ACCEPT or REFUTE with appropriate Scriptures!
Without the Resurrection, there’s no Salvation!
Let’s get started!
#1 The Power of God unto SALVATION is the Gospel
Paul in his letters claimed he’s not ashamed of that Gospel in verse 16 of Romans
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- Romans 1:16 KJV
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
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Now this Gospel was not some cunningly devised fables or what a professional script writer came up with. No!
The Gospel which is the Preaching of Jesus Christ is according to the confines of the Revelation of the Mystery [Genesis to Malachi]
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- Romans 16:25-26 KJV
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
[26] But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
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If Bro Paul is not Afraid of the Gospel of Christ in verse 16, let’s see the Pre-text if he had listed the facts of what his Gospel contained.
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- Romans 1:1-5 KJV
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called [to be] an apostle, separated UNTO THE GOSPEL OF GOD,
[2] (Which he HAD PROMISED AFORE BY HIS PROPHETS IN THE HOLY SCRIPTURES,)
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So that Gospel was promised beforehand. It’s not a new message!
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[3] Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
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[4] And DECLARED [to be] THE SON OF GOD with power, according to the spirit of holiness, BY THE RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD:
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[5] By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
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So that Gospel is about Jesus Christ our Lord who came in the flesh but by ressurection declared as the Son of God.
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This was possible because of the Ressurection!
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So the ressurection is an integral part of Bro Paul’s Gospel. And that is what makes Him qualified as a Saviour else Our Christ is not any different from other men who came claiming to be the messiah, got flogged, died, was buried and that was their end! No ressurection
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Thus it was the ressurection that declared him to be the messiah thereby we can prove others to be a counterfeiting messiah.
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The wages of sin is death… If the Savior couldn’t bear sins, die and defeat death then he’s not qualified as The Saviour!
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Thus without the Resurrection, there’s no Saviour and no Savior, No Salvation!
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#2 Now what exactly are the facts of this Gospel? Let’s see 1 Corinthians 15
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- 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
[2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
[3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
[4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
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So the facts of the Gospel is that Christ died according to the prophecies of Scriptures, he was Buried and rose again the third day as a fulfilment of the prophecy of Scriptures.
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If any of these facts is missing, there’s no Gospel!
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Hence the Gospel of Christ which is the power to save is incomplete without the Resurrection. Hence Salvation is not possible!
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#3 When is a Man Saved?
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- Romans 10:9-10 KJV
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
[10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
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A man is saved when he believes in the resurrection!
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Before you can have a ressurection, there would have been death and Burial already.
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So when a man believes in his heart that God raised him from the dead, he’s saved.
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So no ressurection, no Salvation!
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#4 Romans 10 verse 9 says that “if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus…”
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So the text is conveying a fact that “Jesus is Lord” and when you acknowledge that fact you’re Saved.
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The intelligent question would be, is Jesus really Lord and when exactly did he became Lord?
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Let’s quickly examine one of the very first sermon by the Foundational Apostles of Jesus Christ in the book of Acts
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- Acts 2:22-36 KJV
Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
[23] Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
[24] Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
[25] For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
[26] Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
[27] Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
[28] Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
[29] Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
[30] Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
[31] He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
[32] This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
[33] Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
[34] For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
[35] Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
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Bro Peter was quoting from the Holy Scriptures and he was loudest on the facts of the Ressurection!
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What happened at that point of the ressurection? See next verse
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[36] THEREFORE let all the house of Israel KNOW ASSUREDLY, that GOD HATH MADE THAT SAME JESUS, whom ye have crucified, BOTH LORD and CHRIST.
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Also see Philippians
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- Philippians 2:5-11 KJV
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
[6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
[7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
[8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
[9] Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
[10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
[11] And that EVERY TONGUE SHOULD CONFESS that JESUS CHRIST is LORD, to the glory of God the Father.
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Confession of His Lordship is also a function of Christ’s resurrection and why it couldn’t be played down upon else no Salvation!
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#5 Let’s see a sequella of what would happen if Christ be not raised from the dead and why it’s what makes Salvation possible
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In the 1 Corinthians 15 where we saw the facts of this Gospel of Christ that it’s not according to feelings, experiences etc but Scriptures
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The background was that some false teachers are already teaching that there’s nothing like ressurection of the dead and this is anti-Gospel!
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So Paul wrote a defense of the Gospel according to Scriptures [Spirit’s witness—verses 3-4] And eye witnesses—verses 5-11. How the eye witnesses have a common message which is according to the scriptures!
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So he continued in verse 12.
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- 1 Corinthians 15:12-23 KJV
Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
[13] But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
[14] And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
[15] Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
[16] For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
[17] And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
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Hence no Salvation then!
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[18] Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
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Hence all hope is lost, and no salvation for them!
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[19] If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
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Since there wouldn’t be Salvation we would still be in our sins hence miserable!
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[20] But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
[21] For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
[22] For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
[23] But every man in his own order: CHRIST THE FIRSTFRUITS; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
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So no ressurection, no Salvation!
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#6 In the light of #1-5 above, no one could have been born again before Christ because he’s the Firstborn from the dead
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1 Corinthians 15:20-23 Christ is the firstfruits [ or template] of those who slept [died in Christ]
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- Colossians 1:12-15 KJV
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
[13] Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
[14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
[15] Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
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- Romans 8:29 KJV
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
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- Revelation 1:5 KJV
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
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No man could have been born again before the ressurection!
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This includes the disciples who followed Jesus. Not until after ressurection, they were not born again!
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- Matthew 28:17 KJV
And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
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Some doubted would mean that they saw him rose bodily but showed unbelief in the hallmark of the Gospel [The Ressurection]
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Let’s see other synoptic account
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- Mark 16:9-14 KJV
Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
[10] And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
[11] And they, when they had heard that HE WAS ALIVE, and had been seen of her, BELIEVED NOT.
[12] After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
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Luke 24 captured the details of what happened with the two mentioned here. They believed after their encounter with the ressurected Christ then came to inform the remaining disciples who still showed hardened heart of unbelief in the Gospel
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[13] And they went and told it unto the residue: NEITHER BELIEVED THEY THEM.
[14] Afterward he appeared unto THE ELEVEN as they sat at meat, and REBUKED THEM WITH THEIR UNBELIEF and HARDNESS OF HEART, BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED NOT THEM which had SEEN HIM AFTER HE WAS RISEN.
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So Mark was more detailed. They believed the facts of the Gospel after this encounter! Verse 20
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They witnessed the death and Burial, it wasn’t a surprise to them. What they Doubted was the fact of the ressurection according to Scriptures!
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- Luke 24:6-27,30-31,33-36,38-41,43-49,52-53 KJV
He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
[7] Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
[8] And they remembered his words,
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Mary couldn’t find Jesus’ body because Christ rose bodily, she saw a vision, believed the Gospel even before the 11 disciples!
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She first preached the same Gospel to the 11 and other disciples
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[9] And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.
[10] It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
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They sounded like moonlight stories to the disciples so they didn’t belief the Gospel just yet!
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[11] And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.
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Peter went to look for the body but couldn’t find. Why will he try to find a body? If not—unbelief that Christ rose bodily according to Mary’s Gospel
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Peter probably believed Mary’s Gospel after confirming that the tomb was really empty aside the linen cloths
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[12] Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.
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These two folks are well acquainted with the facts of Jesus’ death and Burial but was debating on the ressurection. They’re yet to believe the Gospel!
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[13] And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
[14] And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
[15] And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
[16] But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
[17] And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
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[18] And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?
[19] And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
[20] And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
[21] But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
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Now a reference to Mary’s Gospel about Christ
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[22] Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;
[23] And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.
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Peter’s action which is doubt in Mary’s Gospel was also referenced
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[24] And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
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What did Jesus say? This is Mark’s account of Jesus rebuking them for their unbelief in the Gospel according to the scriptures.
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It’s imperative to note that his antidote to their unbelief after the eye-witness account of Mary and partly verified by Peter was expounding Scriptures to them
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[25] Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
[26] Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
[27] And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
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[30] And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it , and brake, and gave to them.
[31] And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
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Now they believed the Gospel then went to preach the Gospel to the 11 disciples
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[33] And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,
[34] Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
[35] And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
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Now Jesus appeared to them here
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[36] And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
[38] And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
[39] Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
[40] And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
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It seems the above was specifically for Thomas, John’s Gospel detailed that fact.
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[41] And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
[43] And he took it , and did eat before them.
[44] And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
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[45] Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
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Because they now understand the Gospel according to the scriptures, they believed the Gospel and hence were saved!
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[46] And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
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[47] And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
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[48] And ye are WITNESSES OF THESE THINGS.
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They now became the first-hand eyewitnesses
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[49] And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
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The above plus the detail below seemed to be Matthew’s account of “They worshipped but some Doubted”
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[52] And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
[53] And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
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- John 20:8-9,16-29 KJV
Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
[9] For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
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[16] Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
[17] Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
[18] Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
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[19] Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
[20] And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
[21] Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
[22] And when he had said this, he breathed on them , and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
[23] Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
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At this point, they now believe the Gospel except Thomas
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[24] But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
[25] The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
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He expressed unbelief in the Gospel as preached by the remaining disciples
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[26] And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
[27] Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
[28] And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. [Romans 10:9]
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[29] Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
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Thus Thomas and all the disciples believed in the ressurection and thus were saved!
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Conclusively in the light of all Scriptures, it is evident that no ressurection, no Salvation!
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So no matter how captivating any sermon is, if the facts of the Gospel according to Scriptures is missing, no Salvation!
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What you will have at best is a false conversion or a still birth for lack of words
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Faith in the Gospel alone guarantees Receiving Eternal Life! If the false converts should die that way, they will come into condemnation unlike believers that have crossed from death to life! [John 5:24]
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This is why every Minister of the Gospel must stick to the Gospel of Christ since eternal destinies of men depend on their message! Faith in God for Deliverance, Healings, Material provision doesn’t automatically equals Faith in the Gospel of Christ!
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I hope it’s clear? Let me know
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Read, study, comment and share. Thanks!
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©Victor Oluwatobi Fabuluje
9th September, 2018
Victor O. Fabuluje (Physical Therapist) 