The Resurrection of Christ

Abstract

TuE doctrine of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is so characteristic a feature of Christian belief, and so fundamental a truth, that it may confidently be expected to continue to be believed in and prized, so long as the inspired Word of God is permitted to dominate the theological thinking of men. It is a truth indeed that forms an essential part of the foundation on which rests the Christian Hope. The death of our Lord alone will not warrant the cherishing of that Hope. His death can by no means be dispensed with in the matter, but it is the death through which He, as Mediator, triumphantly passed into Resurrection life and power. Hence our Lord says of Himself : " I am He that Liveth " (the great " I am ") " and was dead, and behold I am alive for ever more, Amen ; and have the keys of hell and of death ". 1 The Apostle Peter definitely connects the Hope with the Resurrection of Christ : " Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which, according to His abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time ".• Indeed no doctrine is more stressed in the New Testament than that of our Lord's Resurrection ; and none is more clearly and definitely stated. Not only is it extensively testified to-there being at least sixty references to it in the New Testament, twenty of these being in the Acts of the Apostles-but it is also treated as a truth that is of the most important and fundamental character. The whole system of Christian teaching is made to appear to be vitally and inseparably connected with it. In view also of the fact that the Christian Church owes its origin to and is founded on it, the doctrine might be expected to be so greatly valued that no countenance would be given by her to its being called in question, or to anything done or said that would