God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)
The Bible indicates that a person must understand the gospel, repent of his or her sin, and savingly trust in Christ before being baptized. If water baptism is an external sign of genuine conversion, then genuine conversion must take place first.
The basic truth of the resurrection undergirds a number of other truths.
1. It gives evidence that the Word of God is totally true and reliable. Jesus precisely when and in the way He had predicted (see Mt. 12:40; 16:21; 17:9, 23).
2. The resurrection means that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, as He claimed to be, and that He has power over life and death.
3. The resurrection proves that salvation is complete, that on the cross Christ conquered sin, death, and hell and rose victorious.
4. The resurrection proves that the church has been established. Jesus had declared, 'I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it' (Mt. 16:8)... His resurrection proved that death itself could not prevent Christ from establishing His church.
5. The resurrection proves that judgment is coming. Jesus declared that the heavenly Father 'has given all judgment to the Son' (Jn. 5:22), and since the Son is now risen and alive, His judgment is certain.
6. The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves that heaven is waiting. Jesus promised, 'In My house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you' (Jn. 14:2). Because Christ is alive by the resurrection, believers have the assurance that He is now preparing a heavenly dwelling for them.
