Four Accounts  Mary Magdalene, Cleopas, Thomas, and Peter

What are the common threads between these four accounts?  The first account is Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James, weeping at the empty tomb of Jesus.  The second is the two disciples on their way to Emmaus.  Third, the passage that gave Thomas the nickname, doubting Thomas.  Fourth, Peter’s reinstatement after he had denied Jesus 3 times.

There are three common threads  They were all post-resurrection appearances.  Jesus pursued them all  Upon seeing the resurrected Christ and receiving the Holy Spirit, they were all transformed and lived radically for Jesus

Why is this study important?  Apostle Paul spoke on the centrality of the resurrection (1 Cor 15:12-19)  50 critical days after the crucifixion  40 days after the crucifixion when the resurrected Christ appeared  40 days were followed by 10 days of waiting for the Holy Spirit  Critical period but oddly, not much has been written about this - quick survey  7 sayings on the cross vs. 7 post-resurrection sayings

Click to edit the outline text format Second Outline Level  Third Outline Level Fourth Outline Level  Fifth Outline Level  Sixth Outline Level  Seventh Outline Level  Eighth Outline Level  Ninth Outline LevelClick to edit Master text styles  Second level  Third level Click to edit the outline text format Second Outline Level  Third Outline Level Fourth Outline Level  Fifth Outline Level  Sixth Outline Level  Seventh Outline Level  Eighth Outline Level  Ninth Outline LevelClick to edit Master text styles  Second level o Third level Click to edit the outline text format Second Outline Level  Third Outline Level Fourth Outline Level  Fifth Outline Level  Sixth Outline Level  Seventh Outline Level  Eighth Outline Level  Ninth Outline LevelClick to edit Master text styles  Second level  Third level  Difficulty to reconcile the facts  First saying: Why are you crying, Who are you looking for?  Mary Magdalene (Matt 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-18)  Second Word - Greetings... Don’t be afraid.  Mary Magdalene (Matt 28:8-10, Mark 16:9- 11)  Third Word - What are you so concerned about?  Cleopas and 1 other disciple on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-34)  Fourth Word - Peace be with you.  The Eleven + Thomas (Luke 24:33-43, John 20:19-29)  Fifth Word - Go into the world.  The Eleven (Matt 28:16-20, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24:45-49, John 20:21-23, John 21:17- 19)  Sixth Word - Have you caught any fish?  Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, sons of Zebedee, 2 other disciples (John 21:1-23)  Seventh Word - Wait for the gift.  The Eleven (Luke 24:45-49, Acts 1:1-11) Why hasn’t this been studied?

Reality is Messy  My jury duty experience  What are alternatives methods that God could have chosen to reveal his truth to us?  Single prophet, no discrepancies  Multiple people giving the same exact report for all major and minor details

Christianity as a Reasonable Faith  Women’s testimony  Incredible cohesion across centuries and dozens of writers  Historic, public nature of the crucifixion and post-resurrection appearances  No collaboration or conspiracy  Ring of truth