Jesus declared that the only sign to prove the truth of His message would be His time in the grave, stating that He would be exactly three days and three nights in the tomb, unable to resurrect Himself. If God the Father resurrects Him after precisely this duration, it would be undeniable proof that He is the Messiah. He reiterated this sign to various audiences with similar phrasing, such as in John 2:19-21, where He speaks of raising the temple of His body in three days, and in Mark 8:31, where He mentions rising after three days. To His disciples, He foretold that the Son of Man would be killed and rise on the third day, as recorded in multiple gospel accounts. Even the chief priests and Pharisees recalled this sign, reporting to Pilate after the crucifixion that Jesus had said He would rise after three days, as noted in Matthew 27:63. Compiling all factors, it is evident that Jesus Christ was in the tomb for exactly 72 hours. If He was resurrected either earlier or later, the sign He gave would have failed, but the assurance remains that Scripture cannot be broken, and God's Word was fulfilled to the very second. Given that He was buried at sunset and remained dead for 72 hours, He was also resurrected at sunset, not at dawn. The sequence of events, including two Sabbaths within that period—a high day Sabbath and a weekly Sabbath—confirms that Jesus was crucified and buried on a Wednesday, with His resurrection occurring at sunset on the Sabbath as the day ended.

In the foundational message of the gospel, as delivered to the Corinthians, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a central truth. Paul reminds them of the gospel he preached, emphasizing that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again after three days, as also prophesied. This event is not merely a historical fact but a vital element of saving knowledge, without which the entire gospel would crumble. The resurrection after three days stands as a cornerstone, affirming that salvation is an ongoing process, with part already accomplished in justification and forgiveness, yet continuing toward completion at the future resurrection. Paul further supports this truth with overwhelming eyewitness testimony, noting that Christ, having risen after three days, was seen by Cephas, the twelve, over five hundred brethren at once, James, all the apostles, and finally by Paul himself. These accounts, many from individuals still alive at the time, provide irrefutable evidence of His resurrection, demonstrating that it occurred after three days as a real, undeniable event witnessed by many, reinforcing the certainty of this foundational truth to the Corinthians.

After His resurrection, Jesus Christ presented Himself alive to His disciples by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. During this period, He emphasized the importance of the kingdom, a central theme of His teachings before His crucifixion, underscoring its significance in His post-resurrection ministry. He instructed His apostles to remain in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit, commanding them to wait for the spiritual power they needed to carry out His work. Christ then ascended to heaven, promising that they would receive power from on high to be witnesses to Him, beginning in Jerusalem and extending to all nations, preaching repentance and remission of sins in His name.