While we certainly do not want to undervalue faith in what the Lord tells us, there is much evidence in the Bible to affirm the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.  The witness of some of the prominent followers of the Lord is given to us. 

Mary Magdelene was the first one at the Lord’s tomb on the first day of the week after His crucifixion.  We read of her encounter with the empty tomb in John 20.  After finding the tomb empty, she ran to inform John and Peter who also came to the tomb.  When they found it empty, we find their reaction in verse 8, “Then went in also that other disciple (Peter), which came first to the sepulchre, and he SAW and BELIEVED.”  Later, Mary met the resurrected Lord in verses 11-18, where the Lord spoke reassuring words to her.  We read in verse 18, “Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.”

It was later that same day that the resurrected Lord appeared to His disciples in verses 19-20.  Thomas was not there when that happened, but eight days later the Lord appeared to them again, with Thomas being present.  Seeing His risen savior, Thomas, who had doubted the Lord’s resurrection exclaimed, “My Lord and my God.” (Verses 26-29).

It has often been noted that the behavior and bravery of the Lord’s disciples changed dramatically after they saw Him alive.  At one point, hiding away because of fear, the disciples went on to live lives of great service with almost all of them dying a martyr’s death because of their testimony that Christ had risen from the dead.  Surely one would not give his life if he was not convinced of the truth of Christ’s resurrection.  It was on the Day of Pentecost when Peter, who had previously denied the Lord out of fear, made a public proclamation of how the Lord had been raised from the dead.  He said in Acts 2:23-24, “Him (Christ), being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom GOD HATH RAISED UP, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.”  Peter confirmed that all the disciples had seen the Lord in verse 32, “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof WE ALL ARE WITNESSES.”   So powerful was his testimony that about 3,000 people believed and were saved that same day. (Verse 41).

The Apostle Paul gives us a list of some of those who were witnesses to the Lord’s resurrection.  We read in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.”

  • Cephas is Peter (John 1:42).  He became prominent as the apostle to the Jews (Galatians 2:7-8).
  • The twelve, a familiar name for the 12 disciples, but there were only 11 at that point.
  • More than 500 brethren at once.  These were believers (brethren), but we do not know when this event happened. It could have occurred in Galilee.  (Read Matthew 26:32; 28:7, 10, and 16).  The interesting thing about these people is the great number.  It is estimated that 1 Corinthians was written in 53-55 AD and many of these people were still alive to validate what they had seen.  If any doubted Christ’s resurrection, they could go to these men for their personal recollection of what they had seen.
  • James is likely referring to the half-brother of Christ who did not believe on Him while He was on the earth (John 7:5), yet we find Mary, and the Lord’s brothers in the upper room waiting for the descent of the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:12-14.
  • All the apostles.  This would probably include many that followed the Lord, not officially appointed apostles.  It may have included the 70 men the Lord had previously appointed. (Luke 10:1).
  • He was seen by Paul.  We have no record that Paul saw the Lord between His resurrection and His ascension.  However, he did see the glorified Christ while traveling on the road to Damascus.  Read of this remarkable event in Acts 9:1-9.

So, we have seen many good proofs of the risen Christ.  With the Holy Spirit leading us into all truth in John 16:13, those with a true desire to know the truth of Christ’s resurrection should have no problem accepting this vital truth that “The Lord is risen indeed.” (Luke 24:34).  (CC)  (722.2)