This is an excerpt from Pastor Mark’s book “Alive: 21 Reasons to Believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ ” as we countdown to Easter.
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“…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…” – 1 Corinthians 15:5-6
Reason #16: Jesus’ resurrection was recorded shortly after it occurred.
Mark’s Gospel account of the days leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion mentions the high priest without naming him because he expected his readers to know who he was speaking of (14:53, 54, 60, 61, 63).
Since Caiaphas was high priest from AD 18–37, the latest possible date for the mention is AD 37, which is within a few short years of Jesus’ death when eyewitnesses were still alive.
Jesus’ resurrection was celebrated in the earliest church creeds.
In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Paul says, “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.”
This statement is widely accepted as the earliest church creed, which began circulating as early as AD 30-36, shortly after Jesus’ Resurrection.
These facts prove that there was not sufficient time between the crucifixion and the report of Jesus’ Resurrection for a myth to become popular.
In addition, the Resurrection eyewitnesses were still alive and available to be questioned about the facts surrounding the Resurrection.
Imagine being one of the eyewitnesses to seeing Jesus after His resurrection. Would you speak up and defend having seen Him?
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