[FONT="]1. Introduction[/FONT]
[FONT="]Resurrection has been the core theme of the early proclamation of the gospel. Before discussing the significance of resurrection, I would like to review what resurrection means in Judaism. N. T. Wright defines the two resurrection definition as follow. Resurrection is understood as ‘life after death and it is also perceived as a positive explanation of death because it resuscitates or restores the decayed body that was taken by death.[FONT="][1][/FONT] My short paper will discuss the meaning of resurrection in Judaism and Jesus’ resurrection and its significance in the proclamation of the gospel.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Jesus has given life to people who already experienced death but such events were not capitalized in the proclamation of the gospel. Jesus’ resurrection was uniquely significant for the disciples and their audience because his resurrection is the means God confirmed that the eschatological era (the restoration of the people of God) has started. Though the disciples seem to be convinced that Jesus is the Christ before his death, the event of the resurrection was the clear sign that God confirmed him as the Lord and the Christ. [/FONT]
[FONT="]2. Resurrection in first century Judaism[/FONT]
[FONT="]Resurrection has a unique place in the eschatological expectation of second temple Judaism. It is highly related with the beginning of the eschatological restoration of the people of Israel.[FONT="][2][/FONT] Discussing Ezekiel 37, Steve M. Brian argues that the metaphorical representation of the dead dry bones and their call back to life and rise up as a nation is a clear evidence that resurrection is directly related with Israel’s restoration in Second Temple Judaism.[FONT="][3][/FONT] It might be difficult to discuss about the idea of resurrection as a view of the whole people of Israel because of the existence of the different groups that hold differing belief about it. But I would focus on the implication of the resurrection of the Messiah as a symbolic representation as it was conceived by the majority of second temple Judaism belief. [/FONT]
[FONT="]There are Biblical and Second Temple Jewish writings that affirm the possibilities of resurrection. The seven brothers in the narration of 2 Maccabees 7 are typical examples of the period. The second martyr son says, “[/FONT][FONT="]you dismiss us from this present life, but the King of the universe will raise us up to an everlasting renewal of life, because we have died for his laws."[/FONT][FONT="] [/FONT][FONT="]2 Maccabees 7:9. The speech of the martyr is not about the life after death but if it is taken literally it is about an ‘everlasting renewal of life’ cf. 4 Esdras 2:16. Israelites indeed expected an event of resurrection which implied the restoration of the nation. [/FONT][FONT="]As N. T. Wright argues the Jews of the period under discussion considered resurrection “in terms of apocalyptic climax of their own history.”[FONT="][4][/FONT] [/FONT]
[FONT="]3. Significance of the resurrection in the proclamation of the Gospel according to the book of Acts.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Many of the apostolic proclamation in the book of Acts are linked with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The apostles’ requirement for the vacant position Judas had left and the duty of the candidate apostle gives a central theme of the belief of the disciples about the resurrection. Luke says, “…[/FONT][FONT="]one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection" Acts 1:22b. The early disciples and apostles were actually witnesses of the resurrection nothing more nothing less. This very verse and its implication with plenty more resurrection texts show us how central the resurrection of Jesus was to the first century Christians and its role in calling the Israelites to the salvation God has prepared. [/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]
[FONT="]The resurrection event is differently used in different contexts depending on the audience and the addresser. Some texts have used to show that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is clear indications that he is the messiah whom all Israel have been waiting cf. Acts 2:24.[FONT="][5][/FONT] But the central focus of the early proclamation of the good news stresses on the resurrection of the son of God as the ultimate sign of the beginning of the Eschaton (end times). It will be too much for this paper to discuss all texts in the book of Acts and see their implication of the resurrection of the Son of God. Therefore, I will limit myself to few of the texts which clearly show the meaning of the resurrection and its significance in the proclamation of the Good News. [/FONT]
[FONT="] In the first proclamation of the good news, Peter linked the pouring out of the Holy Spirit with the ‘last days’ ([/FONT]evn tai/j evsca,taij h`me,raij[FONT="]) Acts 2:17. Though Luke does not exclusively attached the pouring out of the Spirit as a sole sign of the end times, he has shown us with the birth, miracle, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that the end time has come and the judgment of God has reached its consummation.[FONT="][6][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT="]Later in Acts where resurrection is mentioned in connection with Jesus, we see problem being created. “…[/FONT][FONT="]and the Sadducees came to them, much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead”Acts 4:1b-2. The Sadducees were obviously against resurrection or life after death. But this group and the Pharisees were against the apostles’ teaching. This is because “the apostles were going a step further than the Pharisees and claiming its fulfillment (the restoration through resurrection)[FONT="][7][/FONT] in Jesus.”[FONT="][8][/FONT] According to Peterson’s argument, the resurrection teaching the apostles give here implies that “Jesus’ resurrection guarantees that God’s promise to ‘restore everything’ (3:21) will almost surely be fulfilled and that those who trust in Jesus will enjoy all the benefits of the salvation that his resurrection makes possible in the new creation”[FONT="][9][/FONT] This is the central theme I would like to subscribe for. And this was the real cause that stirred the Sadducees and Pharisees. The resurrection of Jesus Christ was a clear indication that the restoration of Israel has started or the eschatological period has already began as I have tried to discuss the resurrection of the dry bones metaphor in Ezekiel 37. Why did they deny and want to reject the resurrection being proclaimed if it really starts Israel’s restoration? The answer is quite easy I think. As it is often the case for many Israelites, they did not expect things in that way and the ideal picture of the Messiah was not as they expected. But had they been in the disciples’ position, they would have died in proclaiming the commencing of the last days and restoration to the people of God because it is inaugurated clearly with the resurrection of Jesus. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The resurrection has also helped the disciples to see Jesus differently. As E. P. Sanders argues the event of resurrection has encouraged the disciples in declaring Jesus “as the Christ and as Lord.”[FONT="][10][/FONT] The resurrection changed the disciples the way they look things from the way they looked before the resurrection. I completely agree that this understanding would not be possible without the help of the Holy Spirit. The disciples even though they saw Jesus after the resurrection, it was quite difficult for them to relate things simply before the day of Pentecost. [/FONT]
[FONT="]What does really the resurrection accomplished? The event of resurrection has inaugurated the promised eschatology for the people of God in addition to confirming Jesus as Lord and Messiah Acts 2:36. This eschatology has provided Israel with a new chance of repentance and hence restoration.[FONT="][11][/FONT] Wright has rightly said “‘the resurrection of the dead’ has in a sense already happened with the resurrection of Jesus.”[FONT="][12][/FONT] As to the understanding of the disciples, the resurrection of Jesus has shown them that God has opened a new door of salvation and restoration. [/FONT]
[FONT="]It would be difficult and vast for this short paper to deal with each and every implication of the resurrection narration in Acts. But as to my understanding and observation the resurrection in the proclamation of the gospel has two clear significances. The first significance is that the apostles proclaimed that Jesus is the Lord and Messiah whose appointment by God is shown by his resurrection Acts 2:36, 3:19-20,4:10, 10:40-43. Secondly and most significantly as I have tried to show in most of my writings, the resurrection was deliberately used in the proclamation of the gospel to emphasis that the Eschatological era has been inaugurated by the resurrection of Jesus as Paul says Jesus being “first born from the dead” and the possibility of restoration of the people of God.Col.1:18. Acts 4:1-2, 5:30-32, 13:30-35 & 38-41. Paul after his preaching about the resurrection of Jesus and Israel’s promise underlines that “[/FONT][FONT="]through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you”Acts 13:38.It is also clear that after many of these resurrection narrations I mentioned above, the apostles usually call their audience for repentance which is completely new to Judaism’s way of salvation. [/FONT]
[FONT="]4. Conclusion[/FONT]
[FONT="]The issue of resurrection is too broad and foundational for Christianity. I do not think that I have covered the whole in this short paper but I believe that I have tried to touch the subject and raised few of the issues in relation to it. The resurrection for second temple Judaism was an indication that God has commenced the eschatological era and there is therefore the chance of restoration for Israel. In addition to this based on the proclamation of the apostles in the book of Acts it is also possible to think that the resurrection is the clear point where the disciples want to show that Jesus is the Christ and the Lord that Israel has been waiting for long. [/FONT]
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[FONT="]5. Bibliography [/FONT]
Brian Steve M. Jesus and Israel’s Traditions of Judgment and Restoration SNTS (Cambridge,
Cambridge University Press, 2002)
Bruce F. F. Commentary on the Book of Acts (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1981)
Peterson David G. The Acts of the Apostles: The Pillar NTC (Nottingham: Apollos, 2009)
Sanders E. P. Jesus and Judaism (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1985)[FONT="][/FONT]
Wright N. T. The resurrection of the son of God (Minneapolis, Fortress Press)[FONT="][/FONT]
[FONT="][1][/FONT] N. T. Wright The resurrection of the son of God (Minneapolis, Fortress Press)201
[FONT="][2][/FONT] N. T. Wright The resurrection of the son of God (Minneapolis, Fortress Press) 450-51
[FONT="][3][/FONT] Steve M. Brian Jesus and Israel’s Traditions of Judgment and Restoration SNTS (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2002 ) 104-5
[FONT="][4][/FONT] N. T. Wright The resurrection of the son of God (Minneapolis, Fortress Press)pp. 26
[FONT="][5][/FONT] F. F. Bruce Commentary on the Book of Acts (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1981) pp69
[FONT="][6][/FONT] David G. Peterson The Acts of the Apostles: The Pillar NTC (Nottingham: Apollos, 2009) 139-144
[FONT="][7][/FONT] Bracket mine
[FONT="][8][/FONT] David G. Peterson The Acts of the Apostles pp187-188
[FONT="][9][/FONT] Ibid 188
[FONT="][10][/FONT] E. P. Sanders Jesus and Judaism (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1985) pp 19
[FONT="][11][/FONT] N. T. Wright The resurrection of the son of God (Minneapolis, Fortress Press) pp 452
[FONT="][12][/FONT] Ibid 452
[FONT="]Resurrection has been the core theme of the early proclamation of the gospel. Before discussing the significance of resurrection, I would like to review what resurrection means in Judaism. N. T. Wright defines the two resurrection definition as follow. Resurrection is understood as ‘life after death and it is also perceived as a positive explanation of death because it resuscitates or restores the decayed body that was taken by death.[FONT="][1][/FONT] My short paper will discuss the meaning of resurrection in Judaism and Jesus’ resurrection and its significance in the proclamation of the gospel.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Jesus has given life to people who already experienced death but such events were not capitalized in the proclamation of the gospel. Jesus’ resurrection was uniquely significant for the disciples and their audience because his resurrection is the means God confirmed that the eschatological era (the restoration of the people of God) has started. Though the disciples seem to be convinced that Jesus is the Christ before his death, the event of the resurrection was the clear sign that God confirmed him as the Lord and the Christ. [/FONT]
[FONT="]2. Resurrection in first century Judaism[/FONT]
[FONT="]Resurrection has a unique place in the eschatological expectation of second temple Judaism. It is highly related with the beginning of the eschatological restoration of the people of Israel.[FONT="][2][/FONT] Discussing Ezekiel 37, Steve M. Brian argues that the metaphorical representation of the dead dry bones and their call back to life and rise up as a nation is a clear evidence that resurrection is directly related with Israel’s restoration in Second Temple Judaism.[FONT="][3][/FONT] It might be difficult to discuss about the idea of resurrection as a view of the whole people of Israel because of the existence of the different groups that hold differing belief about it. But I would focus on the implication of the resurrection of the Messiah as a symbolic representation as it was conceived by the majority of second temple Judaism belief. [/FONT]
[FONT="]There are Biblical and Second Temple Jewish writings that affirm the possibilities of resurrection. The seven brothers in the narration of 2 Maccabees 7 are typical examples of the period. The second martyr son says, “[/FONT][FONT="]you dismiss us from this present life, but the King of the universe will raise us up to an everlasting renewal of life, because we have died for his laws."[/FONT][FONT="] [/FONT][FONT="]2 Maccabees 7:9. The speech of the martyr is not about the life after death but if it is taken literally it is about an ‘everlasting renewal of life’ cf. 4 Esdras 2:16. Israelites indeed expected an event of resurrection which implied the restoration of the nation. [/FONT][FONT="]As N. T. Wright argues the Jews of the period under discussion considered resurrection “in terms of apocalyptic climax of their own history.”[FONT="][4][/FONT] [/FONT]
[FONT="]3. Significance of the resurrection in the proclamation of the Gospel according to the book of Acts.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Many of the apostolic proclamation in the book of Acts are linked with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The apostles’ requirement for the vacant position Judas had left and the duty of the candidate apostle gives a central theme of the belief of the disciples about the resurrection. Luke says, “…[/FONT][FONT="]one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection" Acts 1:22b. The early disciples and apostles were actually witnesses of the resurrection nothing more nothing less. This very verse and its implication with plenty more resurrection texts show us how central the resurrection of Jesus was to the first century Christians and its role in calling the Israelites to the salvation God has prepared. [/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]
[FONT="]The resurrection event is differently used in different contexts depending on the audience and the addresser. Some texts have used to show that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is clear indications that he is the messiah whom all Israel have been waiting cf. Acts 2:24.[FONT="][5][/FONT] But the central focus of the early proclamation of the good news stresses on the resurrection of the son of God as the ultimate sign of the beginning of the Eschaton (end times). It will be too much for this paper to discuss all texts in the book of Acts and see their implication of the resurrection of the Son of God. Therefore, I will limit myself to few of the texts which clearly show the meaning of the resurrection and its significance in the proclamation of the Good News. [/FONT]
[FONT="] In the first proclamation of the good news, Peter linked the pouring out of the Holy Spirit with the ‘last days’ ([/FONT]evn tai/j evsca,taij h`me,raij[FONT="]) Acts 2:17. Though Luke does not exclusively attached the pouring out of the Spirit as a sole sign of the end times, he has shown us with the birth, miracle, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that the end time has come and the judgment of God has reached its consummation.[FONT="][6][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT="]Later in Acts where resurrection is mentioned in connection with Jesus, we see problem being created. “…[/FONT][FONT="]and the Sadducees came to them, much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead”Acts 4:1b-2. The Sadducees were obviously against resurrection or life after death. But this group and the Pharisees were against the apostles’ teaching. This is because “the apostles were going a step further than the Pharisees and claiming its fulfillment (the restoration through resurrection)[FONT="][7][/FONT] in Jesus.”[FONT="][8][/FONT] According to Peterson’s argument, the resurrection teaching the apostles give here implies that “Jesus’ resurrection guarantees that God’s promise to ‘restore everything’ (3:21) will almost surely be fulfilled and that those who trust in Jesus will enjoy all the benefits of the salvation that his resurrection makes possible in the new creation”[FONT="][9][/FONT] This is the central theme I would like to subscribe for. And this was the real cause that stirred the Sadducees and Pharisees. The resurrection of Jesus Christ was a clear indication that the restoration of Israel has started or the eschatological period has already began as I have tried to discuss the resurrection of the dry bones metaphor in Ezekiel 37. Why did they deny and want to reject the resurrection being proclaimed if it really starts Israel’s restoration? The answer is quite easy I think. As it is often the case for many Israelites, they did not expect things in that way and the ideal picture of the Messiah was not as they expected. But had they been in the disciples’ position, they would have died in proclaiming the commencing of the last days and restoration to the people of God because it is inaugurated clearly with the resurrection of Jesus. [/FONT]
[FONT="]The resurrection has also helped the disciples to see Jesus differently. As E. P. Sanders argues the event of resurrection has encouraged the disciples in declaring Jesus “as the Christ and as Lord.”[FONT="][10][/FONT] The resurrection changed the disciples the way they look things from the way they looked before the resurrection. I completely agree that this understanding would not be possible without the help of the Holy Spirit. The disciples even though they saw Jesus after the resurrection, it was quite difficult for them to relate things simply before the day of Pentecost. [/FONT]
[FONT="]What does really the resurrection accomplished? The event of resurrection has inaugurated the promised eschatology for the people of God in addition to confirming Jesus as Lord and Messiah Acts 2:36. This eschatology has provided Israel with a new chance of repentance and hence restoration.[FONT="][11][/FONT] Wright has rightly said “‘the resurrection of the dead’ has in a sense already happened with the resurrection of Jesus.”[FONT="][12][/FONT] As to the understanding of the disciples, the resurrection of Jesus has shown them that God has opened a new door of salvation and restoration. [/FONT]
[FONT="]It would be difficult and vast for this short paper to deal with each and every implication of the resurrection narration in Acts. But as to my understanding and observation the resurrection in the proclamation of the gospel has two clear significances. The first significance is that the apostles proclaimed that Jesus is the Lord and Messiah whose appointment by God is shown by his resurrection Acts 2:36, 3:19-20,4:10, 10:40-43. Secondly and most significantly as I have tried to show in most of my writings, the resurrection was deliberately used in the proclamation of the gospel to emphasis that the Eschatological era has been inaugurated by the resurrection of Jesus as Paul says Jesus being “first born from the dead” and the possibility of restoration of the people of God.Col.1:18. Acts 4:1-2, 5:30-32, 13:30-35 & 38-41. Paul after his preaching about the resurrection of Jesus and Israel’s promise underlines that “[/FONT][FONT="]through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you”Acts 13:38.It is also clear that after many of these resurrection narrations I mentioned above, the apostles usually call their audience for repentance which is completely new to Judaism’s way of salvation. [/FONT]
[FONT="]4. Conclusion[/FONT]
[FONT="]The issue of resurrection is too broad and foundational for Christianity. I do not think that I have covered the whole in this short paper but I believe that I have tried to touch the subject and raised few of the issues in relation to it. The resurrection for second temple Judaism was an indication that God has commenced the eschatological era and there is therefore the chance of restoration for Israel. In addition to this based on the proclamation of the apostles in the book of Acts it is also possible to think that the resurrection is the clear point where the disciples want to show that Jesus is the Christ and the Lord that Israel has been waiting for long. [/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]5. Bibliography [/FONT]
Brian Steve M. Jesus and Israel’s Traditions of Judgment and Restoration SNTS (Cambridge,
Cambridge University Press, 2002)
Bruce F. F. Commentary on the Book of Acts (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1981)
Peterson David G. The Acts of the Apostles: The Pillar NTC (Nottingham: Apollos, 2009)
Sanders E. P. Jesus and Judaism (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1985)[FONT="][/FONT]
Wright N. T. The resurrection of the son of God (Minneapolis, Fortress Press)[FONT="][/FONT]
[FONT="][1][/FONT] N. T. Wright The resurrection of the son of God (Minneapolis, Fortress Press)201
[FONT="][2][/FONT] N. T. Wright The resurrection of the son of God (Minneapolis, Fortress Press) 450-51
[FONT="][3][/FONT] Steve M. Brian Jesus and Israel’s Traditions of Judgment and Restoration SNTS (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2002 ) 104-5
[FONT="][4][/FONT] N. T. Wright The resurrection of the son of God (Minneapolis, Fortress Press)pp. 26
[FONT="][5][/FONT] F. F. Bruce Commentary on the Book of Acts (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1981) pp69
[FONT="][6][/FONT] David G. Peterson The Acts of the Apostles: The Pillar NTC (Nottingham: Apollos, 2009) 139-144
[FONT="][7][/FONT] Bracket mine
[FONT="][8][/FONT] David G. Peterson The Acts of the Apostles pp187-188
[FONT="][9][/FONT] Ibid 188
[FONT="][10][/FONT] E. P. Sanders Jesus and Judaism (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1985) pp 19
[FONT="][11][/FONT] N. T. Wright The resurrection of the son of God (Minneapolis, Fortress Press) pp 452
[FONT="][12][/FONT] Ibid 452
