Resurrection of Christ

Resurrection of Christ. The conviction that God not only sent His Son into the world but also vindicated Him after His death upon a cross, is fundamental to the NT witness and the cornerstone of Christian faith and theology.

One of the earliest Christian creeds, quoted by St Paul at 1 Cor. 15: 3–5 (perhaps 15: 3–7) speaks of Christ being raised (i.e. by God) ‘on the third day’, and appearing to Cephas (i.e. St Peter) and to the twelve. Other appearances are listed. Paul insists (v.11) that this belief was shared on all sides in the early Church.

The Gospels report the discovery of Christ's empty tomb either by St Mary Magdalene alone (Jn. 20: 1–9) or with one or more other women (Mt. 28: 1; Mk. 16: 1; Lk. 24: 10). They disagree over other details: whether it was one or two angels or young men who told of Christ's resurrection, whether Christ Himself then appeared, whether He or the young man directed the disciples to Galilee, and whether the women obeyed. Appearances in Jerusalem and/or Galilee follow. Attempts to harmonize these traditions have not persuaded critics, but the testimony of the biblical writers to the Divine event itself is unanimous. However, because Paul (writing earlier than the Evangelists) did not mention the empty tomb, some modern critics have questioned its historicity.

The nature of Christ's risen body has been a matter of debate. Insistence on its objective reality may be found at Lk. 24: 36–43, but the Gospels generally avoid implying that He was restored to His previous earthly life; He is said, for example, to have passed through closed doors (Jn. 20: 19).