Let’s begin by referring to 1 Corinthians 15:12. The Bible says:
‘Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.’
Our Christian faith is anchored on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
It means that if we take away the preaching of the resurrection of Christ from Christianity, then we are just telling stories. Powerless stories.
Paul the Apostle said in 1 Corinthians 15:29:
‘Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?
I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.’
The New International Version of the Bible translates it this way…and I think that translation is easier to understand.
‘Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them?
And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour?
I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord.
If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised.’
That was a sharp rebuke to the Corinthian Christians because some of them were saying there is no such thing as the resurrection from the dead.
Do you know that even to this day, the enemy is making strenuous efforts to deny that the resurrection of Christ happened?
And this vain effort did not start today. It started on the morning of His resurrection. I will show you what I mean.
Let’s go to Matthew 28:11-15. The Bible declares:
‘Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.’
The enemy even sought to deny the resurrection of Christ through bribery.
What shall we say to these things then?
We children of God must emphasise the resurrection of Christ… even more than the birth of Christ.
The Bible did not say that our faith is anchored on the birth of Christ, but that our faith is anchored on the resurrection of Christ. This is a very important mystery.
The Apostles emphasised the resurrected Christ in their messages.
In Acts 2:29–32, Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost. He said, among other things:
‘’Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.’’
Peter boldly proclaims that Jesus’ resurrection fulfilled prophecy and that the Apostles were eyewitnesses. The Apostles were eye-witnesses of these things, and whose report shall we believe?
Peter understood, with the other Apostles, that if the resurrection of Christ was not emphasised, their message would be void of power. It would be mere stories!
In Acts 3:14-15, Peter was at Solomon’s Porch.
He said among other things:
‘’But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.’’
It is an irony that the “Prince of life,” was rejected; but Peter at the same time referred to the resurrection of Christ. He emphasised the resurrection of Christ two times.
In Acts 4:10, Peter was brought before the Sanhedrin.
Again, he spoke about the resurrection of Christ and said:
“Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, 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.”
The phrase ‘whom God raised from the dead’ is a reference to the resurrection.
In his speech, Peter attributed the miraculous healing of the man who was lame from his mother’s womb to the resurrected Christ, affirming God’s power through Jesus.
In Acts 10:39–40, Peter was in the house of Cornelius.
‘’And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly.’’
God used Peter to deliver the gospel of Christ to the Gentiles. It is instructive to note that in that message, the resurrection of Christ was highlighted.
In Acts 13:29–31, we see Paul the Apostle in Antioch. He also emphasised the resurrection of Christ in his message.
“And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.
But God raised him from the dead: And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.”
Paul affirmed that the resurrection was a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy and pointed to consistent eyewitness accounts.
The Bible makes it clear that the resurrection of Christ is the ultimate demonstration of the ‘exceeding greatness’ of God’s power.
Human wisdom, philosophy, science… even the denial of others cannot refute this fact. The resurrection is the ultimate expression of the great power of God.
Not only did Christ rise from the dead, but he also showed himself to many after his passion.
The Bible says that Christ was on the face of the earth for forty days after his resurrection.
I asked myself the question: where was he dwelling? Where was his abode? The Bible did not say where his abode was, but remember, He was raised a quickening Spirit. He did not need to have any abode. God does not dwell in a house made of bricks and mortar.
But I asked what he was doing in those forty days? The Bible tells us in specific and detailed form what he was doing.
He appeared to His disciples to prove He was alive.
Acts 1:3 tells us He presented Himself alive “by many infallible proofs,” showing His disciples that He had truly risen from the dead.
Therefore, expect divine visitation after the order of Acts 1:3 this post-resurrection season. What is written in the scriptures is a pointer to what to experience if we believe.
Jesus expounded the scriptures to his disciples.
On the road to Emmaus, He walked with two disciples and explained how the Scriptures pointed to Him (Luke 24:27).
It is our view that he continued with this kind of teaching throughout the 40 days.
Therefore, expect that as we engage in the study of the Word this season, there will be an outbreak of revelation.
He also broke bread with His disciples.
He shared meals with them. In Emmaus, He broke bread with the disciples. (Luke 24:30–31) He also ate fish with them in Jerusalem. (Luke 24:42–43). This he did to affirm His bodily resurrection.
The breaking of bread is likened to the communion.
Therefore, this post-resurrection season, engage the mystery of the communion. We have been redeemed as Kings and Priests. (Revelation 1:6 and 5:10)
Therefore, you can bless and partake of the communion in your home and expect a turnaround in that area of your heart’s desire.
After His resurrection, Peter was restored to the faith.
Jesus had a powerful personal conversation with Peter, asking him three times, “Do you love Me?” and commissioning him to “Feed My sheep” (John 21:15–17).
Have you wandered away from the faith? Assuming you have wandered away from Christ, expect divine restoration in the name of Jesus. This season shall be a season of divine restoration.
Jesus gave the Great Commission.
He commanded the disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching them (Matthew 28:18–20).
Have you signed up to be part of this army? This is the time to pick yourself up and speak about Christ to as many as you can. God can use you to bring a soul to him. And the Bible says that there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repents. This season, be determined to be part of the Lord’s army.
He breathed the Holy Spirit on the disciples.
In John 20:22, Jesus breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit,” giving them a foretaste of what would come at Pentecost.
If you have not yet been baptised in the Holy Ghost, expect to be baptised this season.
And if you have been baptised already, expect a fresh breath of the Holy Ghost this season. Expect a fresh infilling of the Holy Ghost.
He specifically appeared to Thomas, who had doubted, and invited him to touch His wounds, leading to Thomas’s declaration, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:24–29).
This is a reaffirmation of his faith in him. Have you been in doubt like Thomas? Expect an encounter that will reaffirm your faith!
Also, if your faith in Christ has been shaken by some events in your life, expect a supernatural restoration of your faith in Christ today.
Jesus also appeared to over 500 believers at once. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:6 that Jesus appeared to over 500 brothers and sisters at once. This season, expect an encounter with the resurrected Christ. Encounters can happen physically, in visions, in dreams. God can visit you in any way he chooses. In that area of your desire, expect Him to show up. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever and will not change.
After his resurrection, Jesus still taught about the Kingdom of God.
Acts 1:3 says He spent the 40 days “speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”
Do you know that issues pertaining to the Kingdom of God were uppermost in the ministry of Jesus? Even after his resurrection, he emphasised issues relating to the kingdom of God. Expect your passion to be re-ignited for the things that pertain to the Kingdom of God.
Expect fresh zeal and passion to do the will of God in your life.
Jesus ascended to heaven from the Mount of Olives. On the 40th day, He led His disciples to the Mount of Olives, gave final instructions, blessed them, and ascended into heaven whilst they watched (Luke 24:50–51, Acts 1:9–12).
Expect a blessing from God this season. That was the last thing that Jesus did before he ascended into heaven. Therefore, when you pray, expect a blessing. God has not changed. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever!
Hallelujah!
Bro Ify Onabu
April 2025
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