04/05/2025
Sometimes we "children" forget to share evidence for our beliefs. There are a couple of go to scriptures, like John 3:16, but in all my years I don't remember a sermon that really covered what I consider foundational evidence.
So I asked one of the AI tools for help explaining it.
Q:
Explain the events between the Crucifixion of Christ and his Ascension sighting scripture references and other supporting historical documents.
A:
The events between the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his ascension into heaven, spanning approximately 40 days, are pivotal in Christian theology. The primary source for these events is the New Testament, particularly the Gospels and the Book of Acts.
**Key Events and Scriptural References:**
1. **The Resurrection:** Three days after his crucifixion, Jesus rose from the dead. This is recorded in all four Gospels:
* **Matthew 28:1-10:** An angel announces the resurrection to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary. Jesus then appears to them.
* **Mark 16:1-8:** The women find the tomb empty and are told by a young man (angel) that Jesus has risen.
* **Luke 24:1-12:** The women find the empty tomb and are told by two men (angels) that Jesus is alive. Peter also visits the tomb.
* **John 20:1-10:** Mary Magdalene finds the empty tomb and informs Peter and John, who then visit it themselves.
2. **Appearances of Jesus:** Over the next 40 days, Jesus appeared to various individuals and groups of his followers, providing proof of his resurrection and further instructions:
* **Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18; Mark 16:9-11):** Jesus appears to her in the garden near the tomb.
* **The Other Women (Matthew 28:9-10):** Jesus meets them as they go to tell the disciples.
* **Peter (Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5):** An appearance specifically to Peter is mentioned.
* **Two Disciples on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35; Mark 16:12-13):** Jesus walks and talks with them, though they initially do not recognize him, revealing himself when he breaks bread with them.
* **The Ten Disciples (without Thomas) (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-23):** Jesus appears to them in a locked room, showing them his hands and feet and eating with them.
* **The Eleven Disciples (with Thomas) (John 20:24-29):** Thomas, who initially doubted, believes after seeing and touching Jesus' wounds.
* **Seven Disciples at the Sea of Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) (John 21:1-23):** Jesus appears to them while they are fishing, provides a miraculous catch, and reinstates Peter.
* **More Than 500 Believers at One Time (1 Corinthians 15:6):** Paul mentions a large group to whom Jesus appeared.
* **James (1 Corinthians 15:7):** An appearance specifically to James, the brother of Jesus.
* **The Apostles on a Mountain in Galilee (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18):** Jesus gives them the Great Commission, instructing them to make disciples of all nations.
3. **Teaching About the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:3):** Luke states that during these 40 days, Jesus spoke to the apostles about the kingdom of God, further instructing them on their mission and the future of the church.
4. **The Ascension (Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:4-11; Mark 16:19-20):** After instructing his apostles, Jesus led them to the vicinity of Bethany, and as they watched, he was taken up into heaven. A cloud hid him from their sight, and two angels appeared, promising his return in the same way.
**Other Supporting Historical Documents:**
While the New Testament provides the primary narrative, corroborating evidence from other historical documents is limited but suggestive:
* **Early Christian Writings:** The writings of early Church Fathers and other early Christian authors, while based on the New Testament accounts, attest to the widespread belief in the resurrection and ascension in the early church. These writings, dating from the late first and second centuries onwards, demonstrate the foundational nature of these events to Christian faith.
* **Non-Christian Sources:** While direct, detailed accounts of the post-resurrection appearances are absent in non-Christian sources, some historical texts mention the early Christian belief in these events. For example, the Roman historian **Tacitus** (c. 56-120 AD) mentions Christ and the rapid spread of Christianity, which was based on the belief in his resurrection. **Pliny the Younger** (c. 61-112 AD), in his letters to Emperor Trajan, also refers to Christians who worshipped Christ as God, implying a belief in his divine nature and likely his resurrection.
* **Archaeological Evidence:** While archaeology cannot directly prove the resurrection or ascension, discoveries related to the historical context of the New Testament, such as the existence of crucifixion practices and the layout of Jerusalem during that time, lend credibility to the Gospel accounts.
It's important to note that the nature of the resurrection (a unique, supernatural event) makes direct historical corroboration outside of eyewitness accounts within the religious texts challenging. However, the consistent testimony within the New Testament, coupled with the rapid growth and transformation of the early church, which claimed these events as its foundation, provides a strong basis for their historical significance within the Christian tradition.
