“I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” 

Psalm 16:8-11

A thousand years before Christ, King David spoke of the resurrection of Christ! Both Apostles Peter and Paul quote from Psalm 16 to show the Jews that only Jesus Christ fulfills this prophecy (Acts 2:27-31; 13:35-38). Peter’s first sermon (Acts 2) was mainly from the texts of Joel and Psalms. He emphasized the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Approximately three thousand souls got saved! In chapters three, four, and five of Acts we see that the Apostles message was that the people had killed their Prince and Savior, but that the Father had raised Him from the dead. They needed to repent and believe. Many more got saved. Later, when Peter preached to Gentiles, he spoke of the resurrection, and the Gentiles believed. Wherever the Gospel was preached it included the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Belief in the resurrection of Christ is an essential truth required for salvation: Romans 10:9-10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Christ’s victory over death is also our victory! 1Corinthians 15:57 “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Ron Cox – Director of HOPE Ministry