1 Cor 15:14 *And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless*?
In years past, several theories were propounded by enemies of the cross to debunk the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. One of such demonic theories is the SWOON THEORY.
Swoon theory believed that Jesus fainted from exhaustion and was revived in the coolness of the tomb, arose and departed. They forgot that his executioners were professionals who knew how to crucify a criminal to the point of death. He was confirmed dead by his executioners.
Another theory is “HALLUCINATION THEORY”. They believe that all of Christ’s post resurrection appearances were not real, people who claimed they saw him only had mere hallucinations. This is laughable, isn’t it?
He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died,( 1 Cor 15:4-6). *Can 500 persons hallucinate all at once*?
The devil didn’t stop there. Through his minions, he came up with another theory called “IMPERSONATION THEORY”. This is the view that the appearances were not really Christ at all, but someone impersonating Him.
This, the opponents say, is evident because in some cases they did not recognize Him at first (or at all). They fail to realizes that his disciples saw his glorified body( John20:17).
SPIRITUAL RESURRECTION THEORY says Christ’s resurrection was not a real physical resurrection. Proponents of this theory assert that Christ’s body remained in the grave and His real resurrection was spiritual in nature. It was only told this way to illustrate the truth of spiritual resurrection. Big lie! Have they forgotten that the grave became empty as it was recorded in John 20:1-31?
THEFT THEORY is popular among the Jews. They believe his disciples stole his body and claimed that He rose from the dead. This theory was propounded by the religious leaders of his day who paid soldiers to spread the news that his body was stolen, Matthew28:13.
Lastly, some believed his tomb is unknown. How can that be? Didn’t they read where the bible says that Joseph of Arimathea requested for Jesus’ body to be buried in an unused tomb? Read John19:38-42.
*Satan knows If he can make you believe these lies, your faith in Christ is useless. There wouldn’t have been a hope of resurrection for the dead in Christ and that could also mean that there wouldn’t be hope of heaven for anyone. Hallelujah!!!*
Christ arose. He arose a victor from the domain of darkness because death could not hold him down, the power of resurrection and the glory was too much for the grave to handle.
The earth practically vomited him: *”But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him*” (Acts2:24). No other religious leader rose from the dead. They’re dead, buried and rotten in the grave.
*Christ is not a religious leader, he’s a life giver. He carries the power of an indestructible life*. When he arose, he came out triumphant.
All of the powers of hell and Satan their master were disarmed: *”And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross*” (Col 2:15 NIV).
Whatever you’re facing must bow to the risen Christ. The power of resurrection is available, tap into it.
*CONFESSION*: I unleash the resurrection power of Christ on (…mention name of your challenge). I reject it and send it back to hell. It is not mine. I refuse to bow to the whims and caprices of the enemy. I no longer belong to the kingdom of darkness. The power of God is at work in my mortal body to quicken me and make me fit spirit, soul and body in Jesus name.