"We Believe in Jesus' Resurrection" Acts 10:39-43 Pastor Allan Wooters, D.Min.
Billy Graham once told Time magazine, “If I were an enemy of Christianity, I would aim right at the Resurrection, because that is the heart of Christianity.” That is absolutely true! The entire thrust of Scripture supports Mr. Graham’s statement. Given that fact, it is no wonder that those who deny historic, biblical doctrine attack the resurrection. And I’m not talking simply about secular skeptics, but of those within the larger umbrella of Christianity.
For example, back in 1994 Dr. Robert Funk, a so-called theologian, said this about the resurrection:
The tales of entombment and resurrection were latter-day wishful thinking. Instead, Jesus’ corpse went the way of all abandoned criminals’ bodies: it was probably barely covered with dirt, vulnerable to the wild dogs that roamed the wasteland of the execution grounds. 1
I feel like quoting the Church Lady, “Well, ain’t that special!” But mocking will not do. Answering such assertions is what is needed.
The Apostles’ Creed, the oldest confession of faith, affirms the literal resurrection of Jesus. Its words are unmistakable, “The third day He rose again from the dead.” More importantly, Scripture declares as historical fact that Jesus rose bodily from the dead. One such affirmation is Acts 10:39 – 43.
The words here are part of a larger narrative telling of the apostle Peter taking the gospel to the household of a Gentile named Cornelius. This man was a Roman centurion – a military man – but who also was a “God-fearer.” God-fearer was a title used by Jews to refer to Gentiles who had not yet converted to Judaism but who were worshipers of God. The intriguing story is unfolded throughout chapter 10 of Acts. God uses extraordinary means to send Peter to Cornelius’ home and there preach Christ to him and all who he had gathered to hear. Part of what Peter preached is our focus in this message. The essential elements concerning the resurrection are here. They form a powerful statement concerning the truth that Jesus did indeed rise from the dead. So, we need to delve into this by asking first what the Bible means by resurrection.
What Does the Bible Mean by Resurrection?
We need to be clear on this because many folks today are either confused or emphasize the wrong element in our faith. The focus is on our souls. There is a focus on the fact that our souls are eternal. So, when we die our souls go to be with Christ. And that is true, gloriously true! But, dying and existing forever as some soul floating around in heaven is not the biblical teaching. What the Bible teaches is that our bodies will by the power of God, be raised. Indeed, they will be transformed bodies, but we will exist forever as tangible men and women.
So, when the Bible speaks of Jesus’ resurrection it is emphatically not saying that He rose again as some mere spirit being. Rather the undeniable affirmation is that Jesus rose bodily from the tomb. His body was transformed but it was His body, nonetheless.
Now, it might not sound like that in part of the text. Notice that Peter says in v.40 that “God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible…” to certain “chosen witnesses.” Jesus became visible? That sounds like some sort of ghost or spirit, right? But Peter cannot mean that because he goes on to say in v.41 that he and others “ate and drank with Him.” Spirits by definition cannot eat or drink because they don’t have the right kind of body. Jesus did and Peter notes this (v. 41). His was a transformed body; a resurrection body as Paul calls it in 1 Corinthians 15. Yes, this is a mystery to us but something our all-powerful God can easily do.
Let me cut to the chase. When the Bible mentions Jesus’ resurrection the human authors are affirming that Jesus truly died on Friday afternoon, and on Sunday morning He personally, bodily, physically and literally rose from the dead, never to die again. He rose personally—it was Jesus Himself, not some substitute as Muslims teach. He rose bodily – meaning that it was His crucified body that was raised from the dead. He rose physically – meaning that He was not a ghost or a phantom or a figment of someone’s imagination. To say that He rose literally means that it really happened. And the word “resurrection” means that Jesus was raised immortal and incorruptible, never to die again. During His earthly ministry, Jesus raised several people from the dead, most notably Lazarus. But those miracles were resuscitations, not true resurrections. Lazarus was destined to die again. But Jesus, having once experienced death and having triumphed over it, would never die again. He was raised immortal—alive from the dead—and He still lives today. That is what Peter is saying in his sermon. It is what is affirmed by all great Christian confessions and above all by God’s infallible word. Okay! That is the heady stuff. Now, another question: why does the resurrection matter?
Why Does the Resurrection Matter?
Oh, let me count the ways! Really, seriously, there are several reasons why the resurrection matters. First, it matters because this is what the Bible teaches. I just spent time a moment ago detailing what the Bible says on this issue. Let there be no confusion on this point. Everything in the gospel records, everything in the book of Acts, everything in the letters, stands in perfect harmony on this point: Jesus literally died and then rose bodily from the dead. If anyone denies the resurrection, they have created what Paul labels in Galatians 1, “another gospel.” Of such a false gospel Paul declares, “If any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!” Strong words to be sure! But they are tough love aimed at alerting us to the essential nature of Jesus’ resurrection to genuine Christian faith. Let me be clear: if anyone denies the resurrection of Jesus, she or he is not a Christian. How can they be when they believe in a different Jesus and a different gospel neither of which can save.
Second, this is what happened. If we could go back in time to that garden outside of Jerusalem, we would see the empty tomb. If we could be there with the disciples later that day, we would see Jesus suddenly appear to them. The only plausible reason why Jesus’ disciples risked their very lives to preach a risen Jesus is because Jesus actually rose from the dead.
Third, this is what the Church universal has always believed. The Apostles’ Creed makes this abundantly clear. It is one part of our faith that is non-negotiable. It is the truth that unites Christians of all denominations large and small. It also separates us from those who claim to teach the Bible but do not. It is, for example, a one key element that separates us from Jehovah’s Witnesses. They deny the literal, bodily resurrection of Jesus. They teach that Jesus was unconscious for three days, and then Jehovah recreated Him as the archangel Michael. So, the resurrection is really a re-creation of Jesus not a bodily rising from the dead. They explain that perhaps Christ’s body was dissolved into gases by Jehovah. 2 I could say a lot here but let’s move on.
Fourth, the resurrection is essential to our salvation. If Jesus had not been raised, we could not be saved. Romans 4:24 says that Jesus “was delivered over because of our transgressions and was raised because of our justification.” First Corinthians 15 puts the matter in no uncertain terms:
If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain…. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men to be pitied (vs.13 – 19).
But wait! Isn’t the cross the place where you said recently that Jesus paid the price for our sins? Yes, I did. And it’s true. But the cross and the resurrection go together to gain us salvation. John Calvin helps here. He writes that our sin was truly taken away by Jesus’ death on the cross. But by His resurrection we gain eternal life. 3 A dead savior saves no one. Jesus’ resurrection proves that His sacrifice on the cross was accepted by God for the sins of all believers. Therefore, Paul could write in 1 Corinthians 15:22, “In Christ all will be made alive.”
Fifth, it tells us who Jesus really is. It is concrete proof that He is the Son of God, the one true Savior and Lord. He is not a false prophet. He is not simply a prophet as Islam falsely states. He is not merely a great moral teacher. He is not Michael the archangel. It means His word can be trusted and should be believed against all teachings that contradict it.
Sixth, it foreshadows the future glory of all believers. When Jesus returns, we will be raised from the dead. At death we go to be with Christ while our body “sleeps.” But in the mysterious providence of God, our bodies will be raised. Plus, as Scripture affirms, we will be like Jesus because we will see Him as He is. We will have a body like His glorious body (1 John 3:2).
All of this brings me to one question: now what? If you are not a Christian, then believe! You are not quite ready to commit? You have some doubts and questions? Fine! Investigate! Do what former atheist Lee Strobel did. He investigated the story of Jesus’ resurrection and came away convinced of its truth. Christianity fears no question, no scrutiny because truth does not mind being studied and questioned, only deception hates questions.
If you are a believer, then reaffirm your faith. The pandemic might have shaken your trust in God but going back to the truth that Jesus is alive allows us to honestly turn our thoughts from fear to faith. Our Lord is the one, true Lord! Our faith is the one, true faith! What peace, humility, and joy this gives. Peter applies it all perfectly saying in v.43, “Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.” Cornelius did! Have you?
For Further Reading
See any of Lee Strobel’s books such as The Case for Christ, The Case for the Real Jesus, The Case for Faith.