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There is a virtual consensus among scholars who study Jesus’ resurrection (Christian & non believers) that, subsequent to Jesus’ death by crucifixion, his disciples really did believe Jesus appeared to them risen from the dead.

This data from Habermas’ survey of New Testament scholarship suggests two clear facts:

1. Disciples claimed that the risen Jesus had appeared to them
2. Subsequent to Jesus’ death by crucifixion, his disciples were radically transformed from fearful, cowering individuals who denied and abandoned him at his arrest and execution into bold proclaimers of the gospel of the risen Jesus Christ. They remained steadfast in the face of imprisonment, torture, martyrdom. It was clear they believe Jesus rose from the dead

There are nine early independent sources for these claims from antiquity that we’ll investigate here which that fall into 3 categories: 

1. The testimony of Paul about the disciples
2. The oral tradition that passed through the early church
3. The written works of the early church

Ok, let’s start with Paul

Paul

Paul provides very strong evidence for establishing the Resurrection claims of the original disciples. He claimed his authority in the church was equal to the other apostles. That authority was affirmed by a variety of the apostolic fathers soon after the completion of the New Testament. Two of those early writers could well have been disciples of the apostles. Paul reported that he knew at least some of the other disciples, including the big three: Peter, James, and John. Acts reports that the disciples and Paul knew and fellowshipped with one another. Other early Christian writers within one hundred years of Jesus also appeared to hold that the disciples and Paul were colleagues, since they included Paul in the group named “apostles.” Therefore, what he has to say concerning the other apostles is important. After writing on the resurrection of Jesus in 1 Corinthians 15: 3–8, Paul said he worked harder than all of the other apostles (15:10), but that whether “it was I or they, this [i.e., Jesus’ resurrection appearances] is what we preach” (15:11). We can state Paul was well acquainted with the apostles at a personal level and of their reports that they claimed that Jesus rose from the dead.

The Sceptics bible

Some may blanket reject the bible to prove the bible. But remember, what we’re not doing here is assuming divine inspiration for the sake of historical enquiry. The New Testament is a volume of literature containing 27 separate books and letters. Scholarly Critics, unfriendly to evangelicals, grant 7 of Paul’s letters, though some grant 8 like G.A. Wells, who’s considered an extreme critic and a mythicist (denying Jesus even existed contrary to what the scholarly consensus is). These books/letters are: Romans, 1-2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, and Philemon. They Identify Paul’s authorship, tone and writing style to their opinion. We are only using data that is well evidenced and accepted by nearly all scholars who have studied the subject and here we’re even prepared to use a few extreme fringe scholars. Maybe someone should print a bible that only contains bible verses these critical scholars accept! Might help us to know what they’ll let us use in an argument. Paul is a source independent from the apostles, We know all the writings were done in the 1st century.

Creeds: 1 Corinthians 15 & breakdown

Creeds, hymns, compressed stories and songs can be seen in the New Testament documents which would predate Paul’s writings. This is key because it would lead you right back to their first use, before Paul’s letters. Creeds are a popular means to pass along important information in a format friendly to memorisation and retention. The word ‘creed’ comes from the Latin word credo, meaning ‘I believe and trust’.

1 Corinthians 15:3-5 is the first part of one of the oldest creeds is quoted. It goes like this:

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas (Peter), and then to the Twelve”.

1 Corinthians 15:3-5

First Paul’s introductory comments “I delivered to you what I also received”

Denotes the imparting of oral tradition (11:23), a saying familiar to Judaism. Paul is saying that he delivered to the Corinthian church information he received from others. 

Second, Since the first Christians were Jews, we would expect that the early Creeds and hymns would appear in the primary spoken language Aramaic. There are indications that versus 3-5 had an Aramaic origin (non-Pauline) such as the fourfold use of the Greek term for that (hoti)  common in Arabic narration and the name Cephas which is Aramaic for Peter (see John 1:42).  

Third, the text content is stylized and contains parallelism. The first and third lines are longer, have the same construction,  and contain the phrase “according to the scriptures” at the end followed by a short sentence beginning with “that” (a) that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures (b) and that he was buried (c) and that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures (d) and that he appeared to Cephas.

A Non-Pauline term indicates that he probably did not form the Creed but got it elsewhere as he States in verse 3 (he received it). To find creeds in the New Testament is no surprise as this would help the public readers and those trying to learn it. Many scholars claim Paul received this creed from Peter, which would put it within five years of the crucifixion and it being from the disciples themselves.

How do scholars date the creed?

Jesus’s crucifixion has been dated at AD30 by most scholars, who also date Paul’s conversion to between 31 and 33 AD. Paul went away for 3 years after his conversion, afterwards visiting Peter and James in Jerusalem (Galatians 1:18-19). Many scholars believe Paul received the Creed from Peter and James at this time. One reason for this is Paul’s use of the Greek term historesai  to describe his visit with Peter (The term means “to gain a historical account”). See its use in Esther 8:12 (LXX translation); Esdras 1:33 (2 times), 40;2; Maccabees 2:24, 30, 32 (2 times); 4 Maccabees 3:19; 17:7. So when Paul visited Peter, he went with the intent of learning first-hand from Peter about Jesus. Paul said he also saw James aswell there (Galatians 1:19).  Accordingly even if Paul was not given the Creed at this time, he learnt information from two of the most prominent disciples who had known Jesus. Thus, he would know if the content in the Creed was their testimony. Another option is that he received it in Damascus at the time of his conversion (which places the origin of the Creed even earlier). Either way, it is indicated that he received it within 2 to 5 years after Jesus’ crucifixion from the disciples of themselves. 

Paul says he delivered this creed to the Corinthians when he saw them and that he received the creed earlier (“I delivered to you… what I also received”). The creed would have originated earlier still. At minimum, Paul must have received the creed from someone he, an apostle, deemed to be a trustworthy source. We’ve already seen that in both of his early discussions with the most prominent apostles all agreed upon the content of the gospel (Galatians 1:16-2:10). Critics grant this fact too. It should also be noted that just a few verses after the creed, Paul said that the other apostles were currently teaching the same message concerning Jesus’ resurrection appearances (1 Corinthians 15:9-11, 14-15)

Scholars on the creed

This is the sort of data historians of antiquity drool over

Dean John Rodgers of Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry

[Talking about Paul] Certainly not later than his visit to Jerusalem in 35 CE, when he saw Cephas (Peter) and James (Gal. 1:18-19)

The Oxford Companion to the Bible

…the elements in the tradition are to be dated to the first two years after the crucifixion of Jesus…not later than three years

Gerd Lüdemann, Atheist New Testament Professor

…The conviction that Jesus had risen from the dead had already taken root by the time Paul was converted about 33 C.E. On the assumption that Jesus died about 30 C.E., the time for development was thus two or three years at most.

Robert Funk. Sceptical New Testament scholar, founder of the Jesus Seminar

…that was why he made sure to pass it on to the Corinthians when they first believed (15.1-2) (128). This tradition, we can be entirely confident, was formulated as tradition within months of Jesus’ death.

James D.G. Dunn, Leading New Testament Scholar

One is right to speak of ‘earliest times’ here, … most probably in the first half of the 30s.” Another leading New Testament scholar N.T. Wright of Oxford states: “It was probably formulated within the first two or three years after Easter itself, since it was already in formulaic form when Paul ‘received’ it.

A. J. M. Wedderburn, secular non-Christian New Testament Scholar

Brief mention on sermon summaries

There are sermon summaries in Acts 1-5 which are recognised by scholars as early oral written tradition. The reasons why scholars believe that they can identify these summaries as oral tradition include their possession of Jewish words and traits, referred to as Semitisms. Unlike the rest of Acts, which is written using the Greek of an educated person. These traits may well reflect that the summaries were from an original source in Aramaic, a common language known by first century Jews that was very similar to Hebrew, and later translated to Greek. The author was an educated Gentile writer who also claimed to have received his information from the original disciples: “just as they (i.e. the stories about Jesus) were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word” (Luke 1:2). The succinct sermons record only basic doctrines, compared to a more detailed theology in the writings of the later church fathers

Summary

Creeds are the ancient tape recorders And also could be used for the structure for sermons in the early church. Most scholars agree that many of the sermons in Acts contain oral summaries included in the text that can be traced to the earliest teachings of the church and possibly to the disciples themselves. We say “possible” because we are considering only what we can argue from in our minimal facts approach, not because we doubt the testimony of Luke. But what we can say with historical certainty, is that these creeds were used very early, even if they weren’t from the lips of the apostles, they are very close to it.

Written tradition: gospels

I need not say much here.. The Gospel sources cannot be ignored as a source and are clear testimony of what the disciples saw and believed. It is well accepted the gospels were written in the 1st century AD from a scholarly viewpoint, regardless if they wrestle with their authorship, they contain 1st century details. Each gospel attests to the resurrection of Jesus

That’s four accounts within 70 years maximum of Jesus’ life claiming he rose from the dead, two of them Christians claim are written by disciples with three of them talking of the disciples pre and post resurrection appearances of Jesus. Having four ancients documents with overlapping events is scholarly gold when it comes to building a case for someone’s existence, Historians have the same scenario with Plutarch’s writings: multiple overlapping stories, the difference being Christians have four authors, not one. 

Apostolic fathers (Disciples of the apostles)

We also have the testimony and works of the Apostolic Fathers. These are the church leaders who succeeded the apostles. It is very likely they would’ve known the apostles or known people who did. This creates strong links to the early church teachings directly to the apostles.

Clement

The apostolic fathers taught the apostles were dramatically impacted by Jesus’ resurrection. Clement, bishop of Rome (30-100 AD) May well be referenced by Paul in Philippians 4:3. Where it says

Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Clement

And we know Clement probably wrote to the church in Corinth in 95AD. 

Around 185AD, Irenaeus Gives some behind the scenes information about Clement’s letter to the Corinthians:

Clement was allotted the bishopric.This man, as he has seen the blessed apostles, and has been conversant with them, might be said to have the preaching of the apostles still echoing, and their traditions before his eyes. Nor was he alone, for there were many remaining who had received instructions from the apostles. In the time of this, Clement, no small dissension having occurred among the brothers at Corinth, the Church in Rome dispatched a most powerful letter to the Corinthians.

Irenaeus, 2nd century Church Leader

Tertullian in 200AD says

“For this is the manner in which the apostolic churches transmit their registers: as the church of Smyrna, which records that Polycarp was placed therein by John; as also the Church of Rome, which makes Clement to have been ordained in like manner by Peter”.

Tertullian, 2nd-3rd century Church Leader

These church fathers would render Clement’s writings of great interest as a result of their recordings. If Irenaeus and Tertullian are correct, Clement had fellowshipped with the apostles, particularly with Peter! And we have early sources crediting Clement to this.

Does Clement mention the resurrection? He writes in his own works

Therefore, having received orders and complete certainty caused by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and believing in the Word of God, they went with the Holy Spirit’s certainty, preaching the good news that the kingdom of God is about to come.

Clement

Clement knew the apostles who were assured by the resurrection which is key as it’s the centre of church teaching and he was in a key position to tell us this.

Polycarp

Irenaeus also reported on Polycarp (69 – 155AD)

But Polycarp also was not only instructed by the apostles, and conversed with many who had seen Christ, but was also, by apostles in Asia, appointed bishop of the church in Smyrna, whom I also saw in my early youth, for he tarried [on earth] a very long time, and, when a very old man, gloriously and most nobly suffering martyrdom, departed this life, having always taught the things which he has learned from the apostles.

Irenaeus on Polycarp

Irenaeus states that Polycarp was taught by the apostles and spoke to many who saw Christ and even went to Martyrdom. Irenaeus also mentions Polycarp in a letter to Florinus which is now lost but the words preserved by Eusebius of Caesarea (263 – 339 AD):

When I was still a boy I saw you in Lower Asia with Polycarp, when you had high status at the imperial court and wanted to gain his favour. I remember events from those days more clearly than those that happened recently … So that I can even picture the place where the blessed Polycarp sat and conversed, his comings and goings, his character, his personal appearance, his discourses to the crowds, and how he reported his discussions with John and others who had seen the Lord. He recalled their very words, when they reported about the Lord and his miracles and his teaching — things that Polycarp had heard directly from eyewitnesses of the Word of life and reported in full harmony of scripture.

Irenaeus on Polycarp preserved by Eusebius of Caesarea

Furthermore Tertullian wrote that the apostle John appointed Polycarp. Polycarp was martyred at Smyrna 160AD at 86AD. He wrote a letter to the Philippian church around 110AD, it spoke of the righteousness and endurance witnessed in the lives of several Christians including Paul and the apostles. “

For they did not love the present age, but him who died for our benefit and for our sake was raised by God.

Tertullian

Polycarp also mentions the resurrection 5 times in the letter to the church in Philippi.

So we can conclude that both Polycarp and Clement both talk about the resurrection, knew the apostles extensively personally and this has been preserved by generations to follow. There’s no unbroken chain of events in the testimony of the disciples belief of a risen Jesus.

2 part mindmap (see part 2 also)

View post on imgur.com

Sources for ‘disciples believed’

• Disciples claimed: Many examples, Acts 2 – Peter’s sermon is a good example (specifically v32-33); 1 Corinthians 15 also a good source
• Transformed & remained steadfast: Book of Acts; Testimony to their transformation & Josephus’ writings records the death of James; https://www.sbl-site.org/assets/pdfs/pubs/061639P-front.pdf speaks of the deaths of Peter, Paul and others

Sources for ‘Paul & the sceptics bible’

• For an in-depth look at the disciples claims that have come to us through Paul and other sources. See the helpful chart in Douglas Geivett & Gary Habermas, In Defense of Miracles, p266
• Paul’s level authority: Galatians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 10:8; 11:5; 13:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:6; 4:2; Philemon 1:21
• Church father recognition of Paul’s authority: cited 21 times clearly and suggested elsewhere 
  • 1 Clement 47 refers to Paul’s 1st letter to the Corinthians
  • 2 Clement cites Paul once (19:7)
  • Polycarp cites Paul 16 times
    •  To the Philippians 1:3; 2:2; 4:1; 5:1,3; 6:1-2 (2 mentions); 9:2; 11:1, 2, 4; 12:1 (2 times)
  • Papius who probably heard apostle John teach and who wrote in the early part of the 2nd century, cites Paul twice
    • Fragments: Traditions of the Elders 2, 5
  • Ignatius of Antioch (107) who was 2nd in the church of Antioch to succeed Peter (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 3.36.34) cites Paul once (1:2)
  • The following letters traditionally are attributed to Paul by the church fathers: Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy 
  • Polycarp’s letter speaks of how “Paul accurately and reliably taught the word concerning the truth”. If Irenaeus is correct in claiming that Polycarp was “instructed” and “appointed” by the apostles, had “conversed with many who had seen Christ” (Against Heresies, 3.3.4), and that he had fellowshipped with John and those who had seen the Lord (To Florinus, cited in Eusebius, Ecclesiastical history 5.20, his testimony of Paul has huge significance. He knew what the apostles taught, believed Paul’s teachings were accurate and reliable when compared to their teachings. 
  • To the Philippians 12:1 Polycarp cites Ephesians 2 times, calling it part of the “sacred scriptures”. If Ephesians is written by Paul, then we know that his writings were considered sacred scripture. 
  • Clement of Rome and Ignatius both mention Paul as though he were on equal par with, and carried the same apostolic authority as, Peter, one of the original apostles (Clement in 1 clement 5:3-5; Ignatius in To the Romans 4:3)
  • Paul knew Peter, James & John: Galatians 1:18-19; 2:2-20
    • Galatians 2:1-12 they approved of his message
    • Virtually every scholar admits Paul wrote about 20 years after Jesus’ death and had multiple interactions with Jesus’ brother and two of his lead disciples. A 3 went to their deaths, 2 suffered martyrdom claiming Jesus had risen and had appeared to them
  • New Testament Books in the 1st century: Gary Habermas & Mike Licona: The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus 

Sources on ‘Creeds & sermon summaries’

• Creed source – for a detailed analysis of of this creed and the early, eyewitnesses tradition behind it Ses John Kloppenborg, “An analysis of the Pre-Pauline Formula 1 corinthians 15:3-5b In Light of Recent Literature,” The Catholic bible Quarterly 40 (1978): 351-67;  William Lane Craig Assessing the New Testament evidence for the historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus, p1-49 (esp 1-6); Gary Habermas Historical Jesus, 152-57
• -Dean John Rodgers: Quoted in Richard N. Ostling. “Who was Jesus” Time Magazine, 15 August, 1988, p41
• – Sermon summaries: Acts 1-5, 10, 13, 17 and note the claim to group appearances in 10:39-43 and 13:29-31
• See Colin J. Homer, The Book of Acts in the Setting of Hellenistic History, p415-43
• Sermon summary – A.J.M. Wedderburn – Beyond Resurrection (Hendrickson, 1999), 113-114.
• Sermon summary –  C.H. Dodd, The Apostolic Preaching and its Developments, p17-31
• Sermon summary – (Habermas and Moreland, Beyond Death p131-23).

Sources on ‘Apostolic fathers’

• Gospels written in 1st century: Gary Habermas & Mike Licona: The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus 
• Gospel accounts:Critical scholars have always proclaimed that there were sources behind the various gospels (For example, Mark and the alleged documents Q, M, L) plus John. Luke admits he used other sources (Luke 1:1-4) 
• Clement, bishop of Rome comment: Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 3.3.3 , Taken from A. Roberts, J. Donaldson, and A.C. Coxe, eds and trans., The Anti-Nicene Fathers: Translations of the Writings of the Fathers Down to A.D. 325.
• Tertullian quote: Tertullian, The Prescription against Heretics, p32
• Clement, resurrection: First Clement 42:3 (author’s translation)
• Reported information regarding Polycarp: Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 3.3.4.
• Irenaeus, To Florinus, cited by the fourth-century church historian, Eusebius, who regarded Irenaeus as a reliable source (Ecclesiastical History 5.20).
• Tertullian’s comments on Polycarps appointment: Tertullian, Prescription Against Heretics, 32.
• Polycarp Martyrdom: The Martyrdom of Polycarp 9:3. Also known as the Encyclical Letter of the Church at Smyrna.
• Letter: To the Philippians 9:2. (author’s translation).
• http://bibletranslation.ws/down/Polycarp_Epistle_To_The_Philippians.pdf