The Shroud of Turin-Frontal View
"...I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you...wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved...unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures...how say some among you that there is no resurrection from the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen. And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are all men most miserable." 1 Cor. 15:1-4, 12-19
The gospel is identified here by Paul as the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. This is what he received from the Lord, and this is what he preached to all others. The resurrection is an essential truth of the gospel of Christ. By His resurrection, Christ accomplished great things for all men. Without the resurrection, Christ would not have accomplished the very thing that His Father sent Him to do. There would be no point in the Christian faith, as Paul wrote. Even our sins would still remain, though He died on the cross, without the overcoming power of the resurrection. Paul goes on to say:
"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." v. 20-22
Because of Christ's resurrection first, all who are in Him, also share in resurrection, escaping the hold of death that came through Adam.
The resurrection of Christ also became the necessary foundational event to His rule and reign in heaven and on earth:
"...Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." v. 23-26
While we view the resurrection as a New Testament event, included in what Paul wrote regarding the gospel of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, is the fact that all of these things happened "according to the scriptures". By that Paul is referring to what we call the Old Testament. Jesus also taught that the promise of that resurrection event and its deliverance from death, can be found in "Moses and the prophets" (Lk. 16:19-31).
Christ came in the flesh so He could die, and be raised again. Not only did his death, burial and resurrection destroy death, but also the fear of death, which enslaves men. His resurrection also accomplished the destruction of Satan:
"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them that through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." Heb. 2:14-15
Jesus identifies Himself as One who was dead, and then alive, with the authority over death:
"...Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for ever-more, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." Rev. 1:17-18
We have had many first-hand reports from those who experienced death, and miraculously returned from it. The Apostle Paul also related his own return from death. Yet there are may who still do not listen to the message. On the other hand, there are many who, as with the treasure hidden in a field, as with the pearl of great price, have given all that they have to posses this gospel (Mt. 13:44-46), and others who have given all to preach this gospel, and bring it to us. We are also called to be witnesses to the gospel: the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. If men are quiet, even inanimate objects are ordained to spread the gospel. The stones cry out, the mountains and hills sing. All of the trees of the field clap their hands. Though man clings to unbelief, and his own understanding, God warns that His thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways. He sends those witnesses to bring us the glorious gospel, to tell us to forsake wickedness and unrighteousness. Regardless of man's thoughts, God has assured that His Word and His Truth shall not return to Him empty, but will accomplish and prosper in all that He pleases (Isa. 55:4-12).
In the same vein, Paul wrote to the Galatians of the evidence of the crucifixion that they have seen with their own eyes (Gal. 3:1). Since the Galatian church was founded in another country years after the crucifixion, to what visible evidence could Paul be referring? In another place, Paul describes a dim, mirror image, as written in the Greek, that we presently see (1 Cor. 13:12). The visible evidence of the resurrection that fits these descriptions from Paul, and found in other scriptures as well, is the Shroud of Turin. Not only has it been given to us to see with our own eyes, but it accurately recorded in its fibers all that the scriptures relate pertaining to the suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ.
Dr. Kenneth Stevenson, a witness to this evidence, has given all that he has, and devoted decades of his life to personally handle, research, and study the Shroud, and record the findings in several books, as a testimony to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
We can receive his witness and the witness of many others, and become witnesses ourselves to the gospel of Christ. If we are silent, the stones will cry out in our place.
To Contact/Support/Submit Prayer Request/To Order and Support the book "NAZAH":
To arrange a presentation in person by Dr. Stevenson regarding the gospel, the Shroud of Turin and the book, NAZAH",
and
To watch Dr. Stevenson's complete message:
Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
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