When I moved my blog to the Substack platform, I discovered other bloggers writing on some of the same topics I enjoy. One of my favorite blogs to read is Warranted by Emily Strickland Phillips. So, I invited Emily to be a guest writer on my blog while I’m on summer break. You can subscribe to Warranted for free at the bottom of this post. Enjoy!
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received:
that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
that he was buried,
that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.”1 Corinthians 15:3-5
The opening verses of 1 Corinthians 15 contain what I consider to be an ancient artifact, a relic tracing back to the very earliest days of the Christian movement.
Tucked into verses 3-5, Paul recites what is now believed to be one of the earliest Christian creeds, a statement of faith that affirms what the new community of Jesus followers believed was essential to their identity as Christians.
Though easy to overlook at first, these verses are packed with theological significance, establishing Jesus’ role and identity as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” and going so far as to list by name a handful of individuals who can attest to the truth of these claims.
There’s a bit of debate about where exactly the original creed ends and Paul’s own additions begin, but the next three verses add more credibility to the first believers’ claims of having seen the risen Christ:
“Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.
Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. ”1 Corinthians 15:6-8
Here are two things modern Christians can take away from this preserved piece of ancient Christianity:
1. Fundamental Christian beliefs were established early.
Most scholars—Christian and non-Christian alike!—estimate that the “Corinthian Creed” of 1 Corinthians 15 dates to the first five years after Jesus’ death. Detractors of Christianity will often claim that the resurrection is simply a myth, perpetuated by a group of overzealous followers operating on a sunk-cost fallacy.
However, the earliness of the creed, its specificity, and the eyewitnesses it calls out by name—most of whom were still alive during the first several decades of the movement—combats the “myth” or “legend” claim.
2. It’s always a good time to remember what you believe.
When Paul recites the creed in 1 Corinthians 15, he’s in the midst of reminding the church at Corinth what they really believe. In the face of all the challenges of the early church, he returns to bare facts. “Let me remind you what’s really important here,” he seems to be saying. “That will help us steer this ship successfully.”
Simply remembering the facts of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ can provide great guidance and comfort in moments of doubt. In verses 1 and 2, Paul reminds the Corinthians “of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you.”
Hold fast to the gospel—summarized so elegantly in this creed—and remember that our faith is in a God who is stronger and greater than you, yet whose love for you is vast beyond comprehension.
For more on the use of Christian creeds in the life of the believer, check out this Warranted article from earlier this year.