March, 1937
86
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
Christ's Resurrection
By W . B. RILEY Minneapolis, Minnesota
statements stand and gather to them selves an ever-increasing company who consent that they have made good their right to a place in the catalog of his torical facts, why should we not appeal to them in discussing the very subject that gave them their existence? According to the Scriptures there are many lines of argument for the resur rection. Let me make mention of four. T h e C h a l l en g e of t h e E m p t y T om b There is the argument of the empty tomb. “ In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day
H E is risen, as he said” (Matt. 28 :6 ). Apostle Paul reasons, with a logic that cannot be gainsaid, that “ if Christ be not risen, . . . your faith is also vain” (1 Cor. 15:14). If Jesus Christ is not alive, the dead have perished and the living are without hope. But the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is in itself not sufficient. The resurrection without the ascension would prove nothing more than a reanimation, a Lazarus and not a Lord. On the other hand, an ascension with out a resurrection would demonstrate nothing better than translation— a prophet Elijah, perhaps, but not the Son of God with whom is all power. It will be conceded, I think, that the central argument, of all the arguments presented in the name of Christ, rests with this question: Did He rise from the dead and ascend into heaven? In answer to that issue, I bring you first of all these texts from the Scripture, and in elaboration of these I would suggest some thoughts for solemn reflection. It is not begging the question to appeal to the Bible for arguments of the resurrection. Even infidels concede that the Old Testament Scriptures were in the hands of men when Jesus of Nazareth walked the earth; and very few intellectually honest men question that the New Testament was born within a century after His reputed ascension. If, therefore, the Scriptures are not trustworthy, skepticism has already enjoyed two thousand years of opportunity to disprove their statements. If, at the end of this time, the [For the past forty years Dr. Riley has been the pastor of the First Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minn. He is also President of the Northwestern Bible Training School and Executive Secre tary of the World’s Christian Fundamentals Association .— E ditor .] The subject proposed for this discussion in volves the very citadel of Christianity. The
of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earth quake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his rai ment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay” (Matt. 28:1 -6 ). That statement is either true or false. If false, why did not the enemies of Christ expose the deception? That He had enemies, not even infidels question. That He was hunted to the cross, no one now disputes. That He was buried is as certain as the execution of Roman law. What became of the body? This was the very thing His enemies had feared. They had reminded Pilate of Christ’s proph ecy, “ After three days I will rise again,” and had asked that the sepulcher be made sure until the third day. And Pilate had said to 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” (Matt. 27:65, 66). But when the resurrection was ac complished, “ some of the watch came into the city, and showed 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, say ing, 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 did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day” (Matt. 28:11-15).
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