Lesson 13

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BUILDING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

SECTION SIX

Resurrection

LESSON THIRTEEN: Resurrection of Christ

Scripture reading: Matthew 28:1-10; I Corinthians 15.

We come now to the fifth of the six principles referred to as foundational in Hebrews 6:1-2. The doctrine of the resurrection has always been at the heart of true Christian faith. It is so important that Paul states if there is no resurrection, faith is vain (I Cor. 15: 13- 14). We shall consider what the New Testament teaches about resurrection. It is easily seen that there are three resurrections referred to in the New Testament: 1. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. 2. The spiritual resurrection of those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Saviour. 3. The ultimate resurrection of ^"all" that are in the graves. The resurrection may be seen as past, present and future. Before going further, we need to determine what is meant by resurrection.

Resurrection means a "raising up or rising up." In its verb form, it means "to cause to stand up or rise; to raise up; to raise from sleep, and from the dead." The physical body which is laid in the grave will one day rise again to stand upon the earth. The word "resurrection" means literally "to stand up again." We are aware of the many arguments against the doctrine of resurrection. The "reasonable" conclusion is that it is "unreasonable" to believe in the resurrection of the body. In answer to such unbelieving arguments, let it be stated that the writers of the Word of God were not ignorant of these "problems," yet they believed in the resurrection of the body, FOR A VERY GOOD REASON. They saw the Lord Jesus Christ risen from the grave. They knew that God is a wonder-working God. Jesus said, "With men this is impossible, but WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE" (Matt 19:26). We do not have to know how in order to BELIEVE. God created life out of nothing in the first place which is a far greater miracle than physical resurrection.

I. NEW TESTAMENT TEACHING ON THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

A. What did the angel say had happened to Jesus?

Matt.28:5,6_____________________________________________________

B. To whom did Jesus show himself after His resurrection?

              1. Acts 1:3_______________________________________

                   For how long? _____________________________

              2. I Cor. 15:5-8: verse 5 ____________________________________

                                      verse 6 ____________________________________

                                     verse 7 ____________________________________

                                     verse 8 ____________________________________

C. When Christ was resurrected, He came forth with a literal body of flesh and bone. It was the same body that had been crucified only now it was a glorified body. What word did Jesus use referring to His body in John 2:19-22? __________________

Luke 23:55 - 24:3 "And the women also, which came with Him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and ____________________________   And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment. Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning they came to the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and ______________________________________________________________."

Luke 24:36-40 "And as they thus spake,_______________________ and said unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And He said unto them, why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise ill your hearts: BEHOLD MY HANDS AND MY FEET, THAT IT is MYSELF: HANDLE ME, AND SEE: for_______________________________________ And when He had thus spoken, HE SHOWED THEM HIS HANDS AND FEET" (cf. I John 1:1-3)

John 20:27, 28 "Then said He to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger and BEHOLD MY HANDS: and reach hither thy hand, and THRUST IT INTO MY SIDE: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God."

According to tradition, Thomas went to India as a missionary and sealed his testimony and his faith as a martyr. According to tradition, all the apostles but one suffered a martyr^'s death.

D. Who in the Old Testament spoke about the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ?

     Acts 2:30, 31 ______________________________________________

     (cf also Psa 16:9-11)

E. What does Romans 10:9 say we must believe in order to be saved?

    _________________________________________________________

F. What the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ means.

          1.What does the resurrection prove about the nature of Christ?


            Rom 1:4; Acts 2:32, 34, 36 _________________________

2. What affect does the resurrection of Christ have on death?

   II Tim 1:10 ___________________________________________

Hebrews 2:14, 15 _______________________________________

Rev 1:18 _______________________________________________

3. After His resurrection, what did Jesus declare was given Him?

    Matt 28:18 __________________________________ (cf Eph 1:20-23)

4. What else does the resurrection mean?

     Heb 10:12 _______________________________________________

"For our justification" means literally "in proof of our justification."

I Pet 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy HATH BEGOTTEN US AGAIN UNTO ____________________ BY THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD"

5. What assurance has God given us by the resurrection of Jesus Christ?

    Acts 17:31 _______________________________________