Transcript Slide 1

How Can I Be Sure
The Tomb Is Empty
And My Lord Lives?
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
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
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
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
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
“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
Jesus was crucified by the Roman
government, another fact attested to by
historical record
“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
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
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
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
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
Thus, two of the three basic facts of the
gospel of Christ are already seen to be
historically accurate
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
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
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:
“The word ‘proofs’ translates a Greek term
Acts
1:3
that was used by the classical writers to
‘denote the strongest proof of which a
subject is susceptible.’”
-Wayne Jackson
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
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”
“According to the Scriptures”
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
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:
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
his death; because he had done no violence,
neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Isaiah 53:7-9
The eunuch was reading from this very
passage, a passage Philip applied to
Jesus
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
The eunuch was reading from this very
passage, a passage Philip applied to
Jesus
Other passages demonstrate
fulfillment of these words
the
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
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
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
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
The eunuch was reading from this very
passage, a passage Philip applied to
Jesus
Other passages demonstrate
fulfillment of these words
the
David spoke of Christ’s crucifixion, and
Peter revealed the significance of
David’s words
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
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
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
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
flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God
raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Acts 2:29-32
The Empty Tomb
The empty tomb was unexpected by His
followers
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
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
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
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
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
The tomb was securely guarded by His
enemies to insure that the body remained
inside
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
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
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
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
did as they were taught: and this saying is
commonly reported among the Jews until
this day.
Matthew 28:11-15
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
Their plot proves a missing body…and an
empty tomb!
The penalty for sleeping on the watch for
a Roman soldier was death, regardless of
the promises of the chief priests or any
others
Also, what kind of witnesses do sleeping
soldiers make?
If asleep, how could they possibly have
known who took the body?
Also, since such a scheme was devised,
it is evident that neither the Romans nor
the Jews stole the body of Christ- but
both knew it was missing!
The resurrection is further proven, then,
by the empty tomb
The Eyewitnesses
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of
the twelve: After that, he was seen of
above five hundred brethren at once; of
whom the greater part remain unto this
present, but some are fallen asleep. After
that, he was seen of James; then of all the
apostles. And last of all he was seen of me
also, as of one born out of due time.
I Corinthians 15:5-8
Time will not permit an examination of
the individual instances in which He was
actually seen by eyewitnesses after His
resurrection from the dead
Once the Bible is proven to be
historically accurate (and it has been),
the testimony of eyewitnesses is crucial
and very telling
“The New Testament, then, has not
only survived in more manuscripts
than any other book from
antiquity, but it has survived in a
purer form than any other book.”
-Norman Geisler & William Nix
No other work has undergone the
scrutiny of the Bible; yet, no other work
has withstood the test of time as it has
Notice, then, the overwhelming evidence
recorded regarding those who actually
saw the resurrected Lord:
Appearances of Christ After the Resurrection
Appeared To:
1) Apostles
2) Mary Magdalene
3) “The Women”
4) Two disciples on
road to Emmaus
5) Disciples, without
Thomas
6) Disciples, with
Thomas
7) Seven disciples at
Sea of Galilee
Biblical Reference:
1) Acts 1
2) John 20:16-18
3) Luke 24:22-24
4) John 20:24, 25
5) John 20:26-28
6) John 21:1-23
7) Matthew 28:16
Appearances of Christ After the Resurrection
Appeared To:
8) Eleven apostles
9) More than 500 at
once
10) Simon Peter
11) James
12) Paul
13) John on Patmos
Biblical Reference:
8) I Corinthians 15:6
9) Luke 24:24
10) Matthew 28:16
11) I Corinthians 15:7
12) Acts 9:3-6; I Corinthians 15:8
13) Revelation 1:1-20
Not only are the eyewitnesses
astounding just in their sheer number,
but many of them were still alive when
Paul wrote about them
After that, he was seen of above five
hundred brethren at once; of whom the
greater part remain unto this present, but
some are fallen asleep.
I Corinthians 15:6
Not only are the eyewitnesses
astounding just in their sheer number,
but many of them were still alive when
Paul wrote about them
Paul was, in essence, calling on any
skeptics or critics to cross-examine them
for themselves
The Cases of Conversion
The conversion of only two individuals is
especially persuasive and, when taken
with the other evidences, serves to prove
beyond a doubt the resurrection of Christ
The notion that the disciples stole the
body of Christ (per their scheme with the
soldiers) is ridiculous because of the
persecution and death so many of them
faced because of their faith
When faced with such persecution or
death, all that would have been
necessary to save themselves would
have been the truth of what really
happened to the body
Yet, no one confessed to such a scheme
or produced the body
But, thousands faced and accepted
persecution and death
Consider the conversion of James, the
Lord’s brother:
For neither did his brethren believe in him.
John 7:5
Consider the conversion of James, the
Lord’s brother:
Yet we find that after the resurrection of
Christ, James became a leader in the
Jerusalem church (Acts 1:14; 15:13-21)
and wrote the book the bears his name
But other of the apostles saw I none, save
James the Lord's brother.
Galatians 1:19
Consider the conversion of James, the
Lord’s brother:
Yet we find that after the resurrection of
Christ, James became a leader in the
Jerusalem church (Acts 1:14; 15:13-21)
and wrote the book the bears his name
History records that James was stoned
to death by an angry Jewish mob in
service to his brother
The only explanation for such a radical
change and loyal following is the
resurrection which James knew to be
true
After that, he was seen of James; then of
all the apostles.
I Corinthians 15:7
The only explanation for such a radical
change and loyal following is the
resurrection which James knew to be
true
A second, even more convincing
conversion, is that of Saul of Tarsus
Consider what he was, what he did, what
he became, what he gave up and what he
suffered
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings
and slaughter against the disciples of the
Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired
of him letters to Damascus to the
synagogues, that if he found any of this
way, whether they were men or women, he
might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
Acts 9:1
Of the Jews five times received I forty
stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with
rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered
shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in
the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of
waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine
own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in
perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness,
in perils in the sea, in perils among false
brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in
watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in
fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside
those things that are without, that which
cometh upon me daily, the care of all the
churches.
II Corinthians 11:24-28
For I am now ready to be offered, and the
time of my departure is at hand. I have
fought a good fight, I have finished my
course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth
there is laid up for me a crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous
judge, shall give me at that day: and not to
me only, but unto all them also that love his
appearing.
II Timothy 4:6-8
From persecutor to persecuted, almost
overnight
From a leader in the Jewish world to one
despised and pursued by them the
remainder of his life
From one who killed those who professed
Christ to one who was willing to be killed
for His Cause
Nothing short of the proof of the
resurrection of Christ could bring about
such a change in Saul of Tarsus!
Jesus Christ was raised from the dead!
Of that fact we can be sure!
It is proven…
By Fulfilled Prophecy
By The Empty Tomb
By The Eyewitnesses
By The Cases of Conversion