You don’t have to read the New Testament very long to realize that Christ’s resurrection is a central event in the Bible’s story. From the gospels to the epistles, the resurrection of Christ is a major theme. The OT also foreshadows and prophesies about the resurrection. For good reason, people have written entire books explaining the significance of Christ’s resurrection. For now, if you want a summary that gives a biblical overview of the importance of the resurrection, here’s how Herman Bavinck summarized it:
According to Scripture…the significance of the physical resurrection of Christ is inexhaustibly rich. Briefly summarized, that resurrection is:
(1) proof of Jesus’ messiahship, the coronation of the Servant of the Lord to be Christ and Lord, the Prince of life and Judge (Acts 2:36; 3:13–15; 5:31; 10:42; etc.);
(2) a seal of his eternal divine sonship (Acts 13:33; Rom. 1:3);
(3) a divine endorsement of his mediatorial work, a declaration of the power and value of his death, the “Amen!” of the Father upon the “It is finished!” of the Son (Acts 2:23–24; 4:11; 5:31; Rom. 6:4, 10; etc.);
(4) the inauguration of the exaltation he accomplished by his suffering (Luke 24:26; Acts 2:33; Rom. 6:4; Phil. 2:9; etc.);
(5) the guarantee of our forgiveness and justification (Acts 5:31; Rom. 4:25);
(6) the fountain of numerous spiritual blessings: the gift of the Spirit (Acts 2:33), repentance (Acts 5:31), spiritual eternal life (Rom. 6:4f.), salvation in its totality (Acts 4:12);
(7) the principle and pledge of our blessed and glorious resurrection (Acts 4:2; Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 6:14; etc.);
(8) the foundation of apostolic Christianity (1 Cor. 15:12ff.).
Shane Lems Covenant Presbyterian Church (OPC) Hammond, WI, 54015
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