Evidence for the Truth – Resurrection Theories Debunked (Part 5)

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So in the last several videos, I’ve been explaining these other alternative theories that dismiss the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And now I want us to focus on the evidence for the truthfulness of the resurrection, and I want to do it this way. The lives of many people were changed, and they were changed drastically because of this testimony, and this proclamation that Jesus rose from the dead.

Take for example Peter. Peter who denied Jesus three times because, why, he was pressured by a 14 year old girl and several others. But what happened to Peter? He goes on to become the leader of the apostles. He’s willing to be arrested, willing to suffer. In about 68 A.D. he is crucified upside down for his belief in a crucified but risen Lord Jesus Christ. What explains this?

You have the half brother of Jesus by the name of James. James and his other brothers thought Jesus was not the Messiah. In fact, they said he was out of his mind. But what happens? James goes on to become the leader of the church in Jerusalem. James also suffers and is martyred.

And then you have Paul. Paul the great persecutor of the Christian faith. He not only has people arrested and put in jail, but he also votes to have them put to death. Paul goes on to become the greatest of the apostles in a sense, the greatest missionary, the greatest defender of the Christian faith.

He suffers greatly during his missionary trips, and finally he too is martyred in about the year 66-67 A.D.. So what explains this? What explains this? Does a swoon theory explain this? Does a wrong tomb theory explain this? Does a hallucination explain this? Does stealing the body explain this? No. Whether it be these three men or so many others who suffered for what they saw with their eyes and touched with their hands, and ate with their mouths as they joined him for a meal. The only thing that explains their willingness to suffer and even die is a man who was truly resurrected from the dead.

If he was resurrected from the dead and he was, it means that he is the Son of God.

But what does that mean? Well, it means before he rose, he was dead. And what does that mean? Well, it means that sin is very real.

It means that my sin is very, very serious. Your sin is very, very serious.

And it means, ultimately that my sin and your sin is really forgiven. Why else would the Son of God leave his place in heaven, come to earth, take on human flesh, and suffer and die in the way he did?

For those of us who are baptized and who believe in Christ, we have that forgiveness right now.

But if we are not there, we need to listen to the words of Peter in the book of Acts, where the Jews there, when they heard this message of the crucified and risen Christ, it says, they were cut to the heart. And they said, what should we do? And Peter said to them, repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

My name is David Thompson. I’m the director for The Center for Apologetics and Worldviews. Thank you for watching.