"And was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations." Romans 1:4-5
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." 1 Peter 1:3
"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep." 1 Corinthians 15:3-6
"But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. 26 For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. (As Paul addressed Agrippa)." Acts 26:25-26
Three Responses to Jesus as Messiah and Risen Lord:
1. "Don’t disturb my self-determined pursuits (Aldous Huxley syndrome) “The philosopher who finds no meaning in the world is concerned to prove that there is no valid reason why he personally should not do as he wants to do…for myself, the philosophy of meaninglessness was essentially an instrument of liberation, sexual and political. I have some doubts as to his divinity; tho’ it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an opportunity of knowing the truth with less trouble…I shall only add, respecting myself, that, having experienced the goddess of that being in conducting me prosperously thro’ a long life, I have, I no doubt of its continuance in the next, though without the smallest conceit of meriting such goodness.” Aldous Huxley, Ends and Means, p. 273
2. “I will decide after death,” (Benjamin Franklin Maxim) “As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of morals and his religion, as he left them to us, the best the World ever saw or is likely to see.”
3. Full embrace and joyful obedience (the apostle Peter)
"That disciple whom Jesus Loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off." John 21:7-8
Peter jumps into the water and struggles to shore, trying to get as close to Jesus as possible and as fast as he can because he is beginning to understand the glory and hope of the resurrection of Jesus. “The claims of Jesus Christ, if they are truly heard for what they are, never evoke moderate response. Jesus claimed to be the Lord of God of the universe, who had come to earth to give himself for us so that we could live for him. This is a call for total allegiance. You will have to either run away screaming in anger and fear or run toward him with joy and love and follow his feet (in worship). Nothing in the middle makes any sense.” Tim Keller, Hope in Times of Fear, p. 98