that scripture if they had to.
So, if you want to dance…bring both guns…I’m your huckleberry!
Sola Gratia!
SBC Today Conservative Hitman
March 18th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Scott,
Your second paragraph describes the four newly found heretics who operate this blog and let such posts as this one surface.
You need to spend more time with THE APOSTATE, THE JUDIZER, THE REPROBATE and especially THE GNOSTIC who is the one who first thought up this post.
Maybe you should get them a spot on TBN and we can get some other guys to run this blog. Hey, I know we can call it Scott&scott TODAY.
cb
March 18th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
The greatest proof of the resurrection, to me, is in the fact that the chief priests and elders bribed the guards to say His body’d been stolen. That tells me A) He really wasn’t there any more, and B) It was obvious to the bigwigs that He had, indeed, arisen.
You don’t bribe the guards to tell the truth.
March 18th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
did someone say TBN? When? I will make sure my wife flips channels just in time!!!!
March 18th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
I think when we look at so many of the things Jesus did, we see that He did not do them for Him own glory to show off His power. He did them to show us His power because we were not faithful enough without the sight. If there had not been a bodily resurrection there would not be a reason to have faith and believe.
God bless,
Sallie
March 19th, 2008 at 7:46 am
To All,
Let me change the direction of this comment thread somewhat.
Let’s say that we are like the apostles. (Before Brother CB comes in ragging on someone, I did not say we were the apostles.) Let us impose on ourselves the same restrictions that were imposed on the apostles just by their being born in their time. The only Scripture that we have is the Old Testament. However, we can use the New Testament events to argue for the veracity of the resurrection. Give me your best arguments to convince the unbeliever that Jesus actually did rise from the dead, using only the OT as your scriptural basis and also the life of Jesus.
Blessings,
Tim
March 19th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Isaiah 53
It speaks of His earthly life (vv.1-3)
It reveals His work of atonement (vv5-6)
It declares His death and burial (vv.8-9)
It proclaims His glorious resurrection (vv.10-11)
Don’t you just know that this passage exploded into life for the apostles that first Easter? Surely this was one of the many passages Jesus Himself taught from (Luke 24:25-32) while the disciples’ hearts burned within them.
Grace,
Wes
March 19th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Tim THE GNOSTIC,
We get our revelation to the life of Christ from the NT.
But to help you with your Easter sermon I will give you some “sermon starter ideas.”
1. Jesus spoke of His resurrection as many times as He did His death.
2. He fulfilled all OT prophesies prior to and after the resurrection.
3. The new attitude of Peter toward the mission of Jesus on earth, His death and resurrection.
4. The change in Paul’s life when he became convinced of the resurrection of Jesus.
5. The evidences from the devoted loyalty of first century Christians even to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. They gave their lives by great numbers due to knowing the Lord has risen from the dead and had been seen by many non-refutable witnesses.
6. The theories which deny the resurrection have been well refuted.
If these “sermon starter ideas” do not help you to get ready for Sunday I will send you a sermon on CD and you can play it for your folks. You will need to agree to send me the Sunday morning offering.
One more thing; If you will take the time to read the NT it will tell you the following:
1. Jesus did rise from the dead.
2. Jesus affirmed openly as many as four times He was going to be killed by His enemies in Jerusalem. He also affirmed just as many times He would rise again.
3. The different gospels relate different incidents as taking place in connection with the resurrection. They agree in the following:
A. He did rise from the dead.
B. the resurrection did occur on the first day of the week.
C. The resurrection was on the third day after He was crucified.
D. Women went to the tomb and encountered angels there testifying to His resurrection.
E. After the resurrection He appeared to two or more groups of people.
F. The resurrection is asserted as fact in 13 of the Books of the NT.
The Book of Acts has no validity for existence other than being further evidence of the resurrection. Without the resurrection there is nothing of worth in the NT for it would all be baseless.
The salvic purpose of God is not just dependent upon the death of Christ, but also upon the burial, and resurrection of Christ, the perfect life of Christ, the virgin birth of Christ, the absolute deity of Christ, and the total fulfillment of the Law and all OT prophecy by Christ.
Colossians declares Christ to be the supreme revelation of God toward man in the fulfillment of the whole OT relating to the Sacrificial Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the earth to fulfill the first known prophecy of His divine decree to provide atonement for the sin of the federal head of the race in whom we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God making such an atonement necessary to save us and keep us from the ultimate wrath to come in that Great Day of the Lord (Gen. 3:15).
The salvation of whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord is totally dependent upon Him (Jesus) and the fulfillment of all things decreed by the Trinity in eternity past that He must experience to provide atonement for our sin.
Therefore, if the resurrection is not historical fact as He promised then the virgin birth, the perfect life, the miracles, the love, the death and the burial of Jesus is all in vain and we are of all men most helpless and damned to hell with out any hope in this life or in the one to come.
If you cannot get an Easter sermon from some of that you need to go join the French Foreign Legion or the circus so you can either protect us or make us laugh till we die for nothing else will matter if the resurrection did not occur.
cb
March 19th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Brother Tim,
One thing that was helpful to me in presenting the case for the resurrection was the following information by John MacArthur:
Scripture describes at least 10 distinct appearances of Christ between the resurrection and ascension. He appeared to:
1. Mary Magdalene at the tomb (Mark 16:9, John 20: 11-18)
2. to the women on the road (Matt. 28:9-10)
3. to the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24: 13-32)
4. to Peter (Luke 24:34)
5. to 10 of the 11 disciples, Thomas absent (Luke 24: 36-43; Mark 16:14; John 20:19-25)
6. to the 11 disciples with Thomas present 8 days later (John 20: 26-31)
7. to 7 disciples by the shore of the Sea of Galilee (John 21: 1-25)
8. to more than 500 disciples (1 Cor. 15:6)
9. to James (1 Cor. 15:7)
10. to the apostles when He ascended into Heaven (Acts 1:3-11)
He later appeared of course to Paul (1 Cor. 15:8)
That’s a lot of folks to get together to support a lie! There’s no way they had time to get that together. Matter of fact, you get 51% of your congregation to agree on an eating place after church this Sunday and you’ve accomplished something! I believe it because the Scripture teaches it but how can you argue a personal testimony and the eyewitness of this many people? They saw Him and knew it was the resurrected Christ. He is Risen indeed!
March 20th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Preacherman,
You have certainly done a great job. That will be used for my Sonrise Service this Sunday.
Blessings,
Tim