Charles Hodge wrote that “the resurrection of Christ is not only asserted in the Scriptures, but it is also declared to be the fun­damental truth of the gospel. ‘If Christ be not risen,’ says the Apostle, ‘then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain’ (1 Cor. 15:14). It may safely be asserted that the resurrection of Christ is at once the most important, and the best authenticated fact in the history of the world.”¹ This “authenticated fact” and “fundamental truth of the gospel” is full of implications, full of comfort, full of certainty for the Christian.

Here are just fourteen of the many comforting certainties that we who are true believers by grace find in the resurrection of Christ:

1. Christ is alive forevermore. “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore” (Rev. 1:18). “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, see­ing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25). “Why seek ye the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:5).
    
2. Christ has been vindicated as our chief Prophet and Teacher. “Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: and they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again” (Matt. 17:22-23). “He is risen, even as he said” (Matt. 28:6).
    
3. Christ has been declared to be the Son of God. “The promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee” (Acts 13:32-33; cf. Ps. 2:7; Rom. 1:4).
    
4. Christ has been exalted at the right hand of God. “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool” (Ps. 110:1). “We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour” (Heb. 2:9). “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name” (Phil. 2:9).
    
5. Christ’s sacrifice has been accepted by God. “This man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool” (Heb. 10:12-13; cf. Ps. 110:1).
    
6. Christ has fully satisfied for all our sins with His precious blood. “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Heb. 9:14). “Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin” (Heb. 10:17).
    
7. Christ has raised us up to a new life. “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.... Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:4, 11).
    
8. Christ has delivered us from all the power of the devil. “As the chil­dren are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Heb. 2:15). “Now is come ... the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down...” (Rev. 12:10).
    
9. Christ has conquered death. “Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him” (Rom. 6:9). “I am he that liveth and was dead; and behold, I am alive for ever­more, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death” (Rev. 1:18). “Our Saviour Jesus Christ ... hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Tim. 1:10).
    
10. Christ has sanctified the grave. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them” (Rev. 14:13).
     
11. Christ has secured our own resurrection to eternal life. “As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming ... for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1 Cor. 15: 22-23, 52).
     
12. Christ shall judge the world in righteousness. “God ... now com­mandeth all men everywhere to repent: because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31).
     
13. Christ has purchased an everlasting kingdom for us. “Give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 1:10-11).
     
14. Christ will perfect the work of God in us. “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shep­herd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” (Heb. 13:20-21).

Christ is risen indeed! Such are the certainties, the solid ground under our faith and hope, as those who rest in Christ’s atoning death for justification from the guilt of all sin, who rejoice in His glorious resurrection, who live by faith in Him, and who look for His appear­ing the second time to perfect His work in us, to judge the world, and to bring us into the possession and enjoyment of eternal glory.