Evidences of Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-9)

Evidences of Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-9)

 

 

³ For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, ⁵ and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. ⁶ After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. ⁷ After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. ⁸ Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

⁹ For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

 

 

Intro)

This is the Easter weekend. Many Christians believe that Jesus went through hardships and came back from death within 3 days. 40 days later he left to sky and came back 10 days after and when his disciples gathered they experienced strong Holy Spirit among them. Happenings in first church era changed value of human being and world’s history In Jewish society, the Middle East, the Roman Empire, and Europe.

Based on this happening in the year 313, Roman Christianity was publicized through the edict of Milan. This mean it is revolution that brought changes in history of human being, which are from Jesus’ death, revive, and arrival of Holy Spirit.

 Body)

A) Historicity of resurrection
First, resurrection is important creed in Christian. If there is no resurrection in Christian it’s like there is no roof top on the house.  ‘

25 years later after Jesus’ resurrection, Corinthian church started to create credibility of resurrection. Some says there is no resurrection, and some other say resurrection has past. So people started to saying there is no more resurrection will happen. So, now there is conflict started and people started to deny the history. Therefore, Saint Paul recorded bible verse to solve this problem. Today’s verse 1 says ‘Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand.’ This means awake as in reminding. Today’s verse talks about Historicity of resurrection and after verse 14,‘And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty..” We need to look into the evidence about resurrection through bible.
  

Today’s verse 3-4 says, ³ For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” in these verses it mention to the scriptures, this is very important. Jesus’ resurrection is already achieved prophecy in the Old Testament. Biblical scholars have been giving prophecy of Jesus’ resurrection in the Old Testament for over 300 times, therefore Jesus’ resurrection was not something randomly happened, but planned for long time.

 

Saint Paul suggests finding biblical evidence than actual witness of Jesus’ resurrection, because Jesus’ resurrection could happen anytime as long as God prepares, but we need to meet God who allows this resurrection to happen in bible first. 

 

As example let’s take a look at book of psalms 22:14~22 and in here there are incredible prophecy about cross incident.

¹⁴ I am poured out like water,
And all My bones are out of joint;
My heart is like wax;
It has melted within Me.
¹⁵ My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
And My tongue clings to My jaws;
You have brought Me to the dust of death.

¹⁶ For dogs have surrounded Me;
The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me.
They pierced^[c] My hands and My feet;
¹⁷ I can count all My bones.
They look and stare at Me.
¹⁸ They divide My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.

¹⁹ But You, O Lord, do not be far from Me;
O My Strength, hasten to help Me!
²⁰ Deliver Me from the sword,
My precious life from the power of the dog.
²¹ Save Me from the lion’s mouth
And from the horns of the wild oxen!

You have answered Me.

²² I will declare Your name to My brethren;
In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.

 

 Psalms chapter 22 was created 1,100 years ago before Jesus was hung to the cross by David’s prophecy. How did he describe so well like he actually has seen it? This is why and how strong evidence God prepared and supports truth about Jesus’ resurrection. 

B) Second evidence is witnesses

Today’s verse 5-8. “⁵ and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. ⁶ After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. ⁷ After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. ⁸ Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

 Here it has names of witnesses and looking through their names it’s about 514 people. This number is not small. In ear of Old Testament in court if 2 people brings out same evidence they took it as evidence, so witnesses that Saint Paul represented was exceed requirement as far. 

Today’s history was separated as B.C and A.D, so it’s separated before Jesus came and after. This is in western culture, but also recognizes Christmas and Easter as historical event, so weekend is Lord’ s Day meaning it’s the day Lord has resurrected.  Therefore, this is evidence that cannot be ignored. 

C) Third evidence is Paul’s personal Evidence

Of course this is personal evidence that Saint Paul has, therefore this may not have credibility, however, when personal evidences are same from many different people the credibility will go up.
 Today’s Verse 9-11. 9  For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. ¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. ¹¹ Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed. Paul met Jesus Christ with miracle chance. Originally Paul was Jewish, and he was one of people who persecutes Christian. one day he met Jesus on the way to persecute Christian and heard Jesus’ voice and saw very powerful light and becomes blind from it. After sudden incident of losing sight Paul started to pray as he fast and Prophet Ananias made a visit to Paul and gave him prayer and healed him. After this he became Christian and later on he becomes Saint of stranger.  

 

So he confesses that ‘me being me is God’s grace.’

How this can be happening? It is because resurrected Jesus Christ, Therefore Saint Paul served Jesus for rest of his life.

D) External evidence

1. Historian who born in Samaria named Thallus has recorded situation how Jesus was hung and died. Also there is detailed record of Jesus’ resurrection from the death and many witnesses. Book of Mark 15:25 says,  ²⁵ Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him..   Matthew 27:45-46 says, ⁴⁵ Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. ⁴⁶ And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”^[k]  At that time there was sandy wind from east dessert and the sandy wind made surrounding the area and cover the area with darkness.  

In Thallus’ record he recorded how Jesus was passing away and this is quite close to what book of Matthew 27:51 says, ⁵¹ Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, This is also recorded in Mark and Luke. ³⁸ Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.’ ‘⁴⁵ Then the sun was darkened,^[m] and the veil of the temple was torn in two. ‘  (, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45).”

 

2. Similar incident happened was recorded in Josephus of Rome

 In the record it says Temple’s East Nicanor gate was opened by itself and the door was made out of copper and need many people to close it.

 

E) Evidence that is out of socially accepted idea

If Jesus’ resurrection was false they wouldn’t have recorded what women have experienced When Jesus just resurrected from the death, because in Jewish culture they do not take any evidence from women. Luke knows the culture so he recorded in Luke 24:11 “¹¹ And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them.  

 Mark recorded similar as well. They recorded as evidence from women, which was ignoring their cultural belief, but this means it was strong evidence

 

F) Today’s last evidence:  endless Martyrs

In the beginning many disciples who ran away from Jesus’ death came back and strongly testified truth of Jesus’ resurrection.  It is because it is true otherwise they won’t be coming back. However, who would risk their own lives for false? Historian says about 10 million people died supporting Jesus’ resurrection in Roman era.

 

Con) Even now days we have Martyrs. However, something that is absolute truth and can’t deny is Jesus’resurrection. Halleluiah   (041617/ IK Sun, Ahn)