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Evidence ID: HIS-EV68
Evidence: Resurrection Accounts Coincident with Event
Summary: While the Gospel accounts of the resurrection were written and circulated in the latter half of the first century, the resurrection claims of Paul and Peters are dated as early as 30-35 AD. The claims were coincident with the resurrection event.
Description: The timeliness of the resurrection accounts has been called into question. When were the resurrection claims publicly made? Were the eyewitnesses of the resurrection still alive to attest to these claims?
In the Book of Acts, we learn that the Christian church began in Jerusalem and then spread to Samaria, Asia Minor and Europe. Peter and Paul were the principal leaders of the early church. They preached to thousands of people both Jew and Gentile.
The central tenet of their teaching was redemption through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God's appointed Messiah. Peter and Paul repeatedly made the claim publicly that Jesus was raised from the dead, and that the many eyewitnesses who were still living could attest to this claim.
These claims were made and attested as early as 30-35 AD.
Paul's creedal passage found in 1 Corinthians 15 attests to the fact that Jesus was raised on the third day according to the New and Old Testament scriptures. This passage is considered a fundamental teaching of the early church because of its rhetorical form and cadence [REF-CVM01], Aramaic language and lack of Pauline terms [REF-HAB02]. Creeds are concise and easy to memorize, thus assuring accuracy in oral transmission.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)
Although Paul's letter to the Corinthians was written in 53-56 AD, this creed originated at a much earlier date. Paul's testimony implies that he had received this oral tradition regarding Jesus' post-resurrection appearances from another. It is likely he received this tradition from Peter during his visit to Jerusalem no later than 36 AD recorded in Galatians 1:18. This would then date the formation of this oral tradition to within 5-7 years of the crucifixion and resurrection from 35-37 AD. Originating with Peter or another eyewitness certifies the elements of the tradition as established facts.
In this passage, Paul challenges the Corinthians to confirm the resurrection with the many eyewitnesses who were still alive. Essentially, he is saying "if you do not believe me, ask these people". The testimony of the eyewitnesses was central to the validity of this creed.
In the emerging church of the first century, Peter was a central figure. Peter's preaching was widespread in Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. His primary line of defense was the resurrection of Jesus.
The following table contains the resurrection claims of Peter from the Book of Acts and the approximate date of each claim.
| Acts Reference |
Date AD |
Claim |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 1:3 | 30-33 | He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. |
| Acts 2:32 | 30-33 | You killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. |
| Acts 10:40-41 | 40-41 | 40but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. |
| Acts 13:31 | 48-49 | And over a period of many days he appeared to those who had gone with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to the people of Israel. |
Table: Estimated Dates of Peter's Resurrection Claims
As with Paul, Peter calls into evidence the testimony of the eyewitnesses. In addition, he claims that Jesus provided many other proofs to the people. In these texts he implies that the evidence is more than sufficient in demonstrating Jesus had risen from the dead.
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