(1) William Lane Craig’s ARGUMENT FOR the historicity of the resurrection.
(2) In 1 Cor. 15:3-8 the apostle Paul provides a list of EYEWITNESSES of the resurrection.
(3) I call attention to the writings of Paul regarding the resurrection. 1 Thessalonians is generally considered to be the earliest epistle of Paul. It was written in the year 50-51 AD. It relates that Jesus Christ was killed (2:15; 4:14); and was raised from the dead (4:14). It also attributes to Jesus the functions of God in relation to men (1:1, 6; 3:11).
(4) Just 17-18 years after the crucifixion Jesus was described as divine. That is TOO SHORT of a period of time to be considered a legend or a myth.
(5) The radical critic, Gerd Ludemann, (1946-2021) is the author of the 2004 skeptical book “The Resurrection of Christ: A Historical Inquiry.”
(6) Gerd Ludemann DENIES the resurrection of Jesus, but he ADMITS, “It is HISTORICALLY CERTAIN that Peter and the other disciples had experiences after Jesus’ death in which Jesus appeared to them as the risen Christ.”
(7) Let’s think of the situation the disciples faced immediately following His cruel CRUCIFIXION. Now their leader was dead. His followers were obviously devastated and demoralized, having their hopes severely DASHED that Jesus had been sent by God as Israel’s Messiah and the deliverer from Roman oppression. Now, after the crucifixion, fearing for their lives, the disciples had lost ALL HOPE. They DESPERATELY SEARCHED for a place of REFUGE because they ANTICIPATED it would them next in line to be crucified.
(8) Observe that it’s Friday, but Sunday is coming.
(9) By Sunday these disciples UNDISPUTEDLY came to believe that Jesus was, in fact, raised from the dead. They were so COMPLETELY CONVINCED that they were willing to go to their DEATHS for that belief. Even the Pharisee, Paul, who had persecuted the People of the Way, along with James, the skeptical brother of Jesus, both SUDDENLY became followers of Christ after His appearance to them.
(10) But then matters DRAMATICALLY CHANGED. After the resurrection, the disciples were TRANSFORMED from FEARFUL to FEARLESS, from hiding in SILENCE to public PROCLAIMERS of this specific message — Jesus was the Messiah of God who died on a cross for the sins of the world, was buried, was resurrected from the dead, and was seen alive by the disciples and many other eyewitnesses.
(11) But then matters DRAMATICALLY CHANGED. After the resurrection, the disciples were TRANSFORMED from FEARFUL to FEARLESS, from hiding in SILENCE to public PROCLAIMERS of this specific message — Jesus was the Messiah of God who died on a cross for the sins of the world, was buried, was resurrected from the dead, and was seen alive by the disciples and many other eyewitnesses.