Resurrection of Christ
Jesus was bodily raised, vindicating His person and work.
What is a doctrine?
Definition: A doctrine is what Scripture teaches about a specific truth: about God, humanity, salvation, or the future. It is drawn from the whole Bible, not just one passage.
How to read this page: Start with the definition, then read the key passage witnesses to see where this doctrine lives in Scripture.
Formation: The formation section shows how this doctrine shapes the believer's life and ministry.
This doctrine affirms the historical and bodily resurrection of Jesus as central to the gospel, hope, and future resurrection of believers.
Also known as Bodily Resurrection of Christ
The risen Christ vindicates the cross and leads His disciples forward.
The reader must see that Jesus the crucified Nazarene has truly been raised. His resurrection vindicates his death, confirms his word, restores failed disciples, and calls witnesses out of fear into proclamation.
- 1 : Women approach the tomb (vv. 1–3).
- 2 : Stone removed and resurrection declared (vv. 4–6).
- 3 : Promise of reunion in Galilee (v. 7).
The crucified Messiah has been raised, proving that His atoning death was accepted and death defeated; through faith in the risen Christ, eternal life is granted.
Acts 1:12-26 Waiting, Scripture, and Obedience: The Church Restored Between Promise and Power As the church waits for the promised Spirit, it does not drift or grasp for control; it prays, listens to Scripture, and acts in obedience to Christ’s design for His witnesses.
The church must know that its life and mission rest on the risen and ascended Christ, the Father's promise, and the Spirit's power.
- A. The Waiting Community in Jerusalem (vv. 12-14) : The apostles return to Jerusalem as commanded, gather in an upper room with other disciples, including women and Jesus’ mother and brothers, and devote themselves with one accord to prayer.
- B. Peter Interprets Judas’s Betrayal Through Scripture (vv. 15-20) : Peter stands among about 120 believers and explains that Judas’s betrayal and tragic end fulfilled words written in the Psalms, framing these events within God’s sovereign plan rather than mere accident.
- C. Criteria for Apostolic Witness (vv. 21-22) : Peter lays out that a replacement for Judas must be someone who accompanied Jesus’ ministry from John’s baptism to the ascension and can testify as a witness of the resurrection.
Judas’s fall underscores the seriousness of betraying Christ, yet even this treachery does not derail God’s saving plan. Christ’s death and resurrection stand firm, and He continues to provide shepherds and witnesses so that the good news of forgiveness and new life through Him will go out to the world.
Acts 13:13-41 The Promised Savior: Jesus Fulfills the Davidic Covenant Jesus fulfills God’s covenant promises to Israel, and through Him alone comes forgiveness and justification beyond what the law of Moses could provide.
Acts 13 teaches that the mission of the church is initiated by the Holy Spirit, centered on the risen Christ, grounded in Scripture, and directed to the nations according to God's promise.
- A. Historical Rehearsal (vv. 13-25) : Paul traces God’s redemptive acts from the Exodus to David and John the Baptist.
- B. Proclamation of the Risen Savior (vv. 26-37) : Jesus, though rejected and crucified, was raised by God in fulfillment of Scripture.
- C. Offer of Forgiveness and Justification (vv. 38-39) : Through Jesus forgiveness and justification are offered to all who believe.
Through Jesus Christ forgiveness of sins is proclaimed, and everyone who believes is justified from what the law of Moses could not justify.
All 54 Witnesses
8 canonical motifs share passages with this doctrine. Expand any motif to read its summary.
Resurrection
Follow resurrection hope, vindication, and life-over-death patterns across the canon.
Trace this motif →Servant
Trace servant identity, obedient mission, and suffering service across Scripture.
Trace this motif →Faith
Follow faith, believing response, trust, and persevering allegiance across Scripture.
Trace this motif →Glory
Trace how divine glory, revealed majesty, and Christ-centered exaltation move across Scripture.
Trace this motif →Kingdom
Study kingdom reign, divine rule, and gospel kingdom proclamation across Scripture.
Trace this motif →Spirit
Trace the Spirit's presence, empowerment, renewal, and mission-bearing work across Scripture.
Trace this motif →Remnant
Trace remnant preservation, covenant continuity, and mercy under judgment across Scripture.
Trace this motif →Shepherd
Follow shepherding as divine care, messianic leadership, and pastoral oversight across Scripture.
Trace this motif →