Demonstration of the Validity of the Scriptures in the

Resurrection of Jesus Christ

J. M. Tour

www.jmtour.com

Introduction to the Resurrection

Rom 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved…

Introduction to the Resurrection

I Cor 15:1-4 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…

Introduction to the Resurrection

I Cor 15: 5-8 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.

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Introduction to the Resurrection

I Cor 15: 12-17 12 Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. 15 Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.

Physical ResurrectionJohn 20: 24-25  But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

Thomas was not “wanting” to believe.

Physical ResurrectionJohn 20: 26-29  After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.”28 Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”

Physical Resurrection

Luke 24: 36-38 While they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be to you.” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit. 38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 

Physical ResurrectionLuke 24: 39-42 See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41 While they still could not believe it because of their joy and amazement, He said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave Him a piece of a broiled fish; 43 and He took it and ate it before them.

1. Shireen, Jim and their children left a campsite and hiked up a mountain.

2. Upon reaching the mountaintop, Jim saw a dragon in a lake.

3. When the Tours came back to Houston from the campsite, they told others about the dragon they had seen on the mountaintop.

• Did Ambreen hike up a mountain?• Did the Tours go together up the

mountain?• Did Shireen ever see the dragon?• Did Shireen ever tell others about the

dragon?• How many dragons did Jim see while on

the mountaintop?

The Entire Tour Family:Jim and Shireen TourAmbreenSabrinaJosiahBen

Background Statements

Some Records of the Resurrection that Raise Questions

• Mat 28: 1 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. (2 women mentioned)

• Mat 28: 10 Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles. (3 women + others)

• Mark 16: 1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. (3 women)

• Luke 24: 10 Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles. (3+ others, Salome?)

• John 20: 1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb. (1 woman)

• Mat 28: 5, 6 The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen…

• Mark 16: 5, 6 Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him.

• Luke 24: 4-6 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen…

Some Records of the Resurrection that Raise Questions

• Mat 28: 7, 8 "Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you." And they [the women] left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples.

• Mark 16: 7, 8 “But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’” They went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them; and they [the women] said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Some Records of the Resurrection that Raise Questions

One of Several Possible Initial Resurrection Event Scenarios that Corroborates the Four Gospel

Accounts1. Women set out for the grave to anoint Jesus’ body

with spices. There are several women, including Mary Magdalene, Salome, Joanna, Mary the mother of James and one or more. (≥5 women)

2. Mary proceeds faster than the others and arrives at the grave before the others arrive.

3. Mary sees the stone rolled away and Jesus’ body missing (she sees no angels and no Jesus); she immediately turns and runs to report this to Peter and John.

4. While Mary is off getting Peter and John, the other women arrive at the tomb.

5. The other women arriving now at the tomb see the stone rolled away and angels telling them that Jesus has risen from the dead. Terrified, they flee and become scattered as they run.

6. Sometime during the other women’s (not including Mary) flight they become divided, and Jesus appears to >1 of them, but not all of them. He comforts those he appears to and tells them to tell the “brethren,” which they do. The other women who were fleeing and not present at this appearance of Jesus, continue to run away and out of fear tell no one about their sightings (i.e. the moved stone and angels) at the tomb.

7. While the other women are in flight from the tomb, John and Peter arrive, with Mary likely running near them (probably behind John and Peter).

8. Peter and John see the grave clothes but see no angels and no Jesus. John leaves for home believing, while Peter leaves for home in amazement. Mary is left standing at the tomb without John and Peter.

9. Mary then sees and hears angels and then she sees Jesus, first thinking him to be the gardener until He calls her name. After seeing and hearing and clinging to Jesus, she runs to tell the disciples that she’s seen Him. Mary’s seeing of Jesus occurred moments before His appearance in #6.

If the resurrection account had been fabricated:

1. There never would have been an account over four gospels like this.

Such an account argues against its fabrication.

If the resurrection account had been fabricated:

2. They would have waited a prudent amount of time (100+ years) before publishing the account. Such is the form of legends to ensure that all witnesses have died.

The early origin of the resurrection argues against its fabrication.

If the resurrection account had been fabricated:

3. They would have published the account far from the venue of its occurrence.

The resurrection account beginning in Jerusalem argues against its fabrication.

If the resurrection account had been fabricated:

4. They would have been more selective with the choice of witnesses.

I Cor 15: 5-8 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.

Hallucinations are not shared

If the resurrection account had been fabricated:

4 con’t. They would have been more selective with the choice of witnesses.

John 19: 38-39 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body. 39 Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. 

Both were on the Sanhedrin. The account listing the names of witnesses argues against its fabrication.

If the resurrection account had been fabricated:

5. Mary would never have been identified as the first to see Jesus.

John 20: 18 Mary Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and that He had said these things to her.

Mark 16: 9 Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons.

I Cor 15: 5-6 He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time…

 The account listing Mary as the first witnesses argues overwhelmingly against its fabrication.

If the resurrection account had been fabricated:

6. There would have been supernatural displays at the moment of Jesus coming out of the tomb.

Mat 28: 2-4 And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. 3 And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men [fainted].   

The account reporting no witnesses to the moment of his leaving the tomb argues against its fabrication.

If the resurrection account had been fabricated:

7. The religious leaders and the guards would not have had to invent a story to cover up the resurrection.

Mat 28: 11-15 Now while they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this should come to the governor’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.” 15 And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day.  

If asleep, how did they know who took the body? The religious leaders and guards inventing and propagating such a story argues against the fabrication of the resurrection account.

If the resurrection account had been fabricated:

8. The four Gospel accounts would have been more duplicative in their testimony of the events.

Precise overlap in the accounting of events speaks of collusion.   

The resurrection account reporting the events as a complementary set of records rather than a duplicative set argues against its fabrication.

If the resurrection account had been fabricated:

9. The apostles would be shown in a more favorable light, and not as being timid and unbelieving.

Mark 16: 11 When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it.  

Luke 24: 10-11 …also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles. 11 But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them.  

The exposed weaknesses of the apostles argues against the resurrection’s fabrication.

Presentation in a favorable lightActs 22: 24-29 the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, stating that he should be examined by scourging so that he might find out the reason why they were shouting against him that way.25 But when they stretched him out with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman and uncondemned?” 26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and told him, saying, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman.” 27 The commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” And he said, “Yes.”…Therefore those who were about to examine him immediately let go of him; and the commander also was afraid when he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had put him in chains.

Presentation in a favorable lightActs 23: 26-30 “Claudius Lysias, to the most excellent governor Felix, greetings.27 “When this man was arrested by the Jews and was about to be slain by them, I came up to them with the troops and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. 28 “And wanting to ascertain the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their Council; 29 and I found him to be accused over questions about their Law, but under no accusation deserving death or imprisonment. 30 “When I was informed that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, also instructing his accusers to bring charges against him before you.”

If the resurrection account had been fabricated:

10. There would have been omens, curses and threats proclaimed against those who sought to investigate.

Peter proclaimed in Acts 2: 32 This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. 

The same proclamation was made in Acts 3: 15, 5: 32, 10:39.

That the disciples invite inquiry through witness and that there are no omens listed for searching out the account, argues against the resurrection’s fabrication.

If the resurrection account had been fabricated:

11. It would never have been preached as an essential element of the new faith– such a lofty belief is too difficult for a new religious expression.

Rom 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved…

I Cor 15: 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.

That belief in the resurrection was made a requirement for entry into this new faith, it speaks to the resurrection’s authenticity.

If the resurrection account had been fabricated:

10. The apostles, upon facing death, would have recanted their testimony.

Many are willing to suffer and die for what they believe to be true.

Nobody suffers and dies for what they know to be a lie.

That the apostles were tortured and killed for their testimony of the resurrection supports the resurrection’s authenticity.

Will Durant, The Story of Civilization, Vol III Caesar and Christ

“I am still an agnostic, with pantheistic overtones”– but he’s an expert historian

Commenting on the gospels: “The contradictions are of minutiae, not substance; in essentials the synoptic gospels agree remarkably well, and form a consistent portrait of Christ. In the enthusiasm of its discoveries the Higher Criticism has applied to the New Testament tests of authenticity so severe that by them a hundred ancient worthies, for example Hammurabi, David, Socrates would fade into legend.

Will Durant, con’t “Despite the prejudices and theological

preconceptions of the evangelists, they record many incidents that mere inventors would have concealed: the competition of the apostles for high places in the Kingdom, their flight after Jesus’ arrest, Peter’s denial, the failure of Christ to work miracles in Galilee, the references of some auditors to his possible insanity, his early uncertainty as to his mission, his confessions of ignorance as to the future, his moments of bitterness, his despairing cry on the cross; no one reading these scenes can doubt the reality of the figure behind them. 

Will Durant, con’t

“That a few simple men should in one generation have invented so powerful and appealing a personality, so loft an ethic and so inspiring a vision of human brotherhood, would be a miracle far more incredible than any recorded in the Gospel. After two centuries of Higher Criticism the outlines of the life, character, and teaching of Christ, remain reasonably clear, and constitute the most fascinating feature of the history of Western man.”

The Outcome: What about us?

Since the resurrection is indeed true, how should it change our lives?