In today’s broadcast, we ponder the ‘what ifs’ of the resurrection. Imagine a world without the confirmation of Jesus Christ’s triumph over death. How would this affect the validity of His teachings and the very foundation of Christian faith? As we navigate these questions, we discuss how the resurrection bolsters our hope, fortifies the church, and underscores the necessity of baptism. Tune in for a compelling journey through key biblical passages shedding light on the importance of this miracle.
00:00:00 Introduction and Thoughts on Resurrection
Friends, what if there had been no resurrection of Jesus Christ? Have you ever paused for a moment and thought about it? Join me today as we ponder this thought and be thankful He did resurrect. That’s our study today from the International Gospel Hour. Stay with us.
SPEAKER 01 :
Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour. For 90 years, churches of Christ have proclaimed God’s Word through International Gospel Hour. You are about to listen to another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, starting now.
SPEAKER 02 :
Well, thank you to our J-Web, and greetings to all of you. Again, I am so thankful that you’ve tuned in to our broadcast today. Thank you for listening to us and for studying the Word of God with us. We trust God’s Word to be the authority in the matters of religion, and we wish to bring that forth in our studies. A little bit about us here at International Gospel Hour. We are under the oversight of the elders of the West Fayetteville, Tennessee, Church of Christ. Our mailing address is PO Box 118, Fayetteville, Tennessee, 37334. If you’re not familiar where Fayetteville is located… We are in the southern part of Tennessee, about halfway across the state, and just due north of Huntsville, Alabama. Our toll-free number is 855-444-6988. It is available 24-7. You can call us with a comment, a request, and we share our phone number diligently and often through our broadcast. You can also reach us at internationalgospelhour.com. That is our website, and we hope that it will be of help to you. Please feel free to go to our website, internationalgospelhour.com, and peruse it and see the things available for you. All absolutely free. Let’s talk about the resurrection of Christ. Oh, it’s so, so powerful. Think of that blessed morning from the text of Matthew 28, verse 6, when it was declared, He is not here, for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. I love the desire of the Apostle Paul from Philippians 3, verses 10-12. when he said that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings being conformed to his death, if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained or am already perfected, but I press on that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Now here is Paul, who was obedient unto Christ, but still wanted to know, wanted to grow, and wanted to attain. What a wonderful thought, and that is worthy for our pursuit. But let’s consider the resurrection of Christ with a little different approach. As noted earlier, what would have happened had Jesus not resurrected? It is a scary thought. Back in a moment, but first, here is an awesome free gift from International Gospel Hour that awaits you. And here is our J-Web.
SPEAKER 01 :
Our special free publication today is called Discovery, Scripture and Science for Kids. For over 20 years, our friends at ApologeticsPress.org have made this great resource possible to help our children in dealing with such teachings as evolution, dinosaurs, creation, and a variety of biblical subjects written on a child’s level. We at International Gospel Hour have been blessed with a very limited number of these, and you can get your free copy today by calling toll-free at 855-444-6988. Leave your name and address and just say, Discovery. That’s it. Again, that’s 855-444-6988. Leave your name and address and just say, Discovery. You can also send your request through our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Click on the contact tab and leave us your name and address and put reason in the message box. We will send you a copy. Again, we only have a very limited number, so reach out to us now.
SPEAKER 02 :
Friends, if no resurrection, there is no validity that Jesus was the Christ. There would be no preaching on Pentecost. Remember in Acts 2, verse 29 and following, Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us this day. Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne. He, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that his soul was not left in Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore, being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he poured out this which you now see and hear. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. My friends, imagine not hearing that. Jesus is in the tomb, and even if they were to preach that, who would believe it? Later in Acts 10 and verse 40, it spoke of the Christ, him God raised up the third day and showed him openly. Verse 38 of Acts 10 affirms that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power. Now imagine had Jesus still been in the tomb. None of this could have been affirmed. But we have that assurance that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, Acts 17 verse 31. And we also know that He was declared to be the Son of God with power through His resurrection, Romans 1 and verse 4. In the Christ one must put his hope and his trust. And the resurrection clearly showed there was none other like him. There is none other who can deliver us from the spiritual death either, friends. He arose, and so can we, John 5, 28 and 29. And we will arise. But think about all of what we said. If there had been no resurrection, there would be no validity that Jesus was the Christ and all of what I said would have been empty. Folks, if there was no resurrection, have you ever considered there would be no church? Listen to Ephesians 1, 19-23. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe according to the working of his mighty power? which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, for above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. Now listen. Verse 22 of Ephesians 1. And he put all things under his feet and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. When God raised Christ, He placed Christ head of the church. Now, had there not been no resurrection, Jesus would not have been head of anything. You know, it’s interesting. There was a Jewish rabbi many, many years ago by the name of Pincus Lapid. And, you know, he argued that Jesus was raised from the dead. Now, Lapid said the Gentile church could not have come into existence had such not happened. Now, Folks, while we acknowledge such a proof of the resurrection of Christ, and to see a Jewish rabbi who would argue that point. Now, we’re not going to agree that the church is a Gentile church, because Christ broke down the middle wall of partition, making all one in Christ. That’s Galatians 3.28 and Ephesians 2.14-16. Friends, we must be added to the church that Christ purchased, Acts 2 verse 47 and Acts 20 and verse 28, and through which the message of the gospel is preached. Now imagine, had there been no resurrection, had Jesus still been in the tomb, there would have been no church. How about this one? If no resurrection, there is no baptism. Have you considered how the resurrection of Christ is so carefully paralleled to one that is baptized? Listen to Romans 6, 3-6. Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death. Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, Certainly we also shall be in the likeness of his resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. Well, friends, we are risen with Christ. Indeed, if we are Christians, we’re forgiven. Our trespasses are gone. Colossians 1 verse 14. And there are two important things to see where in one stands. If one is not risen with Christ, one is still dead. Ephesians 2, verse 1. There’s the older word of the King James Version. Quicken means to produce and preserve. Now, a person that says baptism is not essential, but according to the Scripture, one is still dead unless one is baptized. If we say baptism is not essential… then we say we’re saved, but the scripture says we’re still dead. Friends, I want to trust the scripture. If one is risen with Christ and one needs to make certain he or she is focused on the things above, Colossians 3 verses 1 through 4, and how were they risen with Christ? When you go back to Colossians 2 and verse 12, they were risen with him through baptism, through the faith of the operation of God who raised him from the dead. And as there is a resurrection of the dead, as mentioned earlier, John 5, 28 and 29, the resurrection of the new life through baptism is absolutely essential. Friends, if there was no resurrection, there would be no need to baptize anyone. I am thankful for the resurrection of Christ. Here’s a few words about our website at internationalgospelhour.com.
SPEAKER 01 :
And so much more! That’s our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Now, let’s return to our study.
SPEAKER 02 :
Friends, I am grateful for the resurrection of Christ, and I know you are as well. And we’re going to continue our studies together at another time. Thank you for joining me today on the International Gospel Hour radio broadcast. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, keep listening.
In today’s broadcast, we ponder the ‘what ifs’ of the resurrection. Imagine a world without the confirmation of Jesus Christ’s triumph over death. How would this affect the validity of His teachings and the very foundation of Christian faith? As we navigate these questions, we discuss how the resurrection bolsters our hope, fortifies the church, and underscores the necessity of baptism. Tune in for a compelling journey through key biblical passages shedding light on the importance of this miracle.
