Why Did Jesus Rise?
Eye witness
Peter, one of Jesus' disciples, went to see a Roman centurion called Cornelius. Peter was there to tell him all about Jesus, and about what happened after Jesus died... This is part of what Peter said:
Acts chapter 10 verses 39-43
"We are witnesses of everything that Jesus did in the land of Israel and in Jerusalem. Then they put him to death by nailing him to a cross. "But God raised him from death three days later and caused him to appear, 4' not to everyone, but only to the witnesses that God had already chosen, that is, to us who ate and drank with him after he rose from death. "And he commanded us to preach the gospel to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God has appointed judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets spoke about him, saying that everyone who believes in him will have his sins forgiven through the power of his name.
Fill in the gaps :
1. Jesus died
Peter was one of Jesus' closest friends. He was there, watching, when Jesus was nailed to a cross and left to die. At the time, Peter didn't understand why Jesus had to die, but later he did and explained it to Cornelius like this: "Everyone who b_____________ in Jesus will have his sins f___________ through the power of his name." (v43)
What is sin ?
We all like to be in charge of our own lives. We do what we want, instead of what God wants. This is called Sin.
What does sin do?
Sin separates us from God. It stops us from knowing him and stops us being his friends. The final result of sin is death.
So what's the good news?
Jesus came to save people from the problem of sin. As he died all the sins of the whole world (all the wrongs people had done) were put onto him. He took all of our sin onto himself, taking the punishment we deserve. He died in our place, as our rescuer, so that we can be forgiven.
2. Jesus didn't stay dead
Jesus' body was taken down from the cross and buried in a stone tomb nearby. But amazingly Jesus didn't stay dead! After three days God brought him back to life. Peter was an eye witness to this. He saw the empty tomb. Later he was one of those "who a_______ and d________ with Jesus after he rose from death." (v41). Jesus wasn't some kind of ghost. Peter could touch him, talk with him and even eat a meal with Jesus. Jesus really was alive again!
Why did God bring Jesus back to life?
Because God accepted Jesus' death as payment in full for our sins. Jesus had died in our place. He took the punishment we deserve. When God brought Jesus back to life, he showed that he accepted Jesus' death as the way for us to be forgiven.
3. Jesus is alive today
Jesus didn't die a second time. Instead, Peter saw Jesus go up into the sky and disappear behind some clouds. He went back to heaven to be with his Father.
Jesus is still alive today. He sends his Holy Spirit to his followers. This means that we can know that Jesus is with us, and listens to us when we pray to him.
Jesus told his followers to "preach the g_____ to the people" (v42). The word "gospel" means "Good News". Peter and the others were to tell people the Good News about why Jesus had died and come back to life again. This Good News about Jesus is still true today.
4. Jesus is coming back
One day—but we don't know when! Peter tells us that Jesus "is the one whom God has appointed j_________ of the living and the dead." (v42) Peter says that Jesus is coming as our Judge.
All of us sin. We all live for ourselves instead of for God. But if we put our trust in Jesus as our Rescuer, then our sins will be forgiven. This means that we will be found innocent by Jesus as our Judge—and have eternal life with him in heaven.
Do you want to know God and live as his friend?
It's not about trying to be good. That's great news, since you can't be totally good all the time! It's about accepting what Jesus did on the cross to rescue you. To do that, you will need to ABCD:
Admit your sin—that you do, say and think wrong things. Tell God you are sorry. Ask him to forgive you, and to help you to change. There will be some things you have to stop doing.
Believe that Jesus died for you, to take the punishment for your sin; that he came back to life, and that he is still alive today.
Consider the cost of living like God's friend from now on, with him in charge. It won't be easy. Ask God to help you do this.
Do something about it! In the past you've gone your own way rather than God's way. Will you hand control of your life over to him from now on? If you're ready to ABCD, then talk to God now. This prayer will help you.
Dear God,
I have done and said and thought things that are wrong. I am really sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you for sending Jesus to die for me. From now on, please help me to live as one of your friends, with you in charge. Amen.
What now?
Do you remember what Peter said?—"everyone who believes in Jesus will have his sins forgiven" (v43).
Jesus welcomes everyone who comes to him. If you have put your trust in him, he has rescued you from your sins and forgiven you. That's Great News!
When you are forgiven by God, you become his friend for ever. He loves you and will always be with you.
We can be sure of this because Jesus died and rose again.
What next?
God will help you to change, and to live like his friend. Meeting with some of God's other friends (called Christians) will help you too. You can learn more about Jesus together. See if you can join a group at a local church, or ask the person who gave you this leaflet. Tell them that you have become one of God's friends too.
Dimensions | 14 × 14 × 0.2 cm (Height × Width × Thickness) |
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Binding | Tract |
Language | English |
Number of Pages | 6 |
Subject | Evangelistic |