1. Corinthians 15.3For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep;
2. Question: Did any of these 500 and any of those they told or wrote to about this miracle write a report of what they had seen?
Or, in reality, had they seen anything unusual? Keep in mind Paul was not there nor yet a Christian.
Is there any confirmation of 500 people seeing risen Christ?
Moderator: Moderators
Post #11
Reply to post 10:
First of all, Paul did not see the resurrected Christ! When, the dead are raised (resurrection), they are physical and not glorified! He only heard a voice and saw a light, which seemed to blind him! Nor, does the story say that the Christ explained anything to him, except to answer Paul's question. The Christ asked Paul: why was he persecuting his followers? And then, told Paul to go into the city and he would be told what to do…
Also, it is inaccurate that Paul received revelation from the Christ (at the time period in question). In Galatians 1:15-16, Paul claims that it was "God" who revealed the Christ to him, so that Paul would preach him (the Son of God) to the Gentiles. So, it is clear that Galatians 1:12 is not referring to the revelation given by the Christ, but the revelation given of the Christ…In Acts 28:23-31, it is written that Paul was preaching to some Jews concerning the Christ from the Torah and the prophets. So, in reality, the revelation that Paul received (from God) was the opening of his eyes to the writings that he had studied his whole life, beginning from about 12 years old, which were included in the O.T. and related to the coming Messiah…
However, most fail to understand what Paul and the Israelites believed relating to the resurrection, during this period. A simple explanation would be: A belief that prohibited anyone's rising from the dead, before the resurrection at the end of the world, as we know it. However, this doctrine does not include those who were "resuscitated" from the grave and later, died again…
This understanding adds tremendous credibility to the testimony of those who witnessed the resurrection of the Christ. These individuals had a willingness to believe and die for something they would have considered anathema or being "cursed" for accepting a resurrected person, before the end of the world. Therefore, only an actually resurrected person would have made them change this core belief. Thus, the resurrection of the Christ must be true. Yet, when it comes to Paul, he did not witness such a person! Hence, he would have needed to have interactions, with those who had witnessed the resurrection of the dead…
So, if you reject the 500 witnesses, the only ones left are the apostles, some disciples and women. So, those who would have been in Jerusalem, when Paul returned there, would be the ones who verified the resurrection of the Christ to him (Acts 9:26-27).
Well, it seems that almost all humans have "mental images" in one way or another. Some call these visions, some call them dreams! So, I'm not in a position, nor have you given enough information for me to judge your friend Ralph's visions or beliefs. Are you? And, if you are: Why have you held back such important information?
First of all, Paul did not see the resurrected Christ! When, the dead are raised (resurrection), they are physical and not glorified! He only heard a voice and saw a light, which seemed to blind him! Nor, does the story say that the Christ explained anything to him, except to answer Paul's question. The Christ asked Paul: why was he persecuting his followers? And then, told Paul to go into the city and he would be told what to do…
Also, it is inaccurate that Paul received revelation from the Christ (at the time period in question). In Galatians 1:15-16, Paul claims that it was "God" who revealed the Christ to him, so that Paul would preach him (the Son of God) to the Gentiles. So, it is clear that Galatians 1:12 is not referring to the revelation given by the Christ, but the revelation given of the Christ…In Acts 28:23-31, it is written that Paul was preaching to some Jews concerning the Christ from the Torah and the prophets. So, in reality, the revelation that Paul received (from God) was the opening of his eyes to the writings that he had studied his whole life, beginning from about 12 years old, which were included in the O.T. and related to the coming Messiah…
However, most fail to understand what Paul and the Israelites believed relating to the resurrection, during this period. A simple explanation would be: A belief that prohibited anyone's rising from the dead, before the resurrection at the end of the world, as we know it. However, this doctrine does not include those who were "resuscitated" from the grave and later, died again…
This understanding adds tremendous credibility to the testimony of those who witnessed the resurrection of the Christ. These individuals had a willingness to believe and die for something they would have considered anathema or being "cursed" for accepting a resurrected person, before the end of the world. Therefore, only an actually resurrected person would have made them change this core belief. Thus, the resurrection of the Christ must be true. Yet, when it comes to Paul, he did not witness such a person! Hence, he would have needed to have interactions, with those who had witnessed the resurrection of the dead…
So, if you reject the 500 witnesses, the only ones left are the apostles, some disciples and women. So, those who would have been in Jerusalem, when Paul returned there, would be the ones who verified the resurrection of the Christ to him (Acts 9:26-27).
polonius wrote:My friend Ralph says he has visions too. In fact, all the time. He’s writing a book about them. You'll believe them without any question, right?
Well, it seems that almost all humans have "mental images" in one way or another. Some call these visions, some call them dreams! So, I'm not in a position, nor have you given enough information for me to judge your friend Ralph's visions or beliefs. Are you? And, if you are: Why have you held back such important information?
