The resurrection appearances are the times the risen Jesus was seen.
He presented himself alive to them
after his suffering by many proofs.
He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time.
If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile.
The appearances are not visions added later to a spiritual idea. Jesus presented Himself alive by many proofs. He ate. He showed His hands and side. He was touched. Paul lists the witnesses: Cephas, the twelve, more than five hundred brothers at one time, James, all the apostles, and last of all Paul. Mary Magdelene met Him at the tomb and was sent to tell the brothers. The church stands on these meetings. If Christ has not been raised, faith is futile.
- The Gospels do not give one flat schedule. They give meetings: the tomb, the road to Emmaus, the room in Jerusalem, the shore in Galilee, the mountain of the commission.
- Thomas was absent, then present. He said, My Lord and my God. The appearance answered the doubt with wounds.
- The forty days end with the ascension. The appearances are before He was taken up, except the later appearance to Paul.
Many proofs. Named witnesses. A body that ate and was touched. The faith is futile without this.
He presented himself alive by many proofs.
He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve, then to more than five hundred.
Touch me, and see.
If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile.
- The appearances are many proofs that He was alive.
- Paul’s list names Cephas, the twelve, five hundred, James, the apostles, and himself.
- Mary Magdalene is the first at the tomb in John’s account.
- He ate, showed wounds, and was touched. This is not a mood.
- The meetings are in Jerusalem and Galilee across forty days.
- Without the resurrection, preaching and faith are empty.
- The Proofs – Many, over forty days.
- The Body – Wounds, touch, food.
- The List – Cephas, the twelve, five hundred, James, Paul.
- The Women – Mary Magdalene at the tomb.
- The Places – Jerusalem and Galilee.
- The Stake – Faith is futile if He is not raised.
- Acts 1:3 – “He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.”
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 – “He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time… Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all… he appeared also to me.”
- John 20:19-28 – He stood among them, showed His hands and side, and later answered Thomas: do not disbelieve, but believe.
- Luke 24:36-43 – “Touch me, and see… And he took the fish and ate before them.”
- Matthew 28:9-10, 16-20 – The women took hold of His feet. The eleven saw Him on the mountain in Galilee and received the commission.
He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs.
He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve, then to more than five hundred brothers at one time.
Touch me, and see. A spirit does not have flesh and bones.
If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile. The appearances are the proofs. Named people. A body. Forty days.
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