The Foundation of Resurrection

Have you ever thought about what is at stake if Christ has not risen from the dead? Let’s see what the Apostle Paul has to say.

• Our faith is utterly worthless (vv.14, 17)
• We are liars and misrepresenting God (v. 15)
• We are still in our sins & the dead saints perished forever (vv.17-18)
• We are miserable and our religion is false (v.19)

But how do we know that Christ truly has been raised?

There are two ways: first by revelation, where it must be revealed to us through the illuminating and regenerating work of the Holy Spirt. Second by confirmation, where the resurrection is confirmed to us by historical evidence that surrounds the event itself.

THE BASIS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

Throughout the history of Christianity, the Protestant Church often attempts to validate its faith in the resurrection by:

• pointing to the empty tomb,
• the inability of Christ’s enemies to present a dead body
• the transformation of the disciples
• and many other historical and legal proofs.

The above basis is helpful but we need to understand that unbelieving men can only embrace this truth because of the work of the Spirit.

and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 ESV

It does not rest in strong argumentation but in the power of the gospel to save ( I Corinthians 1:18, 22-24). It does not rest on the historicity of resurrection but in the power of the Spirit. ( I Corinthians 2:4-5).

The Holy Spirit’s renewing and illuminating work is responsible for our knowledge and unshakeable faith in the resurrection!
At the time of our new birth, we are supernaturally given the heart to embrace the reality of Jesus Christ’s resurrection and the legitimacy of the Christian faith (John 3:3).

THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Because the Holy Spirit has enlightened our minds to the truth of the Scriptures as they bear witness to Christ, we know that Christ has risen from the dead (John 5:39; I John 5:6-10).

We believe because the Holy Spirit regenerates our hearts, instilling faith and fresh affections for the Christ whom we have seen by faith (II Corinthians 4:6).

The resurrection has become an unmistakable reality for the people of God as a result of God’s sovereign decree and the Holy Spirit’s witness (Matthew 11:25, 1 Cor. 2:14). Although apologetics has its role, the gospel is the primary means by which the Kingdom of Heaven advances.

We must cling to the truth that the gospel alone is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe (Romans 1:16).

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!