Last Updated on : November 23, 2014 | |||
|
|||
"Why
Did Christ Rise?"
|
|||
THAT Christ came bodily forth alive from the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, in which he was laid after his crucifixion, is the most conspicuous feature of the testimony delivered by the Apostles after his ascension. This may be seen from Acts 2:32; 3:15; 4:10; 5:30; 10:40; 13:30; and many other passages. Rather than withhold their witness to this fact, they went to their death. Christian teaching professes to continue this testimony; yet how many people could say that they believe literally in the resurrection of Christ? Even professional theologians interpret the doctrine in such a way that they need no longer hold it as a literal fact. The reason is to be found in the unscriptural belief that "There is no death: what seems so is transition". If there is no death, there need be no resurrection from death; and belief in resurrection will be a mere tradition without roots, which will in time wither away. Theories of atonement have also tended to undermine belief in the resurrection by minimizing the necessity for it. If Christ by dying paid our debt so that we are free, our deliverance must be due to his death alone. There is equally little need for his resurrection if the only object of his death was to influence men by a sublime example of love. Yet the apostles teach in the plainest words that unless Christ rose, his death on the Cross was fruitless.
How is it that the resurrection of Christ was a necessity before human salvation was possible? Because, without a risen, living Christ (in whose crucifixion God's righteousness had previously been declared), there would have been no forgiveness of sins, and no attainment of immortality following upon his death. God cannot look upon sin. Adam's expulsion from Eden, at the beginning, and His holding sinners at arm's length ever since, exemplify His relation to sin, which is as much an established law as any physical ordinance of the universe. 1. God saves, but it is BY CHRIST, whom He makes the Saviour, by first bestowing salvation upon him for his obedience, and then giving him Power over all flesh to give eternal life to those who believe.
2. Forgiveness of sins leading to eternal life is only obtained through the request of a living Christ, whose approach to God as an intercessor was the foretold means of reconciliation between God and men.
3. Christ has been made the judge as well as priest of his people; and before him, at his coming, they must all appear to render account of their lives, and to receive from him according to their deeds --acceptance and immortality if approved; rejection, shame and a return to death if he refuse them.
Is it not clear that if Christ had not risen, his death would have been of no value? What was needed was a way out of death. This was effected in Christ's resurrection, after submission to death. There was then provided a living Mediator, through whom God's forgiveness could be obtained, and a living dispenser of immortality in the day of judgment, to all who come to God by him. It is not enough to look to the death of Christ. Having accepted him, our life depends on doing his commandments. On this theme read: Matt. 7:21-22; John 15:14; Rom. 8:13; 1 Cor. 6:9; Gal. 6:8; 1 John 3:7-8.
|
|
||
|
|
|