Without a doubt, Paul, whose writings make up much of what we call the New Testament, was one of the most remarkable men who ever lived. It all began outside Damascus in AD34. His former life and outlook were absolutely shattered. His experience with the resurrected Jesus turned him to an unquenchable and relentless faith. Paul’s list of witnesses, as mentioned yesterday, makes certain that on separate occasions, different individuals and large groups saw Jesus alive. This fact is indisputable.

What about the four Gospel accounts of the resurrection appearances? They are historical and reliable because there was insufficient time for legend to arise. There was the controlling presence of living witnesses. Legends always come in succeeding generations. The authoritative control of the apostles kept the legendary tendencies in check. It is also important to note that many of the disciples of Jesus were martyred for their belief. Over the subsequent decades they became flaming torches or were eaten by lions in the coliseums of Rome.

We have already noted the mass conversions in Jerusalem, where the whole thing transpired. Jesus had fulfilled over 300 Old testament prophecies concerning the life of the Messiah. His whole biography had been written before He was born. The death burial and resurrection were the clinchers. In their preaching the early disciples constantly quoted and alluded to the Old Testament prophecies.

Another thing we should consider are the nature of the appearances. It is evident from the accounts that they were physical, bodily accounts. He invited the disciples to touch Him, He ate with them and spoke with them. He also demonstrated super-human capabilities like being able to appear and disappear without regard to spatial distances. It seemed that He could step from one dimension to another. Our Resurrection will be patterned after His: “For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,” Romans 6:5. (NASB).

“It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.” 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 NASB

The last enemy to be destroyed in this world is death 1 Corinthians 15:26.