Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?

The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christianity — if it didn’t happen, our faith collapses (1 Corinthians 15:14). But the evidence is powerful:

• Eyewitness Testimonies: The New Testament records multiple resurrection appearances. Paul summarizes them in 1 Corinthians 15:3–8, noting over 500 witnesses at one time. These accounts were written within a generation of the events, when eyewitnesses were still alive to confirm or challenge them.

• Early Creedal Statements: Scholars identify 1 Corinthians 15:3–7 as one of the earliest Christian creeds, dating to just a few years after Jesus’ death — showing that belief in the resurrection was not a later invention but present from the very beginning.

• Transformation of the Disciples: Before the resurrection, the disciples were fearful and in hiding. Afterward, they boldly proclaimed Jesus as risen, even facing persecution and martyrdom. People don’t willingly die for what they know is a lie.

• The Empty Tomb: Jesus’ tomb was publicly known, and the claim of resurrection could have been easily disproven if His body were still there. The authorities had every reason to present the body — but none ever did.

• Historical Impact: The rapid rise of Christianity in the very city where Jesus was crucified suggests something extraordinary happened. The resurrection turned a discouraged band of followers into a movement that changed the world.

• Alternative Explanations Fall Short: Theories like the disciples stealing the body, hallucinations, or Jesus not really dying don’t match the evidence. The Roman executioners were experts in death, and hallucinations don’t explain the empty tomb.

Conclusion: The resurrection isn’t wishful thinking — it’s the event that launched Christianity. The eyewitness accounts, historical evidence, and the unstoppable growth of the early church all point to one reality: Jesus really rose from the dead, and because of that, His promises of forgiveness and eternal life can be trusted.