Witnesses to the Resurrection
From The HeartPublish date: 03/31/2013
The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, 3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. Acts 1:1-3 NKJV
Just like the Virgin Birth, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is central to our faith and salvation. 1 Corinthians 15:14 says: “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” And 1 Corinthians 15:17 says: “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” (NIV) Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for our sins and He rose again to give us new life – eternal life. Christianity is not just another religion – it is a genuine experience and a relationship with Almighty God through Jesus Christ. It is a fact that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Hundreds of people personally witnessed His death on the cross and hundreds were witnesses of His resurrection. They saw Him, they spoke with Him, they touched Him, they ate with Him, and they saw Him ascend into the heavens into the presence of the Father and His angels.
Jesus' Appearances After His Resurrection:
Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9-11; John 20:11-18):
Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. Mark 16:9-11 NKJV
The other women at the tomb (Matthew 28:8-10; Luke 24:1-11):
And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. 9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. 10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. Matthew 28:8-10 KJV
Peter in Jerusalem (Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5):
Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. Luke 24:34 KJV
The two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Mark 16:12, 13; Luke 24:13-35):
After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country. 13 And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either. Mark 16:12-13 NKJV
Ten disciples (without Thomas) behind closed doors (Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-25):
And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. Luke 24:36-40 KJV
All the disciples, with Thomas (excluding Judas Iscariot) (John 20:26-31; 1 Corinthians 15:5):
And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith 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. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. John 20:26-28 KJV
Seven disciples who were fishing (John 21:1-14):
After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. 2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. John 21:1-2 KJV
This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. John 21:14 KJV
Eleven disciples on the mountain (Matthew 28:16-20):
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. Matthew 28:16-17 KJV
A crowd of 500; Peter; Jesus’ brother, James; and Paul:
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 KJV
Those who watched Jesus ascend into heaven (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:44-49; Acts 1:1-11):
So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. Mark 16:19 NKJV
Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." Acts 1:9-11 NKJV