The Ancient Creed

2021-08-27

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. (1 Corinthians 15:1-7)

Historians and Bible scholars believe this is a pre-Pauline creed. The argument goes that Paul “delivered unto you first of all that which I also received” (1 Corinthians 15:3). He received this creed and delivered it to the Corinthians. Most scholars believe that this creed dates from A.D. 30-35, though a few say it may be as late as A.D. 41. What is interesting is that a great many non-Christian scholars believe this is a creed Paul received, and it was being circulated at a date close to the time of the crucifixion of Jesus. The probable place where Paul would have received this creed would be in Jerusalem when he met with Peter and James (Galatians 1:18-19).

This leads scholars to believe that because this is very early material, it is very reliable material, with no chance for legend to be interpolated. Even the most skeptical scholars know that the apostles at least believed they really saw the risen Christ.