Nearly 2,000 years ago the Roman government in Palestine put a man to death by crucifixion at the request of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. This condemned man was known as a miracle worker, a great moral teacher, and it was rumored that he could be the one to deliver the Jews out of bondage to Rome and usher in a new kingdom - free from tyranny and oppression. Above all, the Jewish leaders wanted his death because he claimed to be the Son of God - which was blasphemy. So he was crucified and killed. A soldier pierced his side with a spear and confirmed that he was truly, absolutely, historically dead. And they laid his lifeless body in a tomb.

Three days later, on Sunday morning, that tomb was empty and that man was walking around and talking and showing people the marks of the nails in his hands and feet and the hole of the spear in his side. He had risen from the dead in power and glory just as he said he would. Anyone who doubted that he was the Son of God had their doubts shattered because here was the empirical truth - the scientific evidence - right in front of them that Jesus of Nazareth had risen from the dead and so proven that he was the Christ, the Messiah: God's anointed savior. For forty days after his resurrection he taught his followers and instructed them to remember his teachings and then he ascended into heaven to the right hand of God, his Father, to reign there forever.

The resurrection proved the truth of everything this man, Jesus, said and did before his crucifixion. He said that he was God - and his resurrection proved it. He said that he would die for the sins of the world so that all who believed in him would be forgiven - and his resurrection proved it. He said that he would fulfill all laws in his flesh and so set us free from the weight of following the cleanliness and sacrificial laws of the Old Testament - and his resurrection proved it. He said that he is preparing a place for us in heaven with him - and his resurrection proved it. So that now all who believe in him as their God, their Savior, and their resurrection, will spend eternity in heaven with him. Jesus wants you to believe that he is your Savior from sin, and to trust him and serve him as your God.

In his ministry before the crucifixion, Jesus taught that he was the eternal Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds. He was not created by God, but he is, himself, God with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He said that he and the Father are one God, and that with the Holy Spirit. He even said that the one name of God is the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit. And his apostles taught this truth throughout the New Testament, also. So we believe that the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, and yet there are not three gods, but One God. One divine essence (God) with three distinct persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). It's hard to understand, but Jesus taught it - and his resurrection proves it, so we confess it and believe it. That's why we Baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus commanded. 

Before he died, Jesus commanded his 12 apostles to remember his death for their sins by eating bread and drinking wine. He told them that the bread was his body and the wine was his blood given and shed for them for the forgiveness of sins. His resurrection proved that he had the divine power to make good on that promise. After his resurrection, Jesus commanded his 12 apostles to make disciples of all nations by Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of their sins. His resurrection proved that he had the power to promise such forgiveness through Baptism. And after his resurrection, he gave his apostles the power to forgive or bind sins in his name and in his stead. So the Church to this day follows Jesus' commands to celebrate his bodily presence in Communion for the forgiveness of sins; to Baptize for the forgiveness of sins and new life in Christ; and to forgive and bind sins through the mouths of pastors and people - just as Jesus commanded and promised. If you've never been Baptized before, we want to Baptize you so that you can receive the absolute certainty of the promises of Christ for you. Contact us to ask about getting Baptized.

Jesus gave his authority to his apostles to write down his words and his teachings, which makes up the books of what we call the New Testament. The New Testament is the memoirs of the Apostles to guide us to know Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and by believing to give us life in him. When Jesus spoke and taught before and after his resurrection, he taught that the books of the Old Testament were the inspired Word of God - and his resurrection proved it. So those who follow Christ believe that Genesis through Malachi, the books of the Old Testament, are the inspired, inerrant, and historically accurate Word of God because Jesus, the resurrected One, said so. That's why Jesus is the source and authority of the Bible.

For more information about Jesus, read the 4 eyewitness accounts of the life of God's Son, called the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the New Testament of the Bible. If you don't have a Bible, let us know with the Contact form above and tell us you'd like a Bible. We'll bring you one and show you how to use it.