The Implications

If the resurrection occurred, it has serious implications for the accepting or rejecting of Jesus of Nazareth as the Son of God.

Just weeks after the crucifixion of Jesus, one of Jesus’ closest followers preached this message to people who lived in Jerusalem—people who had the immediate opportunity to verify Peter’s words: “Be it known unto you all… that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole… Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:10-12).

The third reality that must be accepted is this: Each person must trust what Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross as satisfactory payment for the debt of sin that each person has accumulated.

This message of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is called the gospel. Paul wrote: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved… how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

One day, when Paul was sharing the gospel message, a man asked him how he might receive eternal life: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Paul’s response to this man applies today: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…” (Acts 16:30-31).

One of the most translated verses of Scripture in the world declares the same thing: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).