Matthew 12:40:
For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Mark 8:31:
And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
In the Book of Acts, the Christians repeatedly taught about Jesus Christ and the resurrection. The Messiah was to be the Son of man (and Son of God) whom God would raise from the dead. People needed to know that it was accomplished!
We see the example of Peter on the day of Pentecost.
Acts 2:22-24:
Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
Him 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.
Acts 2:31-33:
He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father therpromise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
And Peter also spoke of the resurrection when he and John healed the lame man at the Temple gate.
Acts 3:11-20:
And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.
And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?
The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.
But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.
But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you.
Even the Apostle Paul, when he was on trial before King Agrippa, spoke of the resurrection!
Acts 26:22,23:
Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
Why is it so important? Because without the resurrection, Jesus Christ was a great prophet but not the redeemer. He fulfilled the law; he was our complete Savior; he was the Passover Lamb (I Corinthians 5:7b), sacrificed once and for all.
Hebrews 10:10 and 14:
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all....
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
And now there is a new covenant in the new birth.
Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we can be saved, or made whole.
Romans 10:9,10:
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved [made whole].
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we can be born again. I Peter 1:23
Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are justified. Romans 3:20-26
Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have peace with God. Romans 5:1,2
Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we can walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4
Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we can be spiritually minded and walk by the spirit. Romans 8:1-11
Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is hope for today...because God will do as He has promised. Philippians 3:19.
And there is Hope for the future. I Corinthians 15: 52-58 and I Thessalonians 4:13-18.
We could all use some hope, regardless of our circumstances! I encourage you to take a little time and look up the scriptures that I have not printed out...It will bless you abundantly!!
We are so very blessed because of what Jesus Christ accomplished. Thank God for His wonderful Son, for the resurrection, and the greatness of all the new birth holds!
May you walk today with great joy and peace, in knowing and believing God's Word.
