Heath Lambert examines the historical evidence for Jesus Christ's resurrection. Discover why even skeptics in the first century were convinced by overwhelming eyewitness testimony, and why the resurrection stands as the most well-documented miracle in history.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 Introduction and the essential question of Christianity

0:52 Two possible responses to the resurrection claim

2:07 Why skepticism is understandable but insufficient

3:39 The skepticism of Thomas and his encounter with the risen Christ (John 20:25-28)

5:52 Over 500 eyewitnesses to the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:5-6)

7:34 The apostles' willingness to die for their testimony

9:03 The global impact of Christianity as evidence for the resurrection

KEY POINTS:

- The resurrection either happened or didn't—there is no middle ground position

- Even Jesus' closest followers were initially skeptical of resurrection claims

- Thomas refused to believe without physical evidence but was convinced when he saw Jesus

- Over 500 people witnessed the resurrected Jesus at one time—overwhelming eyewitness testimony

- The apostles went to their deaths maintaining their testimony—no one recanted

- No group of people would die for what they knew to be a lie

- The global impact of Christianity is better explained by a true resurrection than by a hoax

- Jesus' followers transformed from fearful skeptics to bold witnesses willing to die for their testimony

- Christianity's world-changing influence began with real witnesses to a real event

Submit your questions for future episodes to [email protected]

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

John 20:25-28 - Thomas's skepticism and subsequent belief after seeing the risen Jesus

1 Corinthians 15:5-6 - Paul's account of Jesus appearing to more than 500 people at one time

EVENT INFORMATION:

Join First Baptist Church Jacksonville for a special Good Friday concert celebrating the resurrection. https://fbcjax.com/easter-concert/