1 Corinthians 15:3-6

“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 brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep” (RSV).

Comment:

Paul, writing from Ephesus, was having trouble keeping his community in Corinth aligned with his teachings and beliefs. Since there were as yet no Gospels available, the ministry of Jesus Christ depended on personal narratives, and they were often wildly inconsistent. Apparently the church in Corinth was being influenced by speakers who were denying the truth of the resurrection. Paul, of course, was not a witness, but he is insisting on “what I also received,” which is carefully set out in this passage. For reasons I discussed in my answer to your previous question about Romans, we understand the truth that Jesus Christ went through a death experience to prove the illusory nature of death itself, and that out of infinite love, he appeared to his followers to establish that spiritual truth. (We have no record of the appearance to 500 Paul mentions; it was apparently known at the time but not recorded in any subsequent Gospels.)

Blessings!

Rev. Ed