What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 15:5? And that He appeared • Paul is rehearsing the core facts of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) and anchors them in history by stressing Jesus’ physical, visible resurrection appearances. • “Appeared” means He showed Himself voluntarily, not that witnesses merely thought they saw something. Luke 24:36-43 and Acts 1:3 confirm these bodily encounters, underscoring that the risen Lord was not a spirit or vision but stood in their midst, ate with them, and spoke plainly. • This opening phrase reminds readers that faith rests on an event God openly verified, fulfilling Jesus’ own prediction in Mark 8:31 and validating every promise about eternal life (Romans 6:9). To Cephas • Cephas (Peter) is singled out first (Luke 24:34). The personal meeting with Peter—who had denied the Lord—highlights Christ’s grace and restoration (John 21:15-19). • Mentioning Peter first carries apologetic weight; he was widely known in the early church (Galatians 2:9). If the claim were false, it could have been immediately challenged. • Peter later preached this same resurrection message in Acts 2:32 and 10:40-41, demonstrating how the private appearance moved him from fear to fearless witness. And then • Paul marks sequence: Jesus met Peter, “and then” others. Each step piles up testimony (Acts 13:31), satisfying the Mosaic principle of two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15). • The order also underscores that the gospel is rooted in verifiable events, not myth or speculation (2 Peter 1:16). To the Twelve • “The Twelve” is a recognized title for the apostolic band (even though Judas was gone, see John 20:24 and Acts 1:26). It stresses corporate, collective sight of the risen Lord. • Luke 24:36-49 and John 20:19-23 record this gathering: doors locked, Jesus standing among them, offering His hands and side, commissioning them, and promising the Spirit. • Their shared experience became the foundation of their preaching (Acts 1:22; 1 John 1:1-3). Multiple men, in the same place, at the same time, cannot all be fooled by hallucination; their unanimous testimony carries immense evidential force. Summary 1 Corinthians 15:5 affirms that the risen Jesus literally, bodily appeared first to Peter and then to the assembled apostles. Paul lists these witnesses to show the resurrection is an established fact, confirmed by personal and group encounters. This reliable, historical foundation assures believers that the same Lord who conquered death will keep every promise He has made. |
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