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. — 1 Corinthians 15:3-7
Paul quotes this creed in his first Epistle to the Corinthians, which he wrote around 54 CE. However, we note that Paul states he "delivered to you" meaning he had conveyed this creed to the Corinthians when he visited them, between 50 and 52 CE. "As of first importance" suggests we can date Paul delivering this creed early on, so 50 CE is reasonable.
When did Paul receive this? If Jesus died around 33 CE, then only 17 years passed between then and Paul delivering this creed to the Corinthians. Scholars (such as NT Wright and Gary Habermas) believe Paul received this creed during his visit to Jerusalem around 37 CE. This places the creed no more than 4 years after Jesus' death and resurrection.
Why is this significant? This shows that the confession that Jesus died for our sins and was raised on the third day is a creed that was developed during the time of eyewitnesses. It was not a later development, as many critics try to assert. Even Dr. Bart Ehrmann, a New Testament critic, acknowledges this (although, in fairness, he considers it probable, but not certain).
Christianity did not develop its core doctrines over time. They were present among the very first members of the Church.
FrogPaste
The earliest Christian creed?
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. — 1 Corinthians 15:3-7
Paul quotes this creed in his first Epistle to the Corinthians, which he wrote around 54 CE. However, we note that Paul states he "delivered to you" meaning he had conveyed this creed to the Corinthians when he visited them, between 50 and 52 CE. "As of first importance" suggests we can date Paul delivering this creed early on, so 50 CE is reasonable.
When did Paul receive this? If Jesus died around 33 CE, then only 17 years passed between then and Paul delivering this creed to the Corinthians. Scholars (such as NT Wright and Gary Habermas) believe Paul received this creed during his visit to Jerusalem around 37 CE. This places the creed no more than 4 years after Jesus' death and resurrection.
Why is this significant? This shows that the confession that Jesus died for our sins and was raised on the third day is a creed that was developed during the time of eyewitnesses. It was not a later development, as many critics try to assert. Even Dr. Bart Ehrmann, a New Testament critic, acknowledges this (although, in fairness, he considers it probable, but not certain).
Christianity did not develop its core doctrines over time. They were present among the very first members of the Church.
1 year ago (edited) | [YT] | 2