The Resurrection of Jesus Christ: Understanding ‘God Raising Him and Granting Him to Become Visible’

“God raised him and granted that He become visible” (Acts 10:40) is a profound statement in the New Testament that highlights a key event in Christian theology—Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

Understanding the Biblical Context

The “him” of course is Jesus Christ after He was crucified and resurrected. Following His crucifixion, Jesus appeared to His disciples to confirm His resurrection over a 40-day period, as recorded in Acts 1:3. During this period, Jesus not only shared meals with His disciples but also allowed them to touch the scars left from His crucifixion.

This was a significant moment, confirming to them and to us that He was truly raised from the dead and that the encounter was not simply a hallucination or an imaginative experience.

The Significance of 'Become Visible'

The phrase “become visible” in this context is a crucial reminder that Jesus—and, by extension, all believers—exist as spirits inhabiting physical bodies. This aligns with the Christian belief in the dual nature of humanity: body and spirit.

It is also important to note that Jesus’ resurrection was not just a reanimation of a physical body but a new form of existence. He had a body that could materialize and de-materialize at will, as seen in the accounts of Him appearing to His disciples behind locked doors (Luke 24:31-36) and disappearing (John 20:26).

God’s Mercy and Purpose in Granting Jesus’ Visibility

When Peter says, “God raised this one up on the third day and allowed Him to become manifest, ” he underscores God’s mercy in making Jesus visible to His disciples and, by extension, to the world. These resounding appearances were not accidents but a divine revelation, providing strong evidence that Jesus is the Son of God who saves believers and one day will judge the whole world.

The Apostles continued to testify to these miraculous events, reinforcing the validity of Jesus’ claims as the Messiah and the hope of salvation for believers.

Conclusion

The resurrection of Jesus Christ, as described in Acts 10:40, is a powerful testament to God’s mercy and the greater purposes of salvation. It provides believers with reassurance about His claim to deity and the hope of eternity. Understanding this passage is essential for grasping the significance of the Christian faith and the miraculous events that underpin it.

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