Witnesses Knew
Jesus
Really Died

Consider Compelling Proof of
The Resurrection of Christ

Swoon Theory

Did Jesus swoon and later revive in the cool dampness of the tomb? Some think this is what happened. They believe that Jesus merely passed out and then later recovered.

This view has been called the swoon theory to explain away the resurrection of Jesus.

But ask yourself this question -- how could a pitiful victim of crucifixion inspire those early disciples and believers to die martyrs' deaths?

It's important to verify the fact that Jesus actually died, so here is compelling evidence of the Resurrection for you to examine.

Proofs that Jesus Died

1. The crowd that watched His crucifixion was convinced Jesus was dead.

They saw Him die. They were there.

2. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were convinced He was dead.

These rich and powerful men removed his body from the cross and wrapped it with linen cloth filled with spices and ointment. They wrapped the cloth totally around his body encasing it like a mummy. If He was still alive, they certainly would have noticed.

3. Pontius Pilate received news of Christ's death from the Roman centurion who oversaw His crucifixion.

It was the Roman centurion's clear testimony that Jesus was dead. Pontius Pilate had inquired whether Jesus was dead already. And the soldier who had witnessed and participated in the crucifixion confirmed that He was dead. One of the Roman soldiers thrust a spear into Christ's side and out came blood and water. Medically speaking -- this shows that Christ pericardium had ruptured and was proof of His death.

In Matthew 28:11 we read that guards were ordered to watch the tomb.

Great precautions were taken to secure the burial of Jesus because the religious leaders were concerned what could happen if Jesus' followers decided to steal His body.

A large stone was rolled in front of the opening and guards were ordered to guard the grave. A Roman seal was placed on the grave stone. The breaking of this seal no doubt would result in execution (probably by crucifixion) if someone broke it. So who would want to take the chance of breaking the seal and being crucified as a result?

But the body of Jesus vanished while the soldiers were on duty. The death penalty was in force in Rome for soldiers who fell asleep on the job. The Jewish leaders told them to say the disciples stole the body while the soldiers were sleeping. The Jewish leaders promised the soldiers they would protect them from the sure penalty to come if they would only say that the disciples stole the body while they slept.

Here's a question for you to answer.  How did the soldiers know who stole the body if they were sleeping? Also, the Jews did not order the soldiers to say that Jesus had revived in the tomb. In the end, the soldiers lied and said that the disciples had carried off the body while they slept. And the Jewish leaders paid them for lying.

5. The enbalming and burial of Christ would have insured His death if He had merely passed out.

The body of Jesus was wrapped in a linen cloth according to Jewish burial customs and then it was placed in a cave in a solid rock tomb. If Jesus was still alive, He would have suffocated. That's because the burial cloth and spices were wrapped around his entire body. And there was a separate cloth wrapped entirely around his head which covered his mouth.

6. No one could produce the body.

Empty tomb -- missing body!

Three days after Jesus was buried the tomb was empty! What happened to His body?

Jesus rose from the dead right outside the city of Jerusalem where He was crucified. Therefore, His body was still around there somewhere for His enemies to find -- if in fact, His body was still there!

The facts are -- no one could produce the body!

What happened next is astonishing! Those timid disciples, who were in fear of their lives, boldly preached right there in the very city where Christ was crucified!

Enemies would have loved to have produced the body and squelch the fledgling church. But they could not produce the corpse.

That in itself is evidence of the Resurrection!

One of the most prestigious teachers of Judaism, Gamaliel, even defended these early believers. He warned the religious leaders that they should be careful about fighting the believers. He counseled that if this wasn't of God, it would come to nothing. However, if it was of God, the Jewish leaders would even be found fighting against God!

Believe it or not, Jesus Christ -- the Messiah -- actually did rise from the dead and is alive right now! The importance of the resurrection is a matter of life and death -- Yours! What have you concluded about the compelling proof of
the resurrection of Christ?

What will YOU do with this risen Savior?