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Raised on the Third Day. (1 Corinthians 15: 1-8, 12-28) p. 1062-3. News …. Napoleonic wars ended at Battle of Waterloo Message: “Wellington defeated Napoleon at Waterloo” Resurrection critically important to Christians A Historical fact – without it our faith is “futile” (v 17)
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Raised on the Third Day (1 Corinthians 15: 1-8, 12-28) p. 1062-3
News … • Napoleonic wars ended at Battle of Waterloo • Message: “Wellington defeated Napoleon at Waterloo” • Resurrection critically important to Christians • A Historical fact – without it our faith is “futile” (v 17) • Not easy to believe. • BUT an essential part of Christian faithfulness
1. Resurrection: Cultural Context • Others were raised to life: • Elijah – Widow’s son (1 Kings 17:17f) • Elisha – Shunammite woman’s son (2 Ki 14:18f) • Jesus – • Lazarus (John 11) • Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8:41f) • Peter – Tabitha/Dorcas (Acts 9:36f) • Jesus’ resurrection was much more!
1. Resurrection: Cultural Context … • Greco-Roman Belief • Homer (800 BC): • There was semi-life after death • It was without physical substance, shadowy. • People became dreamy – limited mental/emotional capacity • It was tragic, miserable, undesirable –full of sorrow • Because “Self” was embodied in the physical flesh. • Around 500 BC “Mystery” Religions appear
1. Resurrection: Cultural Context … • Picked up by Socrates and Plato (~ 400 BC): • Unseen world better than seen (physical) world. • Virtue (care of the soul) is important • Expounded & promoted by Aristotle • Prevailing beliefs in first century: • Death inescapable: a purely spiritual/non-physical existence • Ultimate goal was to escape the physical world. • Return to physical body: Impossible and undesirable • Paul is arguing against such ideas in 1 Cor. 15. • Jesus was Physically raised from the dead!
1. Resurrection: Cultural Context … • Jewish Belief: • Overtly positive about physical world– creation. • Had a vibrant resurrection hope • YHWH would raise up the righteous (one day) • A single resurrection absurd • Death of Messiah was also absurd. • He was establishing the Messianic Kingdom.
2. Resurrection: Disciples’ Testimony • Jesus died and was buried • Disciples were discouraged and demoralized • Shortly tomb was empty; disciples saw him alive • Started a movement based on this belief • The disciples all suffered/died for this belief • Without resurrection hard to account for these facts!
2. Resurrection: Disciples’ Testimony … • Interesting features of the Gospel accounts: • No attempt to link the story to Biblical tradition • No interpretation of the significance or meaning • Very physical and unremarkable picture of Jesus • No signs of exultation or heavenly glory • Women’s testimony no more valid than childrens’ • No disciple ever returned to the tomb again.
2. Resurrection: Disciples’ Testimony … • The change in the disciples • None gained anything but persecution & death • A Lie would be against Jesus’ moral teaching • Appeal to eyewitnesses dangerous.
3. Implications of the Resurrection • Death has been defeated • Fellowship with God is restored • Resurrection is our assured hope.