Debate raged hot in the first century. Jewish rabbis clashed as they passionately lobbied for disciples. What was the issue you ask? In one word – resurrection! The sect known as the Sadducees denied there would be a resurrection of the human body after death, while the Pharisees affirmed it would be a future reality (Acts 23:8).
Long centuries earlier, the patriarch Job pondered the question: “If a man die, shall he live again” (Job 14:14)? Life after death has intrigued mankind for millennia.
Saul of Tarsus had been trained “at the feet of Gamaliel” (Acts 22:3), a renowned Jewish teacher. Being a Pharisee (Philippians 3:5), he believed in the resurrection. However, initially Saul had not been convinced that Jesus was the genuine Messiah. In fact, he vehemently pursued those who claimed allegiance to Jesus of Nazareth. What convinced this man that Jesus was indeed alive?
Luke records some details of the conversion of this persecutor of the early saints (Acts 9, 22, 26). He was given the privilege of seeing the risen Lord. Later, Saul became known as Paul the apostle. He wrote extensively about the resurrection because some began to deny the resurrection doctrine (1 Corinthians 15:12). Paul listed some who were eyewitnesses of the resurrected Christ (1 Corinthians 15:5-8): (1) Cephas (Peter), (2) the twelve (apostles), (3) over 500 brethren at one time, (4) James, (5) all the apostles and (6) Paul.
Any lawyer making his case is pleased if he has an eyewitness to corroborate an event in question. How airtight would the case be if over 500 eyewitnesses could be called? Furthermore, at the time of Paul’s writing, he affirmed that the majority of the 500 eyewitnesses were still alive (1 Corinthians 15:6).
Christianity is unique among religions. Other religious systems have founders who are now dead. In contrast, Jesus is “alive forevermore” (Revelation 1:18). There shall always be the doubting-Thomas types in every generation. Christianity has its very foundation on the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:16-20).
