Epaggelia

The earliest recording of the resurrection of Christ is attached to an appearance that can be understood as a miracle. Mark writes, “he appeared in another form to two of them, as they walked and went into the country” (Mk. 16:1-12) This appearance is immediately after the two Marys and Salome are told by the angel to go tell the disciples that “He is Risen”, Matthew 28:8-9 His body is not recorded in the gospels as being in another form until after the resurrection. The very idea of changing the form of a body is surely connected to the idea of having an incorruptible and immortal body, as Paul describes in 1st Corinthians 15:42-54. 

The reason Jesus is the “firstborn from the dead”, Col.1:18 & Rev. 1:5, is because no one raised him up, He was God with us. So when the Scriptures proclaim the “Father raised” him, Romans 6:4 & Galatians 1:1, we understand that it was the self-same power of the Father in His Glory that raised him. Afterall, it was prophetically proclaimed by Isaiah that he would be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace, in Isaiah 9:6. How can anyone be both the Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace simultaneously? The resurrection of Christ proves that only he could. This position is best understood as Jesus is the only person in Scripture described as having the Spirit of God without measure, John 3:34. So it was impossible that the grave (power of death) could hold him by himself. He abolished it, 2nd TImothy 1:10.                      

BENEFITS OF HIS RESURRECTION

1. The resurrection is evidence that Christianity is true: “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” (1 Cor 15:17). Over 500 eye-witnesses could testify.
2. The resurrection proves the believer will overcome death: “So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is  your sting? O Hades, where is  your victory?” (1 Cor 15:54-55). 
3. The resurrection helps you grieve differently: “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope” (1 Thess 4:13). 
4. The resurrection guarantees you eternal life: “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26). 
5. The resurrection guarantees that you will have a glorious new body: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself” (Phil 3:20-21). 
6. The resurrection means Jesus intercedes for you: “Who is  he who condemns? It is  Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us” (Rom 8:34). 
7. The resurrection motivates us to put away sin and obey Christ in baptism: “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom 6:4)