The belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ was so crucial to the gospel message, that without it, there is no meaningful gospel message.  

Consider  the following words from the apostle Paul:  “If Christ is not risen, then

(1) our preaching is empty, and

(2) your faith is also empty.  Yes, and

(3) we are found false witnesses of God; because we  have testified of God that He raised up Christ… If Christ is not risen,

(4) your faith is futile;

(5) and you are still in your sins!” (I Corinthians 15: 14-19 NKJV).  

1.  The preaching of the apostles was filled with proofs for the resurrection (Acts 4: 2,23).  

2.  Jesus Himself had said, “I am the resurrection and the life…though he (Lazarus) were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11: 25).  Do we believe Him?  

3.  The apostles claimed to be eyewitnesses of the resurrection. (Acts 2: 32)  Were they all liars?  

4.  Christians have a “lively hope through the resurrection…to an inheritance incorruptible.”   Is that hope now gone?  

5.  Peter tells us  that “baptism doth now save us…the answer of a good conscience toward God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (I Peter 3: 21).  

Our “newness of life” comes from the resurrection of baptism (Romans 6:4).

Finally, if Christ was not resurrected from the dead, then we are yet in our sins, the dead in Christ are perished, and we as Christians are most miserable!

Larry Albritton, April 2017