LET THE BIBLE SPEAK.

THE RESURRECTION Steven F. Deaton The resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth is at the very heart of Christianity. Without the bodily resurrection of the Savior, there is no hope. “And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty” (1 Cor. 15:14). However, we have reliable testimony that Jesus was raised from the dead to sit at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb. 12:2). First, the resurrection was prophesied not only by the prophets of old, but also by Jesus. Isaiah said, “He was cut off from the land of the living...He shall prolong His days” (Isa. 53:8, 10). Jesus said, “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matt. 12:40). Second, the resurrection was unexpected by the disciples of our Lord. They had visions, as many do today, of a Messiah who would rule and reign as an earthly king. Their ...

Three Days and Three Nights Joe R. Price How long was Jesus in the grave?  The skeptic is quick to say there is a contradiction in the Scriptures over the time Jesus said He would be in the tomb and the actual length he was there. When one considers the evidence, this allegation cannot be scripturally or logically sustained. Jesus said He would be in the grave three days and three nights: “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matt. 12:40). But, Mark records Jesus saying He would rise again “after three days” (Mk. 8:31).  This is where the skeptic thinks he proves his case. Jesus died and was buried on Friday before the Sabbath (Lk. 23:53-56). Jesus rose from the death on the first day of the week, on which day two disciples said “today is the third day since these things happened” (Lk. 24:1, 7, 21).  Parts of thr...

Reasoning About the Resurrection of Christ by Eric Lyons, M.Min. The resurrection of Christ is central to the faith of every Christian. Without a firm belief that “God has raised Him from the dead” (Romans 10:9), salvation from sin is impossible. Paul wrote: “If Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17). Without the good news of Jesus’ defeat of death, the Gospel is void of its power to save mankind (cf. Romans 1:16). If Christ was not “raised from the dead by the glory of the Father,” there would be no “newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Rather, every accountable person would lie “dead in trespasses” (Ephesians 2:1,5) without hope of becoming “a new creation” in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Truly, the resurrection of Christ provides the substance for the Christian’s hope and the solid foundation on which to build his faith. Is it any surprise, then, that...

Concerning Easter!!!

http://www.letgodbetrue.com/bible/holidays/easter-problems.php

The (Real) Great Tribulation . Ruel D. Catlett . Jesus said, " These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world, " John 16:33. Contrary to popular belief, the "great tribulation" of the Revelation letter isn't merely some distinct period of persecution. Revelation was written with a view toward the physical suffering of Christians, and many have suffered in that manner; yet persecution doesn't exhaust the meaning of "tribulation." "Tribulation" describes the struggle that living as a child of God may be, whenever, wherever, or however it may occur. It's the conflict that comes into the life of every Christian because Satan wants our soul. It's every temptation to give up and turn away from God because of weariness, weakness, or the rebellion that is in us against what is best for us. "Tribulation" is whatever ...

THE USE OF MECHANICAL INSTRUMENTS  OF MUSIC IS SINFUL  Garland M. Robinson Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6),  “for whatsoever is not of faith is sin”  (Rom. 14:23). The injunction of II Cor. 5:7 is that we  “walk by faith, not by sight.”  Since faith comes by hearing God’s word (Rom. 10:17), we therefore live according to his word and not what may appear right in our own eyes (Jer. 10:23). Many ways may seem right to men, but they are the ways of death (Prov. 14:12). We are to walk  “in the light”  of God’s word (I John 1:7). When we step out of God’s searchlight of truth, we place ourselves outside of God’s approval. Unless we live according to his word (walking by faith), we are not pleasing to him and are guilty of sin. Sin separates us from God (Isa. 59:1-2) and separation from God leads to eternal torment (Matt. 25:46). Therefore,  “whatsoever ye...