By Daniel Brown
A Letter Defending the Bodily Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ
1 Corinthians 15:28
The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is indeed the apex of the Christian faith. Every cluster of truth within biblical Christendom hangs upon the vine of the resurrected Saviour. If Christ did not raise from the grave, every person in every age who has claimed to follow the miracle-working Nazarene, and every martyr who has given his life for his faith in the risen Christ has been “duped”, “hood-winked”, and would rightly be the laughing stock of history. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave truly changes everything!
What if you changed the doctrine of the resurrection though? What if, just for example, we claimed to adhere to a belief in the resurrection of Christ, but simply asserted that the resurrection was “spiritual”, not physical? Would it make a difference? Is it really that important that Christ rose from the dead in a physical body, as opposed to a spiritual one? In fact, its much easier to convince unbelievers of a spiritual resurrection than it is of a physical one. After all, there is no proof involved in a spiritual resurrection. Like every other prophet, from every other religion, from every historical time period, the claims of Christ would not need to be substantiated if they only existed in an invisible spiritual realm.
The reality is, this seemingly minor change to the doctrine of the resurrection is quite possibly a more dangerous teaching than the outright denial of the resurrection. When dealing with subjects such as this, I am often reminded of the statement I heard Dr. Clarence Sexton make countless times during my college years, “The most dangerous lies, are the lies that are closest to the truth.” This statement is never more accurate, than in the context of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The following is an English translation of a letter I wrote to friend of mine, who happens to be a part of the Jehovah’s Witness organization in Germany. Within almost two years, this friend and I met somewhat regularly to discuss the Word of God. For the most part, we kept the focus of our discussions to the person of Jesus Christ, although there were some instances in which we strayed off subject. Those particular conversations usually led to frustration on both sides. Although the Jehovah’s Witness defense of their teaching that Jesus Christ was not Almighty God is biblically irrational and weak, there was one passage of scripture that troubled me. It was a “problem passage” for me. My friend realized this, and took the opportunity to revert to this passage whenever he felt cornered. It was after a few bouts with this verse, and never really coming to grips with the context surrounding it, that I settled in my heart to dig deeper.
I would like to request the following of each reader:
Please pray for my friend. Since presenting him with the letter, he has
completely cut off communication with me. I truly desire to see him come to faith in the true and living Saviour, Jesus Christ. My hope is that the Holy Spirit would take the Word of God which I have shared with him and continually bring it to his remembrance; highlighting every fallacy of the Watchtower Organization, and the great need of his soul for redemption.
Prayerfully seek out those who are caught in the grip of cultic teaching. The Watchtower Organization and others like it may be enemies of the cross, but those who belong to them are blind, eternal souls who are in desperate need of God’s grace. They will not be saved through debate, or rude one- liners. However, God will use the gracious, faithful testimony of a Spirit-filled witness of Jesus Christ to draw them to Himself.
Reply to me. If you have a different perspective on the passage, or on the commentary of it; or, if you simply want to share another scriptural truth that has helped you in witnessing, please send it to me. I look forward to your feedback.
In Christ, Daniel J. Brown
Letter written on November 28, 2017
Dear G
Finally I am able to return to our theme. I am very sorry that it took me so long. The last weeks have been quite hectic, yet very productive weeks.
The topic: “The Resurrection of Jesus Christ” is weighing heavily on my heart. I believe according to Paul’s teaching, that the entire hope of the Christian is inseparable from the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:17-19, “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” Truly, all faith in Jesus Christ is in vain, as well as the hope for forgiveness of sin, if Jesus Christ did not raise from the grave.
Surely you would agree that this is the central theme of the Christian faith. However, your question is not “is there a resurrection?”, but “What does the resurrection actually mean?” I have very carefully read the Bible passages that you sent me, and have compared them with the overall scriptural teaching of the resurrection. I found that the teaching of the Bible, including the passages which you recommended to me (1 Corinthians 15:35-57; Luke 24L15-32; John 20:14-26; 1 Peter 3:18) clearly reveal a bodily, physical resurrection. In this letter, I would like to explain the reasons why I believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave.
As always, I want to remind you that I pray for your often. My prayer is that you would acknowledge the true God of the Bible, the Lord Jesus Christ, to receive forgiveness of sin and eternal life.
...my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.Romans 10:1-2
To begin, I would like to give an explanation of each passage your shared with me in the order in which you sent them to me, along with an answer to the questions you asked in relation to these passages. I have listed every verse. For this reason the letter appears quite long.
Question Passages #1: Luke 24: 15-32 and John 20:14-16
And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. Andthey said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
Luke 24:15-32
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.
John 20:14-16