Proof, Proof, and More Proof

Dearly beloved, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the basis for salvation. If he did not die and God did not raise him from the dead according to the scriptures, there is no salvation available to anyone.

Without his death and resurrection there is no hope of eternal life. If he did die and God did raise him from the dead we have the certain hope that the Lord Jesus Christ will raise us up by Jesus, also.

Over five hundred witnesses attest to Jesus’ being raised from the dead. He appeared for forty days to chosen witnesses after God raised him the dead.

The tomb was empty when the witnesses came. The mummified casing was still intact when they came to the sepulchre, but his body was not in it. His body had been wound with strips of linen cloth with a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pound weight, and not a single strip of cloth was disturbed, but he was no longer in them.

The scriptures record the details of the empty tomb and the physical evidence of the empty burial clothes that were still intact after his resurrection, Jesus’ resurrection appearances to chosen witnesses, and his ascension into the heavens forty days later.

The physical proof, the angel’s testimony that he was indeed risen from the dead, those who saw him alive after his death and having been raised to life again, and the divine revelation that Jesus’ fulfilled the prophecy of the scriptures all agree.

I Corinthians 15: 12-23:
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.20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

Christ was raised from the dead as the first fruit of them that have died. He is risen and likewise they that are Christ’s will be made alive at his coming, but there is even more to consider.

I Corinthians 15: 50-57:
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory [over sin and death and the law] through our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are assured that we will be changed when Christ returns; if dead, from corruptible to incorruptible; if yet alive, from mortal to immortal. God gives this victory to those that confess Jesus as Lord and believe that God raised him from the dead. They have salvation in Christ Jesus the Lord. They have the victory over sin and death.

“So then faith [pistis: believing] comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” We have heard God’s testimony on the subject, dearly beloved. If we believe it, we have salvation.

Thank God for His great grace and love, the victory over sin and death; the victory that is ours in Christ Jesus our Lord!

We also have received the promise of the Father, which is to be baptized with the holy spirit. Receiving the gift of holy spirit makes us witnesses that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, the same as it made the apostles witnesses on the Feast of Pentecost.

The people present at the feast heard and saw the witness that the Lord Jesus Christ poured out. God made him both Lord and Christ; the proof he gave them was the manifestation of holy spirit, which was that they spoke in tongues the wonderful works of God.

Speaking in tongues is the witness that you are saved and have eternal life, dearly beloved, the same as they were then. God’s spirit witnesses to your spirit, your inner being, that you a child of God, an heir of God, and a joint heir with Christ.

We have the proof any time we want to manifest it. He provided us with the proof for our comfort and encouragement and edification until he comes.

We have proof, proof, and more proof that we are heaven bound and all hell can't stop us from going! Rejoice forevermore, dearly beloved!