Day 240 -FOUNDATION STONES IN A YEAR

Read: Acts 2
Jesus not only taught about resurrection, he actually confirmed his
teaching by rising from the dead himself.
One of our favourite quotes ever is found at the start of Chapter 1 of the
book written by our University principal, Dr David Seccombe, The King of
God’s Kingdom. He says “It is doubtful there would be any such thing
today as Christianity apart from the belief that Jesus came alive again
after he was killed.”
Jesus’ own resurrection is the historical fact on which the doctrine of the
resurrection of the dead is based. Not only that, Jesus’ resurrection was,
in fact, the impetus for the start of Christianity. We see this in Peter’s
announcement in Jerusalem in Acts 2.
He made the incredible statement that Jesus, publicly executed seven
weeks earlier, had been raised from death by God and in this way, had
opened a door of hope to all who would trust in him. Those early
Christians were promised that, if they put their trust in the one sent by
God, Jesus the Messiah, they too would share in this death-defying
experience.
This early preaching was all based on the fact that Jesus had risen, an
event that had far-reaching meaning, beyond even the incredible promise
of eternal life and bodily resurrection.
Over the next few days we will look in detail at Jesus’ resurrection and the
stupendous implications that it has for you and I. Until then, consider
what the Apostles Creed says:
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
   and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
   was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
A belief in the bodily resurrection of Jesus is absolutely fundamental to
Christianity. It is not sufficient to believe that Jesus was a good man, a
prophet sent by God or even that he was God in the flesh and that he
died on the cross. Without a belief in his bodily resurrection, you cannot
really call yourself a Christian.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, as I gather knowledge over the next few days, please bless
with me illumination and revelation from your Spirit.