Holy Spirit when He ascended back to Heaven following His death and resur rection (John 14:16-18; 14:26; 15:26,27; 16:7-11). These promises were fulfilled in a way that admits of no doubt or un belief (cf. Acts 2). The Apostle Peter saw in the coming of the Holy Spirit the positive proof of the resurrection of Christ; it was He who sent the Spirit in fulfillment of His promise (Acts 2:32-36). The history of the Church is evidence of the resurrection of Christ. This is especially true in the first few centuries of the history of the Church. During that time all who confessed faith in Christ stood in danger of losing their very lives. Millions of believers were martyred be cause they testified that they believed Him to be the Son of God and the resur rected Saviour of all who believe. Mil lions of people were convinced that the Christian message was true and were willing to die for their faith. This speaks strongly for the reality of the message that would lead them to such heroic faith. The final argument we have time to suggest is that of changed and trans formed lives. Surely there must be a great and mighty power responsible for such notable transformations of life as have been wrought through the gospel. What is that power? It is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself ruling from Heaven and working in the lives of those who be lieve. The Meaning of the Resurrection The resurrection of Christ proved the Word of God. We have already shown from Psalm 16 that the Old Testament predicted His resurrection. The many prophecies depicting His coming glorious reign will be fulfilled because He arose from the dead, ascended into Heaven, and is there waiting for that moment when He shall return to establish His king dom and fulfill the promises made to Israel centuries ago (Isa. 9:6,7; 11:1-4, etc.). The resurrection of Christ validated the claims of Christ. He claimed to be the Son of God and that He would rise from the dead on the third day following His atoning death on the Cross (Matt. 12: 38-42; 16:21-27; 17:22,23, etc.). Exactly as He said, on the third day He burst the bonds of death and emerged tri umphant over every enemy. This great miracle attests the truthfulness of His words and gives unquestionable evidence to the fact that He was the Son of God and the Saviour of those who believe. Resurrection The resurrection, as we have seen, proves the person and work of Christ. In the light of this evidence the com mission of Christ comes with power to every believer (Matt. 28:16-20). As the Son of God, risen and ascended, He has all power in Heaven and earth (v. 18). As the head of the Church He sends
By Chester J. Padgett, D.D. Associate Professor of Bible Bible Institute of Los Angeles
Helps for Christian Endeavor and Other Young People’s Groups
April 5 THE RISEN Matt. 28:1
1953 SAVIOUR 8; 16-20
The celebration of the resurrection of Christ from the dead is the most thrill ing experience of the believer. To many Easter is the very climax of the Chris tian calendar, more joyous even than the happy Christmas time. And this is understandable: if Christ had lived and died but had never risen from the dead there would have been no salvation (1 Cor. 15:17). If Christ had not experi enced the resurrection of the body some thing would have been lacking in His atoning work. His resurrection was the proof that He was indeed the Son of God and the Saviour of all who believe (Rom. 1:4). But, thank God, He did arise from the dead, and on this Sunday believers around the world lift their glad song of praise and triumph to Him. COLORED 35MM LANTERNSLIDES Reduced from your 3%" x 4" slides to glass- • covered 2" x 2" slides. (35 mm. or bantam masking). At 65 cents. From photos same price. Suitable to show with your kodachrome or ansco slides. Postpaid. C. WHITFIELD SIMS 6176 Myosotis Street Los Angeles 42, Calif. Phone Cleveland 66129 CHRISTIAN POETRY DIGEST Serving Fundamental Christian Lovers of Poetry. Subscription price $3.00. Address: Christian Poetry Digest, 7853 Areola Avenue Sun Valley, California
The Fact of the Resurrection The resurrection of Christ is one of the best attested facts of history. It is impossible to examine the evidence for His resurrection and still deny the fact. We list several lines of truth in this regard that come with real weight to the believer. In the first place, the record itself comes with the power of truth. Read the account in Matthew 28:1-20 and try to talk yourself into believing that the whole thing is a fabrication. How ridiculous! What possible gain could have come to the followers of Jesus in insisting on His resurrection if He had not actually arisen? Such insistence would lead only to more bitter persecu tion, and this is exactly the result (cf. Acts 4:1-22; 5:17-33; 23:6-10; 24:1-23, etc.). Again, the prophecies of the Old Testament were fulfilled in the resur rection of Christ (cf. Psalm 16 with Acts 2:25-31). Even those who will not believe in the inspiration of the Bible must admit that in regard to the birth and the facts of the life of Christ the Old Testament, prophecies were accu rately fulfilled (cf. Isa. 7:14 with Matt. 1:23; Micah 5:2 with Matt. 2:1-8; Jer. 31:15 with Matt. 2:16-18; Isa. 11:2 with Matt. 3:13-17, etc.). So it was with the prophecies concerning His resurrection (Psalm 16) and so shall it be with all the prophecies concerning His second coming. In the third place we have the proof of the coming of the Holy Spirit. When our Lord was ministering in the fiesh He promised that He would send the
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