From: "Beverly French" <frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us>
To: "Heritage" <gheritage@juno.com>
Subject: Blessings to All
Date: Sunday, April 22, 2001 7:47 AM

Recently there have been discussions by "theologians" who
have said that Jesus was not rised from the dead.  Their proof is that
there is no archaeological evidence to back it up.  However, we have the
Bible, the Word of God, (did these theologians miss this?) that tells us of
the people who saw Him and of things that He did.  In fact He spent forty
days here on earth after His resurrection as Scripture tells us.  Here I
once again remind us that,
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof,
for correction, for training..."  2 Timothy 3:17
That stated let's look at the appearances of Jesus after His resurrection:

First: Acts 1:3 establishes that Jesus did in fact arise from the
dead and remained on earth for forty days.
"To these He also presented Himself alive, after His suffering, by many
convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and
speaking the things concerning the kingdom of God."

Act 1:3 in the Amplified Bible reads,
"To them also He showed Himself alive after His passion (His suffering
in the garden and on the cross) by [a series of] many convincing
demonstrations [unquestionable evidences and infallible proofs],
appearing to them during forty days and talking [to them] about the
things of the kingdom of God.

"Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first
appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons."
Mark 16:9

And while two disciples were on their way to a village called Emmaus;
"And it came about while they were conversing and discussing, Jesus
Himself approached, and began traveling with them."  Luke 24:15

"When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and
when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in their midst, and said to them, 'Peace be with you.'
And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side.
The disciples therefore rejoiced when they saw the Lord."  John 20:19-20
(At this time Thomas was not with them.)

"And after eight days again His disciples were inside, and Thomas with them.
Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said,
'Peace be with you.'  Then He said to Thomas, 'Reach here your finger and
see My hands; and reach here your hand, put it into My side, and be not
unbelieving, but believing.'"  John 20:26-27

"After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the
Sea of Tiberias..."  John 21:1 (Read all of chapter 21 to see how Jesus
manifested Himself to them.)

Not only to His disciples did Jesus appear, but, "After that He appeared to
more than five hundred brethren at one time...Then He appeared to James,
then to all the apostles."  1 Corinthians 15:6-7

The word word Jesus spoke to Thomas is the wonderful word to us today!
"Jesus said to him, 'because you have seen Me, have you believed?  Blessed
are they who did not see, and yet believed."  John 21:29

As the Apostle Peter says, "And even though you have not seen Him,
you love Him and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you
greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the
outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.  1 Peter 1:8-9

We Believers greatly rejoice with thanksgiving in the great love which
God has lavished upon us in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Praise Him forever!

"Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask
or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory
in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.
Amen."  Ephesians 3:20-21