Death Could Not Hold Our Jesus

The first preaching about the Resurrection was by the Apostle Peter at Pentecost. There he proclaimed this truth: that Jesus who was crucified was raised from the dead, because death could not hold Him!

There are many fine theological arguments that Peter might have used to justify that statement.

Paul stated, for example, that Christ was raised again because we are justified by His death. That is, Christ's death really atoned for our sin, and satisfied God's justice fully. If Christ's death hadn't completely atoned for sin, then He would still be dead in judgment. But because our sin is disposed of, Jesus was loosed from judgment and rose again!

Isaiah prophesied that Christ would die a substitute Lamb of sacrifice for His people, and when God's justice was satisfied, Jesus would be highly extolled and granted great reward and power.

But Peter instead appeals to the oath that God had made through the Psalmist David that Christ's body would not see corruption.

Wicked Israel thought to disqualify Jesus as Messiah by putting Him to death, because God had promised Messiah would reign forever.

But Israel forgot that other promise, that Peter proclaimed: that Messiah would be shortly raised from the grave!

Indeed, Jesus' resurrection proves, by claiming that promise of God, that He is Messiah indeed!

With Jesus proved as Messiah, Peter accuses Israel of regicide - killing the Holy One of Israel! He urges each soul to repent and submit to their Prince the Lord Jesus!

But the same promise to Jesus is made to us: that God will not leave our souls in Hell! Thus, death cannot hold God's people because of the solemn promise we have in Christ and by Christ!