Paul the Poke

The Sadducees of Jesus’ day did not believe in the resurrection. Acts 23:8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.  This reference in Acts is after Jesus rose from the dead. The Sadducees were around when the event took place. They saw and talked to witnesses who acknowledged the resurrection, and they still did not believe. Some people will not let facts or history get in the way of their beliefs or religion.

What does the Bible have to say about witnesses to resurrection events. There are multiple examples.

The first example would be the resurrection of Jesus Himself. What proof is there? Are there any witnesses to this event? The first witnesses were likely the Roman soldiers standing guard over the tomb. The religious leaders of the day were suspicious and pestered Pilate to the point where guards were appointed to stand at the tomb of Jesus. A Roman guard was usually four men. These men were skillfully trained military assassins. Here is what they saw. Matthew 28:2-4 And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. This would be an attention getter first thing in the morning.

Women saw Him at the tomb (Matthew 28:8-10).

Jesus was not the only person resurrected. After Jesus rose, there were others raised from the dead. They were alive again and walking around Jerusalem. They were seen by people in the city. Matthew 27:52-53 and the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many. I imagine this would promote a scene of chaos and fear.

Jesus showed up and was observed by more than 500 people at one time. 1 Corinthians 15:6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep…

Jesus also made appearances to the apostles as a group of eleven (John 20:26-31, Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:15-18). He made individual appearances to Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9-11, John 20:10-18), Peter (Luke 24:34, 1 Corinthians 15:5), and James (1 Corinthians 15:7). Jesus appeared to two travelers on the road in Mark 16:12-13 and Luke 24:13-35. Jesus was also viewed by many at His ascension into Heaven (Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:44-49, Acts 1:3-8).

Is it likely 1,000 plus people conspired the story of resurrections and the story stuck?

At some point in the future (currently May 2014), two witnesses in Jerusalem will be left dead and unburied in the street. The world will rejoice and send gifts to others. They are finally dead. They will be on display, dead, to rot. They will not be allowed a proper burial. Revelation 11:11-12 But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were watching them. And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” Then they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them. This event will convince many…

John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?“

This entry was posted on May 11, 2014 at 8:21 AM and is filed under Gospel, Isaiah with tags 1 corinthians 15, Acts, Jesus, John, Luke, Mark, Matthew, Prophecy, Resurrection, Revelation 11. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.