Regarding the Resurrection

The bible claims that Jesus was resurrected back to life! Can this be true?

The stakes

1 Corinthians 15:14

And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. (use)

Christianity does not hold the Resurrection to be one among many tenets of belief. Without faith in the Resurrection there would be no Christianity at all. The Christian church would never have begun; the Jesus-movement would have fizzled out like a damp squib with His execution. Christianity stands or falls with the truth of the Resurrection. Once disprove it, and you have disposed of Christianity.

Green, M., 1967. Man Alive!
green-1967-man~a1

No one fact in the history of mankind . . . is proved by better and fuller evidence of every sort than the fact that "Christ died and rose from the dead."

Arnold, T., 2018. Christian Life, Its Hopes, Its Fears, and Its Close: Sermons, Preached Mostly in the Chapel of Rugby School
arnold-2018-christian~a1

To this I reply, that either all the miracles wrought by divine power may be treated as incredible, or there is no reason why the story of this miracle should not be believed. The resurrection of Christ Himself upon the third day would not be believed by us, if the Christian faith was afraid to encounter Pagan ridicule. Since, however, our friend did not on this ground ask whether it is to be believed that Lazarus was raised on the fourth day, or that Christ rose on the third day, I am much surprised that he reckoned what was done with Jonah to be incredible; unless, perchance, he thinks it easier for a dead man to be raised in life from his sepulchre, than for a living man to be kept in life in the spacious belly of a sea monster.

Augustine., 409. Letter 102 To Deogratias.
augustine-409-letter102~a2

These abundant historical references leave us with little reasonable doubt that Jesus lived and died. The more interesting question - which goes beyond history and objective fact - is whether Jesus died and lived.

Gathercole, D.S., 2017. What is the historical evidence that Jesus Christ lived and died?
gathercole-2017-what~a1

but Miracles don't happen

When anyone tells me, that he saw a dead man restored to life, I immediately consider with myself, whether it be more probable, that this person should either deceive or be deceived, or that the fact, which he relates, should really have happened...

Hume, D., 1748. An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding.
hume-1748-enquiry~a1

Dead people don't resurrect to never die

The only legitimate reason for rejecting the resurrection hypothesis are philosophical and theological in nature: if supernaturalism is false or a non-Christian religion is exclusively true.

Licona, M.R., 2008. The Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus - Historiographical Considerations in the Light of Recent Debates.
licona-2008-historicity~a5

Evidence

Josephus

At this time there appeared Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one should call him a man. For he was a doer of startling deeds, a teacher of people who receive the truth with pleasure. And he gained a following both among many Jews and among many of Greek origin. He was the Messiah. And when Pilate, because of an accusation made by the leading men among us, condemned him to the cross, those who had loved him previously did not cease to do so. For he appeared to them on the third day, living again, just as the divine prophets had spoken of these and countless other wondrous things about him. And up until this very day the tribe of Christians, named after him, has not died out.

Josephus. 94. The Antiquities of the Jews.
josephus-94-antiquities~a1

At this time there appeared Jesus, a wise man. For he was a doer of startling deeds, a teacher of people who receive the truth with pleasure. And he gained a following both among many Jews and among many of Greek origin. And when Pilate, because of an accusation made by the leading men among us, condemned him to the cross, those who had loved him previously did not cease to do so. And up until this very day the tribe of Christians, named after him, has not died out. (Meier, J., 1991. A Marginal Jew.vol. 1, p. 61)

Josephus. 94. The Antiquities of the Jews.
josephus-94-antiquities~a1meier

Dunn perhaps representative of the minimum agreed text

Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man. For he was a doer of startling deeds, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. And he gained a following both among many Jews and many of Greek origin. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day. (Dunn, J., 2003. Jesus remembered.)

Josephus. 94. The Antiquities of the Jews.
josephus-94-antiquities~a1dunn

Biblical Evidence

Prophecy of ressurection

Jesus resurrection was predicted in the old testament

Jesus own prophecy

Early in ministry

Matthew 16:21–23

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (use)

Mark 8:31–32

And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. (use)

Luke 9:21–22

And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” (use)

At Galilee

Matthew 17:22–23

As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed. (use)

Mark 9:30–32

They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him. (use)

Luke 9:43–45

And all were astonished at the majesty of God. But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying. (use)

On the road to Jerusalem

Matthew 20:17–19

And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day." (use)

Mark 10:32–34

And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise." (use)

Luke 18:31–34

And taking the twelve, he said to them, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise." But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said. (use)

In John

John 12:7–8

Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” (use)

John 13:33

Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ (use)

John 14:25

These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. (use)

John 14:29

And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. (use)

We conclude, therefore, that Jesus thought of himself as an exorcist, miracle worker, and God's eschatological agent. Indeed, there can be little doubt that Jesus awed crowds with deeds that many interpreted as miracles and exorcisms, while others appear to have interpreted them as demonic or magical. Moreover, Jesus thought of himself as having a special relationship with God who had chosen him to bring about his eschatological kingdom. These conclusions are generally regarded by scholars as historical bedrock upon which we can build a metanarrative of the life of Jesus.

Licona, M.R., 2008. The Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus - Historiographical Considerations in the Light of Recent Debates.
licona-2008-historicity~a4

Resurrection was recorded shortly after it occurred

(Caiaphas was high priest from AD 18–37 and is not mentioned by name as still in position)

1 Corinthians 15:3–8

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. (use)

Early writing with lifetimes {still alive 53-57AD}

Everyone agrees that v.8, in which Paul reports his own vision of Christ, is an addition from the hand of the apostle himself.

Craig, W.L., 2024. Assessing the New Testament Evidence for the Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus. pg.5
craig-2024-assessing~a1

This statement is widely accepted as the earliest church creed, which began circulating as early as AD 30-36, shortly after Jesus’ resurrection.

...even if we are left without a story of this appearance, we nevertheless possess two apparently early testimonies to Peter's having see Jesus,as well as Paul's first hand confirmation.

Craig, W.L., 2024. Assessing the New Testament Evidence for the Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus.
craig-2024-assessing~a3

The evidence, therefore, of an appearance of Jesus to the Twelve is even better than that for an appearance to Peter: we have the testimony of the old formula, Paul's personal confirmation through his contact with at least Peter, and independent traditions relating the appearance in at least Luke and John. Once again, it seems very probable that the disciples as a group experienced something which they interpreted as Jesus's being alive from the dead.

Craig, W.L., 2024. Assessing the New Testament Evidence for the Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus. pg.43
craig-2024-assessing~a5

Why are the women not mentioned?

Again one can only shake one's head in bewilderment that we should apparently possess no story, nor indeed any other mention at all, of so monumental an event. Of all the appearances, this one would seem to be the most difficult to accept historically. Yet here it is in a tradition related confidently by a man who had ample opportunity to confirm its historicity. To make the situation even more amazing, this man adds a personal comment of his own that most of these people are still alive, though some have died. This seems to show that he had personal knowledge concerning individuals who were present at this appearance...

Craig, W.L., 2024. Assessing the New Testament Evidence for the Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus. pg.44
craig-2024-assessing~a6

The Women

[The women] “saw” the events as Jesus died (Matt 27:55; Mark 15:40; Luke 23:49), they “saw” where he was laid in the tomb (Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55), they went on the first day of the week to “see” the tomb (Matt 28:1), they “saw” the stone rolled away (Mark 16:4), they “saw” the young man sitting on the right side (Mark 16:5), and the angel invited them to “see” the empty place where Jesus’ body had lain (Matt 28:6; Mark 16:6).

Bauckham, R., 2008. Jesus and the eyewitnesses: the gospels as eyewitness testimony.
bauckham-2008-eyewitnesses~a1

Women saw Jesus die

Matthew 27:55

There were also many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, (use)

On the day that Jesus died, three men were crucified, and two thousand years later only one has a global movement of devoted followers willing to die as martyrs.

Driscoll, M., 2021. Alive 21 Reasons to Believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
driscoll-2021-alive~a3

Saw him laid in tomb

Mark 15:47

Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid. (use)

Jesus tomb location was well-known

Mark 15:46–47

And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid. (use)

Of the four major world religions based upon a founder, only Christianity lacks a known grave or shrine. Abraham's Jewish holy site is at Hebron. Buddha's holy site is in India. Mohammed's Islamic holy site is in Medina. Each of these graves are visited by millions of people every year. Scholars have also found the tombs of at least 50 religious leaders enshrined in Jesus' day, but no sign of Jesus' burial place.

Driscoll, M., 2021. Alive 21 Reasons to Believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
driscoll-2021-alive~a4

What is death?

Changing medical technology poses new problems for our old standards of what constitutes death.

Sarbey, B., 2016. Definitions of death: brain death and what matters in a person.
sarbey-2016-definitions~a1

...the legal definition of death in the UK is merely the judicial application of the current medical definition of death.

Wicks, E., 2017. The Legal Definition of Death and the Right to Life.
wicks-2017-legal~a1

...you're dead when a doctor says so...

The Uniform Determination of Death Act. 1981.

Mark 15:45

And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. (use)

Jesus tomb was guarded by the Roman government

Theories

Resurrected

One may claim that RH {resurrection hypothesis} lacks plausibility, since it is generally accepted that the dead do not return to life. However, what is generally accepted is that the dead do not return to life by natural causes. RH and the early Christians have not asserted that Jesus returned to life by natural causes but by a supernatural one. In fact, the statement could be turned around as follows: If a supernatural being wanted to raise Jesus from the dead, RH is the most plausible explanation for the relevant historical bedrock.

Licona, M.R., 2008. The Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus - Historiographical Considerations in the Light of Recent Debates.
licona-2008-historicity~a6

Not really dead (Swoon)

Given the extensive body of medical data pertaining to the crucifixion, it is untenable to posit the notion that Jesus just "swooned" while on the cross. The intense physical suffering he experienced before his crucifixion, along with the subsequent cardiovascular issues, would make survival unattainable.

Asante, E.K., 2024. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus in the Qur'an and Islamic Scholarship: The "Swoon Theory" and the Medical Perspective. pg. 67
asante-2024-crucifixion~a3

Twin Theory

And [for] their saying, "Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah ." And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain. {610AD->}

"Qur'an"
quran~s4v157

The first and by far the most frequent interpretation is the God rescued Jesus from his fate in a miraculous manner and that someone else was sustituted for Jesus on the cross...

Lawson, T., 2014. The crucifixion and the Qur'an: a study in the history of Muslim thought. Simon and Schuster.
lawson-2014-crucifixion~a1

Jesus was raised to heaven without being put on the cross, and God transformed another person to appear as Jesus and be crucified in his place. This tradition goes on to suggest that Jesus's body ascended into heaven and will remain there until his second coming at the end of the age. This substitution view is very popular among Muslims.

Barnes, P. and Younes, M., 2023. A Conversation between a Muslim and a Christian. Wipf and Stock Publishers. pg.69
barnes-2023-conversation~a1

Jesus was rescued but was then put to death by God before he ascended into heaven, as God never allows even the dead bodies of his messengers to be dishonored (Qur'an 3:55).

Barnes, P. and Younes, M., 2023. A Conversation between a Muslim and a Christian. Wipf and Stock Publishers. pg.70
barnes-2023-conversation~a2

Jesus was put on the cross but never died. Rather, he ascended straight to heaven. His death was made to appear to them in some way or an-other. The Qur'an in this instance is ambiguous.

Barnes, P. and Younes, M., 2023. A Conversation between a Muslim and a Christian. Wipf and Stock Publishers. pg.70
barnes-2023-conversation~a3

…demonstrating that it is possible,… …to deny the crucifixion of Jesus solely on the strength of 4:157-8. However, this denial seems to be a rejection of Christian soteriology more than a disclaimer of the event of the crucifixion of Jesus.

Lawson, T., 2014. The crucifixion and the Qur'an: a study in the history of Muslim thought. Simon and Schuster. pg.215
lawson-2014-crucifixion~a5

For my death, which they think happened, (happened) to them in their error and blindness, since they nailed their man unto their death... It was another, their father, who drank the gall and the vinegar; it was not I. They struck me with the reed; it was another, Simon, who bore the cross on his shoulder. I[t] was another upon Whom they placed the crown of thorns... And I was laughing at their ignorance. {Jesus as narrator}{200ADish}

Unknown. 300. Second Treatise of the Great Seth.
un-300-great-seth~a1

Mass Hallucination

Moreover, the most serious problems result from comparing this thesis to the New Testament accounts of Jesus’ resurrection appearances. Here, the explanatory power of this hypothesis is severely challenged, since much of the data not only differs from, but actually contradicts, the necessary conditions for “collective hallucinations.”

Habermas, G., 2001. Explaining Away Jesus' Resurrection: the Recent Revival of Hallucination Theories.
habermas-2001-hallucination~a1

Spiritual Resurrection (no body)

More accessible rationalizations tend to doubt the New Testament traditions of bodily resurrection while still affirming some kind of spiritual or symbolic transformation in Jesus. Perhaps Jesus' resurrection was 'spiritual' but not bodily - the disciples were effectively witnessing a ‘ghost’ - or perhaps the resurrection should be seen as a metaphor for a surprising feeling of new purpose experienced by the disciples soon after Jesus' death. While such rationalizations may offer a crumb of comfort in the modern sceptical age, they arguably introduce more problems than they solve, since Christian soteriology and eschatology lose much of their content and force if the bodily reality of Jesus' risen state is denied.

Harris, M., 2024. Biblical Criticism and Modern Science'. St Andrews Encyclopaedia of Theology. pg. 27
harris-2024-biblical~a1

The real problem is that of miracle. It doesn't stop with the birth of Jesus but follows Him through His life, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension. The life of Jesus carries the aura of miracle wherever it is described in the primary sources. A "de-miraclized" Jesus is not the biblical Jesus, but the invention of those who cannot abide the biblical proclamation. Such a Jesus is the Jesus of unbelief, the most mythical Jesus of all, conjured up to fit the preconceived molds of unbelief.

Sproul, R.C. 2018. The Controversial Birth of Jesus.
sproul-2018-birth~a1

Wrong tomb

Hence one cannot assert the falsity of this report without maintaining either that the disciples risked their lives preaching something they knew to be a fraud or that the church arose right next to the occupied tomb of Jesus.

Fuller, D.P., 1966. The Resurrection of Jesus and the Historical Method.
fuller-1966-resurrection~a3

Missing body

Conspiracy Theory

I don't subscribe to any of these alternative views because I don't think we know what happened to the body of Jesus. But simply looking at the matter from a historical point of view, any of these views is more plausible than the claim that God raised Jesus physically from the dead. A resurrection would be a miracle and as such would defy all "probability."

Ehrman, B.D., 2015. How Jesus Became God: The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacher from Galilee.
ehrman-2015-how~a1

Back to the women

Women went to see the tomb

Matthew 28:1

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. (use)

Saw the stone rolled away

Mark 16:4

And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. (use)

Saw the young man

Mark 16:5

And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. (use)

Saw he was not there

Matthew 28:6

He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. (use)

Mark 16:6

And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. (use)

Jesus tomb was not enshrined

The apostles preaching

Jesus disciples were transformed from cowards to courageous

Concerning the report of the empty tomb in the Gospels, Pannenberg concludes that it cannot be classed as fiction without asserting that the apostles' ability to found the church at Jerusalem took place in contempt of circumstances.

Fuller, D.P., 1966. The Resurrection of Jesus and the Historical Method.
fuller-1966-resurrection~a1

Men do not risk their lives for what they know to be a fraud.

Fuller, D.P., 1966. The Resurrection of Jesus and the Historical Method.
fuller-1966-resurrection~a2

After Jesus rose from death, he appeared to crowds upwards of 500 people over the course of 40 days.

Acts 1:3

He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. (use)

1 Corinthians 15:3–6

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. (use)

...there was not sufficient time between the crucifixion and the report of Jesus resurrection for a myth to become popular. In addition, the resurrection eyewitnesses were still alive and available to be questioned about the facts surrounding the resurrection.

Driscoll, M., 2021. Alive 21 Reasons to Believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
driscoll-2021-alive~a6

Paul on the resurrection

Jesus’ enemy, Paul, was converted.

Philippians 3:4–6

though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. (use)

Essential to the gospel

Romans 1:4

and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, (use)

Crucial for the forgiveness of sinners

1 Corinthians 15:17

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. (use)

Basis for the believer’s hope for resurrection

Source of courage in the face of deadly persecution.

Paul appealed to his own eyewitness account of Jesus’s post-resurrection appearance. Implied in Acts 26:16.

His eyewitness account belived by others

Acts 9:26–28

And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. (use)

Paul preached the resurrection

in Thessalonica

in Athens

in Corinth

...assumes the church’s familiarity with his Damascus Road experience despite the absence of previous references to it in the extant letters to the Corinthian church and this implies that testimony to Jesus’s post-resurrection appearance to Paul was standard fare in his preaching. This cumulative evidence shows that Paul should be regarded as one of the most important witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus.

Academic Opinions

At best the historian can say that there were men and women in the first century who earnestly believed that they had seen the raised Christ … The historian cannot say that the raised Jesus was seen in a vision without himself becoming a man of faith. Nor can he account for the certainty with which the early Christians held to the conviction that they had seen Jesus.

Carnley, P., 1987. The Structure of Resurrection Belief.
carnely-1987-structure~a1

For a variety of reasons, contemporary scholars widely conclude that after his death, Jesus' followers at least thought that they had seen appearances of the risen Jesus.

Habermas, G.R., 2006. Experiences of the risen Jesus: The foundational historical issue in the early proclamation of the resurrection. Dialog, 45(3), pp.288-297.
habermas-2006-experiences~a1

As long as historiography does not begin dogmatically with a narrow concept of reality according to which 'dead men do not rise,' it is not clear why historiography should not in principle be able to speak about Jesus' resurrection as the explanation that is best established of such events as the disciples' experiences of the appearances and the discovery of the empty tomb.

Licona, M.R., 2008. The Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus - Historiographical Considerations in the Light of Recent Debates.
licona-2008-historicity~a3

Jesus resurrection defied any potential alternative explanation

A Death by Crucifixion

Ladies found tomb empty

Independent appearances of Jesus alive after death

Persecution of the apostles

Conversion of Saul

The consequences of the resurection

It was the conviction of the resurrection of Jesus which lifted his followers out of the despair into which his death had cast them and which led to the perpetuation of the movement begun by him. But for their profound belief that the crucified had risen from the dead and that they had seen him and talked with him, the death of Jesus and even Jesus himself would probably have been all but forgotten.

Latourette, K.S., 1937. A History of the Expansion of Christianity, 7 vols., The First Five Centuries. 1:59
latourette-1937-history~a1

Jesus followers remained loyal to him

Jesus followers worshiped Him as God.

Jesus family worshiped Him as God.

Jesus followers changed the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday

The resurrection meant not just that a church was founded, it meant that the world was different: the church exists to articulate this difference, to show the world to itself.

McCabe, H., 1968. The Resurrection is not a religious event.
mccabe-1968-resurrection~a1

Jesus followers practiced communion and baptism.

In communion, the early Christians remembered Jesus' death in their place for their sins. In baptism they remembered Jesus' resurrection in their place for their salvation and anticipated their personal future resurrection. These ancient practices have continued for thousands of years wherever the Church has existed.

Driscoll, M., 2021. Alive 21 Reasons to Believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
driscoll-2021-alive~a5

Will the church die? No. The church moves out into the future not on the strength of its culture or its institutions but because of the promise of Jesus at Caesarea Philippi. And – however buffered the modern self might be from the so-called supernatural, the tomb is, in fact, empty.

Moore, R., 2021. Integrity and the Future of the Church.
moore-2021-integrity~a3

I conclude that the hypothesis that Jesus rose from the dead is not only the best explanation of the relevant historical bedrock, it out distances its competitors by a significant margin and meets the criteria for awarding historicity.

Licona, M.R., 2008. The Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus - Historiographical Considerations in the Light of Recent Debates.
licona-2008-historicity~a1

The fact of Jesus' resurrection is a matter of history. What it means can only be understood by what the Bible tells us.

Guzik, D., 2012. Enduring Word.
guzik-2012-ew~mk-16a

Church has stood the test of time.

Jesus is alive and still changing lives to this day