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TITLE: What Happened to the Body?
TEXT: 1 Corinthians 15:12-17
PROPOSITION: Many have tried to "explain away"
the resurrection.
QUESTION: Which?
KEY WORD: Theories
SCRIPTURE READING: Same
INTRODUCTION: Many accepted facts Jesus
lived, worked miracles, taught, died.
The resurrection is the CENTRAL issue for
Christians. Romans 1:4
If no resurrection then Jesus is not
savior, Lord, Son of God.
Many theories try to explain away the
resurrection.
Swoon Theory
- Accepts trial, cross, side-pierced,
loss of blood = swoon, coma.
- Three days later, wakes up, rolls away
stone, overcomes Roman guards
- If Jesus did not die on the cross
When did he die? Where is the body?
Spiritualist Theory
- Apostles contacted Jesus spirit (in
a séance) not in reality.
- Apostles did NOT expect to see Jesus
again.
Luke 24:11 Words seemed as idle tales, they
believed them not.
Mary Magdalene John 20:15 thought he was a
gardener.
Apostles preached bodily resurrection.
- Simple answer open the tomb
show the body.
Vision Theory
- God showed the apostles a vision of the
risen Lord.
- This takes a miracle to get rid of a
miracle.
- This makes God show and teach a lie.
- Simple answer open the tomb
show the body.
Mistaken Women Theory
- Guards would still be there. Luke 24:2
- Peter and John made the same mistake.
- Would you be willing to die preaching what
you know is a lie?
- Simple answer open the tomb
show the body.
Disciples stole the body Theory
- Died, suffered, imprisoned for what they
knew was a lie.
- Why would the soldier say they fell
asleep? Death for sleeping on duty.
Enemies stole the body Theory
- Why? This would give credence to the claim
of resurrection.
- Should have produced the body at
Pentecost.
- Did they destroy the body? They are the
ones who wanted it to stay buried.
Conclusion
- Romans 4:25 Delivered for our offences,
raised for our justification
- 1 John 3:2 We shall be like him, we shall
see him as he is.
- Song "We saw thee not"
- Angels said, Why seek the living with the
dead?"
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