10250 North Freeway @ West Road
Houston, Texas 77037
Tel: (281) 447-8484

Basic Discipleship
Written by Dr. Lester Hutson

This material is copyrighted c2002 and may not be copied or reproduced without the express written permission of the Berean Baptist Church.

To order a copy of Basic Discipleship,
please visit our Publications section.

PHASE 3         CHURH ORIENTATION AND EDIFICATION

SESSION 12

THE BODILY RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST AND HIS GOSPEL 

"If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins" (1 Corinthians 15:17).

Dear mentor of men, the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is central and crucial to Christian doctrine.  Make sure your disciple sees and appreciates that fact.

Do not assume he/she is convicted about it.  Truly, this great Christian claim has been questioned and denied by multitudes for many years.  At the time, the Jewish leaders paid the soldiers who guarded the tomb money to claim that grave robbers had stolen away the body of Jesus.  Since then many efforts and theories have been postulated to cast doubt on Christ's resurrection.

In this session your student will see lots of Bible passages that deal with the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the ramifications thereof.  He will see that the resurrection of Christ is one of the basic components of the gospel of Christ and that no one can be saved apart from the gospel.  It automatically follows that there is no salvation outside of the resurrection of Christ.

This truth is groundwork and foundation material for many other great doctrinal truths, including the second coming of Christ which we will soon consider.  So often one great Christian truth is the foundation and stepping-stone for another.  That is truly the case with this one.  So much of what we believe and practice hinges upon the reality of our risen Savior.  Why assemble each Sunday in church to worship a dead person?  Why eagerly anticipate the return of one who lies in a graveyard?  Why hope for immortality beyond the grave if there is no one who has conquered death by resurrection?

Ever love your disciple.  Tell him you care.  Pray for him.  Show him your love.  Don't assume that he knows it.  Be there for him.  Probe into his life and do your best to make sure he gets hold of these great truths.  They will ground him, strengthen him and help him grow into a mentor of others.  After all, that is your objective...to bring this disciple to do for others what you are doing for him.  Take a minute to return to that scripture in the bulls-eye of the circle graph on the cover of this Discipleship Minister's Manual.

You, too, should be excited about this study and your disciple should see that excitement in you.  Some things are caught as well as taught.  Hopefully your disciple will be taught from these exercises while catching excitement, zeal and passion from you.

The passage that you have just read makes several key points regarding the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.  To focus some of these points clearly in your mind, complete this matching exercise.  You will see for your own self that Christ's resurrection is fundamental Christian doctrine and that it has many ramifications.

  1.   Verse 8        (  6)   Those who claim Christ rose are false witnesses if He didn't rise. 

  2.   Verse 14      (  9)    The resurrection of Christ is one of the 3 key aspects of the gospel. 

  3.   Verse 14        (14)  Because He rose, believers will rise when He comes again. 

  4.   Verse 17        (  5)  If Christ didn't rise, dead believers are forever  perished. 

  5.   Verse 18        (  1)  Paul was a personal witness of the resurrected Christ. 

  6.   Verse 15        (12)  If Christ didn't rise, all hope is limited to one's earthly life. 

  7.   Verse 20        (  3)  If Christ didn't rise, all preaching about it is vain. 

  8.   Verse 6        (10)    The resurrection of Christ guarantees the resurrection of the dead. 

  9.   Verses 1-4       (  4)  If Christ didn't rise, we are all still in our sins. 

10.  Verse 12        (13)  By one man, Jesus Christ, came the resurrection of the dead.

11.  Verse 13        (  2)  If Christ didn't rise, our faith in Him is vain. 

12.  Verse 19        (11)  If there be no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 

13.  Verses 21-22   (  7)   The risen Christ is the first of the resurrection of many. 

14.  Verse 23        (  8)   At one point, 500 witnessed the bodily risen Christ. 

15.  Verse 29        (18)  His future subjection of all things is based on His resurrection. 

16.  Verse 30        (15)  Why be baptized for the dead man, Christ, if He be not risen? 

18.  Verses 27-28   (16)   Why jeopardize our life’s, as Paul did, for one who is in the grave?

UNDERSTANDING THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST 

The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is an inseparable element of the gospel of Christ.  Notice from the passage in 1 Corinthians 15 that "the gospel" is under consideration as the chapter begins.  Note that verses 3-4 define the gospel.  Fill in the blanks to see clearly the three inseparable elements of the gospel of Christ.

1.     "Christ died for our sins."

2.     "He was buried."

3.     "He rose again the third day."

While you are considering these verses, note that the gospel work of Christ was "according to the scriptures."

Gospel literally means good news.  Christ's death, burial and resurrection is truly good news for sinners.  His whole earthly ministry is good news (gospel) in that He came here and did what He did for fallen man, but apart from His death, burial and resurrection, His coming would have meant nothing more than the life of any other person.  The good news about Jesus' coming is that He fully satisfied the condemnation against sinners by His own death, burial and resurrection.  That is truly the good news, the gospel.

Paul affirmed that the gospel message did not originate with him.  Where do you suppose he got the message?  For the answer read 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 and 2 Peter 1:21.  Read also Galatians 1:12, then fill in these blanks. "For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."

A Multiple Choice Exercise About the Gospel of Jesus Christ

This multiple choice exercise will provide you with greater insight into the gospel. First read the scripture. Doing so will enable you to choose the best answer. 

1. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.   The gospel of Christ is:

A.    The whole Bible.

B.    The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our sins.

C.    The four gospels which give the account of Christ's earthly ministry.

D.     Everything there is to know about Jesus Christ.

2. 1 Corinthians 15:1-2.  The gospel received results in one's:

A.    Salvation from sin's penalty.

B.    A guilty conscience.

C.    Conviction.

D.    Membership in a church.

3. Romans 1:16-17.  The gospel is:

A.    God's exclusive message of salvation for lost sinners.

B     A message only for Jews.

C.    A message only for Gentiles.

D.    Not related to one's salvation.

4. Galatians 1:6-7.  When it comes to a definition of the term gospel:

A.    Everybody defines it exactly the same.

B.    Different people have different ideas about what the gospel is.

C.    There is no standard definition of the gospel.

D.    The definition of the gospel is not important.

5. Galatians 1:6-7.  Choose the wrong answer from the options listed.

A.    The gospel can be perverted.

B.    People who were once right on the gospel can be turned away from it into error.

C.    Any gospel other than the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the hope for sinners is really not the gospel at all.

D.    What one believes about the gospel didn't matter to Paul and shouldn't be an issue today.

6. Galatians 1:8-9.  Any message of salvation from sin's penalty other than the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ is to be:

A.                Tolerated.

B.                Embraced.

C.                Rejected.

D.                Considered.

7. 1 Corinthians 9:16-23.  In view of this passage, our propagation of the gospel of Christ is:

A.    Optional.

B.     Mandatory and urgent.

C.    To be done at our leisure.

D.    Really not that important.

8. 2 Corinthians 4:4.  Satan:

A.    Is not aware of the gospel of Christ.

B     Does not know what the gospel of Christ is.

C.    Has no interest or concern about the gospel of Christ.

D.    Blinds the minds of every sinner he can to the gospel of Christ.

9. Philippians 1:27.  Embracing of the gospel of Christ:

A.   Produces no practical effects in the life of a believer.

B.    Is not designed with practicality in mind.

C.    Should produce a distinct and improved lifestyle in those who embrace it.

D.    Makes a person mean and cantankerous instead of meek and humble.

10. Mark 1:1.  The events of the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ which led up to His death, burial and resurrection are recorded:

A.    In the four gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

B.    Are not recorded but are mere hearsay.

C.    And constitute everything that Jesus Christ ever did or said while He was on this earth.

D.    And prove that Jesus Christ did not exist prior to His birth in Bethlehem.

Food for Thought

1.     What do you suppose is meant by the common idiomatic, "That's the gospel truth?"

2.     When asked what the gospel is, many say, " The Bible."  Is that a correct response?

3      Sometimes after a very emotional, heart-wrenching sermon that mentions nothing about the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, some will say, "That was a great gospel message."  Are they right?

4.     Can anyone reject or deny the gospel of Christ and be saved?

5.     If someone who does not embrace the gospel of Christ is truly sincere in embracing some other means as a hope of salvation, will God understand and save him anyway?

6.     If men are saved by the gospel and the gospel is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, can anyone be saved who doesn't believe the gospel?

7.     Is it possible to reject the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ & still believe the gospel? 

THE MIRACLE OF ALL MIRACLES

Jesus Christ performed many great miracles. He fed 5,000 with five loaves and two fishes (John 6:1-13), walked on water (Matthew 14:24-29) and even raised Lazarus who had been dead four days (John 11:1-44).  None of these can compare with His own resurrection from death.  Regardless of whatever else He might do, had He been unable to come forth from the grave, all else would have been for naught.  Of what value is a dead savior to anyone?

Look at the following scriptures.  They will give you some idea of the importance of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ to Christianity and of its magnitude in the Christian scenario.  The ramifications of His resurrection are profound.  As you read the passages, fill in the blanks. 

1. John 2:19-22.

"Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said." 

2. Matthew 16:21.

"From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day." 

3. Matthew 27:62-66.

"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 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."

4. Matthew 28:1-6.

"In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: 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 raiment 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." 

5. John 20:11-18.

"But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her." 

6. John 20:19-20.

"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. And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord." 

7. John 20:24-28.

"But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God." 

8. Acts 2:22-24.

"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." 

9. Acts 1:1-3.

"The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he showed 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." 

10. Romans 8:31-34.

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." 

11. Acts 1:9-11.

"And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." 

12. Revelation 1:12-18.

"It Does Make a Difference What You Believe"