Community Corner
An Easter Message: Easter Proof
The following was provided by Rev. Eric J. Rey, the senior pastor at the Hampton Bays Assembly of God.
It has been said that, “Christmas is the promise, Easter is the proof. This is true. Skeptics sometimes ask Christians the question, “How do you know that Jesus Christ is the only Lord and Savior of the world?” When they do, Christians answer them by pointing to the undisputed proof of the Christian Faith, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Jesus’ resurrection distinguishes Him from all other so called “religious” prophets, leaders, teachers, etc.
Unlike anyone who ever came before Him or after Him, Jesus is not dead. Jesus is Alive! Roman, Jewish, and Christian historians living around the time of Jesus reference it. Most of all, the infallible Word of God, the Bible, declares it. “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead” I Corinthians 15:20.
The Heart of the Gospel message is spoken of by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15. It of course includes the resurrection. It’s summarized in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”
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The Hope of this Gospel message is spoken of in Corinthians 15:1-2 where the Apostle reminds usthat all of us can be saved from sin by receiving and believing in the Gospel message. The rest of 1 Corinthians 15 explains how Jesus’ resurrection was prophesied in the Old Testament Scriptures, confirmed by numerous eye witnesses, and preached by the first Christians. Further, it details how Jesus’ resurrection guarantees the bodily resurrection of all believers in Jesus Christ. In this way the resurrection is both our living proof and our living hope. “And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life toyour mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.” Romans 8:11.
May this year’s Easter be filled with confident and hopeful celebration! Jesus Christ is ALIVE! Happy Easter! Happy Resurrection!
