Acts 13:30-33 (ESV) – “But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus…”

I was in the 82nd Airborne Division. There was prestige in being a part of that famous unit. We wore the 82nd patch, a red beret, and special jump boots. We stood out because of the history of our decorated unit. Plus we jumped from airplanes with camo paint covering our faces, weapons at our side, and landed in position ready to fight. These elements of being in the 82nd Airborne were “cool.” But there was one central thing, that if missing, would render those things a moot point: the parachute had to open. If our parachutes didn’t open, nothing else about the paratrooper life would retain its coolness. It was central. 

The resurrection is a foundational Christian doctrine. It’s the cornerstone of the faith. Without the resurrection, every other major aspect of Christian doctrine loses all significance. This is why the Apostle Paul made the resurrection the focus of so many of his sermons. Paul’s letters addressed the resurrection, but his sermons regularly made it central. Why? Because he was working to convince hearers that Jesus was the Christ who died for sinners. 

We read a piece of Paul’s sermon and he says, “But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus….”

Notice that Paul gives two evidences for knowing the resurrection is true. There were many eyewitnesses to Jesus being alive after His death. And the Scriptures foretold this would happen. He uses these lines of evidence to his listeners in this sermon. He reminds them that many witnessed Jesus alive. Paul is included. In fact, encountering the resurrected Christ is what led Paul from enemy of the church to father of the church. The resurrection is everything. 

Put your confidence in Jesus today. He’s alive. He rose from the dead just as the apostles taught. They saw Him and the Scriptures testified that it would happen. The result is we can have forgiveness of sins in Him and hope for eternal life. 

Tweet This!

Reflection & Journal:
- Why is the resurrection so important?
- What two evidences does Paul give for the resurrection? Why are they important?
- How can the resurrection encourage us each day?

We make these devotions freely available to thousands of readers daily. If you’d like to help support the ministry, please click here to learn more.

Sign up to receive our daily devotions in your inbox here!