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Jesus is Risen
Here are the words of Paul who was Saul in his first letter that he wrote to Corithian church. Dated Spring of A.D 56
1Cor 15:3-9 (New King James version)
"For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethern at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. For I am the least of all the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God."
The above are the words of Paul. History records Paul as a historical figure. Paul's name was Saul, and as a devout Jew he was killing christians and persecuting the early 1st century church and believers because they were witnessing that Jesus is the Christ (Messaiah) and that he raised from the dead.
Later Saul while he was on his way to Damuscus to arrest and persecute christians would be struck by a light from heaven and encounters Jesus and becomes a christian. He sees the risen Christ. Later he changed his name to Paul and preached Christ.
And Paul clearly gives all accounts of people who saw and met Jesus after his resurrection. Paul says because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ they were not afraid of death, they were not afraid of dying for preaching gospel.
Read the following words of Paul in the same letter in Chapter 15 verses 30-31:
1Cor15: 30-31 ( New King James version )
(If there is no resurrection)"Why do we stand in jeopardy every hour? I affirm by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If in the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."
The promise of resurrection
1Cor15:51-58
51Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- 52in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."55"O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?" 56The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
The promise of resurrection is for everyone who believe that Jesus is the Christ and ask Him to forgive our sins and come and dwell in our hearts. He not only gives us the hope of resurrection and eternal life, He gives peace that is beyond human understanding. Even in this life in our daily battles He comes and stands besides us as a faithful friend.
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