"MIRACLE OF THE AGES”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 626, 1 April 1929, Page 14

"MIRACLE OF THE AGES”

FACT OF THE RESURRECTION IN ACCORD WITH SCIENCE Speaking - at Kohimarama Presbyterian Church last evening, Air. Reuben fck Dowle took for his text Romans iv., 4, Declared to be the Son of Ood, with power according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” "The resurrection of Jesus Christ may bo fitly termed the miracle of the ages,’ said the speaker. "Scepticism has always lifted the puny arm of rebellion against Christ’s reappearance from the tomb. Such attempts nave, too, always proved futile. Their attempts have in reality merely been tacit admissions of the power of His resurrection. They are, as well, confronted with a volume of evidence that cannot possibly be gainsaid. The four evangelists fully describe the events before and after the resurrection. So powerful and convincing is the evidence, that a negative position is unthinkable. Well might the apostles, at first be discouraged at the loss of their Mighty Helper. We to-day rejoice with the mover the fact that Christ is risen..

"God at epochal periods in the world’s history has made the wrath of man to praise Him. Again, scientists are continually discovering truths, hitherto unknown. When we consider the fact of the resurrection of Christ from the dead, we are strictly scienti.«3, let us note, for there are various resurrections continually taking place in nature. Christ told his disciples and others that ‘except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone, but if it die it bringeth forth much fruit.’ From a chrysalis a beautiful butterfly may emerge. The physical world, again and again, argues in favour of the spiritual, so that the resurrection of Christ is in full accord with science—indeed, with all the rest of God’s dealings with mankind. “Now, four conclusions naturally flow from the resurrection of Jesus: His divinity was fully established. He had said, referring to the temple of His body, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ He claimed, also, that all power was given to Him in Heaven and on earth. Therefore his God-head was proved. He captivated captivity. Man’s salvation has become not only possible, but assured, on the conditions of repentance and faith. Paul puts it thus: ‘lf Christ bo not raised, your faith is vain, ye are. in your sins, and of all men most miserable.’ Great precautions were taken to prevent the reappearance of Christ—all in vain. The keystone of the arch was supplied, and the resurrection from the dead became an accomplished fact. Not only was an atonement from sin fully completed in the resurrection, but renewed life and activity were supplied. Coming up from the grave typified coming out of darkness into light, out of gloom into joy and hope and service. We have in the resurrection of Christ a guarantee of our own resurrection. Christ became the first fruits of them that slept. Altogether, Christian men and women have a glorious hope blooming with immortality.”