1. The resurrection of Christ is central to the Gospel and the whole Bible.
• Luke 24:44-48 – What was written in the Old Testament about Jesus had to be fulfilled. It was written that Christ should suffer and rise again, and He has!
• 1 Corinthians 15:1-11: Christ has died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3-4); this is verified in His burial. Christ has risen from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:4-8); this is verified by 500+ eyewitnesses
• Acts 4:33 – The apostles witnessed with power to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus as part of their Gospel proclamation.
• Romans 1:3-4 – The Gospel of God is God’s announcement of Good News concerning His Son. The Resurrection is God’s declaration of Jesus’ position as the Son of God.
2. The resurrection of Christ was foretold.
• 1 Corinthians 15:4 – “According to the Scriptures” (the Old Testament).
• Luke 24:44 – “…everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled…” including the resurrection.
• Acts 2:24-32 quotes Psalm 16:8-11 – Verse 10 is a prophecy of the resurrection.
• Mark 8:31, 9:30-31, 10:32-34 – There were three occasions where Jesus clearly foretold that He would be crucified and rise again on the third day. See also Luke 24:5-8.
3. The resurrection of Christ was literal and physical – bodily resurrection
• Consider Luke 24:36-43. Here are some key points “…they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit …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.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet….Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.”
• Consider 1 Corinthians 15:16-20. Here is vv. 19-20: “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
4. The resurrection of Christ is verifiable, historical fact.
“We believe that the very best attested fact in all history is the resurrection of Christ.” – Charles Spurgeon, “Resurrection — Christ the Firstfruits,” Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit: Vol. 8, 219.
• Acts 1:3, 8 – “He (Jesus) presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs”…“you will be my witnesses…”
• Acts 1:22 – “one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.”
• Acts 2:32, 3:14-15 – God raised Jesus from the dead. The Apostles said, “To this we are witnesses.”
• 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 says Christ appeared after His death to 500+ eyewitnesses
Witness – the Greek word martoos (Note: This word appears in the Acts passages mentioned in number 4, which are translated “witness” or “witnesses”).
• The Greek word, martoos, speaks of a witness in a legal or historical sense.
• They were eyewitnesses to the resurrected Jesus.
• The Law of Moses demanded two or three witnesses for verification – Jesus’ resurrection has 500+ eyewitnesses.
• Many of these were willing to seal their witness with their own blood – they were witnesses (martyrs), many of them to the point of death.
• This is what the word “martyr” has come to mean – a Christian who has been murdered for his witness about Jesus Christ.
5. The resurrection of Christ is essential to our salvation.
• Romans 4:25 – Jesus was raised “for the sake of our justification” (NET Bible)
• 1 Peter 1:3 – We were born again to a living confidence through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
• Ephesians 2:4-5; Colossians 2:9-15 – Made alive together with Christ
• 1 Corinthians 15:12-58 – Christ’s resurrection is the basis and hope of our own future resurrection
6. The resurrection of Christ is fundamental to our identity.
• Ephesians 2:4-5; Colossians 3:4 – By grace through faith in Christ we have been raised with Christ from the dead (from spiritual death) to eternal life – Christ is now our life!
7. The resurrection of Christ guarantees our future resurrection.
• 1 Corinthians 15:20, 23 – “20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep… 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.”
• 1 Thessalonians 4:14 – “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.”
8. The resurrection of Christ is fundamental to our Christian life of holiness.
• Romans 6:1-14; Colossians 3:1-4 – We have been raised with Christ to walk in newness of life. Christ is our life. Therefore, we can present ourselves as instruments of righteousness.
• This is how the Christian life can be lived. We cannot live it in our own strength. We could not live it while dead in sins. We can now live for God, empowered by the Risen Christ in us, because we are alive in Him.
What must you do to be saved?
• Receive the gift of eternal life by receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. He died for sinners and rose again (Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11)
• Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved (Acts 16:31)
How should believers respond?
In faith – we take God at His Word that He has raised Jesus from the dead, and that united to Jesus:
• We have new life – eternal life – POSITION
• We have been raised to fellowship with and live for God for the glory of God – “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Romans 6:11 (ESV) – PURPOSE
• We will be raised to live with God forever (1 Corinthians 15:12-58) – PROMISE
Worship Jesus Christ to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11)
Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.
Scripture quotations marked NET Bible are the NET Bible® http://netbible.co
This was a lesson taught to the Adult Sunday School class at First Baptist Church on April 5, 2026.
Bible Living Blog 