“For I (Paul) 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 (the resurrected Jesus) was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain (alive) 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. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)

The evidence is clear. Jesus was resurrected and seen of over 500 brethren all at once.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is God’s answer to unbelief. The Bible testifies to the changed attitude of Jesus’ followers who saw Him alive after His crucifixion and a revolution in the life of Paul, who saw Him “last of all,” rank high among the “many infallible proofs” of His resurrection. By the resurrection, cowards were made bold, doubters believed, the sorrowing were made glad, the pitiless persecutor, Paul, became His devoted follower.

The broken Roman seal, the empty tomb, the failure of the enemies of Christ to produce the dead body and a hundred other facts add their testimony in confirmation of the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ has been “declared to be the Son of God with power… by the resurrection from the dead” (Rom. 1:4).

The resurrection of Jesus Christ assures us that His payment for all sin is all-sufficient and complete.

“when He (Jesus Christ) had by Himself purged our sins [Jesus Christ] sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb. 1:3).  

Jesus is now “seated” since His work of reconciliation and redemption was all-sufficient and finished!

“For by one offering He (Jesus Christ) hath perfected forever them that are sanctified” (Heb. 10:14).

Next, the resurrection of Jesus Christ gives us a living Savior. Hebrews compares the Old Testament priests with Jesus Christ as our One “Great High Priest.”

“And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: ²⁴ But this man (Jesus Christ), because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. ²⁵ Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by (through) him (Jesus), seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (Heb. 7:23-25)

“… we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. ¹⁵ For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin (sinning). ¹⁶ Let us therefore (by Jesus) come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb. 4:14-16)

The resurrection of Christ is also the pledge of the believer’s resurrection in glory. In I Pet. 1:3 the Apostle Peter breaks out in a doxology as he saw that Israel now had hope after they had fallen away – they can and will be, begotten again (born-again) by Jesus Christ’s resurrection.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us (Israel) again unto a living hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

And our Lord Himself said what no other person could possibly say. “I (Jesus) am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25). 

By His resurrection, He as “the last Adam was made (became) a quickening (life-giving) spirit. (1 Cor. 15:45) The resurrection of Christ is a warning to the world of judgment to come, but also an assurance of resurrection to all the genuine believers… of all ages.

“Because [God] hath appointed a day, in the which He (Jesus) will judge the world in righteousness by that Man (Christ) whom He (the Father) hath ordained (appointed): whereof He (The Father) hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him (Jesus Christ) from the dead” (Acts 17:31).

“Now is the accepted time” (2 Cor. 6:2). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).