How do we know that Jesus has risen from the dead? The historicity of the resurrection accounts in the Bible is more credible than other ancient documents because of the number and accuracy of the manuscripts of the Gospels and the reliability of the authors of the Gospel. This has been confirmed by the Gospels' internal consistency and by archaeological discoveries. We have an intellectual, factual basis for believing that Jesus has risen.

However, to know the significance of His resurrection is a matter of faith. We know by faith that Jesus' resurrection means that death has been put to death (Heb 2:14) and we who believe in Him live a radically new life and will be raised by Him from the dead. Our faith in the resurrection as the greatest and central event in human history is confirmed by the lives of Christians. Many Christians were demon-possessed before their conversions, as was Mary Magdalene (see Mk 16:9). Now these people are the most free people in the world. People who were trapped  in "disbelief" and "stubbornness" (Mk 16:14) are now self-assured and bold in proclaiming the risen Christ (Acts 4:13). These conversions have happened by the millions across all cultures for two thousand years.

Jesus is risen! Our changed lives proclaim: "Jesus is risen!"

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, October 4, 1999

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 12, 1999