Unveiling Easter's Earliest Creed: A Revealing Insight

Easter's Earliest Creed

The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of Christianity. The earliest Christians boldly proclaimed the resurrection as the central belief and ultimate proof of Jesus' divinity. Without the resurrection, Christianity would cease to exist. The apostle Paul succinctly stated, "And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!" (1 Corinthians 15:17).

The resurrection of Jesus is rooted in the historical events described in Genesis. Paul confirms the historicity of Genesis in 1 Corinthians 15:21–22, where he states, "For since by man came death, by man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive." This means that Paul believed in a real Adam and a historical Fall in the Garden of Eden. According to Paul, death and sin entered the world because of Adam's rebellion against God. Building his case for the resurrection on the foundation of Genesis, Paul draws a clear distinction between Adam and Jesus Christ. While Adam brought death, Jesus brought life. Paul emphasizes this contrast by stating, "The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven." Essentially, Adam was created by God, while Jesus Christ is the Creator of all things and has power over life and death.

Today, skeptics often dismiss the resurrection as a product of myth or wishful thinking. However, the resurrection is supported by early and reliable eyewitness accounts. The earliest and most historically reliable evidence for Jesus' resurrection is found in the first official creed of the early church.

Contents of the Creed

This early creed records the sacrificial death, burial, resurrection, and post-resurrection appearances of Jesus Christ. It is specific and filled with eyewitness testimony. In 1 Corinthians 15:3–8, Paul writes:

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

Author of the Creed

The apostle Paul was the first to put this early creed into writing. Before accepting Jesus as the Messiah, Paul, also known as Saul of Tarsus, was a devout follower of Pharisaic Judaism. As a Pharisee, he was well-versed in Jewish tradition and the Old Testament Scriptures. Paul had significant social and religious influence in the Jewish community.

Initially, Paul persecuted early Christians after Christianity began to spread rapidly following Jesus' death and resurrection. However, during his journey to Damascus to imprison more Christians, Paul had a life-changing encounter with the resurrected Christ. This encounter led Paul to be baptized and proclaim Jesus Christ as the Son of God who rose from the dead. Many early Christians were skeptical and fearful of Paul's sudden change of heart. Nevertheless, Paul became one of the greatest missionaries of all time, even facing death while preaching about Jesus Christ.

Date of the Creed

Scholars believe that Paul wrote 1 Corinthians around 55 AD, approximately twenty-two years after Jesus' death and resurrection. Some scholars argue that it could have been written even earlier. However, evidence suggests that the earliest Christian creed was formulated and taught within five years after Jesus' death and resurrection. Various scholars date it even earlier than that. The creed's extreme earliness undermines any claims of myth or legend surrounding the resurrection.

An Official Creed

The creed possesses all the characteristics of an official creed. Paul uses the words "delivered" and "received," which are technical terms indicating that he is passing along a holy tradition. The grammatical structure and style also indicate that it is a creed. Additionally, Paul uses unconventional phrases such as "he was raised," "the third day," and "the twelve," which reflect the earliest stage of historical Christianity. The content and wording of the creed are similar to Aramaic and Mishnaic Hebrew means of narration.

Historical Reliability of the Creed

German historian Hans von Campenhausen affirms the historical reliability of the creed, stating that it meets all the demands of historical reliability. Pinchas Lapide, a Jewish New Testament scholar, considers the creed so reliable that it may be considered a statement of eyewitnesses. The creed is built upon the eyewitness testimony of the earliest believers, as well as Peter, James, and Paul. Paul's visit to Jerusalem to meet with Peter and James lends further credibility to the historicity of the creed.

Reference to the 500 Witnesses

The creed mentions that Jesus appeared to more than five hundred people at once after his death. While this event is not documented in the Gospels or other New Testament epistles, it does not invalidate its occurrence. The absence of corroboration from contemporary writers does not disprove its reality. The early dating and reliability of the creed make it highly credible. Critics argue that the Gospel accounts of post-resurrection appearances evolved over time, but the 1 Corinthians 15 creed predates the Gospels and documents the greatest number of appearances.

It is worth noting that Paul wrote this creed shortly after these witnesses had seen Jesus alive. By mentioning that most of these witnesses were still alive, Paul was essentially inviting others to verify their testimonies. The creed's inclusion of such a phrase indicates Paul's confidence in the truth of these accounts.

Conclusion

The 1 Corinthians 15 creed provides early and historically reliable evidence for the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. The earliness of the creed and its close connection to eyewitnesses make it highly credible. It specifically cites James and Paul, who were former skeptics turned believers, as witnesses to the resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus is not only significant for Christianity but also challenges the philosophy of naturalism/materialism that underlies evolutionary reasoning. It confirms Jesus Christ as the Lord of space, time, and history, validating the historical events described in the Bible, such as Adam and Eve, the Noahic Flood, and a young earth. The resurrection is a turning point in history and offers hope of eternal life for those who believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Why This Matters:

Understanding the historical reliability of the resurrection is crucial for Christians. It confirms the central belief of Christianity and provides evidence for Jesus' divinity. The early dating and credibility of the creed undermine claims that the resurrection is a myth or legend. It strengthens believers' faith and serves as a foundation for their hope in eternal life.

Think About It:

Consider the impact of the resurrection on your own faith. How does knowing about the early and reliable evidence for Jesus' resurrection strengthen your belief in Christianity? Reflect on how the resurrection shapes your understanding of Jesus' divinity and its significance for your life as a Christian.