If The Dead Are Not Raised

Easter Service 3-31-24
If the dead are not raised...
1Co 15:12 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
1Co 15:13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen.
1Co 15:14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.
1Co 15:15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise.
1Co 15:16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen.
1Co 15:17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!
1Co 15:18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
1Co 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.
1Co 15:20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
1Co 15:21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.
1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
1Co 15:23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming.
1Co 15:24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.
1Co 15:25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.
1Co 15:26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.

Prophesies
Road to Emmaus- "Beginning at Moses..."
Luk 24:13 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem.
Luk 24:14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
Luk 24:15 So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.
Luk 24:16 But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.
Luk 24:17 And He said to them, "What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?"
Luk 24:18 Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, "Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?"
Luk 24:19 And He said to them, "What things?" So they said to Him, "The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,
Luk 24:20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him.
Luk 24:21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened.
Luk 24:22 Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us.
Luk 24:23 When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive.
Luk 24:24 And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see."
Luk 24:25 Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
Luk 24:26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?"
Luk 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

Daniel 9
Dan 9:24 "Seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city, To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy.
Dan 9:25 "Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times.
Dan 9:26 "And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, And till the end of the war desolations are determined.

Even the method of His death was prophesied plainly by Jesus to His disciples:
Mat 26:1 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, that He said to His disciples,
Mat 26:2 "You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified."

Last supper
Plan revealed
Mat 26:3 Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
Mat 26:4 and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him.
Mat 26:5 But they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people."

John 13:21 When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me."
John 13:22 Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke.
John 13:23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.
John 13:24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke.
John 13:25 Then, leaning back on Jesus' breast, he said to Him, "Lord, who is it?"
John 13:26 Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it." And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
John 13:27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly."
John 13:28 But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him.
John 13:29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, "Buy those things we need for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor.
John 13:30 Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.

Jesus forced the issue by letting Judas know the cat was out of the bag!
Mar 14:17 In the evening He came with the twelve.
Mar 14:18 Now as they sat and ate, Jesus said, "Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me."
Mar 14:19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, "Is it I?" And another said, "Is it I?"
Mar 14:20 He answered and said to them, "It is one of the twelve, who dips with Me in the dish.
Mar 14:21 The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born."

Garden of Gethsemane
Luk 22:39 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.
Luk 22:40 When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."
Luke 22:41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed,
Luk 22:42 saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."
Luk 22:43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.
Luk 22:44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Luk 22:45 When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow.
Luk 22:46 Then He said to them, "Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation."
Luk 22:47 And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him.
Luk 22:48 But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"
Luk 22:49 When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"
Luk 22:50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.
Luk 22:51 But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this." And He touched his ear and healed him.
Luk 22:52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs?
Luk 22:53 When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."

Arrest
Cohort
Temple Guard
John 18:1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered.
John 18:2 And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples.
John 18:3 Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
John 18:4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, "Whom are you seeking?"
John 18:5 They answered Him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am He." And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them.
John 18:6 Now when He said to them, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground.
John 18:7 Then He asked them again, "Whom are you seeking?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth."
John 18:8 Jesus answered, "I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,"
John 18:9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, "Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none."
John 18:10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
John 18:11 So Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?"
John 18:12 Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him.

Trials
Three Jewish Trials:
Annas- John 18:13 & 24
Caiaphas - Matthew 26:57, John 18:13-14, 24-28
Sanhedrin - Matthew 26:57-Matthew 27:1

Luk 22:63 Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him.
Luk 22:64 And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, "Prophesy! Who is the one who struck You?"
Luk 22:65 And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him.
Luk 22:66 As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council, saying,
Luke 22:67 "If You are the Christ, tell us." But He said to them, "If I tell you, you will by no means believe.
Luk 22:68 And if I also ask you, you will by no means answer Me or let Me go.
Luke 22:69 Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God."
Luk 22:70 Then they all said, "Are You then the Son of God?" So He said to them, "You rightly say that I am."
Luk 22:71 And they said, "What further testimony do we need? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth."

Mat 26:59 Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death,
Mat 26:60 but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward
Mat 26:61 and said, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.' "
Mat 26:62 And the high priest arose and said to Him, "Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?"
Mat 26:63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, "I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!"
Mat 26:64 Jesus said to him, "It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven."
Mat 26:65 Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, "He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy!
Mat 26:66 What do you think?" They answered and said, "He is deserving of death."
Mat 26:67 Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands,
Mat 26:68 saying, "Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?"

Mar 14:55 Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none.
Mar 14:56 For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree.
Mar 14:57 Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying,
Mar 14:58 "We heard Him say, 'I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.' "
Mar 14:59 But not even then did their testimony agree.
Mar 14:60 And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, "Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?"
Mar 14:61 But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?"
Mar 14:62 Jesus said, "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."
Mar 14:63 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "What further need do we have of witnesses?
Mar 14:64 You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?" And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.

Three Roman Trials:
Pilate
Herod
Back to Pilate

Jewish Legal violations:
Jesus was bound prior to being pronounced guilty
He was tried at night
He was tried at Annas' house
He was tried at the palace of the High Priest (private residence)
He was tried on a Feast Day
Judges could not participate in the arrest of the accused
No arrest could be undertaken through an informant or traitor
The accused could be released the same day if pronounced innocent, however, a guilty verdict had to come through two or more witnesses, and sentence had to be carried out the following day.
Many false witnesses were presented, none worthy of conviction.
Conflicting witnesses required the immediate release of the prisoner
No prisoner could be convicted on his own testimony
He was struck during trial
The ballot should have begun with the youngest to the oldest
The verdict was pronounced in Caiaphas residence, not the Temple Hall
The High Priest tore his Priestly Robe (required to put someone under oath)
The Jews called for Him to be crucified (Jewish law called for stoning in capital punishment cases, not crucifixion!)
The Jews had no power to exercise capital punishment

Roman Legal Violations:

Roman law required
A. A formal accusation
B. Witnesses against the accused
C. Freedom for the accused to defend themselves

John 18:28-40
John 18:28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover.
John 18:29 Pilate then went out to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this Man?"
John 18:30 They answered and said to him, "If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you."
John 18:31 Then Pilate said to them, "You take Him and judge Him according to your law." Therefore the Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,"
John 18:32 that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die.
John 18:33 Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?"
John 18:34 Jesus answered him, "Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?"
John 18:35 Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?"
John 18:36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."
John 18:37 Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."
John 18:38 Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, "I find no fault in Him at all.
At this point, according to Roman law, Jesus should have been released IMMEDIATELY! Every single thing that transpires from this point on is illegal under Roman law. By the way, Pilate declared 7 times that Jesus was innocent, and tried 6 times to release Him.
John 18:39 "But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?"
John 18:40 Then they all cried again, saying, "Not this Man, but Barabbas!" Now Barabbas was a robber.

Even this was unnecessary. Jesus should have been released. There was no formal accusation, just "We brought you a bad guy, kill Him because we say so... Trust us!", there were no witnesses presented against Him, no official case to be tried. It was all a political smoke show.
Even the "conviction" brought by the Jewish rulers, which was blasphemy, was not a crime under Roman law.

Pilate bounced Jesus to Herod, Herod sent Him back to Pilate,

Crucifixion
Mar 15:1 Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate.
Mar 15:2 Then Pilate asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" He answered and said to him, "It is as you say."
Mar 15:3 And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing.
Mar 15:4 Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, "Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!"
Mar 15:5 But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.
Mar 15:6 Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested.
Mar 15:7 And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion.
Mar 15:8 Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them.
Mar 15:9 But Pilate answered them, saying, "Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?"
Mar 15:10 For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.
Mar 15:11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them.
Mar 15:12 Pilate answered and said to them again, "What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?"
Mar 15:13 So they cried out again, "Crucify Him!"
Mar 15:14 Then Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they cried out all the more, "Crucify Him!"
Mar 15:15 So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified.
Mar 15:16 Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison.
Mar 15:17 And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head,
Mar 15:18 and began to salute Him, "Hail, King of the Jews!"
Mar 15:19 Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him.
Mar 15:20 And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.
Mar 15:21 Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross.
Mar 15:22 And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull.
Mar 15:23 Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it.
Mar 15:24 And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take.
Mar 15:25 Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him.
Mar 15:26 And the inscription of His accusation was written above: THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Mar 15:27 With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left.
Mar 15:28 So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND HE WAS NUMBERED WITH THE TRANSGRESSORS."
Mar 15:29 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, "Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days,
Mar 15:30 save Yourself, and come down from the cross!"
Mar 15:31 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, "He saved others; Himself He cannot save.
Mar 15:32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.

Luke 23:44 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
Luk 23:45 Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.
Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.' " Having said this, He breathed His last.
Luk 23:47 So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, "Certainly this was a righteous Man!"
Luke 23:48 And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned.

Mat 27:45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.
Mat 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?"
Mat 27:47 Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, "This Man is calling for Elijah!"
Mat 27:48 Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink.
Mat 27:49 The rest said, "Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him."
Mat 27:50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.
Mat 27:51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,
Mat 27:52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;
Mat 27:53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
Mat 27:54 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, "Truly this was the Son of God!"

Resurrection
Mat 27:62 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate,
Mat 27:63 saying, "Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise.'
Mat 27:64 Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, 'He has risen from the dead.' So the last deception will be worse than the first."
Mat 27:65 Pilate said to them, "You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how."
Mat 27:66 So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.

Mat 28:1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
Mat 28:2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.
Mat 28:3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.
Mat 28:4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
Mat 28:5 But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
Mat 28:6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
Mat 28:7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you."
Mat 28:8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.
Mat 28:9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!" So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.
Mat 28:10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me."
Mat 28:11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened.
Mat 28:12 When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,
Mat 28:13 saying, "Tell them, 'His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.'
Mat 28:14 And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will appease him and make you secure."
Mat 28:15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
Mat 28:16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them.
Mat 28:17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Mat 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Mat 28:20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Mar 16:1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.
Mar 16:2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.
Mar 16:3 And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?"
Mar 16:4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large.
Mar 16:5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
Mar 16:6 But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.
Mar 16:7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you."
Mar 16:8 So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Mar 16:9 Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons.
Mar 16:10 She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept.
Mar 16:11 And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
Mar 16:12 After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country.
Mar 16:13 And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.
Mar 16:14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.
Mar 16:15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mar 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Mar 16:17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
Mar 16:18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
Mar 16:19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
Mar 16:20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

Luk 24:1 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.
Luk 24:2 But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.
Luk 24:3 Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
Luk 24:4 And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.
Luk 24:5 Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?
Luk 24:6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee,
Luk 24:7 saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.' "
Luk 24:8 And they remembered His words.
Luk 24:9 Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.
Luk 24:10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles.
Luk 24:11 And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them.
Luk 24:12 But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.

John 20:1 Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.
John 20:2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him."
John 20:3 Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and went to the tomb.
John 20:4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first.
John 20:5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in.
John 20:6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there,
John 20:7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.
John 20:8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed.
John 20:9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.
John 20:10 Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.
John 20:11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb.
John 20:12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
John 20:13 Then they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him."
Joh 20:14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.
John 20:15 Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, "Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away."
John 20:16 Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him, ''Rabboni!" (which is to say, Teacher).
John 20:17 Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.' "
John 20:18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.
John 20:19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you."
John 20:20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
John 20:21 So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you."
John 20:22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
John 20:23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
John 20:24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
John 20:25 The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe."
John 20:26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!"
John 20:27 Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing."
John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"
John 20:29 Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
John 20:30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book;
John 20:31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

John 21:1 After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself:
John 21:2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together.
John 21:3 Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We are going with you also." They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.
John 21:4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
John 21:5 Then Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any food?" They answered Him, "No."
John 21:6 And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
John 21:7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.
John 21:8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish.
John 21:9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread.
John 21:10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have just caught."
John 21:11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken.
John 21:12 Jesus said to them, "Come and eat breakfast." Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, "Who are You?"—knowing that it was the Lord.
John 21:13 Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.
John 21:14 This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.
John 21:15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs."
John 21:16 He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep."
John 21:17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.
John 21:18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish."
John 21:19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me."
John 21:20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?"
John 21:21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?"
John 21:22 Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me."
John 21:23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?"
John 21:24 This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.
John 21:25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

Ascension
Act 1:1 The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
Act 1:2 until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen,
Act 1:3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
Act 1:4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me;
Act 1:5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
Act 1:6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"
Act 1:7 And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.
Act 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Act 1:9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
Act 1:10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,
Act 1:11 who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."

If the dead are not raised...

1Co 15:12 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
1Co 15:13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen.
1Co 15:14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.
1Co 15:15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise.
1Co 15:16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen.
1Co 15:17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!
1Co 15:18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
1Co 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.
1Co 15:20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
1Co 15:21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.
1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
1Co 15:23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming.
1Co 15:24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.
1Co 15:25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.
1Co 15:26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.