"Christ's Bodily Resurrection - Its Value in Christianity"
Main Text: I Cor. 15:12-22

Today, we are going to look at the importance and proof of Christ having a BODILY resurrection, NOT a "spirit body" resurrection which is unscriptural, erroneous teaching. Jesus' literal physical body was raised up from the dead. Yes, a perfect body, but it had flesh and bone, indicating it was more than a spirit being. Jesus rose in the same physical body of flesh and bones in which He died.

The bodily resurrection of Christ is one of the foundational doctrines of Christianity that rests on this historical fact.

"And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. If Christ was not risen, our faith is vain." - I Cor. 15:14

The bodily resurrection of Christ is the crowning proof that Jesus was who He claimed to be, God manifested in human flesh. (John 2:19)

Indeed, the resurrection of Christ in flesh is of such importance to the Christian faith that the New Testament insists that no one can be saved without it. It is a requirement to Salvation to believe in Christ's physical resurrection. (Romans 10:9,10, I Cor. 15:1-7)

The importance of Christ's resurrection will be seen when we consider that if He rose the gospel is true; and if He rose not, it is false. His resurrection from the dead makes it manifest that His sacrifice was accepted. Our justification was secured by his obedience to the death, and therefore he was raised from the dead. (Romans 4:25)

If Christ did not rise, the whole message of redemption is a failure, and all the predictions and anticipations of its glorious results for time and for eternity are proved to be an illusion. But the Bible is true from Genesis to Revelation

The Greek word for body is "soma", which means a physical body. When used of an individual human being, the word body (soma) always means a physical body in the New Testament. This is consistent to this usage throughout the New Testament. Paul uses "soma" of the resurrection body of Christ (I Cor. 15:43-44), thus indicating his belief that it was a physical body. It was a physical bodily resurrection as stated to the eleven disciples and others in the Word of God.

"Behold My hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle Me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me have." - Luke 24:39

"Then saith He to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not faithless, but believing." - John 20:27

During the first eleven appearances Jesus appeared to more than 500 people over a forty day period of time. (Acts 1:3)

It was verified in eleven (12 if you count Paul) separate events of those who saw Jesus after his resurrection.

Eleven different appearances of our risen Lord are recorded in the New Testament over a 40 day period of time.

They are as follows:

(1.) Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9)

(2.) The women (Luke 24:1-11)

(3.) Simon Peter (Luke 24:34)

(4.) Two Disciples - on the way to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)

(5.) Ten Disciples, except Thomas (John 20:19-24)

(6.) Eleven Disciples, Thomas being present (John 20:26-28)

(7.) Disciples at the sea of Tiberias (John 21:1)

(8.) Apostles in Galilee (Matt. 28:16-18)

(9.) About five hundred brethren (1 Cor. 15:6)

(10.) The Disciple James (1 Cor. 15:7)

(11.) All the Disciples (Luke 24:51; Act 1:9; 1 Cor. 15:7)

It is worthy of note, that it is distinctly related that, on most of these occasions, our Lord afforded His disciples the amplest opportunity of testing the fact of His resurrection. He conversed with them face to face. They touched him (Matt. 28:9; Luke 24:39; John 20:27), and he ate bread with them (Luke 24:42,43; John 21:12,13).

(12.) Paul at a later time AFTER Christ's ascension
(Acts 9:3-9, 17; 1 Cor. 9:1; 1 Cor. 15:8)

And they who once were cowards (before Jesus resurrection) were now willing to die for the resurrected Christ. What changed their hearts? As some have indicated, would these men really be willing to die for a hoax that they were covering up? Absolutely not! They went from being cowards to bold Christians, and even martyrs for Christ, because they KNEW He was raised from the dead!

Be not deceived as here stated: "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come [and remaining] in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist." - II John 7

A denial of the bodily resurrection of Christ is to deny the Gospel.

The bodily resurrection of Christ
was a message needed in early church and is needed today!

When presenting the claims of Christ, they continually used the facts of Christ's bodily resurrection as the basis of their case for Christ.
(Acts 4:10, Acts 17:1-4)

The bodily resurrection of Christ was part of the message they preached in the early church, and should be preached in our day.
(Acts 2:31, 1 Cor. 15:12, 1 Cor. 15:13, 1 Peter 1:3)

Yes, indeed Christ is RISEN!!!!
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