Beech Tree News Network

I sometimes wonder if we’ve heard about some subjects so much that they’ve become “old hat” to us. Could such be the case with the resurrection of Christ? Have we heard about it so much that we do not realize its real meaning today? Perhaps it’s the other way – maybe we haven’t heard enough about the Lord’s resurrection but merely assume that we know more than we do.

Let us take a moment and study the resurrection of Christ and how it permeates the New Testament. Such a study amazes me to see how intertwined Christ’s resurrection is with the New Testament.

For example, the bedrock of Christianity is our faith (Heb. 11:6), but faith in what (Jn. 8:24)? Is it sufficient to merely believe in Christ? Must we believe something about Christ? John 8:24 tells us we must believe that Jesus is “I AM” or die in our sins. Paul said He was declared to be the Son of God when He resurrected from the dead (Rom. 1:4). Thus, Christ’s resurrection and our faith are connected.

Next, what would you say if I told you I saw John Wayne at the grocery store last week? Would you think I am a liar or a lunatic? (Everyone knows I don’t lie! Ha) Why would my saying I saw John Wayne be so unbelievable? It’s because he died in 1979, of course!

Yet, when we confess Christ as the Son of God (Acts 8:37), we’re confessing we believe there was Someone who died and was buried, but then arose! To confess your faith in Christ is to confess your faith in the resurrection from the dead (Rom. 1:4)!

Finally, when one is baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), this person has reenacted the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ! Please read Romans 6:3-7 and notice the connection between baptism and the resurrection of Christ.

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.”

No doubt, this is part of the reason why Satan has fooled people into thinking that baptism isn’t necessary! After all, if he can get people to stop after believing and confessing Christ, then he can fool them into thinking this is enough. The truth is that by refusing to obey the Lord’s command to be baptized (Acts 10:48), you are refusing a way in which you show your belief in the resurrection.

There are other ways in which we see emphasis placed upon Christ’s resurrection. This includes the reality of our own resurrection one day. We have confidence in our resurrection because we know Christ resurrected (I Cor. 15:12-20)! The New Testament refers to the event of Christ’s resurrection continually. Do we appreciate it?

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167