BELIEVING JESUS DIED AND ROSE FOR OUR SALVATION
The biblical Word of God says: Jesus Christ is “ the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29; Isaiah 53:5-6)–“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)–“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
STUDYING THE SCRIPTURES ABOUT JESUS
However, I saw a debate on you-tube in which two recognized religious scholars debated whether Jesus actually died and was resurrected. Only one supported what he said with scriptures from the Bible. The Lord Jesus Christ tells us: “search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39).
When the Lord’s apostles preached to the people of the Early Berean Church, they “searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth” about Jesus Christ (Acts 17:11).
The Bible instructs us to “study to shew thyself… rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). For “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
SEEING BIBLICAL EVIDENCE OF JESUS’ DEATH AND RESURRECTION
“When they [soldiers] came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water” (John 19:33-34).
The apostle Paul, a leading Rabbinical scholar (Acts 22:3), to whom the Lord appeared after his death and resurrection (Acts 9:1-6) said: “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. “ (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).
BELIEVING JESUS DIED AND ROSE FOR OUR SALVATION IS ESSENTIAL
• All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
• The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Roman 6:23).
• For without the shedding of [Jesus] blood there is no forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9:22).
• if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).
• Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)
• “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” (John 3:16-18)
The Word of God stresses that it is of first importance for our salvation that we believe: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
JESUS WANTS EVERYONE TO BELIEVE HE DIED AND ROSE FOR OUR SALVATION
God does not want anyone to perish because of unbelief; but to repent in coming to the knowledge of the truth of Jesus Christ ( 2 Peter 3:9).
Our loving Savior and Lord urges us who already believe, to pray for those who have not yet believed (1 Timothy 2:1-6; 2 Timothy 2:25). And with love and the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, to proclaim the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ to all the world, that other people may come to believe and be saved (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15-16).
The Bible shows that the Lord Jesus Christ died and rose for the salvation of all; and whoever repents and believes in him as their Savior will be save and have eternal life. And when he rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, he promised to come again for all who believe in him as their Savior and Lord.
