Did Jesus Christ Really Rise From The Dead?

"Jesus then came and took the bread

and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.

This is now the third time Jesus showed himself

to his disciples after he was raised from the dead."

John 21:13-14

Some question the fact that Jesus Christ actually rose from the dead. All kinds of stories have been promulgated to foster the claim that he either didn't really die, or that it was not he who was seen after the crucifixion. Muslims teach that someone else took his place on the cross. Others put forth other wild stories to deny the resurrection of Christ.

For a person who has been born again through the Spirit of God this isn't even a question because they believe the Word of God. But for others, there are several points that refute the false accusations against the work Jesus accomplished in his death and resurrection. One of those points is the sheer number of eye-witnesses. Hear the words of the apostle Paul who also saw the risen Christ:

"For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received:

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,

and that he was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.

After that he was seen BY OVER FIVE HUNDRED brethren at once,

of whom the greater part remain to the present,

but some have fallen asleep (died)."

1 Corinthians 15:3-6

A second point is that the apostles went on to preach the Gospel for the rest of their lives, in spite of what they suffered for it. They were beaten, imprisoned, stoned, and in the end most of them were martyred. They could have escaped these sufferings if only they would cease preaching the resurrected Christ. It's highly unlikely that anyone would choose death rather than deny that they had in fact seen the resurrected Jesus. Would they allow themselves to be tortured for a lie? Would they give their lives for a lie?

Here is the summation of the matter clearly stated by the apostle Paul:

"Now if Christ is preached that he has been raised from the dead,

how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen.

And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty

and your faith is also empty.

Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God,

because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ,

whom he did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise.

For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen.

And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile,

you are still in your sins!

Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

If in this life only we have hope in Christ,

we are of all men the most pitiable."

1 Corinthians 15:12-19

But if it is TRUE, then we are of all people the most blessed!

I am one of them.

Are you?