Sunday Morning Introduction and Background Class #21 Post-Resurrection Appearances of Jesus

Jesus’ Death, Burial, and Resurrection: The Gospel Message 1 Cor. 15:3-4 – “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, ”

Key Facts of the Gospel / Resurrection D B R Death Burial Resurrection B E A T Burial of Dead Body Empty Tomb Appearances to Witnesses Transformation of Followers

Jesus Died on the Cross His Body Prepared for Burial Body Laid in New Tomb

Roman Guards Posted and Door Sealed Yet, Tomb Was Found Empty Stone Door Rolled Shut Roman Guards Posted and Door Sealed Yet, Tomb Was Found Empty

Jesus’ Death, Burial, and Resurrection: The Gospel Message 1 Cor. 15:3-4 – “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, ”

The Importance of Jesus’ Appearances After His Resurrection: 1 Cor. 15:4b-8 – “that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now; then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.”

Jesus’ Appearances Document: Eyewitnesses to the Resurrection Rob VandeWeghe

Eyewitnesses to the Resurrection – Part of the Historical Record The strongest type of testimony Large number of witnesses Both individual and group appearances Different settings & backgrounds of witnesses Some witnesses were not originally followers of Jesus (e.g., James and Paul). Specific people are named as witnesses. They were available for cross-examination. “There can hardly be any purpose in mentioning the fact that most of the five hundred are still alive, unless Paul is saying, in effect, ‘The witnesses are there to be questioned.’” – C.H. Dodd

Transformation Imagine the situation the disciples faced following Jesus' crucifixion: Their leader was dead. The coming kingdom seemed impossible. Jesus' execution seemed to expose him as a heretic. Nevertheless, the disciples suddenly came to believe so strongly that God had raised Jesus from the dead that they were willing to die for the truth of that belief.

Transformation, cont. Luke Johnson: "Some sort of powerful, transformative experience is required to generate the sort of movement earliest Christianity was.” N.T. Wright: "That is why, as an historian, I cannot explain the rise of early Christianity unless Jesus rose again, leaving an empty tomb behind him.” F.F. Bruce: “The resurrection faith brought the scattered followers of Jesus together again, and within a few weeks after His death they appear as a coherent, vigorous, and self-propagating community in Jerusalem.”

Transformation, cont. Ben Witherington: “Thus, a consistent witness to Jesus’ resurrection runs throughout our sources, and this provides prima facie evidence that Jesus’ resurrection and appearances provide the key historical middle terms between the life and death of Jesus and the birth of the early church.” In other words, the apostles’ transformation by the resurrection of Jesus is what sets the stage for the “Acts of the Apostles.”

THE RESURRECTION APPEARANCES OF JESUS Five appearances are given as occurring on the day of Jesus’ resurrection, and five or more others occurred during the next 39 days. The appearance to Paul was later. Event Location/Time Scriptures Notes Appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene Jerusalem on Sunday Mk. 16:9-11; Jn. 20:11-18 Mark 16:9 makes clear that Mary is the first witness to whom Jesus appeared. Appearance of Jesus to the other women Matt. 28:9-10 The women worship the resurrected Jesus. Appearance to two on road to Emmaus Road on Sunday afternoon Mk. 16:12, 13; Lk. 24:13-32 They recognize Him as He breaks bread and blesses it. Appearance to Simon Peter Jerusalem, Sunday evening Lk. 24:33-35; I Cor. 15:5 Two disciples give their report and hear of Jesus' appearance to Simon. Appearance to disciples without Thomas Mk. 16:14; Lk. 24:36-43; Jn. 20:19-25 Jesus appears to all of the disciples except Thomas in the upper room. Appearance to Thomas and the disciples Jerusalem, 8 days later Jn. 20:26-31; I Cor. 15:5 Jesus appears to Thomas who then worships Jesus. Appearance to seven disciples at the Sea Sea of Galilee John 21 Miraculous catch of fish Appearance to over 500 at once Mountain side in Galilee? I Cor. 15:6; Mk. 16:15-18?; Matt. 28:16-20? May be occasion of commission in Mt. and Mk. Appearance to James ? I Cor. 15:7 Most likely the brother of Jesus Appearance to disciples with "Great Commission" Jerusalem Lk. 24:44-49; Acts 1:3-8; Mk. 16:15-18?; Matt. 28:16-20? Jesus teaches them He is the fulfillment of O. T. prophecies and gives them commission. Ascension possibly on this same occasion. Appearance and Ascension On Olivet between Jerusalem and Bethany Mk. 16:19-20; Lk. 24:50-53; Acts 1:9-12 Jesus blessed those gathered and was taken up, a cloud received Him out of their sight. Appearance to Saul of Tarsus I Cor. 15:8; Acts 9:17,27, 2 Cor. 12:1?, Gal. 1:17? Last of all, Jesus appeared to Paul.

Locations of the Biblical Appearances of Jesus Rob VandeWeghe

A Chronology of Jesus’ Appearances Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene Jesus appears to the other women Jesus appears to two disc. on road to Emmaus Jesus appears to Peter Jesus appears to all the apostles at once, except Thomas absent They thought He was a spirit at first He showed them His hands and feet He ate before them

A Chronology of Jesus’ Appearances, cont. Jesus appears to all apostles, incl. Thomas Thomas believes when he sees and touches Jesus

Jesus’ Two Appearances to Apostles Compared (John 20:19-29) Two appearances separated by a week Apostles in same location in Jerusalem Jesus enters through closed doors each time Same greeting, “Peace be with you” Shows His hands and side each time as evidence of His physical resurrection Reproves all of them for their slowness to believe (Mk. 16:14, Jn. 20:27, 29) Conclusion of the 10: “We have seen the Lord!” (20:25) Conclusion of Thomas: “My Lord and my God!” (20:28)

A Chronology of Jesus’ Appearances, cont. Jesus appears to all apostles, incl. Thomas Thomas believes when he sees and touches Jesus Jesus appears beside the Sea of Tiberias (Galilee) to seven of His disciples

The Appearance at the Sea of Tiberias (John 21) Setting has changed to Galilee Seven disciples are witnesses Five are named: Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, James, and John Miraculous catch of fish at Jesus’ direction (after catching none all night) John first to recognize Jesus They eat with Jesus on the shore Jesus encourages Peter to tend his sheep and follow Him Predicts Peter’s death, but doesn’t answer question about John’s fate

A Chronology of Jesus’ Appearances, cont. Jesus appears to all apostles, incl. Thomas Thomas believes when he sees and touches Jesus Jesus appears beside the Sea of Tiberias (Galilee) to seven of His disciples Appearance to over 500 at once (1 Cor. 15:6)

The Appearance to Over 500 (1 Cor. 15:6, Mk.16?, Mt. 28?) Setting may be a mtn. in Galilee (Mt.28:16) Many followers knew to meet in Galilee: Mt. 26:32, 28:7, 10) Paul said most of these witnesses were still alive at the time of his letter to the Corinthians

A Chronology of Jesus’ Appearances, cont. Jesus appears to all apostles, incl. Thomas Thomas believes when he sees and touches Jesus Jesus appears beside the Sea of Tiberias (Galilee) to seven of His disciples Appearance to over 500 at once (1 Cor. 15:6) Appears to James (likely bro. of Jesus) – 15:7

The Appearance to James (1 Cor. 15:7) Time and setting of this appearance is unknown This witness could be one of several James’ Since the mention by Paul implies that he would be prominent enough to be well known to the Corinthians, this is likely James, the brother of Jesus. Josephus records that James was stoned by the Sanhedrin sometime after 60 AD. For his faith in Christ – strong evidence of a life-changing appearance.

A Chronology of Jesus’ Appearances, cont. Jesus appears to all apostles, incl. Thomas Thomas believes when he sees and touches Jesus Jesus appears beside the Sea of Tiberias (Galilee) to seven of His disciples Appearance to over 500 at once (1 Cor. 15:6) Appears to James (likely bro. of Jesus) – 15:7 One or more appearances connected to: Great commission and ascension

The Commission / Ascension Appearances (Matt. 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, Acts 1) These were likely more than one appearance. The setting in Matthew is clearly in Galilee, while the ascension was from the Mt. of Olives between Jerusalem and Bethany (Lk. 24, Acts 1) Jesus is taken up in the clouds from their sight Angels tell them He has been taken up to heaven (Acts 1:11) In heaven, He sat down at the right hand of God (Mk. 16:19)

A Chronology of Jesus’ Appearances, cont. Jesus appears to all apostles, incl. Thomas Thomas believes when he sees and touches Jesus Jesus appears beside the Sea of Tiberias (Galilee) to seven of His disciples Appearance to over 500 at once (1 Cor. 15:6) Appears to James (likely bro. of Jesus) – 15:7 One or more appearances connected to: Great commission and ascension Final appearance to Saul of Tarsus (Paul)

Appearance to Paul (1 Cor. 15:8) Jesus appeared to Paul “last of all” The setting mentioned here may have been on the road to Damascus, in Arabia?, or another time. Jesus appeared to Paul in multiple “visions”, but at least one occasion carried the weight of a resurrection appearance in Paul’s mind. Obviously, Paul’s life was forever changed by his first encounter with Jesus.

He Is Risen!