Written Testimony:  Jesus’ appearances after death are recorded by multiple authors in the New Testament, including the Gospels, the book of Acts and an early creed in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.

• Luke records that Jesus appeared over a period of 40 days to provide proof of His resurrection:

  • I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day He was taken up, after He had given orders through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen. After He had suffered, He also presented Himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:1-3 CSB emphasis added)

• The Apostle Paul provides an early church creed that includes appearances to the disciples and afterward to Paul. It notes that Jesus appeared to over 500 at one time, most of whom were still living.

  • For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. Then He appeared to over 500 brothers at one time, most of whom remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one abnormally born, He also appeared to me. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8 CSB emphasis added)

    • Gary Habermas notes that most scholars that date this creed believe Paul received it approximately 2-8 years after the crucifixion, far too early for legendary development.1

Embarrassing details are included in the testimony, which the writers would not have included if they were fabricating a lie.

• The NT records that women were the first witnesses of the empty tomb and risen Christ, even though women were not considered credible legal witnesses in 1st century Jewish culture.2

  • Early on the first day of the week, after He had risen, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had driven seven demons. She went and reported to those who had been with Him, as they were mourning and weeping. Yet, when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe it. (Mark 16:9-11 CSB emphasis added)

  • Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them what He had said to her. (John 20:18 CSB emphasis added)

• Bible admits that even after Jesus resurrection, some of Jesus followers did not believe. This is an embarrassing detail that would not have included if this Jesus’ followers were lying. See example below:

  • The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. (Matthew 28:16-17 CSB emphasis added)

New Testament authors and early church fathers report that disciples were willing to die for their beliefs. (See evidence).

The early followers of Jesus were willing to leave their foundational religious beliefs and follow Jesus.

• If Jesus had not appeared to His disciples He would have been considered a false prophet and His disciples would not have have abandoned their foundational Jewish beliefs.3 Two examples below:

  • Animal sacrifice to atone for sins – replaced with Jesus’ ultimate and final sacrifice for sin.

  • Strict adherence to Sabbath – no longer observed as Jewish custom.

Nonbelievers were transformed to believers: Paul was originally an enemy (See evidence); James, Jesus half brother, was originally a skeptic (See evidence).