The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of our faith. Without it, our preaching is vain, and our faith is also vain (1 Corinthians 15:14). Through His bodily resurrection, we see the power of God, the confirmation of prophecy, and the hope of eternal life. The risen Christ is proof that death has been defeated, sin has been conquered, and the promises of God stand sure. Below are twelve Scripture passages that declare this glorious truth, each one a testimony to the victory of our Lord. Let us reflect with reverence and joy on what these verses teach us.
He is Risen Indeed
Matthew 28:5–6
“And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” (Matthew 28:5–6)
This announcement from the angel at the empty tomb is one of the clearest confirmations of Jesus’ bodily resurrection. He had spoken plainly to His disciples that He would suffer, be killed, and rise the third day. Now that promise has been fulfilled. The words “as He said” remind us that nothing Jesus ever spoke failed. His resurrection is not just a miracle, but a fulfillment of His own Word. The angel invites the women to see the evidence with their own eyes. Our faith is not blind; it is rooted in the historical fact of an empty tomb and a risen Savior.
Luke 24:6–7
“He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” (Luke 24:6–7)
Here again, the angel directs the hearts of the women back to the words of Christ. He had told them in advance exactly what would happen. The necessity of His death and resurrection was not an accident, nor an unexpected tragedy, but a divine purpose unfolding. The Son of Man must be delivered, must be crucified, and must rise again. These things were not optional. They were appointed. God’s plan of redemption was carried out precisely, and the resurrection confirmed that every step of that plan was completed just as it was written.
The Power of the Resurrection
Romans 6:9
“Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.” (Romans 6:9)
This verse declares a truth of lasting importance. Christ’s resurrection was not temporary. He did not merely return to life, only to die again later. He rose never to die again. Death had power once, but it holds no dominion over Him now. The resurrection marks the final defeat of the grave. For those who are in Christ, this verse offers unshakable hope. If death has no power over Him, and we are united with Him by faith, then death has no power over us either. Our future is secure because His life is eternal.
1 Peter 1:3
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)
The resurrection is not only the confirmation of who Jesus is, it is the source of our new birth. We have been begotten again, not into a religion or a ritual, but into a “lively hope.” This hope is living because Jesus is living. It is not a distant idea or an empty wish. It is a vibrant, assured reality anchored in the risen Christ. Peter’s praise reminds us that our salvation is entirely due to the mercy of God. We did not earn it. It was given freely, and the resurrection is the proof that it was accepted and completed.
Philippians 3:10
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” (Philippians 3:10)
Paul’s desire here is deeply personal. He is not merely stating facts about Christ. He longs to know Christ. And not just know Him in theory, but in power. The power of the resurrection is not only for the future when we are raised. It is for now, as we live new lives in Him. At the same time, Paul does not separate resurrection power from suffering. To walk with Christ is to walk in both the joy of victory and the fellowship of His pain. The resurrection shapes us into the likeness of Christ, conforming us through both triumph and trials. This is how resurrection power is made real in us.
Witnesses of the Risen Lord
Acts 2:24
“Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.” (Acts 2:24)
On the day of Pentecost, Peter boldly proclaimed the resurrection to the crowd in Jerusalem. He declared that it was not possible for death to hold Jesus. Why? Because He was sinless. The wages of sin is death, but Christ had no sin. Death had no rightful claim on Him. When God raised Him up, the chains of death were shattered. This is the foundation of the gospel message. Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is victorious over the grave. Every believer stands on this unshakable truth.
1 Corinthians 15:3–4
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, 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 15:3–4)
These verses summarize the gospel in its purest form. Christ died for our sins, not as a martyr, but as a substitute. He was buried, confirming His true death. And He rose again the third day, exactly as the Scriptures foretold. The resurrection is not an addition to the gospel. It is essential. Without it, we have no hope, no justification, and no assurance of eternal life. But with it, we have all things in Him. Paul emphasizes that this truth is not based on emotion or legend. It is rooted in divine revelation and confirmed by many witnesses.
Acts 3:15
“And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.” (Acts 3:15)
The irony in this verse is sobering. Men killed the Prince of life, the very source of their own existence. But death could not silence Him. God raised Him from the dead, and Peter declared, “we are witnesses.” The apostles did not preach a theory. They had seen the risen Lord with their own eyes. They had touched Him, walked with Him, and heard His voice. Their message was born from experience and grounded in truth. Their boldness came from the unshakable certainty that Jesus Christ was alive and reigning.
Victory Over Death
Revelation 1:18
“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” (Revelation 1:18)
These are the words of the risen Christ, spoken to the apostle John. Jesus does not hide His past. He was dead. But now He lives forever. He does not merely escape death. He conquers it. Holding the keys means He has full authority over the grave. For the believer, this means we no longer need to fear death. The One we trust has already been there and returned victorious. He alone opens the way to eternal life. This is not a poetic idea. It is a truth sealed by His resurrection.
Romans 8:11
“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” (Romans 8:11)
This promise connects Christ’s resurrection with our own. The same Spirit who raised Jesus now dwells in every believer. That same divine power will one day raise our bodies from the grave. Resurrection is not only something we look back on. It is something we look forward to. We will not remain in the dust. We will be raised, changed, and glorified. This verse assures us that God finishes what He starts. Just as Christ was raised, we too shall be raised, by the power of the Spirit who lives in us now.
1 Thessalonians 4:14
“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14)
Paul offers this hope to comfort grieving believers. Those who have died in Christ are not lost. They are asleep in Him, and God will bring them with Jesus when He returns. The resurrection is not just about Christ. It includes all who belong to Him. If we believe He died and rose again, then we also believe that our loved ones in Christ will rise. This is a great comfort and a great motivation. The resurrection assures us that death is not the end. It is the beginning of a glorious future with the Lord.
Conclusion: The Living Christ
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not a once-a-year doctrine to be discussed at Easter. It is the daily hope of every believer. It assures us that Christ is who He claimed to be. It confirms that His sacrifice for sin was accepted. It guarantees our future resurrection and eternal life. We do not serve a memory. We serve a living Savior. Let us live in the power of His resurrection, walk in the assurance of His victory, and proclaim His name with boldness and joy.
To learn more about what Jesus did after His resurrection, click here.