Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:15
Fact #1: The Empty Tomb
The disciples couldn’t have preached Jesus’ resurrection without an empty tomb.
The empty tomb is attested to and confirmed by numerous early sources.
Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
1 Corinthians 15:1-9
Even skeptical scholars accept the tomb was empty.
The Jews confirmed the tomb was empty.
Fact #2: Post-Resurrection Appearances
We have twelve individuals or groups of people that experienced a post-resurrection encounter with Jesus.
Fact #3: How Christianity Got Started
The Transformation of the Disciples
Incriminating Details
The Concept of the Resurrection
The Conspiracy Theory
The Legendary Theory
The Hallucination Theory
Bottom Line
No matter what you believe, it requires faith.
How to Respond to Jesus’ Invitation
- Receive Jesus’ forgiveness
- Pledge your life to follow Him
