Part 12 (2/2)

6. It was necessary as a =pledge of our resurrection=. If Christ rose we too shall rise (Acts 26. 23; 1 Cor. 15. 12, 20-23).

II. =The Fact of Christ's Resurrection.=

1. =It was proved by the testimony of witnesses.= See Acts 1. 3; 2. 32.

The conduct of the disciples before and after the resurrection was in itself a proof. Before they were in sorrow (Mark 16. 10; Luke 24. 17).

Afterward they were glad (Luke 24. 52; John 20. 20). The Christian Church to-day is the best evidence; for without the resurrection it could never have been established.

2. =It was effected by the power of G.o.d.= (Acts 3. 15; Rom. 8. 11; Eph.

1. 20). Jesus speaks of his own power in connection with this (John 2.

19; 10. 18). The Holy Spirit is also mentioned as raising Christ from the dead (1 Peter 3. 18).

3. It took place =on the first day of the week=. (Mark 16. 9). In commemoration of this event the first day of the week was observed by the early Church (Acts 20. 7; 1 Cor. 16. 2). The name given to this day (Rev. 1. 10).

4. It took place on =the third day after his death=. The body of Jesus was in the grave between thirty and thirty-six hours--from sunset on Friday to daybreak on Sunday. But in the Jewish notation of time this was three days (Luke 24. 46; Acts 10. 40; 1 Cor. 15. 4).

III. =The Ten Appearances of Jesus after his Resurrection.= It is not easy, perhaps not possible, to harmonize precisely all the accounts in the gospels and in 1 Cor. 15. 4-7. But the best authorities unite in the following order of the manifestations of Christ between the resurrection and the ascension:

1. =To Mary Magdalene= (Mark 16. 9). This was at the sepulcher, very soon after the resurrection. Several women went to the sepulcher, found it open, and were told by an angel that Jesus had risen. They went to bear the news to the disciples (Mark 16. 1-8; Matt. 28. 1-8; Luke 24.

1-10). Mary Magdalene returned after the rest had gone and saw the risen Lord (John 20. 1-18). Notice that this Mary is to be carefully distinguished from Mary of Bethany, John 11. 2, and from the unnamed woman in Luke 7. 37.

2. =To the other women= (Matt. 28. 9). This was near the sepulcher, a few minutes later than the first appearance. The names of these women (Mark 16. 1; Luke 24. 10).

3. =To two disciples= (Luke 24. 13-32). The place where Jesus was revealed (Luke 24. 13). The name of Luke's probable informant (Luke 24.

18).

4. =To Peter= (Luke 24. 33, 34; 1 Cor. 15. 5). This was in Jerusalem.

What took place at this meeting has not been revealed.

5. =To ten disciples= (Luke 24. 36-43). Another account in John 20.

19-25. This was in the upper room in Jerusalem, where the Last Supper had been partaken, and it was on the evening of the day of resurrection.

6. =To eleven disciples= (John 20. 26-29). This was in the same place a week later.

7. =To seven disciples= at the Sea of Galilee (John 21. 1-22). At this interview Peter was reinstated in his apostles.h.i.+p.

8. =To five hundred disciples= (1 Cor. 15. 6). This was the official manifestation of Christ appointed before his death (Matt. 26. 32; 28.

16). It took place ”on the mountain” (Rev. Ver.), probably where the Sermon on the Mount was preached. At this time the great commission was given (Matt. 28. 18-20).

9. =To James= (1 Cor. 15. 7). Nothing is known about this meeting. The relations.h.i.+p of James to Jesus (Mark 6. 3; Gal. 1. 19). Allusions to him in Acts 15. 13; 21. 18. His epistle (James 1. 1). Probably this appearance was in Jerusalem (Acts 1. 14).

10. =The Ascension= (Luke 24. 50-53; Acts 1. 9). This was at Bethany, on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives (Acts 1. 12). The promise at his departure (Acts 1. 10, 11).

This list of appearances should be carefully memorized and the place of each noted on the map, with its circ.u.mstances and events.

<script>