How does Acts 10:40 affirm the truth of Jesus' resurrection for believers?

Setting the Scene

Peter is in Caesarea, sharing the gospel with Cornelius and his household. In the heart of that message he states:

“but God raised Him up on the third day and caused Him to be seen—” (Acts 10:40)

---

How This Single Sentence Confirms the Resurrection

• Divine action, not human legend

– “God raised Him up”—the resurrection is credited solely to God’s power, removing any idea of human fabrication.

• Precise timing

– “on the third day”—echoes Jesus’ own predictions (Luke 9:22; Matthew 16:21) and fulfills Scripture (Hosea 6:2).

• Public verification

– “caused Him to be seen”—Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances were deliberate and observable (Acts 10:41; 1 Corinthians 15:4-8).

• Apostolic proclamation

– Peter’s sermon occurs within a few years of the event, anchoring the claim in living memory (Acts 2:32; 3:15).

---

Eyewitness Evidence Highlighted Elsewhere

• Luke 24:36-43—disciples touch His resurrected body.

• John 20:24-29—Thomas moves from doubt to confession after seeing the wounds.

• 1 Corinthians 15:6—“more than five hundred brothers at once” saw Him alive.

---

Why Believers Can Rest Secure

• Fulfills God’s promises

– Psalm 16:10 foretold God would not “abandon My soul to Sheol.”

• Guarantees our justification

– Romans 4:25: He “was raised for our justification.”

• Secures future resurrection

– 1 Corinthians 15:20: Christ is “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

• Grounds unshakable hope

– 1 Peter 1:3: We have “a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

---

Living in the Light of Acts 10:40

• Confidence—our faith rests on a historical, God-wrought event.

• Courage—because Jesus conquered death, we face trials unafraid (Hebrews 2:14-15).

• Commission—those who have “seen” by faith are sent to tell others, just as Peter did (Acts 10:42).