Issue 21 - April 2006
He Is Risen!
Michael A. Verdicchio

This April 16th is the day Christians remember and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. There are those who believe that he was indeed raised from the dead. There are also those who do not believe that God raised him from the dead.

Very soon after God raised Jesus from the dead, a plan was put into effect to deny and discredit the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 28:2-4 and 11-15:
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men

Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and showed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.

And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,

Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.

And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.

So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
When the soldiers reported to the elders, the religious leaders, they bribed the soldiers with large sums of money. Those elders also promised that they would intervene should there be any trouble for the soldiers with the Governor.

Truth is truth no matter who believes it or who doesn’t believe it. Large numbers of people believing something does not change truth. Truth is truth. And the truth regarding Jesus Christ is that God raised him from the dead to die no more.
Romans 6:9:
Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
The Bible declares that Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead to die no more. The Bible declares this truth in many verses. That settles it. God raised him from the dead.

There were also eye witnesses of the resurrected Jesus Christ. An eye witness testimony in a court of law carries a lot of weight. If there were 2 eye witnesses that would carry even more weight. But what about 10? 50? 100? 500?
I Corinthians 15:3-6:
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how 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 of Cephas, then of the twelve:

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.

After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
Jesus Christ was seen in his resurrected body by many people. In addition to this list in I Corinthians you can read in the Gospels of others who saw him after he was resurrected. And here in this record we learn that there were over 500 brethren that saw him at one time! That must have been a great meeting!

There are numerous verses in the Bible that declare that God raised His Son, Jesus Christ, from the dead. There were hundreds of eye witnesses. There is no disputing, no arguing, and no denying it! God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. In raising him from the dead, God has clearly pointed out that the Lord Jesus Christ has accomplished redemption and salvation for all mankind.
Acts 17:31:
Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
The assurance that has been given to all – to every human being – the assurance that Jesus Christ is the one, is that God raised him from the dead to die no more. God has not done that for any one else. The resurrection marks Jesus Christ out as the savior for all of mankind. That makes him lord of all men, without any question.

It is through both the accomplished work of Jesus Christ, and, God raising him from the dead that salvation is available to all. God would have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. Yet, God still honors the free will that he gave to mankind. Therefore being saved, having salvation, obtaining eternal life is available by a free will decision. Those who choose to believe will be saved and have eternal life and those who choose not to believe will not.

What is it we are to believe to get saved?
Romans 10:9 and 10:
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Confess him as “lord” – he truly is the lord of all men. He is the savior for mankind. He died for the sins of the whole world! To confess him as lord simply means to say it and mean it.

And, the second part, believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead. The moment you do those two things, you will be saved!

There is no other name that you can call upon or believe in to be saved. When it comes to salvation, redemption and eternal life, there is only one way!
Acts 4:10-12:
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
He is risen!