How We Mark the Resurrection

Bryan Matthew Dockens

As a church that rejects “the commandments of men” as “vain worship” (Matthew 15:9), refusing to “add to the word” (Deuteronomy 4:2), this congregation does not celebrate the manmade holiday of Easter.  Insomuch as Easter is regarded by many as the annual observance of Christ’s resurrection some may be led to wonder how we mark this glorious event.  The answer is simple; we do it God’s way. We mark the resurrection by preaching Christ’s gospel.  The apostle Paul explained that the gospel he preached (1st Corinthians 15:1) has the ability to save (v.2), and that it consists of three essential facts: Christ’s death (v. 3), burial (v. 4), and resurrection (v. 4).  So fundamental to the saving gospel is the resurrection of Jesus that preaching and faith are nullified without it (vs. 14, 17).

We mark the resurrection by believing it unto our own salvation.  Inspiration sets forth faith in the resurrection as prerequisite to salvation.  “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).

We mark the resurrection by partaking of it through baptism.  “Baptism”, Scripture dictates, “now saves us”, and that “through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1st Peter 3:21).  It is written, “we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

We mark the resurrection by righteous living in the hope of heaven.  “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.  For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:1-3).  Based on sharing in Christ’s resurrection through burial in baptism (2:12), the saved are called on to “put to death”  “the old man with his deeds” (3:5, 9), and, instead, “put on the new man” (10).  The deeds of the old man include: fornication, uncleanness, evil desire, covetousness, anger, blasphemy, and filthy language (vs. 5, 8).  The deeds of the new man include: mercy, kindness, love, humility, forgiveness, peace (12-15).