ARTICLE IV.
Of the Resurrection of Christ.
Christ did truly arise again
from death, and took again His
body, with flesh, bones, and all
things appertaining to the per
fection of man's nature, where
with He ascended into heaven,
and there sitteth, until He
return to judge all men at the
last day.
Before my personal view of this 4th Article, let us briefly examine the evidence supporting the resurrection of our Lord.
This Article is at least as important as any other of the Articles of Religion since it the set seal upon the entire ministry of Christ.
The evidence:
1) The testimony of the New Testament.
a) The affirmation of Christ: “Mark 8:31 – “31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
b) John 2:19 “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
c) John 10:18 “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
d) The witness of the Apostles John 10:33- And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
e) Believed by the entire early church immediately following the event. See Acts 2:24, 3:15, 4:10, etc
2) The observance of Holy
a) Communion as a continuing act of faith of the Church of the resurrection. 1 Peter 1:3 - “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” We all are so convinced of the reality of the resurrection that it almost seems vain to discuss it in such detail.
b) The testimony of the Lord’s Day as the Church Sabbath –
c) The moral influence of Christianity – schools, hospitals, orphanages, service for our fellow man.
3) Doctrinal importance:
a) References by Jesus in anticipation of the event – see John 2:22 “When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.”
b) The resurrection of Christ was the seal of His atoning work. “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.’ see also 1 Cor 15:17
c) It was the pledge given for that hope we have in our own resurrection – Romans 8:11 “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” also 1 Cor 15:20 “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
4) Christ became our High Priest to intercede for us with the Father – He is our Advocate. We need no other intercessor between God the Father and man.
Now my own personal view of the resurrection. The resurrection of Christ gives me assur ance that just as He died and was buried for MY sins, and rose again from the dead – I, too, have that same privilege to rise from my tomb to be with Christ forever. My faith in Christ is sealed by His life, death, and, especially, resurrection. Without that final seal, we would be without hope.
God bless you all.
How do you feel about that resurrection event, for without it, we remain hopeless in our sins.
Hope to see you again later this week with our mid-week parable study.
