Let’s look at some more of these short truth claims that are ours because of the resurrection. And, take note that these seven are found just in 1 Corinthians 15:
1. Our faith is not in vain
… if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. 1 Corinthians 15:14
This is hard for us to imagine, because we know that Jesus did rise from ...
We now arrive at a series of short truth claims that come to us as believers as the result of the resurrection of Jesus. We will deal with two this time and the rest later.
Our sins are forgiven
… if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 1 Corinthians 15:17
Most people would not say that our sins were forgiven because of the resur...
“declared to be the Son of God… by His resurrection from the dead” Romans 1:4
Last time, we pondered how the resurrection was the Great Confirmation, affirming everything the Scripture said about Him and all of His words. Now we want to contemplate the rest of this statement by Paul: that it was the resurrection which declared Jesus to be the Son of God… God in th...
“declared to be the Son of God… by His resurrection from the dead” Romans 1:4
The Holy Spirit, through Paul, tells us that it was the resurrection that “declared” Jesus to be the Son of God. Not that He wasn’t from all eternity, but this was the moment that God affirmed it to the world.
It was the Great Confirmation.
Louis Berkhof stated that th...
It is one thing for Jesus to rise from the dead, which, in itself, is an incomparable event that should give the deepest skeptic pause. But, for Jesus to have predicted that event and its details, and have it happen, raises everything to a new level, for it now demands our attention be drawn to who Jesus really is.
Jesus openly and clearly predicted His death and resurrection three times, y...
Today is Ascension Day. For most, that might provoke little more than “huh?” It is rare to find it on a calendar here. But Catholics celebrate it as the “Feast of the Ascension” by attending mass. And, surprisingly, it is an official public holiday all across Indonesia and in many European countries like France and Germany and Sweden.
In Germany, it has evolved into &...
“Because I live, you also will live” John 14:19
Ravi surrendered his life to Christ because of these very words. They connect, again, the resurrection of Christ with the future hope that we, too, will be raised in like manner… physically. And, it meant, as Paul stated, that Jesus was the “firstfruits” of those who would be raised from the dead.
But in fa...
We mortals who remain are left with a hole when someone dear departs. And when someone like Ravi leaves, there are an innumerable number of holes left all over the world. There are very few men who are identified merely by their first name.
We were together a few months ago, when Ravi insisted on fulfilling a promise he made to me several times over the many years I have been laboring to bri...
For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. Job 19:25-27
The confidence that God will raise the dead is not just a New Testament belief. Job confesses, in this prophetic utterance, that even after his body h...
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. Hebrews 2:14-15
As I write this, it is difficult for my thoughts not to drift back to our dear friend, Ravi Zacharia...
