University Creed

Resurrection

I believe in the resurrection of His body from the tomb.

The bodily resurrection of Christ is central to the gospel.

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. . . . And if Christ be not raised, your faith [is] vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 1 Corinthians 15:14, 17, 18

The resurrection of Christ involved His physical body, not merely His spirit or His ideas.

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. John 20:27

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. Luke 24:39

The resurrected Christ was witnessed by many people, in many places, under many circumstances.

To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: Acts 1:3

As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. John 21:9-12

And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 1 Corinthians 15:5-8

Christ's resurrection demonstrated His power.

And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Romans 1:4

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. John 10:17-18

Christ's resurrection demonstrated His power to forgive sins.

Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Romans 4:25

Christ's resurrection demonstrated His power to raise us from the dead.

Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. John 14:19

Christ's resurrection calls us to serve Him.

And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 2 Corinthians 5:15