[Gurn]

"Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here; He is risen, just as He said He would."

[Psalm 73]

The tomb is... EMPTY!!! - YES!

[AppyPappy]

There is always the strange belief that Jesus didn't die on the Cross. He was merely in a coma. He awoke and summoned the guards to get Him from the tomb. The guards released Him and told Him to "get lost". After telling the authorities, they hushed it rather than let people know that you can survive a Roman crucifixion. They came up with the totally unbelievable "He was stolen" tale. Jesus, "rejuvenated" after a mere crucifixion and a mortal wound to His side, talked with the Disciples and then left for India where He lived His last as a Guru. It seems walking to India after a Crucifixion was a piece of cake.

This seemed to be a classic example of "trying not to believe something".

[Ward Smythe]

The disciples were in a state of shock, fear, and disarray, having seen their Master crucified. Is it reasonable to think they quickly created a brilliant plan and flawlessly executed it on the Sabbath day of rest?

Hardly. Until they were confronted by the Risen Christ, they were pretty cowardly. And even if they could have moved a two ton rock, they could not have done it silently. There is only one explanation for the empty tomb:

HE is RISEN!

HE IS RISEN INDEED!!!

[L,TOWM]

To secure the body, a Roman guard was placed outside the tomb.

Got to disagree with the post on that one. The guard was a Temple police detail. Their is NO WAY a jewish priest would have been able to get the commander of Legio X to look the other way for a "dereliction of duty" charge. But, that does'nt change the circumstances of the Sunday morning one bit.

The tomb was empty because the deceased that had been there Friday night was no longer deceased.

Hallelu Yeshua Messiach

[EggsAckley]

bump for later

[Johnny Shear]

"Did The Resurrection Really Happen?"

Do pigs fly?

[winstonchurchill]

Thanks for posting this.

I am also struck by the testimony of 'doubting Thomas'. He was convinced. So am I.

[lavaroise]

I thought that Jesus' resurection was implicit because it was defined by God and not by man. I believe the Bible does not show explicity how the tomb was found open and empty the day after for this reason. Jews have been mandated to see proofs of God's manifestation in the real (burning bush) in order to believe that the visions did not come from a fraudulent angel or charlatan.

The case of Jesus disproves somewhat this necessity in that it mandates God to define God, and not people to define God because they witness an unatural manifestation. This is not to say that unatural manifestations cannot help God define Himself either.

It is important to remember that the crux of the issue in the Old and New Testament is that of God's jurisdiction. We cannot name God, but He names but Himself. Defining God to one's convenience is blasphemy. In fact, even man cannot define man as he would animals, plants or matter, but man is to judge man by his jurisdiction encroachments, ie. when man takes blaspheming liberty of defining man.

The question of Did the Resurection Really Happen is a terrible way to approach the problem as it binds one to define the terms Resurection, Happen etc... It is a question that is made to lead one to never find answers.

A better question is this one: Did Jesus' gained jurisdiction through resurection provided jurisdiction to mankind? Truly, if it did bear its good fruits, then the resurection did truly happen.

No witnessing of supernatural phenomena can prove better the existence of God and Godly resurection. After all, it was Saul who in contravention to God's rules raised from the dead Samuel with the help of a witch. This resurection was not God's, clearly.

[Maceman]

Has anyone considered that there was a back exit to the cave?

[stuartcr]

Can either side offer any proof, other than 2000yr old testimony?

[Johnny Shear]

Martyrdom for a belief is not unique. But what kind of person would die for a known lie? Someone insane?

Well...Many Freepers would say that those who kill themselves (And others) in the name of Islam...

[onedoug]

Yes. And its first witness was a woman.

[Eastbound]

Roll the stone away from resisting hearts -- the secret place and tomb of the Saviour. He is risen.

1Jo 4:4 "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."

Hope everyone has a 'revealing' Easter!

[Johnny Shear]

I don't understand why people who believe this stuff try to defend it with reason. I mean if Jesus did rise from the dead and is God himself, he can OBVIOUSLY do anything.

No need to try to "Prove" anything. Just state it was magic (Real) and move on...

And on the same point...Even if it was ever "Proven" (Which it won't be either way), then believers would no longer need "Faith".

[Gophack]

This is a good refutation of all theories against resurrection. It's from a Catholic website, but because the Resurrection is a unifying belief between Catholics and Protestants, that Protestants would be interested in these scripturally based arguments.

Resurrection of Jesus Christ

To put in my two cents, the New Testament was written by eyewitnesses, who wrote what they saw and heard, including the words of Jesus Christ. This is an historical account of this period of time, in this place. This is also the Word of God. Non-believers might says that "this is a good book, teaches good values" but discount the authenticity of the history; on the contrary, much archeological "proof" has been found to support what is written both the OT and the NT.

Yesterday began Holy Week, the most important time for Christians. In may ways, the Resurrection is the most important event in History, a triumph or life over death, a fulfillment of the OT Scriptures, the salvation of mankind. While Christmas and the incarnation is indeed Holy and a very special and sacred event, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ fills us with hope that we, too, can share in the Kingdom of God, and concur death with eternal life.

Anyway, I just had to throw in my two cents. I hope the non-believers can put aside their doubts for a time, and truly open their hearts. Perhaps the Holy Spirit will touch them and they will know the Truth.

God bless.

[Surge-on]

Faith = Gift from God

[Delbert]

Satan, the master deceiver, has been trying to disprove the resuurection Of Jesus Christ from the moment the spear was thrust into Jesus' abdomen. Satan is a smart and crafty adversary who choses to take as many down with him as he can, for he knows the time is short. He can use science, he can use the greatest of intellectual minds to help argue, discredit and prove his point. The swoon theory, the imposter on the cross, the dead but never risen misplaced body are all Satanic deceptions. Jesus Christ is either who he said he was or he is the greatest con man in history. He is who he said he is. As for me and my house, we will follow the Lord.

[Some hope remaining.]

Unbelieving natural brothers of Jesus later became believers after the resurrection.

This by itself is pretty good proof. I mean put yourself in the situation. I'm pretty impressed with the accomplishments of my own brother but it would take a whole lot more to convince me that he was God. :)

[oldcats]

The crucifixion of Jesus was especially well documented and accepted as fact.
Accepted as fact I will accept, but please show me more of this well documentation...other than the Bible please.
Don't get me wrong, I am a Christian, and believe in the resurection, but it is to me a matter of faith. If you have supporting facts, I would love to see them.
Oldcats