RESURRECTION WITNESSES

Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:5-11

Key verse: 10

NIV

5 and that he appeared to Cephas,[a](A) and then to the Twelve.(B) 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.(C) 7 Then he appeared to James,(D) then to all the apostles,(E) 8 and last of all he appeared to me also,(F) as to one abnormally born.

9 For I am the least of the apostles(G) and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted(H) the church of God.(I) 10 But by the grace(J) of God I am what I am, and his grace to me(K) was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them(L)—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.(M) 11 Whether, then, it is I or they,(N) this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Corinthians 15:5 That is, Peter
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

5 and that (A)he appeared to Cephas, then (B)to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to (C)James, then (D)to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, (E)he appeared also to me. 9 For (F)I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because (G)I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, (H)I worked harder than any of them, (I)though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. He appeared to Peter and the Twelve (5-6)

Biblical faith is not a vague feeling or a philosophy or theory. Faith rests on concrete historical evidence, on the testimony of reliable witnesses. The risen Jesus appeared to Peter and restored his failure. He appeared to the Twelve when they were trembling in fear behind locked doors. He spent 4

days between his resurrection and ascension visiting believers to plant in them resurrection faith. James, the Lord's brother, and all the apostles were witnesses to the fact that Jesus rose from the dead.

2. He appeared to me also (7-11)

Paul himself met the risen Jesus on the Damascus road and his life was transformed. He had been God's enemy, but by God's grace, the risen Jesus met him and changed him into an apostle and missionary to the Gentile world. Changed lives are the best testimony to the fact of Jesus' resurrection.

Prayer: Lord, continue to work in me by the power that raised Jesus from the dead. Change me in my inner person until I can be your useful servant.

One Word: A witness to the resurrection