Resurrection of the Savior

Choice 2: Acts 1. Special witnesses of the Resurrected Savior

After his resurrection, Christ appeared to many people and groups of people.

John 20:14-18
The Savior appeared to Mary Magdalene. As Mary sat weeping at the empty tomb, Christ appeared to her and asked her why she was weeping. At first, she did not recognize him, but as he called her by name, Mary's eyes were opened and she knew that he was Jesus Christ.

Luke 24:13-31
Cleopas and another man were walking to Emmaus. As they were walking and discussing what had happened, Christ appeared to them. Their eyes were holden and they did not recognize him. He asked them what they were speaking about and why they were sad just as he had done to Mary. After Christ spoke with them awhile, their eyes were opened and they knew him (vs31).

3 Nephi 11:8-16
The Nephites saw a man descending out of heaven. The Savior tells them that he is Jesus Christ. He testified to them that he is the light of the world and that he glorified the father by taking upon him the sins of the world. The multitude was allowed to thrust their hands in his side and feel the prints in his hands and feet.

The way that Christ appeared to these groups and individuals is different, but the similarities are that they may not have recognized him at first, but they all gained a witness that he was Jesus Christ and that he had risen. They then bore witness and told others that they had seen the Savior

Who was the author of Acts and why was it written?
It is believed that Luke is the author of Acts. That it is the 2nd of two parts written to Theophilus the book of Luke being the first. It was written as a record of what Jesus began to do and preach(Acts 1:1) It was a record of the things that had been fulfilled (Luke 1:1) Luke wrote them as an eyewitness and a messenger of Jesus Christ (Luke 1:2)

Why do you think the doctrine of the resurrection is so central to the preaching of these witnesses of Christ?
The resurrection was so central to the preachings of the apostles and disciples of Christ, because Paul states in 1 Cor 15:13-14 that if there was no resurrection, then Christ is not risen. If Christ is not risen then their preaching and faith is in vain. The plan of salvation which is central to the gospel depends upon Christ atoning for our sins and providing a way for us to be resurrected and exalted. It is the very basis of the gospel. To be converted to the gospel, we need to accept Christ as our Savior.

In completing this assignment, I studied Acts 1:1 and Luke 1:1-3, as well as the TG entry for Jesus Christ appearances post mortal. I studied the chapters listed above and created found similarities in the appearance of Christ to those people and groups of people

I chose this assignment, because I wanted to spend some time pondering the resurrection. As we study the resurrection and the Savior, our testimonies will be strengthened.

The best thing about this assignment was finding the similarities between Christs appearance to people after his resurrection. At some point their eyes were opened and they knew who he was. We can have the same blessing if we seek him.

I could have improved this assignment by taking some extra time to learn about Luke and perhaps gaining more insight into why he wrote the book of Acts