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Did Jesus Rise Bodily?

At this time of year Christians around the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Sadly, many who profess His name do not understand the critical importance of Jesus’ resurrection. Many claiming to be Christians do not believe that Jesus was raised bodily. Rather, they believe he was raised only in spirit. And even worse, many believe that His resurrection was only in the minds of His followers.

Can those who do not believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ be true Christians? Can they rest assured of their salvation when their life comes to its inevitable end? We’ll see what the Word of God says about that. But first, let’s see whether or not the Bible teaches a bodily resurrection.

Let’s look at the clearest text on the bodily resurrection of Jesus. Some of Jesus’ disciples were gathered in Jerusalem the night after Jesus’ resurrection discussing the reports of the event.

“As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.” (Luke 24:36-43, ESV)

Considering it was so hard for those staring at the living body of Christ to believe, it’s certainly understandable that people 2,000 years later would have doubts. Nevertheless, if the Bible is what we say it is—the infallible, inerrant Word of God—then we must believe this historic account is accurate. If not, the entire Christian faith falls apart. Our detractors know this, which is why they vehemently attack the doctrine of the resurrection as well as the accuracy of the Bible.

The doctrine of the resurrection is at the very core of Christianity. It is a vital part of what our Apostle Paul taught as being “of first importance.” Without it you do not have true Christianity, but only a powerless manmade religion.

Paul begins to explain in 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, ESV. “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.”

It’s not only Jesus’ resurrection that is at the core of Christianity, but also the resurrection of all true Christians. Jesus promised that all who truly belong to Him would also be resurrected bodily to eternal life. “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:40, ESV)

Paul continues in verses 12-20 to address those who would deny either resurrection.

“Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

According to these verses, denial of the resurrections completely nullifies the entire Christian faith. That certainly answers the question “Can those who do not believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ be true Christians?”

“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

For a fuller exposition on this subject, see the Spring 2008 issue of Insight.