There are Roman and Jewish historians who confirm in their writings that a man called Jesus of Nazareth lived on this earth 2000 years ago. The Bible is very clear he lived – but also that he died and rose from the dead. This is remembered by Christians regularly and especially at Easter. And we can add that the Bible tells us he is still alive today.
This inevitably raises various questions…
- What is the evidence for his resurrection?
- If he is alive, where is he and what is he doing?
- How is this relevant to you and me?
There are some who need more convincing about the resurrection of Jesus than simply accepting the clear message of the Bible. There was a professor of history at Oxford University and if you wish to receive his details, please ask. He studied this event for many years and this was his conclusion:
“I know of no fact in the history of mankind which is proved by better and fuller evidence of every sort, to the understanding of a fair inquirer, than the sign that God has given us, that Christ died and rose again from the dead.”
That is the view of an academic. An independent writer named Frank Morison set out to disprove the record of the resurrection of Jesus. In fact, after all his research his conclusion was totally the reverse – it was his clear view that Jesus did rise from the dead. He wrote a book about his intention and his findings . It is entitled ‘Who moved the stone’ and it is available from good bookshops. We are happy to lend you a copy if you email us accordingly. This is how he concludes his book:
“There may be, and, as the writer thinks, there certainly is, a deep and profoundly historical basis for that much disputed sentence in the Apostles’ Creed – ‘The third day he rose again from the dead.’”
There are more arguments we could articulate. Perhaps just one more will suffice, but we are happy to discuss this further if you wish. The followers of Jesus were convinced he was alive again. If you look at 1 Corinthians chapter 15, it catalogues several individuals and one large group who saw Jesus alive after his death. The Bible tells us that most of these close followers of Jesus forsook him and fled when Jesus was arrested. Yet a matter of weeks later these same individuals preached the fact that Jesus was alive and that they had seen him. Many of these followers were persecuted as a result and some were killed. Why would they risk their lives telling people that Jesus was alive if they had any doubts?
The Bible tells us very succinctly in Acts chapter 1 verses 9 to 11 where Jesus is now and what his plans are in accordance with the will of God.
“And when he (Jesus) had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven to be with his Father, but notice the promise that he will return back to this earth as surely as he ascended. The Bible repeats time and time again that Jesus will return. If you wish to see a leaflet with many of these references, just email us.
It is so wonderful to say that when Jesus returns we can be part of God’s plan. Jesus comes to setup the Kingdom of God on this earth. The Lord ’s Prayer states – your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. This kingdom will be a beautiful time of peace and righteousness. God and His son Jesus want us to be there, but he wants us to show that we desire a place in this kingdom by truly believing in Jesus and trying our best to follow the laws of God.
We would be delighted to discuss this further with you.