Pioneer and Bell Church of Christ

First of all, He was seen alive by many of his disciples after He died. Notice these appearances: Mary Magdalene, John 20:11-17; two disciples, Cleopas, and one unnamed, Luke 24:13-35; two Marys, Matthew 28:1-10; Peter, Luke 24:34; the eleven apostles in addition to others, Luke 24:33-43; John 20:19-29. We also are told of an additional appearance of Jesus before "above five hundred brethren at once" (1 Corinthians 15:6), although the actual event is not recorded. Thus, Jesus' life after His death is one of the best attested to miracles of the ages. God has left nothing to chance. However, some would argue, "Yes, but all that depends on the accounts of the Bible! What if the Bible isn't true?"

Consider this: all of the apostles except John died terrible, violent deaths for the cause of the gospel. Would YOU die for a lie? This writer surely would not! In addition to this, they started a movement that would sweep the world, and it continues to do so. Not with the sword as Islam does, but the peaceful teaching and example of humble lives. We know that some in the past have perverted the teachings of scripture and used that to hurt others, but that is a perversion of it. Consider also the teaching and example of Jesus. Notice His Sermon on the Mount beginning with the humble beatitudes, the means of true happiness (Matthew 5, 6, 7). The humble, sacrificial love taught by Paul (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). The description of the "fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-26), and its resulting change in the nature of those who are Christians according to the Bible.

"If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come."

"But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre," "And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain." "And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my LORD, and I know not where they have laid him." "And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus." "Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away." "Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master." "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."

"And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs." And they talked together of all these things which had happened. "And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them." But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. "And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?" "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?" "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:" "And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him." "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." "Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;" "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." "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." "Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:" "Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?" "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." "And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further." "But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them." "And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them." "And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight." "And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?" "And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them," "Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon." "And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread."

"In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre." "And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it." "His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:" "And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men." "And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified." "He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." "And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you." And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. "And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him." "Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me."

"Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon."

"And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them," "Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon." "And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread." "And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you." "But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit." "And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?" "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." "And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet." "And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?" "And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb." "And he took it, and did eat before them."

"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." "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." "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." "And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:" "Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained." "But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came." "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." "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." "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." "And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God." "Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."