Why is the testimony of "more than five hundred" significant for our faith? The Verse at the Center “After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15 : 6) Who Were the “More Than Five Hundred”? • Ordinary believers—“brothers”—not professional apologists • Gathered “at once,” sharing the same time-and-place experience • Many were “still alive” when Paul wrote (c. AD 55), able to confirm or deny the report Why a Crowd of Eyewitnesses Matters 1. A Public, Checkable Fact • Paul invites scrutiny: travel to Jerusalem, talk with living witnesses. • Acts 26 : 26—“this has not been done in a corner.” • Christianity begins on verifiable ground, not private revelation. 2. Guarding the Gospel From Legend • Myths grow where memories fade, but a living majority refuted distortions. • 2 Peter 1 : 16—“we did not follow cleverly devised myths.” • The living crowd froze the resurrection story in its original, factual form. 3. Confirming the Bodily Resurrection • Luke 24 : 39—Jesus: “touch Me and see.” • A mass appearance dismisses hallucination theories; hallucinations are individual, not collective. • Their report affirms Jesus rose in the same body that was crucified. 4. Strengthening Faith Under Fire • Many eyewitnesses endured persecution (1 Thessalonians 2 : 14–16). People do not suffer for what they know is a lie. • Their steadfastness anchors our confidence today (Hebrews 12 : 1—“a great cloud of witnesses”). 5. Foreshadowing the Church’s Worldwide Mission • Matthew 28 : 10—Jesus tells the disciples to go to Galilee; the large group likely met Him there, then scattered with the news. • Acts 1 : 8—“you will be My witnesses… to the ends of the earth.” • The 500 form the first wave of global testimony. Practical Encouragements for Us Today • Certainty: Our faith rests on historical events attested by hundreds, not hearsay. • Boldness: If early believers spoke up amid danger, we can share confidently. • Hope: The same risen Christ who stood before 500 will raise us (1 Corinthians 15 : 20–23). • Community: God still uses gathered believers as living proof of resurrection power (Ephesians 2 : 19–22). The testimony of more than five hundred shapes a faith that is tested, public, and unshakably anchored in the literal, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. |
    |