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The resurection of Jesus as a part of the gospel


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#1 Charles Miles

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Posted 07 January 2015 - 11:04 AM

Interesting discussion with a group today.  All are professing christians and all active in their churches.  We were discussing the importance of Jesus, His death, His burial, and His resurection.  One man spoke and said he knew Jesus as savior, but had trouble believing the resurection happened and didn`t think that was an important part of the gospel. I did my very best to look as if I was not stunned and didn`t say much until we were alone.  How do most of you here feel about the gospel without the resurection?  He said he just "couldn`t get his mind around" Jesus returning to actual life on the earth and he didn`t feel that was important anyway. 

 

I refuse to judge anyone and their faith, but I must say that the resurection is important to ME.  As far as I am concerned, to deny any part of the gospel just seems to make the whole reason for the substitutionary work of Christ ineffective.....to say the least. If one "can`t get their mind around" resurection, how can you get around Genesis 1:1.  If this gentleman read all the way through the Bible until he got to the resurection before he found something he couldn`t beleive, then he got much further than I would have gotten, had I not believed God was so big I could never "get my mind around" the things He can do. 

 

Just a topic that has never presented itsself at my door before.  Anyone have any thoughts?

 

Praise God for all He is and who He is,

 

Charlie



#2 reader

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Posted 08 January 2015 - 06:21 AM

I cannot speak for anyone else, but I believe what the Apostle Paul wrote:

 

1Corinthians 15 (KJV)

12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:

14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.

16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:

17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.


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#3 Shaun DuFault

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Posted 08 January 2015 - 12:14 PM

I am actually glad that you were concern enough for the individual that you spoke with them.  Without the resurrection, there is no gospel.  I agree with the other poster regarding what 1 corinthians 15 states. 

 

You will need to draw that person to the text.  There will always be truths that we will not fully understand, especially on this side of Heaven, like the Trinity.  Yet, we do believe this doctrine to be true.  Likewise, just because your friend may not be able to comprehend the idea of the resurrection fully, does not make it untrue.  He/she will need to exercise faith that Jesus did rise again because the Scriptures teach this clearly.  If the individual rejects it, well you may want to share the Good News with them.


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#4 Charles Miles

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Posted 08 January 2015 - 03:58 PM

I did share 1 Cor with him and he is working through his situation now.  I think he can see that there really is no "option" but to believe the resurrection happened.  Paul is very clear about the subject.  We talked again after my first post and he does see the gospel as a whole now, and  without the resurrection of Jesus, we would have no surety of our own.  We talked a long time about what Christ did and why it had to be done just the way it was done.  He asked some good questions and has hopefully come to the understanding that one can either accept the gospel or not, but one cannot accept only "part" of it and expect it to be effective. 

 

Looking around the different denominations and even different churches within each denomination, I see differences ........some of them don't matter very much, so I guess we call them non-essentials of the faith, but some differences DO matter and in these areas I become concerned about just what churches teach as vitally important. 


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#5 Candice

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Posted 08 January 2015 - 07:44 PM

Hi Charlie,

This is a good topic.
 
If Jesus was not resurrected, then nothing after His death has any meaning whatsoever.  Then, He did not return to tell of His next return (soon to come).  Then, the Book of Revelation is totally without meaning.  Then, prophecies discussing His resurrection, are to be thrown out as well.

I looked this up quickly to tie in prophecies that the disciples spoke of in the Gospel Books and other books of the Scriptures:

"Early Christians were convinced that Jesus’ resurrection, like his crucifixion, was, in the words of the old tradition quoted by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15. 3-5, “in accordance with the Scriptures.” In Luke’s story of Jesus’ appearance on the road to Emmaus, the risen Jesus chastises the two travelers:

‘Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24. 26-27). Similarly, in John’s account of Peter and the Beloved Disciple’s inspection of the empty tomb, John reflects that they did not believe in Jesus’ resurrection until finding the tomb empty, save for the abandoned grave clothes, because “as yet they did not know the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead” (John 20.9).

 

Must in this verse is IMPERATIVE!!

Source: Read more: http://www.reasonabl...n#ixzz3OHvUVard

I guess the entire bible would have to be eliminated to go on this line.

Good work for the Kingdom Charlie! And, Happy New Year to you and all!

 

:)Love,
Candice



#6 Shaun DuFault

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Posted 08 January 2015 - 08:02 PM

Great to hear the good news, Charlie.  Thank you for your work!



#7 Candice

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Posted 09 January 2015 - 11:29 AM

Jesus IS the resurrection and THE LIFE. Listening to Pilgrim Radio while I work and the sermon right now is on all scripture supporting resurrection.
Sadducees did not believe in it.

#8 ADVRider

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Posted 12 January 2015 - 02:31 PM

Charlie,

 

I would ask your friend what happened to him when he first followed Christ. Most people who have been born again testify there was a change in their life, a transformation. This transformation is the resurrection at work. If he had that transformation and can relate to it, it could be explained to your friend that the power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that changed his life. Most believers (I hope) are aware there had to be a Power who changed them. Those believers do not question the power of God to raise the dead. Because they were dead too, in their sins. Some people though, do not have a dramatic conversion experience. Still, it's in the Bible and is an historically documented event. Is it possible your friend attends services, but does not know the Lord?



#9 Charles Miles

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Posted 13 January 2015 - 11:18 AM

ADV,  Interesting that you asked those questions.  My talks with this gentleman have been interesting and eye opening into what passes as the christian experience of church today.  Many today know about Jesus and will tell you that he is the Son Of God, sent to save the world, where He was born, how He died, who most of the people were who surrounded Him during His ministry, and many other things ABOUT Jesus, but they don`t KNOW JESUS!  I guess what I am trying to say is that history is fine, but knowing the Lord personally, and letting Him be Lord of your life is the main thing that makes one "different" from everyone else.  Last night we discussed that Jesus didn`t come to earth to start christanity, He came to save what was lost, undo what was done by satan, and to re-establish the Kingdom of God in its proper position with man.  Toenable man to have any relationship with God, jesus had to do all that He did, and that included being raised from the dead.  As we talked, his eyes became bigger and bigger, and he stated to cry.  He had NEVER had this explained to him.  He had joined the church and was told that he was now saved and was a christian!!  How sad that there is an impotent gospel put out there by well meaning churches who do not sit down with people and explain Jesus and His visit with us as a man, the reason for His death, what that death accomplished, and just what that all means to us who have faith.  We are now starting a small group that will study all this....starting with Romans, then moving back into prophesey pointing toward all that happened.

 

Pray for our little group.  A few people are so hungry for the truth they are willing to take their evenings a few nights a week and search the Bible with help from Holy Spirit.  I think a small outpost of the Kingdom has been found in West Point, MS....and I am excited, but a bit scared about leadership and taking on such a resonsibility.  I plan to enlist another person or two who understand what is happening.

 

Again, pray for us. 

 

Your brother in Christ,

 

Charlie


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#10 ADVRider

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Posted 13 January 2015 - 05:05 PM

Sounds like God is at work in your small group Charlie. I pray that He will continue to touch people right there where they are at. He is already using you to touch these people. I happened across 1 Cor. 4:20 which basically says "the kingdom of God is not in words, but in power." So while we use simple words (our testimony or sharing what God has done), God works though us by His power to touch them. Simply to say, you are already equipped to be of use for God to those folks; you just have to share from your heart and be yourself. God will do the rest. You know, the one beggar telling the other beggar where to find bread.

 

Blessings,

 

ADV