The Italian Memorandum

Helping Us to Live Resurrected Lives

[Adapted from our recent series, The Time of Trouble (with E. Ray Cox), April 22 – 26.]

Resurrection is a central gospel theme (1Cor. 15:1-4).  This resurrection centrality is shard along with the death of the Jesus.  Whereas Jesus’ death is about propitiation, by his blood, for sin (Rom. 3:25); the resurrection is in demonstration of power for extreme newness (Rom. 1:4; 6:4).

The following references show the unfolding importance of the resurrection in biblical sequence:

A.  John 11:25-26      Jesus’ “I am the resurrection” statement

B.  Acts 1:21-26          The qualifying of Matthias involves the resurrection

C.  Acts 2:22-32          Resurrection is a key-note on the Day of Pentecost

D.  Acts 3:12,25-26   The earliest gospel preaching included the resurrection

E.  Acts 4:1-2                Resurrection was annoying to the Sadducees

F.  Acts 17:18                Paul proclaimed the resurrection at intellectual Athens

G.  1 Cor. 15:12-20      A Christian world-view demands a resurrection

H.  Rev. 20:6                The resurrection is critical for being a blessing of God

I.   Rom. 6:3-5,17         To obey the gospel is to fully identify with Christ

J.   Col. 3:1                        Living the resurrected life involves a higher seeking

We are very aware of the state of Christianity in America.   Even the secular magazine, Newsweek (April/2009) reports – “The Decline and Fall of Christian America.”   We could wish otherwise, certainly.  But, in the midst of this paradigm shift, the church will be purged (cf. 1 Pet. 4:12-19).

Resurrection living must happen now.

-Robert M. Housby

“Come see the place where the Lord lay”

(Matt.28: 6)

The term, “tomb” (mnemeion, Matt. 27:60) can be appreciated by the Christian on several levels. Although the concepts of the Lord’s death and resurrection are not new to us, when these two fundamental themes of the gospel are viewed in relation to the tomb of Christ, we find that both are represented. In other words, the tomb goes both ways, as Paul’s speech at Antioch of Pisidia indicates – “…they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead” (Acts 13: 29, 30). The tomb (mnemion) embraces Christ’s death and resurrection—it is a virtual sanctuary for the great themes of the Gospel.

But, is a return to the tomb really necessary? We think that it is a warranted action on the part of all Christians, novices and veterans alike. We say this in lieu of the sporadic hijacking of many Judeo-Christian concepts today: success through the Proverbs of Solomon; stable family values; money-matters; and relationships in general. But, to take all of these valuable Biblical concepts and sell them without regard to the power of the Gospel is certainly a terrible blunder of omission.

So, why should you return to the tomb?

1. It is the central sanctuary of Christian faith (2Cor. 5:15; 1Thess. 4:14; etc.).
2. It points out the futility of trying to achieve the good-life, without the good news (1Cor. 15: 1-4).
3. It asserts the historical-factual nature of the Gospel (Acts 13: 29-31).
4. It reaffirms how baptism is the watery-grave—and, such it is (Rom. 6:3-5).

– Robert M. Housby