Tomb and Ressurrection
If Jesus's body was never taken from the cross, then there would be no tomb. If there is no tomb, then there was no resurrection. If there is no resurrection, then all of Paul's Christianity falls apart.
11 Now it is evident that no man is justified before God by the law; for “He who through faith is righteous shall live”;[a] 12 but the law does not rest on faith, for “He who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed be every one who hangs on a tree”—
Deuteronomy 21 (Reference)
22 “And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, 23 his body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is accursed by God; you shall not defile your land which the Lord your God gives you for an inheritance.
4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures,
The Resurrection of the Dead12 Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; 14 if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. 17 If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied.
Interestingly, Paul, which writing is earlier than the Gospels, never mentions the tomb of Jesus being empty.
Counter Argument:
The Greek word τάφω (taphō) and its derivatives in classical and Koine Greek encompass both burial methods: interment in the ground and entombment in structures like tombs or caves. The usage of this term in ancient Greek literature and inscriptions indicates a broad understanding of burial practices. Also, in Hebrew with the below example.
After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Mach-pe′lah east of Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.
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