The Resurrection Of Christ 

1 Corinthians 15:1–19

We have at this time given consideration to a number of issues related to Jesus Christ and we have largely presented him from the scriptures as the very subject of our faith. 

We have considered the Statement of Faith that we hold and given testimony that our faith is well founded as that which comes directly from the scriptures, to this we consent. 

But, there is one element that we have not given as much consideration regarding Jesus Christ, and that is that he is a real person of history!

Yes, we have alluded to him in the last message as a part of history, indeed we considered him and his death as the very pivot on which the door of history swings, all that is since his death is reflected in each of our birthdays, the dating system of the western world has its reference point in Christ. 

(Though this is something I believe may change under the antichrist who “think to change times and laws” (Dan 7:25) as he tries to Reset the world according to his image). 

But have we really given due consideration to Christ, and especially his resurrection with the light of history? 

Have we yet shown Christ as a true historical figure?

1 Corinthians 15 is one of the most important passages in the New Testament declaring the reality of all we believe. 

It is accounted by Theologians AND sceptical Scholars as a passage so fundamental to the Christian faith, not least of which because of WHO WROTE IT…Paul, the one-time enemy of Christ.

Within the passage we find;

The Declaration of an Oral Tradition via a memorised Creed specifically in verses 3-7.

That it testifies to those things as having their primary origins in The Scriptures, that is, The Old Testament Scriptures.

That it is reflected in SECULAR History by writings OUTSIDE the Bible.

-That its truthfulness was evident through the WITNESS of those both once sceptics and enemies AND the witness of those persecuted for that faith.

 

THE CREED

1 Corinthians 15:1–7

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

The early Church did not have access to a Bible as you and I do today. It was not a “Click” away and ready to be hand-delivered on our doorstep the following day. The Scriptures were all “Manuscripts”, copied by hand.

It was both tedious, time-consuming AND expensive. 

In the first few years before the New Testament came together, it was through memory that the doctrines that were taught would be retained and that through what is known as a “Creed”. 

We see in verse 2 that Paul mentions the keeping in mind of those things he taught them.

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

The manner of memory through which those things are taught is through “Creeds”.

What is a “Creed”?

In short, it is a relatively short statement of faith around a given topic. Some look to summarise the entire Christian doctrine in a single creed such as the famous “Apostles Creed” and “Nicene Creed”, but what we see in the scriptures are a handful of very short statements that are indeed Creeds passed on from one