To Quell The Doubt Regarding Jesus' Actual Death On The Cross: After the following, one should not question whether or not Jesus literally (physically) died on the Cross prior to His burial and resurrection: (1) The soldiers, the religious hierarchy and the Roman Prefect (and Governor) were all careful to guard against His prophesied return. (2) Checks and balances were invoked to prevent such possible martyrdom from occurring. (3) Soldiers were assigned to Jesus from the moment He was arrested until after His resurrection (Matthew 26.47- 27.66). (4) After Jesus had already succumbed to death while on the Cross, the soldiers additionally pierced His side with a spear to make certain that He had expired (John 19.31-37). (5) Pilate had to be consulted before Jesus's body could even be removed from the Cross and buried (Mark 15.43). (6) Pilate made sure, by way of the centurions at the crucifixion site, that Jesus was indeed dead before he granted such release and burial rites to Joseph of Arimathea (Mark 15.44-45). (7) The religious overseers pleaded with the governor to station guards outside of Jesus's tomb, afraid that Jesus's prophecy would come to pass without this added security. Pilate conceded. (8) A large stone was placed over the entrance to the tomb, the tomb was sealed, and guards were stationed immediately outside the tomb-24 hours a day (Matthew 27.62-66).
             Regarding Jesus' Actual Resurrection: How and why was the tomb found empty 3 days later, were Christ not resurrected? How did Jesus escape from the tomb if, as some believe, He was merely unconscious when they placed Him in the sepulcher? How did Jesus's followers steal Christ's body, as some propose, when such a great stone blocked the entrance? How was any of this accomplished when the stone at the entrance was sealed, with guards positioned outside, understanding that the penalty for dereliction of duty was (in this case) punishable by death? Why would anyone neatly...