A Bible study to explore the importance and the reality of

the resurrection of Jesus, to be used with

THE

LINCHPIN

THOMAS ZELT

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For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

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INTRODUCTION People believed in the resurrection of Jesus before there was a Bible. The women at the tomb believed because they saw Jesus alive again. Mary believed because Jesus called her name and stopped her weeping. The disciples believed because Jesus appeared to them behind locked doors. He ate a piece of fish to show them that he was a real person and not an apparition. Thomas believed because he saw Jesus’ scarred hands. It may sound silly, but they all believed before they wrote the record of what they saw. They only wrote because they already believed based on what they had seen and experienced. In an era when the Bible is not automatically esteemed as an inspired book, it is important that our witness not rest in the phrase “the Bible tells me so.” While the Bible certainly bears witness to the truth of Christ, people who don’t esteem the Bible will pass those words off as irrelevant to their lives because they simply don’t believe the Bible. This can lead us back to the first testimony of the faith: We believe in Jesus because he really did rise form the dead. That creates a new problem: How do you know that Jesus rose from the dead if you take the Bible out of the picture? Since we have no writings that describe the resurrection other than those by people who became his devoted followers, how is it possible to get any objective witness to ascertain if it is true or not? If one does not believe the Bible and the Bible is the primary witness to Jesus’ resurrection, does that mean you have to believe in the Bible before you believe in Jesus? Doesn’t that create circular logic: I believe in Jesus because the Bible tells me so and I believe the Bible because I believe in Jesus? I wrote The Linchpin to address this issue and answer this question. People believed in Jesus before there was a Bible. They believed because he really, truly did rise from the dead. As it says in the Introduction to the book, events leave residue. A dinner party leaves dirty dishes, bottles, and trash leaving a testimony that something like a dinner party happened. If something as remarkable as the resurrection happened, there should be residue, which there is. When it is examined, it creates a picture that shows it is reasonable to believe that Jesus rose from the dead.

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This takes us back to the very root of how God chose to reveal himself to us. The method of God’s revelation in Christianity is unique among world religions; he revealed himself by engaging in human events. In those events, he shows us what he is like, how he treats us, what he has done for us and what he promises to do. This takes us to the first study . . .

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STUDY ONE

How God Revealed Himself 1. Read Acts 1:1-3.

A. What words are used to describe what Jesus did in the forty days after his resurrection?

B. What would constitute a “convincing proof” for you to have believed in his resurrection?

C. Why do you think that was his forty-day post-resurrection

mission?

2. Read John 20:30-31. When John was writing his biography of

Jesus (his gospel), he chose seven miracles that he included. He notes in this passage that he could have listed many others. Why did he say he choose what he did?

3. Read John 10:24-25.

A. According to Jesus, why should they have believed in him?

B. What would keep a person from seeing the miracles, but not believing in the one who did them?

4. Read 1 John 1:1-3.

A. John stresses that what they were teaching was based on what they had seen and experienced. What words or phrases does he use to emphasize that what they had been teaching was based on real events?

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B. Why does he say he is stressing that?

The Christian faith is based on what God did, not merely on what he said. Islam, by contrast, is based on the visions and writings of Muhammad, not on what he did. Hinduism is built on a collection of stories that are mythical. Buddhism flows from metaphysical philosophy. For Christianity, the revelation of God is tied to real events. 5. Read Psalm 78:1-8.

A. In verse 4, what does he say they needed to do? What did they need to make sure the next generation knew?

B. What might that have included? (A quick look through the rest of the Psalm provides some ideas.)

C. Why does the writer of the Psalm want the next generation to know about these events? (Note verses 7-8)

D. How would knowing the events cause them to do that? Note the connection between the events and faith. What is the advantage of what you believe being tied to real events? For discussion: • It is said that in today’s culture you should “believe whatever

‘works’ for you.” How does the fact that the Christian faith is based on real events challenge that philosophy?

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• This diagram illustrates that in the events God reveals concepts that he wants us to know. For example, in the events he reveals his character and his promises, among other things. These are concepts about God, a relationship with God, and about life, that he wants us to know. But the whole point of God revealing himself is so that we might personally have it impact our lives. So, for example, Jesus rose from the dead, so that we might know he is the Messiah and trust him and rely on his promises.

Some people love learning the events. Others focus on the concepts. Still others seem to not be interested in the bottom two boxes; they just want to know how it impacts their life. Why is important to realize that learning the Bible requires all three boxes? Prayer suggestions: • For the ability, wisdom, and courage to talk with someone about

the Jesus rising from the dead who might not know Jesus. • Thanksgiving for God revealing himself in a way that removes the

guesswork from what we are to believe.

EVENTS CONCEPTS

PERSONAL APPROPRIATION

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STUDY TWO

A Movement Has A Cause 1. Just fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection there was an outbreak of

faith in Jesus that was of substantial size, having about 3000 people baptized. Read Acts 2:22-36.

A. What prompted 3,000 people to be baptized that day? What caused the movement of people believing in Jesus?

B. What details about Jesus did Peter say that seemed to impact

those who were listening to him?

2. After a while, Peter was led to go talk to Gentiles in the port city of

Caesarea. Read Acts 10:34-43. A. Peter begins both verse 36 & 37 with the phrase “you

know…” Why?

B. List the things that happened which he mentions in . . . Verse 38

Verse 39

Verse 40

Verse 41

C. What was the outcome of Peter speaking about this with the people of Caesarea?

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3. Here is a list of those to whom letters in the New Testament were written:

Rome Corinth Galatia Ephesus Philippi Colossae Thessaloniki Crete Jerusalem Smyrna Pergamum Thyatira Sardis Philadelphia Laodicea

Use a map to locate where these places are.

4.Read Colossians 1:3-7. A. How did the believers in Colossae come to hear about Jesus’

rising from the dead?

C. The word gospel simply means “good news.” In verse 6 it

says that this good news was “bearing fruit all over the world.” What does that mean?

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Discussion: A movement has a cause. What prompted the movement that got named “Christianity”? Read from The Linchpin from the second paragraph on page 10

to the end of the chapter on page 13. What other explanations might be possible to explain the movement and/or the data surrounding the movement and its origin?

Prayer suggestions: Thanks that the Holy Spirit enabled the movement to make it all

the way to you so you would know what God has done for you. For commitment to help the movement of faith in Jesus reach

those parts of the world that are as of yet unreached.

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STUDY THREE Liars Who Know They are Lying

Don’t Become Martyrs

1. The disicples of Jesus began to talk about him and his resurrection in Jerusalem right after it happened. Because of that, they began to be threatened by the spiritual leaders of the city. Read portions of the events in Acts 3-4.

A. After healing a lame man, Peter spoke Acts 3:11-16. What did he claim about Jesus?

B. Peter was arrested, so before the religious leaders he said Acts 4:1-10. What did he claim about Jesus?

C. Peter was threatened and told to stop talking about Jesus. To this he reponded in Acts 4:18-20. How did Peter respond to the threats? Why?

2. Read Acts 7:51-60.

A. Stephen was the first martyr and had the role of “deacon.” Read the brief description of “stoning” from The Linchpin, from the bottom paragraph of page 15 through the end of that paragraph on page 16. What is your reaction to hearing this description?

B. Why would someone go through this if they could avoid it?

3. Read Acts 12:1-2. How did James die? Why?

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4. In the paragraphs on the bottom of page 16 and top of page 17 in The Linchpin, what is noted about the difference between modern day martyrs and the first Christian martyrs?

5. From chapter two in The Linchpin, list the disciples that were

martyred that are mentioned and how they died. 6. Read Jesus’ words to Peter in John 21:18-19.

A. How did Jesus describe the way in which Peter was to die?

B. How does that compare with the list above?

C. Peter wrote his letters right before Emperor Nero burned Rome, blamed the Christians, and began a brutal assault on them. Read 1 Peter 1:3-6. Where does Peter find hope even when they were undergoing horirble persecution?

Discussion: What reasons can you think of that would cause eye-witness

martyrs to willingly go through the suffering they did? Jesus drew a distinction between eye-witness believers and

believers who were not eye-wtnesses. Read John 20:29. What do you see as differences and similarities between eye-witness martyrs (like the disciples) and those who are martyred for their faith in Jesus today?

Prayer Suggestions: For strength, comfort, and relief for those being persecuted today

for their faith in Jesus. That God would provide you strength to be bold for Christ even in

the face of persecution.

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STUDY FOUR Jewish Writings Support the

Resurrection of Jesus This chapter in the book centers on two facts. First, Jewish writings support the New Testament account of the events of Jesus’ ministry, his arrest, his trial, and his execution. Second, in an odd sort of way, they also bear testimony that something unexplainable happened to the body of Jesus. This study walks through the New Testament’s telling of the Jewish leaders’ actions related to both of those facts. 1. The book of John recounts the attitude and actions of the spiritual

leaders in Jerusalem toward Jesus. Note their actions in the following verses: A. John 8:58-59 (This happened in October of the year before

Jesus was arrested.)

B. John 10:31-32 & 39 (This happened in December of the year before Jesus was arrested.)

2. What was the result of these two occasions recorded in John

10:40-42? (See the top of the next page for information on Perea.)

3. It is from Perea that Jesus came to raise Lazarus from the dead.

Aware of the danger, note what Thomas says in John 11:16. After Lazarus is raised, there was a meeting of the ruling council of the Jews in Jerusalem (called the “Sanhedrin”). What was the result of thet meeting according to John 11:53-57?

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On page 24 of The Linchpin it quotes the Talmud’s reference to the arrest warrant of Jesus. Read it, then note the summary of six pieces of information on pages 24-26. 4. The warrant notes that the method of execution changed from

stoning to “hanging”, a reference to being hung on a cross which was a Roman method of execution. Read Mark 14:1-2. What indication is given as to why the Jewish leaders might have wanted the Romans to do the execution rather than them?

Discussion: In light of the tense situation described in Jerusalem, how does this affect your understanding of the Palm Sunday event?

“Perea” literally means “across” in the Greek language. It was the area across the Jordan where John the Baptist had centered his activity. It was populated by Jews after the return from the Babylonian exile. In fact, it was resettled before Galilee and many who later moved to Galilee had first settled in Perea. It is for this reason that the Roman Empire had made Herod Antipas ruler of both Galilee and Perea. What impact did Jesus have on the people of Perea?

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5. We now turn to what the New Testament has to say about the Jewish explanation for the missing body of Jesus after his resurrection. Read Matthew 28:1-15. A. What is the explanation that is given for the tomb being

empty?

B. How long did that explanation get circulated?

C. Why did they need to have an explanation? 6. Read the rather odd story from Toledoth Jesu on pages 29-30 of

The Linchpin. What do you see in that story that overlaps with aspects of the New Testament’s telling of the resurrection of Jesus?

7. Read Acts 4:24-30.

A. What did the early believers in Jesus begin to understand in verses 27-28?

B. How does it affect you to know what they were learning? Discussion: In what way does the Jewish writings bear witness to the reality of

Jesus’ execution and resurrection? What value is there in seeing the relationship between the Jewish

writings and the New Testament account? In what way do you see the decisions of man being used by God?

What comfort might this give us? Prayer suggestions: Ask God to soften the heart of someone who seems strongly

opposed to Jesus. Ask God to open your eyes to see his hand at work even in

tension-filled situations.

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STUDY FIVE The Chapel of the Holy Sepulcher 1. Why do people go to the burial place of their loved ones? 2. What reasons can you think of for believers in Jesus to go to his

tomb in the years after his ascension?

3. Read Matthew 27:57-61.

A. What does this tell you about Jesus’ tomb? B. Who knew where it was?

C. What additional information is provided about Jesus’ burial or tomb in . . . John 19:41?

Luke 23:50-56?

Mark 15:46-47? First century tombs for the more well-off population are easy to identify in Israel. They practiced secondary burial, meaning that after one year of placing the body in the tomb, they would return to gather the bones and place them in a bone box called an “ossuary.” The tombs were constructed to have a bench on which to place the body and a niche into which to place the bone box after one year. Because they practiced secondary burial, tombs had to be able to be re-entered. Doors to tomb complexes were either rolling stones or hinged doors.

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If you were going to make an expensive tomb, you would look for a straight cliff face into which you could carve well-chiseled caves that served as rooms for the tomb complex, Abandoned rock quarries were liked for this because they provided such a cliff face. The expensive tomb pictured here was built into the hillside where rock had been previously quarried. Use your imagination and picture the women watching Joseph and Nicodemus carry Jesus body into such a tomb.

Bench on which to place the body Niche in which to place the ossuary

Bone box /”ossuary”

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Look back at your answers to question 3. Which of the features in these pictures matches what it describes? 4. Fifty days after Jesus’s resurrection, Peter spoke to a group of

people gathered in Jerusalem. Read part of his speech in Acts 2:25-32. A. Why mention what he did about David?

B. Since this speech was given in Jerusalem, what does it imply about the burial place of Jesus?

5. In the following passages, how does it describe the tomb?

A. John 20:1 B. John 20:3-8

C. John 20:11

6. Read Matthew 28:11-15. What does this passage tell you about

the knowledge of where Jesus’ tomb would have been?

A rolling stone tomb. This stone is about four feet tall.

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Read from The Linchpin from the first full paragraph on page 35 through the middle of page 36.

The quarry depicted here was used in the 8th century BC. Notice the rocky outcropping that could have served as the place for Jesus’ crucifixion and its close proximity to the place where he was buried.

In 132 AD, Emperor Hadrian attempted to get rid of all signs of both Judaism and of Christianity. On this site, he filled in the quarry with dirt, then built a very large platform to hold a temple to Aphrodite.

The graffiti on the retaining wall of Hadrian’s temple to Aphrodite, written by a Christian in Latin after sailing to the site of Jesus’ tomb. The words are Domine Ivimus, “Lord we came.”

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Discussion: In the days after Jesus’ resurrection, would you have been likely

to have returned to his tomb repeatedly? Why? Why do you think each of the gospels describes the tomb? Prayer suggestions: Give thanks that Jesus knows what it is to both die and to come

back to life so he can walk you through death to life, then to a resurrection on the last day.

Pray for God’s comfort to come from the promises of Christ to those who are visiting the tombs of their loved ones.

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STUDY SIX The Shift from Sabbath to Sunday 1. Read Exodus 31:13-16. How does it stress the seriousness of

the Sabbath? Read the first four paragraphs of chapter five of The Linchpin. 2. Read Mark 3:1-6.

A. What was the controversy Jesus was facing?

B. What from these events tells you about the importance of the Sabbath to the spiritual teachers of the day?

An entire Tractate in the Jewish Talmud is dedicated

to describing the proper observance of the Sabbath. That tractate has thirty-nine sections

and is the longest tractate in the Talmud, demonstrating its importance. It prohibits things such as erasing writing, igniting a fire (so today you cannot flip a light switch on the possibility that it might cause a spark), or “trapping” an animal by closing a door or a gate. Even today, how the Sabbath is observed is the benchmark that divides Orthodox Judaism from Conservative or non-orthodox Jews. 3. Read the following passages and note what it says about the

timing of Jesus’ resurrection. A. Matthew 28:1

B. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

C. Luke 18:31-33

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Many in the ancient world and across the Middle East count “inclusively.” That means you include the day you are in when you count. The result is that, being executed on a Friday (day 1), and rising on a Sunday, Jesus rose on the third day. This might not seem all that significant, until you see the recurring motif of “third day resurrection” throughout the Old Testament. 4. Note the events in the following passage, when they happened,

and how they are described. A. Genesis 22:1-5 & Hebrews 11:17-19

B. Exodus 19:10-11

C. Esther 4:15-16 5. Read 1 Corinthians 15:4 again. Note that it says that he rose on

the third day “according to the Scripture,” referring to the Old Testament. Yet, there is no specific Old Testament passage that says the Messiah would rise on the third day. Instead, as we see in the answers to question 4, there is a motif of resurrection on the third day. Read Hosea 6:1-2. What does Hosea say will happen to Israel who was about to be severely chastised by the Lord?

6. The Festival of the Passover and the Festival of the Feast of

Weeks in the Old Testament are closely tied together. Passover was celebrated on a Thursday and the Feast of Weeks began the following Sunday. Read Leviticus 23:4-16. Verses 4-8 describe the Passover. Verses 9-14 describe the Feast of Firstfruits, which began the counting of seven full weeks to the Feast of Weeks. A. A small bundle of grain was to be waved before the Lord on

the day of Firstfruits. According to verse 11, what day of the week was that?

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B. When you think about the events of holy week, when was Passover and when was this Feast of Firstfruits?

C. Read 1 Corinthians 15:20-23. Why does Paul call Jesus the “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep”?

7. From the following passages, notice the trend that happens in the

New Testament by noting the day and what happened in the passage. A. Acts 20:7

B. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2

C. Revelation 1:10-11. (This is the first time Sunday it is called the “Lord’s Day”)

8. Read Colossians 2:16-17. He mentions that the Christians in

Colossae should not be judged for how they observe certain practices or even the Sabbath rest. A. What reason does he give?

B. Read Hebrews 4:9-10. How did the Sabbath serve as a picture of what Jesus did for us by grace? (Read Ephesians 2:8-9 as well.)

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In this study several reasons have been explored for why Christians -- even early Jewish believers in Jesus – moved from a strict observance of the Sabbath to gathering on Sundays. Review your answers to the questions in order to summarize those reasons in the chart below. Question Reason to shift to gathering on Sundays 3

4-5

6

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Discussion: Which of the above reasons is your favorite for believers

gathering on Sunday? Why? How might you give more purposeful meaning to using Sunday

itself as a spiritual tool? Prayer suggestions: Ask for help to encourage another believer to use Sunday as a

spiritual tool. For faith that finds true rest in Christ.

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STUDY SEVEN The Early Christian Creed 1. Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-5. According to verses 1-2, what is

Paul’s purpose for writing this chapter? 2. In verses 3-5, what does Paul state Jesus did?

3. Read chapter 6 of The Linchpin. As you do, answer the following questions. A. When was this written?

B. What is significant about the words “received” and “delivered”

(“passed on”) in verse 3?

C. What are the four statements or claims noted in the passage that they were confessing as their faith? Did you note these in your answer to question 2? 1)

2)

3)

4)

D. Why does Paul call Peter Cephas (his Aramaic name) rather than Petros (his Greek name) or Shimon (his Hebrew name)?

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E. Why is when this is written important? 4. Read Colossians 3:16.

A. What is the main thing this verse tells believers to do?

B. What role does “Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” play in helping that happen?

5. Scattered throughout the New Testament are songs that the early

believers were singing that told the story of Jesus. This was one of the ways that the “Word of Christ” – namely the accounts of who is and what he did – were being taught and remembered. Below are two of those songs recorded in the New Testament. Read them and make a list of what it taught about Jesus. A. Philippians 2:6-11

B. 1 Timothy 3:16

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Philippians is written around 60 A.D. and Timothy was written about 64 A.D. The songs that are quoted were, no doubt, well enough known so that when Paul quotes them, everyone knows them – similar to our reaction when we hear the words “Amazing grace! How sweet the sound.” Notice in your answers to question 5 how completely these believers understood and were explaining the person and work of Christ. Like with the first creed from 1 Corinthians 15, these passages clearly demonstrate that the idea of Jesus being God, his being incarnate, his death, and his resurrection did not develop over centuries, nor were they the slow incorporation of pagan myths into a “Christian” faith. These songs were well-known and fully formed expressions of the faith within a few years of Jesus’ resurrection! Discussion: • Why do you think some people want to suggest and promote that

the idea of Jesus being God came about by pagans-turned -believers incorporating pagan myths into the story of Jesus?

• Look back at your answer to 3C. Why is it important to keep these the main thing as we talk about the Christian faith with people?

Prayer suggestions: • That someone you know who is skeptical about Jesus might have

a softer heart and an open mind. • For the Spirit to guide your ability to talk about the basic things of

what Jesus did and what that means for us.

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STUDY EIGHT The Details Convey Accuracy This study looks at the abundance of details provided in the New Testament accounts. Read the first paragraph of chapter 7 of The Linchpin. 1. Read Acts 4:27. In this prayer, who is listed as playing a role in

Jesus’s execution?

2. Read Acts 3:13. What does it tell you about Pilate? 3. Read Luke 13:1.

A. What does it say Pilate did or was responsible for happening?

B. Read The Linchpin, the second paragraph on page 54 through the first full paragraph on page 55. To which of the four incidents that are recorded in Josephus do you think Luke 13:1 refers?

4. Carefully read John 18:12-13 and 19-24.

A. Comparing verse 19 with 24, who is the High Priest?

B. Read the bottom paragraph on page 55 of The Linchpin. How is the New Testament surprisingly accurate?

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5. Read Mark 15:46. Based on this passage, what details are noted that agree with what you learned in study 5?

6. The event of Jesus’ death and resurrection is not the only event

that has a lot of detail. From the following passages, listed people or places or customs that are noted. A. Luke 3:1-2

B. John 11:55

C. Luke 19:16-22

D. John 19:39-40 7. Read Acts 1:3

A. What makes for a “convincing proof?”

B. Read John 21:1-14. What details in this story would you consider add up to be a “convincing proof?”

Discussion: • Why do you think the New Testament accounts include the detail

they do? • Think of a detail you know about how your family celebrated

Christmas when you were little. Who else would know it? If they were telling the story of your Christmas recollection, how would their including your detail affect you?

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Prayer suggestion: • Give thanks that God wants us to be certain about the reality of

what Jesus did. • Ask God to help you be as confident about his promises for the

future as you are about the events of the past.

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STUDY NINE

Huge Dominos Fall Read the first three paragraphs of chapter nine of The Linchpin. 1. Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-19. Fill in this table noting what the

situation would be if Christ had not been raised. Verse What would be if Christ had not been raised 14

15

17

18

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2. Read 1 Corinthians 15:20. Since Jesus did rise, everything you

wrote in the boxes above can be reversed. How would you “reverse” each one of them?

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3. What do the following verses say is certain because of the resurrection of Jesus? A. Acts 2:36

B. Acts 4:12

C. Acts 17:31

D. 1 Peter 1:3-5

4. People believed in the resurrection before they believed in the Bible. In fact, the New Testament was written because people believed in him. Read Luke 1:1-4. A. Why did Luke write this account of Jesus’s life?

B. Prior to his writing, how did they learn about Jesus?

C. Where did Luke get the material that he was going to write down?

People held on to the writings we call the New Testament because they were consistent with what the eyewitnesses of Jesus’ resurrection had told them. It is for this reason that we hold on to the New Testament as a special, inspired book today. 5. After Jesus’ resurrection, on more than one occasion he

explained some things about the Old Testament to those who saw him alive. Read Luke 24:44-47 A. In verse 44, to which part of the Old Testament does Jesus

refer?

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B. According to verses 46-47, what did the Old Testament have to say about the Messiah, the Christ?

The Old Testament was written in Hebrew and is divided into three parts the Torah, the Neviim (the Hebrew word for “prophets”), and the Kethuvim (the Hebrew Word for “writings”). These three divisions incorporate the entire Old Testament, so when it is referred to among the Jews it is called by an acronym using the first letters of Torah, Neviim, and Kethuvim: TaNaKh. In Luke 24:44, the risen Jesus refers to the whole of the Old Testament, mentioning all three of these sections. It is because the Risen One refers to Old Testament this way that we hold on to it as a holy writing. Discussion: • Look back at your answers to questions 2 and 3. Summarize the

consequences of the resurrection being true. • Why is it important to know that believers held the Bible as a

special writing because of the resurrection and that it was not the cause of faith in Jesus?

• How would you talk about the resurrection of Jesus in your witness to others?

Prayer suggestions: • For ever-increasing confidence in Jesus, knowing that he really

did rise from the dead. • For boldness to talk with people about Jesus because he is

unique in history and the linchpin to knowing God.