He [Jesus] presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. Acts 1:3 (English Standard Version)

With Great Boldness

Easter and Passover are upon us and we speak much of the resurrection of our LORD and the silence of an empty tomb. And we should. It was the pivotal point of history and the completion of God's redemptive plan. But what followed is the continuing evidence of the eye witnessed historical event. The proof in the pudding, so to speak. 

In the past I have written much of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. I will not go into an apology (defense) of it here. There is enough eye witness accounts by hundreds to suffice. Instead of the how let's look at the change and power it achieved. What transformed cowed and frightened disciples into Gospel dynamos? Their disbelief of Christ's resurrection turned to awe and then worship after His crucifixion and death when Jesus presented Himself to them alive bodily asking for and eating some broiled fish before them (Luke 24:41-43). He showed Himself to them; the crucifixion wounds, and told them to feel His fleshly body for they thought they were seeing a ghost (Vs 36).

This was the first testimony. Peter speaking for the disciples (we) of being on-the-scene eye witnesses of Christ's majesty (2^nd Peter 1:16). The second testimony came on the Day of Pentecost when Christ poured out upon 120 disciples the power of His Holy Spirit. It has continued among believers to this day.

Peter and John were arrested by the high priests for preaching Christ with boldness and skill. It even baffled and astonished them (Acts 4:13). How could common and uneducated men preach with such knowledge and expertise? The high priests charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Peter boldly stood up to their threats saying “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19-20). Even for that the writer of Acts tells us in chapter 6 (vs 7) that many of the priests too became 'obedient to the faith.' Wonder of wonders. What did they hear and see that brought them to faith? Surely it was not timid disciples faintly talking about their dead Lord but men filled with the promised power of the Holy Spirit and their Living LORD.

How does this ring true for us today? The Holy Spirit and the resurrection come hand-in-hand. Without the resurrection of Christ our faith and preaching is useless (1^st Corinthians 15:14). Without the Holy Spirit we have none of the active affects of God. But because Christ was resurrected and we have the Holy Spirit we have access to salvation, peace, boldness and power to share the Gospel, renewal and regeneration, joy, and wisdom by which we can understand God to name a few.

Easter is a marvelous season of renewal and reminder that those in Christ have eternal life right now. But it means more than just an empty tomb. It means a satisfying and personal relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. One we can share with gladness. This Easter when someone says to you “He is risen!” you can respond in complete confidence and boldness “He is risen indeed. And so much more.”

Ken