In the O.T. under the Law of Moses, it only took two or three witnesses to place an accused person under a death sentence (cf. Leviticus 17:6). So you might imagine that if there was a large number of witnesses to an event it would be an absolute certainty that their witness would prove the truth. "We believe Christ's resurrection can be proved with at least as much certainty as any universally believed and well-documented event in ancient history." [From the Handbook of Christian Apologetics by Peter Kreeft and Ft. Ronald Tacelli, SJ (Intervarsity Press, 1994)]
I agree with that statement and I am very certain the Apostle Paul would too. Here is what he wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8: "For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time."
Imagine that, the risen Christ was seen by Cephas (Peter), the twelve, over five hundred brethren at once, James, all the apostles, and last by me (Paul) also! Now remember, all it takes according to God's instructions in the O.T. to verify the truth of an event is "two or three" witnesses! There is really no doubt that Jesus of Nazareth was crucified, was physically dead, was buried, and rose from the dead!
The only people who can't see this and believe this are those who refuse to believe. It has been said that "there is none so blind as he who refuses to see." Please consider the truth of the death, burial, and RESURRECTION of the Lord Jesus Christ. Please consider what all of this means to you personally. As you do, consider what your rewponse ought to be to what the Lord has done for you. The only answer at which you can arrive is that you ought to respond by faith to what the Lord has done. Step out in faith by repenting of your sins, publicly confess Jesus as Lord and Christ, be baptized for the remission of your sins and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit to live within you, and live faithfully for him! Jesus Christ died for you - you ought to live for Him!
Sunday, April 5th, is the annual celebration of that morning when Jesus' empty tomb was found and the risen Lord appeared to those whom he had chosen to first reveal Himself to be alive. We will begin with a Sunrise Service followed by a fellowship over a breakfast meal.
Then we will have two opportunities to worship our risen Lord at 8:00am and 10:30am with a Bible Study time in between at 9:30am. We will also have another time of worship at 7:00pm that evening. What does all this mean to you? If you truly believe that Jesus died for you sins, was buried, and rose from the dead to give you the victory over sin, death, the grave, hell, and Satan himself,, then shouldn't you get up, assemble with the saints, and worship the Lord Jesus Christ giving Him all glory, praise, honor, and thanks for all He has done for you?
What a great way to launch into a continual life of praising, honoring, worshiping, and serving Jesus Christ our RISEN LORD!!! Amen! I hope to see you in the next assembly!
In His Loving Service,
Vernon