How Can I Be Sure

1. How Can I Be Sure The Tomb Is Empty And My Lord Lives?

2. Christianity is a religion of history and facts It is rooted in historical realities, not subjectivism and hearsay The Bible bases all of its spiritual truths on actual historical events

3. And, at the foundation of all other Biblical truths is found the resurrection of Christ Christianity either stands or falls on the literal, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

4. Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: Romans 1:3, 4

5. And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. I Corinthians 15:14, 17

6. And, at the foundation of all other Biblical truths is found the resurrection of Christ Christianity either stands or falls on the literal, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead That Jesus lived as an actual human being, no intelligent and logical person will deny

7. “That a few simple men in one generation should have invented so powerful and appealing a personality, so lofty an ethic and so inspiring a vision of human brother hood would be a miracle far more incredible than any recorded in the gospel.” -Will Durant

8. Jesus was crucified by the Roman government, another fact attested to by historical record

9. “But neither all human help nor the liberality of the Emperor, nor all the atonements presented to the gods, availed to abate the infamy that he [Nero] lay under of having the city set on fire. To suppress therefore, this common rumor, Nero procured others to be accused, and inflicted exquisite punishment upon those people, who were in abhorrence for their

10. crimes, and were commonly known by the name of Christians. They had their denomination from Christus, who in the reign of Tiberius was put to death as a criminal by the procurator Pontius Pilate. ” -Tacitus

11. Jesus was crucified by the Roman government, another fact attested to by historical record According to all four gospel record accounts, Jesus was buried in a borrowed tomb, that of Joseph of Arimathea

12. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. Matthew 27:59, 60

13. Jesus was crucified by the Roman government, another fact attested to by historical record According to all four gospel record accounts, Jesus was buried in a borrowed tomb, that of Joseph of Arimathea As we shall see, not only did the Lord’s disciples know of the burial place with all assurance, but so did His enemies

14. Thus, two of the three basic facts of the gospel of Christ are already seen to be historically accurate

15. Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how 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: I Corinthians 15:1-4

16. Thus, two of the three basic facts of the gospel of Christ are already seen to be historically accurate Further proof of His death and burial will be seen in the “many infallible proofs” of His resurrection

17. 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: Acts 1:3 “The word ‘proofs’ translates a Greek term that was used by the classical writers to ‘denote the strongest proof of which a subject is susceptible.’”-Wayne Jackson

18. For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. Acts 26:26

19. Thus, two of the three basic facts of the gospel of Christ are already seen to be historically accurate Further proof of His death and burial will be seen in the “many infallible proofs” of His resurrection Let us examine some of these “infallible proofs”

20. “According to the Scriptures”

21. Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how 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: I Corinthians 15:1-4

22. Again, numerous are the passages prophesying about the death, burial and resurrection of Christ These occurred hundreds of years before the actual events took place Notice just two of these prophecies:

23. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in

24. his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Isaiah 53:7-9

25. The eunuch was reading from this very passage, a passage Philip applied to Jesus

26. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. Acts 8:34, 35

27. The eunuch was reading from this very passage, a passage Philip applied to Jesus Other passages demonstrate the fulfillment of these words

28. And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. Matthew 27:12-14

29. And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing. And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled. Mark 15:3-5

30. And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors. Mark 15:27, 28

31. When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. Matthew 27:57-60

32. The eunuch was reading from this very passage, a passage Philip applied to Jesus Other passages demonstrate the fulfillment of these words David spoke of Christ’s crucifixion, and Peter revealed the significance of David’s words

33. I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:8-11

34. Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord

35. always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Acts 2:22-27

36. Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his

37. flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Acts 2:29-32

38. The Empty Tomb

39. The empty tomb was unexpected by His followers

40. Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. Mark 16:9-11

41. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. John 20:8, 9

42. The empty tomb was unexpected by His followers The discouraged disciples thought the Lord’s death meant the end of His movement, and they were hiding in fear of the Jews

43. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. 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. John 20:18, 19

44. The empty tomb was unexpected by His followers The discouraged disciples thought the Lord’s death meant the end of His movement, and they were hiding in fear of the Jews Thus, they had neither motive nor opportunity to “steal” the body from the tomb

45. The tomb was securely guarded by His enemies to insure that the body remained inside

46. Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be

47. shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. Matthew 27:62-66

48. The tomb was securely guarded by His enemies to insure that the body remained inside The plot devised by the enemies after the resurrection proves the resurrection

49. 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. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and

50. did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. Matthew 28:11-15