What Does The Bible Say?

What Does The Bible Say About The Witnesses Of Christ's Resurrection

April 12, 2020 Woodland Season 2 Episode 13
What Does The Bible Say?
What Does The Bible Say About The Witnesses Of Christ's Resurrection
Show Notes Transcript

Christ's resurrection is unique in the history of mankind and there are many who are skeptical of it and doubt that it ever occurred. There are even those who claim to be Christians who fabricate theories about what they think really happened. The Bible is very clear: faith is so essential that without it one cannot be saved. The Bible records evidence supplied by eyewitnesses who saw Jesus crucified and saw the empty tomb after His resurrection. These same witnesses saw Jesus after His resurrection, talked with Him, ate with Him and ultimately witnessed His ascension into heaven during the 40 days after His resurrection. There were some who were at first skeptical of what other witnesses told them. Nevertheless, upon seeing Him themselves and touching the wounds from His crucifixion, believed also. In this 30 minute episode, Arnie and Fred discuss the occasions that some 523 witnesses associated with Jesus for 40 days after His resurrection. Take some time to listen in.

spk_1:   0:00
Fred

spk_1:   0:00
This is the presentation of the Woodland Church of Christ, meeting at 3370 Broad Street in Sumter, South Carolina.  We meet for worship on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and  5:30 p.m. We meet for Bible study at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday and at 7 p.m. on Wednesday,  If you have questions or comments on this lesson. You may  e-mail them to Fred Gosnell fgosnell@ftc-i.net or to Arnie Granke at agranke440718@twc.com.

:   0:00
  

spk_1:   2:46
Arnie

spk_1:   2:46
Good afternoon. This is Arnie Granke  and Fred Gosnell with the Woodland church of Christ here in Sumter, South Carolina. Welcome to What Does The Bible say. Jesus' resurrection, being unique in the history of mankind, It is no wonder that many people are doubtful. Even some who claim to be Christians concoct theories about what they think might have really happened. But the Bible is very clear. Faith is so essential that without it one cannot be saved. Jesus told his apostles, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. But he that believeth not shall be damned." That's in Mark Chapter 16 versus 15 and 16. Some witnesses saw the irrefutable evidence in the empty tomb. On some occasions, witnesses were together, sometimes many, sometimes few, and along with the others, they actually saw Jesus alive after his resurrection in various places, at various times under numerous circumstances. They ate with him, spoke with him, discussed things they had done together, things that he had said and places they had been with one another. They saw the wounds up close, touched Him and interacted with him and in this passage that we just read in  Mark 16, where He gave them instructions about what they were to do. Some who at first had been skeptical of  what other witnesses told them, later had similar experiences, causing them also to believe. Here are the experiences of more than 523 of the witnesses, beginning with the very first.

spk_0:   2:46
Fred                

spk_0:   2:46
Right. So we start with the soldiers, those that were guarding Jesus' tomb when he was resurrected and we begin there at Matthew 28 versus 2 through 4 and then 11 through 15.  Matt 28:2 "And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. " Matt 28:11-15 "Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. 12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14 And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. 15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. "

spk_0:   0:00
Arnie

spk_0:   0:00
Mary Magdalene, saw Jesus under circumstances, almost of darkness. It was very early in the day, probably the sun wasn't fully up, and it may still have been twilight in John Chapter 20 and in the beginning, in verse 11 and of course, she saw him in the cemetery where Jesus was on the Resurrection Day.  John 20:11-18 11 "But Mary stood without at the sepulcher weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulcher, 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. 14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her." Let me just quickly point out here that where Jesus says to her touch me not in the King James version, that term actually means don't cling to me. And his point is, I'm not here to stay. And he was going to be returning to heaven,

spk_0:   5:33
Fred

spk_0:   5:33
Right. And so the next occasion we have some women that were returning from Jesus' tomb and this was on the Resurrection Day, and it begins in Luke 24 verse 1. Luke 24:1-11  "Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher. 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8 And they remembered his words, 9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not."

spk_1:   6:42
Arnie

spk_1:   6:42
When Mary Magdalene gets back and tells them, of course Peter and John immediately run out to the sepulcher and in  John, Chapter 20 beginning in verse 1,  John 20:1-8  "The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. 3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulcher. 4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. 5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. 6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulcher, and seeth the linen clothes lie,7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. 8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulcher, and he saw, and believed."  Now again let me make a  comment here, that what they actually saw was the clothing still as if it was wrapped around the body and totally undisturbed, but nobody present. Certainly, that would have been a thing to incite John to believe. We could speak some more about that, I think on another occasion. Fred.

spk_0:   8:28
Fred

spk_0:   8:28
OK. So Luke talks about this in Luke 24 and  on this occasion  he's talking about Peter, probably on the Resurrection Day, beginning in Verse 12.  And then we'll go to 33 34. So beginning Verse 12, "Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulcher; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass." In Luke 24:33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 saying, the Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

spk_1:   9:08
Arnie

spk_1:   9:08
Matthew, rather Luke. Chapter 24 records a man by the name of Cleopas and another disciple that Jesus met on the road to Emmaus on the day that he was resurrected, that the entire account actually begins in verse 13 of Luke 24 continues to verse 35. We won't read the first few verses of that, but we'll pick up at verse 28 of that,  " 28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures  33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread."  And let me just again insert a quick comment here when it says that Jesus vanished out of their sight. Doesn't mean that He disappeared into mid air, but rather He left immediately,

spk_0:   10:58
Fred

spk_0:   10:58
Right. And the next, occasion, John writes about it. And on this occasion there are 10 apostles that are present. Thomas was absent, and again this was on the Resurrection Day and we begin in John 20 verse 19,  "Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe." So let's just note here that Thomas is going to be a very good witness. He says that unless I touch him where these wounds are, I'm not going to believe it. So it was not good enough for me. A lot of times, you know, we talk about doubting Thomas. Well, Thomas doubted, but Thomas was a good witness.

spk_1:   12:31
Arnie

spk_1:   12:31
And Thomas isn't to be blamed for that, particularly because when you read it at the end of Mark Chapter 16 it's very clear that there were other disciples as well, that had some uncertainties about that, at least for a while. We don't know how long a period of time, of course, that was eventually cleared up with them. But Thomas isn't the only one that doubted. Well, let's talk about Thomas here in John, Chapter 20 and beginning in Verse 26. It  is one week to the day later from the account that you just read Fred, beginning in verse 26, "And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.27 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. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."  I think that that is a reference to us we've never seen. But we have God's word and we take it for what it means,

:   0:00


:   14:17


:   14:17


spk_1:   16:31
Arnie

spk_1:   16:31
So there are repeated occasions with some of these, some of these witnesses of Jesus resurrection there. I've mentioned a few moments ago about more in Chapter 16. Let's go there now in verse 14 which is another occasion. I would just mention that there are some translators that don't include parts of this chapter in their editions of the Bible. You need to get one that has the full Book of Mark and not part of it missing In  Mark 16 beginning in verse 14, " Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." This was another occasion when all of the 11 remaining apostles have seen Jesus. Remember, that Judas had committed suicide.. And that's why there were 11 at this time rather than 12.

spk_0:   18:09
Fred

spk_0:   18:09
Yes, And so now we have another occasion in  Matthew. Well, this is probably the same occasion, but in Matthew 28 16 through 20 and again This is the 11 apostles and they're at an appointed mountain and it says, "16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Then again, there were some of them that had a problem with belief, even at this point. So, uh, Jesus spoke to them about that in the previous, uh, section that you read.

spk_1:   19:09
Arnie

spk_1:   19:09
We had noted that when Mary Magdalene had realized who Jesus was back there in the garden, on the day that he was resurrected, that he had told her not to cling to him because, hey, he was not ascended to his father. Acts Chapter 1 takes us to the time of ascension. That's another 40 days after Jesus Resurrection. And so he was with various disciples at various times during that period of time, we'll start with Acts Chapter 1, Verse 11 where Luke is writing to a Greek official who may have already obeyed the Gospel by the name of Theophilus and in verse 1, " The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." So once again we have the 11 of the surviving apostles and there are some others besides the apostles because the events that occur in the next chapter in Acts Chapter two, where a 12th apostles is  identified by the Lord who would take the place of Judas. But that's another story for another day,

spk_0:   22:18
Fred

spk_0:   22:18
Right. So now we have the account of Steven.  Luke writes in  Acts Chapter seven, and Steven is there. He's been brought before the Sanhedrin council and he's at Jerusalem and they have been questioning Stephen and Stephen preaches a rather clear and specific sermon to them without, uh, without any mousey words at all. And it is said that Stephen being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfast to heaven, and this was after that. They disagree with what he had to say, and they were about to kill him. Yeah, vociferously against Steven. Then at Verse 55, "But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep." So again, here we see Steven that said that the heavens were open and Steven is a witness. He sees the Lord at the right hand of God and he's reigning. He is Lord of Lords, King of Kings, having received all authority, ruling in his kingdom and unbelieving Jews didn't like it, so they shut him up by killing him. But notice that Stephen said, "lay not this sin to their charge."

spk_1:   24:13
Arnie

spk_1:   24:13
As Jesus had done on the cross saying "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Maybe one of the most amazing account is in first Corinthians Chapter 15 beginning in verse three, and Paul has been writing about and spends 58 verses there, and first Corinthians Chapter 15 about the subject of the resurrection. Because there were some there with some discord over some false teaching that was being done. And, uh, Paul does a good job of  correcting the false theories per "  3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time."  And we'll look at those occasions when Paul saw him in Acts Chapter nine. And also first Corinthians Chapter nine here in just a moment. But here are over 500 brethren on one occasion and most of them are still alive. At the time that Paul is writing to the Corinthians, he says that most are alive. Let's just look at it this way. If we have 500 people and most of them are still alive, the minimum that you would have would be 250. Let's say that the other half approximately had already passed away. So we have 250 there. That's a sizable number of people that are still alive at the time that, uh, that, uh, Paul is writing that. You have a thought?

spk_0:   26:39
Fred

spk_0:   26:39
Yes. And we need to note that God has provided us with this record. Ah, a record of all of these eye witnesses. So when you read the Bible and the Lord tells us there are things that we need to do, uh, that we have to do those things based upon faith. That faith is not based on some blind notion. These are eye witnesses to Jesus, death, burial and resurrection.. And we don't place our faith on some, uh, some, uh, pie in the sky thing. These are actual eye witnesses that have seen and heard what were done. We have solid evidence on that. We have the record of those people what they saw and what they heard.

spk_1:   27:32
Arnie

spk_1:   27:32
When Paul gives us several names of disciples, then mentioned James and all the apostles as having seen him, the name James was a pretty common name. So we're not sure exactly which James in the Bible is the one to whom he refers. Jesus had a brother by the name of James, and he was one of the apostles. There were, uh what we don't know. Well, there was this Jame's who is a son of Alphaeus. Was this James who was a son of Zebsdee? Is this James who is the brother of Jesus? We don't know that. But apparently those who received the letter there understood exactly who he was. Speaking of  Paul, of course, he had been an ardent persecutor and adversary of the Gospel. And he encounters Jesus on the road to Damascus. He mentioned himself in Acts, chapter 15 and Verse 8 in Acts, Chapter 9 and verse 17. When he gives an account of his own, his own conversion.  He said that as he went on his way. Actually, I'm mistaking that is not Paul's writing. This is Luke writing this,  in Acts 9:17 "And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost." And then a little bit later on in first Corinthians, Chapter 9 and verse, 1,  Paul said, "Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?   He is the last witness that we have in this group of some 523 minimum. Even more than that, witnesses who saw Jesus. We hope that you believe what the Bible says about that. We hope that you'll listen to us again next Lord's Day afternoon. Have a very good day.