Question about 1 corinthians 15:3-6?
Offline I was wondering, And I hope I don't sound stupid here but when paul lists the order of the people Jesus appears to,
1. Cephas
2. Then the Twelve (Does he mean Diciples?)
3. Then 500
4. James
5. Then the Apostles
6. Finally paul
Is this a contradiction of the other accounts listed in
Matthew 28:1(Mary and Mary),
Mark 16:1(Mary,Mary and Salome),
Luke 24:10(Mary and Jo-anna)
John 20:1(Mary)?
And why do none of these verses mention Cephas? Or was it more of a generalization on Pauls part? Also what is the difference between the "Twelve" he mentions and the Apostles? Arent they the same? Who exactly was Cephas, I know he was Simon but was he one of the 12? And why was it important that he was even mentioned? Any help would be greatly appreciated
1 Corinthians 15:3-6
- For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
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This listing by Paul is chronological, which is why some people or groups are listed more than once. For example, Peter/Simon/Cephas was the first of the disciples to see the resurrected Christ, but he also was present when Jesus visited them as a group. Paul calls them "apostles" at the end because he is referring to Christ's final meeting with the diciples whom he commissioned to preach in his name--an apostle is one sent on a commission.
As to why the women were not mentioned, I would guess it was because women's testimony was not valued in that culture and time period.
In addition, any "contradiction" to the chronological order of the Gospels would be a moot point. A biographical account of an individual in that time period would have viewed both historical accuracy and psychological development as unnecessary, instead focusing on the charecter representation, which would include recording life works/deeds/sayings etc. Chronology irrelevent.
Damnit Tankalish, you're such an asshat. Stop reading so much Millbank. And yeah, I second everything you said.
"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, 'darkness' on the walls of his cell." (CS Lewis)
"A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading." (CS Lewis)
There are many problems with this vers:
1) Paul is talking about the twelve. According to the gospels Judas was already dead. 11 not 12!
2) "in accordance with the scriptures": wich scriptures? The letters of Paul have been written earlier than the gospels.
3) Cephas was not the first one, who saw jesus according to the gospels.
Sorry for my English. It's my fourth language
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Let me add that Paul is addressing the Corinthians on matters of evidence. The witness of women would of been alien to them (that is why Paul leaves them out).
Also the apostles were associated with 12 because of the 12 tribes of Israel. Even after the death of Judas, this association continued.
"The scriptures" almost always refers to the Old Testament (OT). In this case, I believe the reference is in Isaiah (53:4-6).
What's about the two on the road of Emmaus (Luke 24:13). They saw Jesus before Peter. And they were men (!)
Matthew 28:16 ..the eleven disciples..
Mark 16:14 ..the Eleven..
Luke 24:9: ..the Eleven..
1 Cor 15:3-4 is talking about death, burial and resurection. Where is that in Isaiah 53:4-6?
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But you have to have yourself the question, "Where in 1 Corinthians 15 does Paul say that Peter was the absolute first person who saw the risen Christ?" He's the first one Paul mentions, but there is nothing there to imply that Paul thought Peter was the first guy to see Jesus.
Concerning "the twelve" versus "the eleven", another was added in Acts 1 who had been with Jesus from the beginning to the end. So, when Paul was writing his epistle, there were 12 apostles.
"According to the Scriptures" could refer to any number of OT texts that first century Christians interpreted as prophecies about Christ's resurrection. Perhaps the notable is Ps. 16:10.
You should really be more knowledgeable about the Bible before you criticize it.
The word "then" implies that Peter saw Jesus before the 9/10/11/12 (pick one please. 9 because of the John account)
Thanks to Paul for the update
Was he talking about an event in the past or about the situation in his time? BTW some ancient mansuscripts have the word hendeka (eleven) instead of doodeka (twelve). The autor of Mark wrote his gospel after Paul. Why didn't he call them "the twelve" in 16:14?
because you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your faithful One
I don't see any death, burial or resurection here. Do you?
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