1 Corinthians 15:3-6 "...Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again on the third day according to the scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred bretheren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep."
This scripture is one of the accounts where we see someone proclaiming that Jesus was seen by over 500 eye witnesses after having been buried. It is just crazy to think that this could have happened. Jesus was massacred and left for dead, nobody has ever argued that. In fact it is one of the most well known truths all around the globe (that Jesus lived, claimed to be God and was beaten to death). I have heard people argue that Jesus never came out of that tomb, saying "it's not humanly possible". To that comment I agree, it's not humanly possible, those people are correct. God isn't confined to human boundaries.
Christian Rebuddle-
-If Jesus never came out of the grave then why did people die for Him after He was dead?
-How could the Word of God (bible) have spread so quickly and passionately after Jesus died and how did the church form if it was based on something that was unproven?
-Who convinced the 500 eye witnesses to claim to see a lie, how much did they get payed off, how come none of them ever came clean and confessed that it was all a lie if they were bribed?
-How come nobody has found the bible to be inaccurate if it's based on all these lies?
-Why do churches flourish everywhere regardless of socioeconomic status?
These are all questions I've asked myself, helping to make sense of my faith and ground my belief. There is an experience that comes with knowing and surrendering to Jesus. An experience that rocks your world and instantly eliminates the doubt we previously had. Unfortunately I'm so sinful that the doubt occassionally creeps back and it needs to be checked by prayer/reading the scriptures/fellowship/etc... I really believe that being seen by 1 wouldn't have been good enough, being seen by the 12 would have been called a hoax. However being seen by 500 random people is just enough to hold up in the court of law. The crazy part is that we generally don't believe some things until we see them. That's why faith is the link that takes us to the next level.
Talking Point-
Is it ironic that Paul points out that even some of the people who saw Him after being buried and rising from the tomb have fallen asleep (or fallen away from the faith) ? Shows you how sin-serving we can be.
6 comments:
I've always believed the term "fallen asleep" here referred to physical death such as in Acts 7:60 (stoning of Stephen). However, you make a good point that even with all the evidence we have before us we still easily fall back into the service of sin.
Additions to Jules post....
"At no point within the New Testament is there any evidence that the Christians stood for an original philosophy of life or an original ethic. Their sole function is to bear witness to what they claim as an event - the raising of Jesus from among the dead."
"As a historic fact, it has been His Resurrection that has enabled men to believe in His official exaltation over humanity. It is not a mere question of the moral influence of His character, example, and teaching. It is that their present surrender to Him as their Redeemer has been promoted by this belief, and could not be justified without it."
"Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed." - Luke 1:1-4 (Luke)
- Luke combined a two-volume (Luke & Acts) work addressed to Theophilus (Roman dignitary) which gave a sweeping history of the founding of Christianity. Luke clearly states that his knowledge of all the events he records came directly from the reports of those who were eyewitnesses. By acknowledging that he compiled his account from various reliable sources through exhaustive investigation, it is evident that Luke was in no way attempting to create any fabrications of historical events in order to forward some new religious philosophy. Luke simply reports the results of his investigation.
"And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe." - John 19:35 (John)
- John saw firsthand what went down on the day of Christ's crucifixion and therefore has complete confidence in the testimony that he shares about these events. He is simply sharing what he saw happen.
"To the apostles, He presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God." - Acts 1:3 (Luke)
- Luke claims that through many infallible proofs, Jesus left no doubt in the apostles' minds that He truly had risen from the dead. It wasn't as if Jesus just appeared to the disciples in dreams or in brief fainting moments. Jesus entered a room where they were and showed them the crucifixion wounds. Jesus ate and drank with the disciples and made appearances to many others as well during the forty day period following His crucifixion. The apostles had clear cut evidence which led to their newfound confidence and boldness in sharing the message of Jesus Christ. They simply shared what they knew to be true.
"This Jesus, God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses." - Acts 2:32 (Peter)
- TEvans
and I've come back for seconds......
"And I, brethren, when I came to you did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." - 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 (Paul)
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life - the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us - that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full." - 1 John 1:1-4 (John)
- TEvans
Dare I say more?
I think it is also very important to note that no one ever argued that the tomb was empty. That was universally known. Something out of the ordinary happened and no one was refuting that. The question that everyone was trying to provide an answer for was, "why is the tomb empty?". Everyone (believers and non-believers, Jews and Gentiles) knew that Jesus was crucified, died, buried, and somehow exited His grave on the third day.
So therefore a critic of Christ is forced to explain the unexplainable (why is that tomb empty and where is the body?). And this he is forced to explain with no evidence of anything other than the miraculous. I don't know about you but I don't have enough faith not to believe.
- TEvans
I was gonna leave a comment but Terry wrecked it for me. Ahh good post Ben.
Ya, I dig Jesus for so many reasons but one of my favorite things He did was after He had risen and He knew his boys were frightened because they thought He was a ghost or whatever and instead of trying to convince them that He was truly alive ("No guys, really, it's me!") He says touch me and feel for yourself and then asks for some food! They give him some broiled fish and He goes to town. Classic Saviour!
"As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them." -Luke 24:36-43
Ya Baj that is classic!
"Give me some fish!"
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