“Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?” (Acts 26:7–8, NIV 1984).
My Musings – “The evidence for Jesus’ resurrection is so strong that…if you believe it happened, you have to change the way you live.” (German theologian Wolfhart Panneberg). The interesting thing about this quote, to me, is that “the evidence…is so strong” is followed by “if you believe it.”
The evidence is so strong, there should be no if:
Because Jesus’ death burial and resurrection is exactly “what the prophets and Moses said would happen— that the Christ would suffer and… rise from the dead.” (Acts 26:22–23, NIV 1984). Described in excruciating details hundreds of years prior to their fulfillment (see Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22).
Because after He was raised from the dead “He appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers 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 [Paul].” (1 Corinthians 15:5–8, NIV 1984). Not a single claim that His dead body was seen after He was certified dead and sealed in a guarded tomb by His Roman executioners. The tomb was empty because He is risen.
Because nonbiblical records… [include] clear references to Jesus and early worship of Him as God in the writings of Tacitus, Mara bar Serapion, Suetonius, Pliny the Younger, and Josephus. (“The Daily Article,” The Denison Forum, Dr. Jim Denison, October 8, 2026). The fact that His life has been attested to as real by sources outside the Biblical records should lead people to at least consider the reality of His resurrection and what that means.
Finally, there is no plausible explanation for the changed lives of the disciples after [the resurrection]. (“The Daily Article,” The Denison Forum, Dr. Jim Denison, October 8, 2026). These were the same disciples that previously doubted Him, denied Him and deserted Him. Changed? All but one (John) died martyr’s deaths for their belief.
My Musings – Yet there are many, despite evidence so strong, that do find it incredible. But those who do believe, not just about but in, do “change the way [they] live.” Perhaps among the strongest evidence.
Considering all this, “why should any of you consider it incredible that” Jesus was raised from the dead? Believe in Him and then “change the way you live.” There should be no “if.”
