"Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain."

Christianity rises or falls on the basis of the resurrection of Christ. If indeed it were possible to prove that Christ did not rise from the dead then Christians are of all people most miserable. The scripture is false and the testimony of witnesses is empty. In other words, prophecy, preaching and faith are all without meaning, hope or real purpose. However, John Singleton Copley, one of the great legal minds in British history and three times High Chancellor of England, wrote, "I know pretty well what evidence is, and I tell you, such evidence as that for the resurrection has never broken down yet." The facts are there. Now, consider the effects of Christ’s resurrection

Christ is said to be the first to rise signifying that others would follow. Jesus leads the way to eternal life. His resurrection was not just spiritual but physical as well, and He arose permanently never to die again. Not only did the prophets tell us Christ would rise from the dead, but the resurrection is clearly outlined in the New Testament. The stone removed, the tomb empty, the angelic testimony, the disciple’s willingness to lay down their lives, the appearance of Christ to hundreds of believers, etc., all lead to the same conclusion. He lives and His promise to believers is resurrection and victory over death as well. Not only is Christ first but He is the

The firstfruits of harvest were offered to God by Israel as a thank offering in recognition of the coming harvest. Here it is applied to Christ’s resurrection as the guarantee of God’s promise of resurrection to all who believe. Christ is the Forerunner and proof of our personal resurrection. The harvest fulfillment will come when Christ calls us unto Himself. "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (1 Thes 4:16-17). How are the dead raised? Paul tells us they are planted as a seed, but raised according to the body that God chooses for them. At the resurrection the new body will be immortal, incorruptible, and in the likeness of Christ Himself. ( 1Cor 15). Christ is the first to rise, the firstfruits and He is the

As Firstborn, Christ is preeminent; He is Lord of all. Because of our sin we are subject to death and hell, now Christ has overcome death for us. "He who knew no sin made sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor 5:21). Christ has not only conquered death but assures newness of life to all who are His. "As many as received Him to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." (John 1:12). We are born again by the power of the Holy Spirit and made part of the family of God. Thanks be unto God who gives us the victory.

-- From the Writings of Josephus, before 100 A.D. "Now there was about this time Jesus a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him many Jews, and also many of the Greeks. This man was the Christ. And when Pilate had condemned him to the cross, those who had loved him from the first did not forsake him for he appeared to them alive on the third day, the divine prophets having spoken these and thousands of other wonderful things about him. And even now, the race of Christians, so named from him, has not died out."

Christ’s resurrection is our proof of eternal life. In Him all the promises of God are fulfilled. He is our guarantee of eternal life, our guarantee of newness of life and our guarantee of acceptance into God’s eternal family. God bless.