Evidence For The Resurrection

[joemiller]

Evidence is the empty tomb. AND, that the apostles took the resurrection as true and held to that truth to their death. Also, Jesus was seen by multitudes, and continued to teach for 40 days, until His ascension.

Let's see... yes, that convinces me.

Oh. St. John was not put to death, but he was boiled in oil.

[Guest ninhao]

So what sort of "proofs" or evidence of the resurrection can you all think of that we could present to an unbeliever or skeptic who won't take the bible at face value?

I believe we present many proofs to unbelievers by the Holy Spirit. That is God provides the right word at the right time or a circumstance which shows divine intervention. The onus then falls upon the unbeliever to investigate and search for God.

Very few people deny Jesus existed but to be convinced of the resurrection requires the Holy Spirit imo.

Joh_20:29 Jesus *said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed."

[bibleknowledge]

According to historical proofs, ancient people, particularly the Jews and Israelites practice the putting of images of the deceased people in the tomb. Although, pictures were not yet invented at the time Jesus Christ was buried - there are other ways in which images can be created such as painting, drawing, and sculptures. Besides, the Bible is a narration of what had transpired in the past. The events therein are also recorded in historical accounts.

[gnomonist]

I can state one proof, but that will go over the heads of most skeptics, including even Christians. But here it goes.

He arose to fulfill the feast of Firstfruits. For the sake of the skeptics, let's say his body was stolen. I find it interesting that he was crucified, buried, raised 72 hours later right as the Firstfruits started.

So what? What's the significance? That's just it. The disciples were too dense and stupid (everyone was) to understand the significance of these prophetic feasts until after they happened in Christ. So, what's the chances that these feasts were stated at the time of Moses (actually they know about them beforehand) and it just so happened that the death and resurrection "hoaxes" occurred at the same time? And in case a skeptic will say that they just attributed the significance of those feasts to Christ's events, I must add that the "coincidences" that the symbolism in the feasts themselves represented just so happened to represent these of death and resurrection (harvest) themes especially when Christ compared himself beforehand to those things, e.g. lamb, barley, etc.

[Ninevite]

The Jews are the most glaring of all. They never denied that the body was missing. They accused the disciples of stealing it! Empty tomb? You bet.

 

And how about 2000 years of Christian history? Seems to me, a false religion would have died by now. Besides we have the testimony of the disciples. They were scared, scattered and defeated when their master was executed. Then, all of a sudden they transformed into tireless zealots, preaching the good news even to the point of death. Never recanting? I'm sold. I like Jesus for the resurrection. I say it happened.

 

Check a book called 'Many infallible proofs'. Awesome stuff and a lot more on this topic.

[Guest]

The Jews are the most glaring of all. They never denied that the body was missing. They accused the disciples of stealing it! Empty tomb? You bet.

 

~

 

Why Would I Condemn The Beloved Jews When They Gave Me Their Holy Book

 

What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. Romans 3:1-2

 

Written In Their Own Precious Blood?

 

Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

 

They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. Hebrews 11:35-38

[Ninevite]

 

The Jews are the most glaring of all. They never denied that the body was missing. They accused the disciples of stealing it! Empty tomb? You bet.

 

~

 

Why Would I Condemn The Beloved Jews When They Gave Me Their Holy Book

 

 

You would not.  I hope.

 

God certainly has not. The Jews are the most glaring proof we have for the character of God! He has kept His promises to the Jews. He has included them in everything He does.

[Guest]

The Jews are the most glaring proof we have for the character of God! He has kept His promises to the Jews. He has included them in everything He does.

 

 

Amen~!

 

~

 

It's

And I scattered them among the heathen, and they were dispersed through the countries: according to their way and according to their doings I judged them. And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land. Ezekiel 36:19-20

 

Enough

But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went. Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. Ezekiel 36:21-23

 

To

For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. Ezekiel 36:24-25

 

Make

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. Ezekiel 36:26-27

 

A

And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. Ezekiel 36:28

 

Grown

I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen. Ezekiel 36:29-30

 

Man

Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel. Ezekiel 36:31-32

 

Weep

Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded. And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by. Ezekiel 36:33-34

 

For

And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited. Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it. Ezekiel 36:35-36

 

Joy

Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock. As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men: and they shall know that I am the LORD. Ezekiel 36:37-38

[FreeinChrist]

I can state one proof, but that will go over the heads of most skeptics, including even Christians. But here it goes.

He arose to fulfill the feast of Firstfruits. For the sake of the skeptics, let's say his body was stolen. I find it interesting that he was crucified, buried, raised 72 hours later right as the Firstfruits started.

So what? What's the significance? That's just it. The disciples were too dense and stupid (everyone was) to understand the significance of these prophetic feasts until after they happened in Christ. So, what's the chances that these feasts were stated at the time of Moses (actually they know about them beforehand) and it just so happened that the death and resurrection "hoaxes" occurred at the same time? And in case a skeptic will say that they just attributed the significance of those feasts to Christ's events, I must add that the "coincidences" that the symbolism in the feasts themselves represented just so happened to represent these of death and resurrection (harvest) themes especially when Christ compared himself beforehand to those things, e.g. lamb, barley, etc.

EXCELLENT POINT!

[RobbyPants]

Evidence is the empty tomb. AND, that the apostles took the resurrection as true and held to that truth to their death. Also, Jesus was seen by multitudes, and continued to teach for 40 days, until His ascension.

Let's see... yes, that convinces me.

 

What about people who believe other things and are willing to die for them? Plenty of Islamic extremists sacrifice themselves for their beliefs. Does that prove Allah and Mohammad to be real? The people in Jonestown drank poisoned Kool Aid. Were their beliefs right?

 

 

The Jews are the most glaring of all. They never denied that the body was missing. They accused the disciples of stealing it! Empty tomb? You bet.

 

And how about 2000 years of Christian history? Seems to me, a false religion would have died by now. Besides we have the testimony of the disciples. They were scared, scattered and defeated when their master was executed. Then, all of a sudden they transformed into tireless zealots, preaching the good news even to the point of death. Never recanting? I'm sold. I like Jesus for the resurrection. I say it happened.

 

Well, technically, we have a Christian account of the Jews accusing them of stealing the body. Also, a missing body wouldn't prove resurrection; the body could have simply been stolen.

 

As for 2,000 years, what about a longer tradition with Judaism or Zoroastrianism? Even still, new false religions have popped up since and don't appear to be going anywhere. Islam is the second biggest religion in the world, and is growing at a faster rate. Mormonism has a strong (yet relatively isolated) body of followers that believe things that are patently false. Both Wicca and Scientology were invented during my (living) grandmother's life time, and people believe in them. Just because people believe something doesn't necessarily make it true. Even if a lot of them believe it or if they believe it really hard.