Dictionary of Biblical Words:
The resurrection of Christ is one of the cardinal truths of the Gospel (1 Cor. 15), for it demonstrates the acceptance by God of the work of Christ on our behalf, He being raised from the dead by “the glory of the Father” (Rom. 6:4). The idea of a general resurrection is a Jewish one (Acts 24:15; John 11:24), but the clearer light of the New Testament teaches us this will be divided into the resurrection of the just (of which 1 Cor. 15 speaks), and of the unjust (see Rev. 20), separated by an interval of more than 1,000 years. The first resurrection is of all the dead in Christ, and may take place at any moment when Christ comes, and will be instantaneous (1 Thess. 4) It will also include some Jewish saints, who will be slain by Antichrist after the Christians have all been taken to heaven (Rev. 20:4-6). The second resurrection or second death (John 5:29) takes place after the millennium, and is exclusively to damnation, all being condemned who then rise. Christians now are risen with Christ, being alive in a new life, by a spiritual resurrection, (Col. 3:1) in the power of which they are to live daily. Hence the expression, “resurrection ground,” meaning the position of being risen with Christ—no longer dead in trespasses and sins.
Concise Bible Dictionary:
This is the great central fact on the testimony of which the structure of Christianity has been reared. If Christ be not risen, there is no salvation, since sin would still be reigning by death in universal sway. But Christ, who was made sin, is risen and is at God’s right hand, a manifest proof that atonement has been made, and that God’s righteousness has been vindicated. The result has been the sending of the Spirit from the Father. Abundant evidence was given to the disciples that Christ was risen from the dead. He appeared again and again, ate in their presence, and gave opportunity for identification. Evidence of the fact was also borne to the Jews by the apostles in the power and by the gifts of the Spirit (Acts 4:10), confirming what they had themselves seen and heard and the testimony of the scriptures. The resurrection of Christ is the keystone of the faith of the Christian; at the same time it is the assurance on the part of God that He has appointed a day when He is going to judge the world in righteousness. Hence it has a voice to all.
It has been asserted that the accounts given of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus in the gospels are discordant and irreconcilable. This is not the case: it has been overlooked that Luke 23:54-56 refers to Friday evening, before the Sabbath, and Matthew 28:1 refers to Saturday evening, after the Sabbath: the women return after viewing the sepulcher and finish their preparations, according to Mark 16:1.
Related Books and Articles:
Narrator:
Generated voice
Duration:
32min