Our risen Lord appeared to His disciples numerous times after His resurrection. His purpose was to forever establish the testimony of His resurrection. The Bible expresses His resurrection as guaranteed by “many infallible proofs.” These are the appearances the Bible records:

1.To Mary Magdalene alone at the tomb. (John 20:11-18)

2.To certain women as they were leaving the tomb. (Matthew 28:1-10)

3.To Simon Peter alone on the day of the resurrection. (Luke 24:34)

4.To the two disciples on the way to Emmaus on the day of the resurrection. (Luke 24:13-35.)

5.To the ten disciples (with Thomas absent) and others “with them.” (John 20:19-24).

6.To the disciples again (with Thomas present) at Jerusalem (John 20:26-28).

7.To the disciples when fishing at the Sea of Galilee. (John 21:1-23)

8.To the apostles and more than 500 brethren at the time of the ascension. They accompanied him from Jerusalem to Mount Olivet, and there they saw him ascend “till a cloud received him out of their sight” (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50-52; Acts 1:4-10).

9.To James (We do not know details. 1 Cor. 15:7).

10He appeared to Paul near Damascus. (Acts 9:3-9, 17; 1 Cor. 15:8; 9:1).

11.It is implied in the words of Luke (Acts 1:3) that there were other appearances of which we have no record.

These disciples knew He had died. That was indisputable. It took miraculous certainty for them to be assured that He was alive again! They were convinced He was dead. They had to be convinced He was now alive!

He saw them face to face. They touched him. (Matt. 28:9; Luke 24:39; John 20:27) He ate bread with them. (Luke 24:42,43; John 21:12,13)

They doubted so we would not have to doubt. They were convinced so we can be convinced.

He is alive!

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