Updated: April 2025
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not just a comforting story—it’s the very foundation of the Christian faith. Everything Christians believe about salvation, hope, eternal life, and the power of God rests on this one truth: Jesus rose from the dead.
As the apostle Paul boldly declared, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17, NIV). The resurrection isn’t just a doctrinal detail—it’s the cornerstone that supports the entire structure of Christianity.
So, why do Christians believe in the resurrection of Jesus? How can we be sure this isn’t just another religious myth?
Let’s take a closer look at the powerful reasons why the resurrection is not only credible—but foundational.
1️⃣ Jesus’ Public Execution: Proof of Real Death
The resurrection can only be true if Jesus truly died.
During the Feast of Passover, an angry mob led Jesus to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, accusing Him of claiming to be “King of the Jews” (Luke 23:20-25). Pilate ultimately gave in to the crowd, sentencing Jesus to death by crucifixion.
Jesus was executed publicly, outside the walls of Jerusalem, between two criminals (Matthew 27:38). Roman soldiers—experts in execution—ensured He was dead before removing His body. They broke the legs of the two criminals to hasten their deaths, but when they saw that Jesus had already died, they pierced His side with a spear (John 19:32-34).
This confirms that Jesus did not simply faint or swoon. He died a brutal death—verifiable by eyewitnesses, historical records, and Roman military protocol.
2️⃣ The Tomb Was Highly Secured: No Room for Staged Miracles
The day after Jesus’ crucifixion, the religious leaders asked Pilate to secure the tomb. They remembered Jesus had predicted He would rise again on the third day (Matthew 27:62-66). To prevent any possible deception, Pilate ordered the tomb to be sealed and placed a guard of Roman soldiers to stand watch.
This wasn’t a casual security detail. Roman guards knew that falling asleep on duty was punishable by death. Stealing Jesus’ body under their watch would’ve been nearly impossible—especially with a massive stone sealing the tomb and an official Roman seal in place.
3️⃣ The Empty Grave: Evidence that Demands a Verdict
Despite the seal, the stone, and the soldiers, the tomb was found empty early on the first day of the week (Mark 16:1–4). Women who came to anoint Jesus’ body found the stone rolled away—and the body gone.
Two of Jesus’ disciples, Peter and John, also ran to the tomb. They found Jesus’ burial wrappings lying neatly in place (John 20:3-7), but His body was nowhere to be found.
Even the guards themselves reported what had happened. In response, the religious leaders bribed them to say the disciples stole the body while they were asleep (Matthew 28:11-15).
Ironically, this false story confirms that the tomb was truly empty—otherwise, no such lie would have been necessary.
4️⃣ Eyewitnesses of the Risen Christ: Historical & Personal
After rising from the dead, Jesus didn’t just vanish—He appeared to many people, multiple times, in multiple places.
Paul recounts in 1 Corinthians 15:5-8 that Jesus appeared to:
- Peter (Cephas)
- The Twelve
- More than 500 people at once (many of whom were still alive when Paul wrote)
- James (His brother)
- Paul himself
These weren’t vague visions or dreams. Jesus walked, talked, ate, and allowed Himself to be touched (Luke 24:39-43; John 20:27-29). His appearances were physical, personal, and undeniable.
Luke, the physician and historian, affirms in Acts 1:3 that Jesus “presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs.”
5️⃣ Transformed Lives: The Power Behind the Message
Before the resurrection, Jesus’ disciples were afraid, scattered, and confused. Peter denied even knowing Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75). The rest went into hiding, fearing for their lives.
But after encountering the risen Christ, these same men became bold witnesses. They faced beatings, imprisonment, and threats without backing down. They openly declared Jesus’ resurrection to the very people who had condemned Him.
In Acts 5:29, when ordered to stop preaching about Jesus, Peter and the apostles replied, “We ought to obey God rather than men.”
Their message was clear: Jesus is alive—and that changes everything.
👉Wondering what the world would look like without the resurrection? Read this post: What If Jesus Did Not Rise from the Dead?
6️⃣ Martyrdom of the Disciples: Dying for the Truth
Some argue that people die for lies all the time—but the disciples weren’t dying for something they merely believed. They were dying for something they personally witnessed: the resurrected Christ.
They had nothing to gain in worldly terms. No power, no riches—only hardship. Yet they laid down their lives proclaiming the resurrection. Why? Because they had seen the risen Lord, and they knew it was true.
As Paul later wrote, “If we have hope in Christ only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead…” (1 Corinthians 15:19-20, NLT).
7️⃣ A Shift in Worship: From Sabbath to Sunday
The Sabbath (Saturday) was a sacred command for the Jewish people. Yet Jewish followers of Jesus began gathering on Sunday, the first day of the week. Why? Because this was the day Jesus rose from the dead.
This dramatic shift reflects the deep impact of the resurrection. Early Christians believed that Jesus’ resurrection ushered in a new covenant—a new way of relating to God, not through law, but through grace and the risen Savior.
This new rhythm of worship wasn’t based on tradition—it was rooted in a historical event.
If you’re curious to understand more about this transition and what sets the Sabbath apart from the Lord’s Day, I invite you to read my post: What Is the Difference Between the Sabbath and the Lord’s Day?
Conclusion: Is Your Faith Built on This Foundation?
The evidence for Jesus’ resurrection is both scriptural and historical. His death was public. His tomb was secure. His body was gone. His appearances were witnessed. And His disciples were forever changed.
As Jesus said in John 2:19, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” And He did.
Because Jesus rose from the dead, there is real hope for those who believe in Him. As Paul reminds us, “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ will also give life to your mortal bodies” (Romans 8:11).
That same resurrection power is available to us today—not just to save us, but to transform us.
Have you built your life on the solid foundation of the risen Christ?
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Recommended Resource:
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The Crucifixion of Jesus: A Medical Doctor Examines the Death and Resurrection of Christ By Joseph Bergeron |
This book explores the following areas:
- Jesus’ claim to be the son of God and the Messiah of Hebrew prophetic literature
- Evidence of the trustworthiness of the Gospel as reliable eyewitness testimony
- The social and political context leading up to Jesus’ execution
- Roman crucifixion practices in public executions
- Physiological mechanisms that ultimately led to Jesus’ death
- A medical analysis of hallucination hypotheses for the disciples’ belief in Jesus’ resurrection and the inability of hallucination to explain away the biblical accounts of Jesus’ resurrection
Good post.
Thanks, glory to God!