Jesus’ resurrection is the very foundation of Christianity. If Christ had never been raised from the dead, we’d have no Christian religion.
God’s power was at work in Christ’s death and resurrection. “It was on the resurrection fact that the church was built,” said New Testament scholar James Stewart.
Paul understood that the resurrection was the bedrock of our Christian faith. “If Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain,” he wrote to the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 15:14, NRSV). The apostle went on to say, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins” (verse 17).
The resurrection proves that Jesus is Lord and Savior. Its authenticity means that by faith in Christ, we are reconciled with God.
Billy Graham said the risen Christ is the bridge between us and God. “One of Christ’s hands holds the hand of God; his other hand holds ours,” said the evangelist.