Monday Bible Study (24th August, 2020)
THE POST-RESURRECTION APPEARANCES OF THE RISEN CHRIST
Mark 16:9-14
The resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is central, pivotal, foundational as well as fundamental to the gospel of our salvation. The word “appeared” mentioned in verses 9,12,14 and other Scripture references (Matthew 27:52,53; Luke 24:32-34; Acts 1:2,3; 9:17; 10:40,41; John 21:1,14; 1 Corinthians 15:4-8) shows that Christ actually appeared to His own disciples in His risen, glorified form. Although they did not believe at the beginning because of their hardness of heart, after “many infallible proofs”, they knew and believed that He arose. The Apostles were so sure of it that they were willing to give their lives to seal their testimony. Likewise, present-day believers, with the assurance of Christ’s resurrection should confidently declare everywhere that Jesus Christ actually rose from the dead.
- THE REMARKABLE APPEARANCES OF THE RISEN CHRIST
Mark 16:9,10; Luke 8:2,3,35; John 20:11-18; Mark 16:12; Luke 24:13-36; John 20:19-21; 21:1-14; 1 Corinthians 15:4-8
The word of God affirms the genuineness of the resurrection of Christ. Heaven and earth testified to the same fact. An angel rolled away the stone, and a great earthquake terrified the keepers at the tomb. The chief priests who bribed the guards knew of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The angel declared, “He is risen; He is not here”. The resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is definite.
The risen Christ appeared to Mary Magdalene. He also appeared to two disciples on their way to Emmaus. “While they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.” He appeared to the Apostles at various times. He even appeared to more than “five hundred brethren at once”. The early Church was certain beyond any shadow of doubt that Christ rose from the dead. Christ’s resurrection affords us salvation, redemption, justification, reconciliation with God, the blessings of Calvary and the privilege of getting to heaven. Without His resurrection, our faith would be vain.
- THE RESTORATIVE APPEARANCES OF THE RISEN CHRIST
Mark 16:10-14; Matthew 28:16-18; Luke 24:36-48; John 20:24-31; Acts 5:29-32; 1 Peter 3:18; Revelation 1:18; 2:8; John 14:19
“Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.” Though the disciples did not readily believe the reports of His resurrection, they all personally and persuasively became convinced after “many infallible proofs”. For the Apostles and all the brethren, His post-resurrection appearances were restorative and reassuring.
God raised Christ from the dead; Christ appeared in risen, glorified body; the Holy Spirit quickened Him; the angels declared His resurrection; unbelieving keepers and priests exchanged “large money” to cover up the well-known resurrection; the Apostles ate with the risen Christ; many brethren saw Him after His resurrection – they saw Him all at once. Therefore, Christ’s resurrection is undeniable, un-falsifiable and un-debatable.
- THE REGENERATING APPEARANCE OF THE RISEN CHRIST
Acts 9:17; 26:16; 17:3,4,30,31; Romans 1:4,5; 4:23-25; 6:4-7; 7:4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; 2 Corinthians 4:14-16; Philippians 3:7-11; Colossians 2:12-15; 3:1-4
The appearance of the risen Christ to Paul brought conviction, repentance, faith in Christ, forgiveness, assurance of salvation, grace for a new life and complete surrender to Christ’s lordship.
It was a regenerating experience for Paul the apostle. He was renewed and totally transformed in his soul and spirit. Everything in his life – decisions, devotion, dedication and destiny – all changed for the better. Real encounter with the risen Christ brings repentance, reconciliation, restoration, regeneration, redemption, righteousness, revival, renewal, readiness for resurrection and rapture – through the power of His resurrection. “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.When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”
GHS 7