Answers part 4

We are continuing "My top 10 reasons for believing in the resurrection" list today. I pray you are encouraged by this study.
7) The worship day was changed and Baptism was instituted.
At first, the Christian Church was made up largely of converted Jews and in time Non-Jews were added. To a Jew worship was to be done on the Sabbath or 7th day of the week. This was woven into the very fabric of their lives. To break the Sabbath was punishable by death. Rest and Worship on the Sabbath were central to the Jewish faith. No zealous Jew would ever be seen in the company of a non-Jew (Or a Gentile), let alone eat with them. Even the Temple was segregated. Gentiles who worshiped God had their own place, the court of the Gentiles. Yet the first Christians Not only changed their Worship day, they were Worshiping along side Gentiles. Why these changes? They were celebrating the Resurrection! All 4 Gospel accounts place the resurrection on the 1st day of the week, in the morning. They chose that day for that reason (see Mark 16:2, Luke 24:1, also 1st Cor.16:2, Acts 20:7) Also Baptism is an ordnance of the Christian Church. It is a celebration of our identification with the death and resurrection of Jesus. It was common practice for a believer to partake in it.(See 1st Cor. 15:29)
8) Jesus’ life, ministry, office and resurrection were unexpected, but it was predicted.
All of Israel was caught off guard by Jesus. They were not expecting a Messiah who was the Spiritual Savior and King, rather a political revolutionary, despite the fact that his roll was given in scripture. The following is a sampling of some of my favorites. There are MANY, many more:
THE PROPHESY, ITS FULFILLMENT
The time of his birth---- Daniel 9:25 Luke 2:1,2
Beating, scourging and sacrifice-----Isaiah 53:5 Mark 15:15 to18
Pierced through his hands and feet-----Zechariah 12:10 John 20:27
Rolled dice for his clothing-----Psalm 22: 17,18 Matthew 27:35,36
No bones of the Messiah were to be broken-----Psalm 34:20 John 19:32 to 36
He was to be buried with the rich-----Isaiah 53:9 Matthew 27:57 to 60
To be resurrected-----Psalm 16:10 and 49:15 Mark 16:6,7
As stated there are many more, this is only a sampling. I suggest as a reading, Isaiah 53 the Suffering servant. Let us Pray:
My Father and my God, So often we go through rituals and never see YOU in them. When we worship and when we have baptism are only two of those times. For this we ask forgiveness. Lord, let us not be blind to you in all the acts of worship. Your foresight amazes us, your plan so clear. Help us to share this with those around us. Help us to help them to see Jesus in us and our lives. Let them see WE are Living Witnesses of all that you do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.