Can You Use the Bible to Prove the Resurrection?

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How do you know the resurrection is true?

I once thought the Bible was written by one person.

So when I asked a pastor how we know the resurrection is true, and he replied with a number of scripture verses, I thought that was circular reasoning.

How can you quote from the resource that is actually in question?

But then I learned that the Bible was written by more than 40 authors, from different walks of life, from even different centuries.

It’s not just one book. It’s a collection of books.

The Bible is an anthology.

I’ve had my stories included in anthologies such as the Hot Apple Cider books and Inscribe Christian Writers books. I’ve also created two anthologies myself. All of these anthologies had a number of contributors who wrote devotionals, short stories, and poems. The contributors ranged in age, experience, and location.

Similarly, the Bible is a compilation of history, poetry, prose, and prophecies written by a number of authors, over many years.

If the Bible was never assembled — and all the writings remained separate — we’d have a number of different resources to quote from instead of one big one.

For example, the New Testament has at least eight authors: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, James, Peter, and Jude (but we’re not sure who wrote the book of Hebrews).

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all wrote letters that became known as the “Gospels.”

Matthew

Matthew was originally a tax collector who lived in Capernaum. He was called as one of the first apostles of Jesus. He witnessed the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (Matthew 28:16 NIV)

He wrote the Gospel of Matthew after 70 AD, around AD 85–90.

Mark

Mark lived in Jerusalem and was known as Peter’s interpreter. He’s said to be in the garden with Jesus when He was arrested.

“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” (Mark 16:6–7 NIV)

He wrote the Gospel of Mark around the year 70 AD.

Luke

Luke was a physician who lived during the first century but was not an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry. He was credited as one of the church’s earliest historians.

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” (Luke 24:36–39, NIV)

He wrote the Gospel of Luke roughly around AD 85–90.

John

Like Matthew, John was one of the 12 apostles of Jesus. He was originally a fisherman. He was a close confidant to Jesus and the one who Jesus asked to take care of His mother after His death.

Finally, the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to where they were staying. (John 20:8–10, NIV)

He wrote the Gospel of John between AD 60–110.

Four very different men with very different backgrounds. If the Bible was never collected together as one book, these four writers would have been quoted as four different sources instead of one.

The other four authors of the New Testament include Paul (originally a persecutor of Christians), James (a brother of Jesus), Peter (one of the original 12), and Jude (younger brother of James and Jesus).

Paul

Paul was a Jewish Pharisee who started out as a persecutor of Christians. He became a Christian when Jesus appeared to him after His death. Following Paul’s conversion, he wrote 13 letters included in the New Testament between 50 and 58 AD.

James

James grew up with Jesus. He was skeptical that his brother was the Messiah until Jesus appeared to him after His death. He wrote the Book of James sometime before 62 AD.

Peter

Peter was originally a fisherman, and like Matthew, he was one of the first apostles of Jesus. He was part of Jesus’ innermost circle. He wrote his epistles between AD 62 and 64.

Jude

Jude was the younger brother of Jesus and James. He, too, was skeptical that his brother was Lord until Jesus revealed Himself after His death. He wrote the book of Jude before the destruction of the Temple in AD 70.

For a research paper to be considered reliable, at least three sources need to be quoted. The New Testament has at least eight. And more than half of these are actual eyewitnesses to the resurrection.

I believe the pastor was correct in quoting many Scripture verses to prove the resurrection. Having them all collected in one big Book just made it easier for me to look up.

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