10 Proofs of the Resurrection: The Change of the Sabbath

by David Chadwick

We are taking two weeks to look at 10 proofs of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Proofs give evidence to something being true. I hope these proofs will also help you share your faith with skeptics and see their hearts become alive for Jesus.

Here is today’s proof: the change of the Sabbath from Friday to Sunday. 

For 1200 years, the Jews had celebrated Shabbat from 6:00p Friday to 6:00p Saturday. Really let that sink in. 1200 years! Imagine the depth of history and tradition in this way of life. Then suddenly, seemingly without any planning, the day of worship changed to Sunday - beginning with Sunday morning. 

Why? Because the empty tomb was discovered early Sunday morning. The Resurrection occurred on Sunday! It’s the heart of the Christian faith; “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:14).

But it is true. Over 500 people saw Jesus alive. There were eyewitnesses galore - enough to change 1200 years of tradition and history!

The Sabbath is now an invitation to remember the power of the Resurrection. It no longer has to happen on a specific day of the week. Ritualistic traditions don’t hold the power. Jesus Christ does. 

May we live with the same radical obedience that Jewish people showed when they recognized the change of the Sabbath. May we be willing to lay aside traditions of man to stand boldly for Jesus. May we surrender our earthly methods and practices for the ways of Jesus and his kingdom. And may we see his kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. 

Why? Because Jesus is alive! Risen!

Forever and ever.

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Our "10 Proofs of the Resurrection" series was originally released in 2023. For additional resources on this subject, please visit our website.

10 Proofs of the Resurrection: The Life Change of Peter

by David Chadwick

The life change of Peter is the next proof of the Resurrection of Jesus. My hope is that these proofs give you evidence for the Resurrection. And reasons to give to skeptics in your life who doubt Jesus’s claim to be God and Lord over our lives.

In Matthew 4:18-22, Jesus called Peter to be one of his 12 apostles. Peter was a fisherman when Jesus gave him the famous invitation to follow him. He said that he would make him a fisher of men (Matthew 4:19). Peter immediately dropped his nets and followed Jesus.

But when Jesus died on the cross, Peter fled. He was nowhere to be found. He had even denied he knew Jesus to protect himself. 

Yet his life and perspective suddenly changed. Why?  

Peter saw a resurrected Jesus. Jesus appeared to him (1 Corinthians 15:5). At that moment, Peter knew that he was alive! He knew everything Jesus said was true. He believed that he was God. That he really was the Messiah. That death could not hold him down. Can you imagine the wonder as Peter pieced together the reality of the Resurrection? 

Peter goes on to be martyred in Rome for his great faith in Jesus. Legend has it that he asked to be crucified with his face closest to the ground, for he was not worthy to die as his Lord and Savior had died.

How do you explain such a dramatic life change? Someone who lied like a little child to avoid getting in trouble goes on to be martyred for the message of Jesus! Seeing the resurrected Jesus changed him forever!

The Resurrection of Jesus is the proof of his divinity. Only one person has ever lived, died, been brought back to life and never died again: Jesus. Others have been raised from the dead, but have had to face death again.

Jesus emptied himself, took on the form of a servant, and was born as a man (Philippians 2:7), but lived perfectly as God and became exalted and was bestowed the name above every name (Philippians 2:9). 

He now lives forever! Jesus is God! And worthy of all of our praise!

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Our "10 Proofs of the Resurrection" series was originally released in 2023. For additional resources on this subject, please visit our website.

10 Proofs of the Resurrection: The Life Change of Paul

by David Chadwick

One of the most significant proofs of the Resurrection is the life change that took place in those who were initially skeptics. 

The life change of Paul might be the most profound of them all. He persecuted and killed Christians for a living. In Acts 7, Paul was the one who oversaw Stephen’s martyrdom. 

Stephen was brutally and mercilessly stoned. And as it was happening, he fell to his knees and asked the Lord to not hold that sin against his offenders (Acts 7:60). A profound story! Absolutely horrific! Yet Paul sat by and willingly approved.

God granted Stephen’s request for the mercy of his offenders, at least in part, through the salvation of Paul. How did this happen, you might ask? On the road to Damascus, Paul encountered the resurrected Jesus and it marked him forever (Acts 9). 

Paul obeyed Jesus’s command to preach the gospel to the Gentile world. And Paul even went on to write approximately two-thirds of the New Testament. Outside of Jesus, Paul may be the most influential person in Christendom.

Paul was eventually martyred by Nero in the early 60’s AD. A bold and courageous carrier of the message of Jesus. He equipped so many people who went on to carry the message of Jesus, even after his death. 

Paul went from major persecutor to major proclaimer of Jesus’s gospel of grace. What happened to him that caused such a dramatic life focus and change?

The answer is simple: Paul was an eyewitness to the Resurrection. Paul’s life transformation carried tremendous weight to those who heard his message. 

How do you explain this apart from the fact that Jesus is alive? Risen?  

And Lord over all the universe!

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Our "10 Proofs of the Resurrection" series was originally released in 2023. For additional resources on this subject, please visit our website.