Resurrection of the Lord
These worship resources from Scripture and the confessions are selected for use on the Resurrection of the Lord / Easter. See also the resources for the Season of Easter.
Affirmation of Faith
For I handed on to you as of first importance
what I in turn had received:
that Christ died for our sins
in accordance with the scriptures,
and that he was buried,
and that he was raised on the third day
in accordance with the scriptures,
and that he appeared to Cephas,
then to the twelve.
Then he appeared
to more than five hundred brothers and sisters
at one time,
most of whom are still alive,
though some have died.
Then he appeared to James,
then to all the apostles.
1 Cor. 15:3-7
We undoubtedly believe,
since it was impossible that the sorrows of death
should retain in bondage the Author of life,
that our Lord Jesus
crucified, dead, and buried,
who descended into hell,
did rise again for our justification,
and the destruction of the author of death,
and brought life again to us
who were subject to death and its bondage.
We know that his resurrection was confirmed
by the testimony of his enemies,
and by the resurrection of the dead,
whose sepulchers did open,
and they did rise and appear to many
within the city of Jerusalem.
It was also confirmed by the testimony of his angels,
and by the senses and judgment of his apostles
and of others, who had conversation,
and did eat and drink with him after his resurrection.
Scots Confession, 3.10
What benefit do we receive from the resurrection of Christ?
First, by his resurrection he has overcome death
that he might make us share in the righteousness
which he has obtained for us through his death.
Second, we too are now raised by his power to a new life.
Third, the resurrection of Christ is a sure pledge to us
of our blessed resurrection.
Heidelberg Catechism, 4.045
How was Christ exalted in his resurrection?
Christ was exalted in his resurrection,
in that, not having seen corruption in death,
and having the very same body in which he suffered,
really united to his soul,
he rose again from the dead the third day
by his own power;
whereby he declared himself to be the Son of God,
to have satisfied divine justice,
to have vanquished death,
and to be Lord of quick and dead.
All this he did as a public person,
the head of his church,
for their justification,
quickening in grace,
support against enemies,
and to assure them of their resurrection from the dead
at the last day.
Westminster Larger Catechism, 7.162
The risen Christ is the Savior for all humanity.
Those joined to him by faith
are set right with God
and commissioned to serve as his reconciling community.
Christ is head of this community, the church,
which began with the apostles
and continues through all generations.
Confession of 1967, 9.10
God raised Jesus from the dead,
vindicating his sinless life,
breaking the power of sin and evil,
delivering us from death to life eternal.
Brief Statement of Faith, 10.2
Jesus was dead and buried,
but God raised him from the dead.
The risen Lord appeared to his followers.
They recognized him as their Master
who had been crucified.
Before Jesus left them,
he commissioned them to proclaim to all people
the good news of his victory over death,
and promised to be with them always.
Declaration of Faith, 4.5
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