Perhaps the transformation of the disciples of Jesus is the greatest evidence of all for the resurrection. (John R. W. Stott)
Thinking about the musings from Day 59: Resurrection Theories – Part 3.…
I would submit to you that when considering the Stolen Body Theory as a possible option to counter the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, there are ultimately 3 more questions that must be answered first. The first 9 questions were already addressed in Day 59: Resurrection Theories – Part 3. and the last three questions, perhaps the most telling of them all, must now be considered.
First however, consider the following in 1 Corinthians 15:5-8 (KJV):
5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 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. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
So, in addition to re-reading the first 9 questions I brought up earlier, here is the 10th question to ask:
10) What would compel all of the people mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:5-8 to agree to lie about the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, knowing the consequences in supporting this lie?
Is there a way to actually attempt to answer this question?
Yes there is.
There is documented evidence that 10 of the original 12 disciples, “then of the twelve”, died martyred deaths. The two disciples who did not die martyred deaths were Judas, who killed himself after betraying Jesus of Nazareth, and John, who died of natural causes while in exile on the island of Patmos.
This now leads us to consider question 11:
11) So happened to the other 10 disciples after the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth?
There are two individuals that are known to have documented the lives of the disciples after the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. They are:
1) Hippolytus of Rome who died around 236 AD and;
2) Eusebius, known as the “Father of Church History”, who lived around 260-341 AD.
The fate of the other 10 are as follows:
1) (Simon) Peter, preached in Pontus, Galatia, and Cappadocia (all in Turkey), and then Italy, was believed to have been crucified upside down by Emperor Nero in Rome.
2) Andrew, preached to the Scythians, (known today as Georgia) and Thracians, (known today as the area around Bulgaria, Georgia and Turkey). Andrew was crucified and suspended on an olive tree at Patrae, (Greece), and was buried there.
3) James son of Zebedee, preached in Judea, was put to death with the sword as recorded in Acts 12:1-2 (KJV):
Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
4) Philip, scourged, through into prison, and later crucified;
5) Bartholomew, preached in India, was crucified upside down in Armenia (known today as Georgia).
6) Thomas, preached to the Parthians, Medes, Persians, and Hyrcanians (all in Iran), Bactrians (Afghanistan), and Margians. Thomas was killed by a pine spear that was thrust through the four members of his body at Calamene, the city of India, and was buried there.
7) Matthew, according to a third source, John Foxe’s, Book of Martyrs, written in 1563, preached in Parthia, (known today as Iran), and in Ethiopia, and was slain with a halberd, (sword), in the city of Nadabah, Ethiopia.
8) James son of Alphaeus, preached in Jerusalem, was stoned to death by the Jews and was buried there beside the temple.
9) (Jude) Thaddaeus, preached to the people of Mesopotamia (known today as Southwestern Asia). Although it was not documented by either Hippolytus or Eusebius, it is traditionally believed that (Jude) Thaddaeus was martyred in Syria on his missionary journey with Simon the Zealot.
10) Simon (the Zealot), according to a 4th source from the fifth century, Moses of Chorene, wrote that Simon (the Zealot) was martyred in the Kingdom of Iberia.
Now, after reading and considering what happened to those closest to Jesus of Nazareth during his lifetime, a final question must be considered:
12) Why would 10 of the original disciples willingly die horrific deaths, all being martyred for their belief in the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, if it was a lie?
Or put another way:
Would you be willing to die a horrific death if you knew what you believed in…was all a lie?
So let’s summarize the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth with two statements:
1) The Gospels. The resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth as written in the 4 Gospels from the Middle East over 2,000 years ago, or;
2) The Stolen Body Theory. Based off of Matthew 28:11-13, while ignoring the rest of the accounts surrounding the resurrection not only the rest of the Gospel of Matthew, but the entirety of the New Testament as well.
Now, a question for you to consider:
Which set of facts takes more faith to believe in?
Do not feel discouraged if you are still wrestling with the resurrection of Jesus after three counter theories. Do not feel discouraged if you are still confused if you are unsure as to whether the Gospels or the Stolen Body Theory makes more sense. Instead, embrace the idea that you are much closer to reaching a conclusion than you were prior to reading about any of these counter theories.
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? (John 11:25-26 KJV)
Was today’s blog a little confusing at times? Was the content perhaps a little overwhelming? Did you feel lost not understanding some or most of the subject matter?
Those feelings are totally understandable and it is ok to have one or more of those feelings. Remember that you are reading Day 60: Resurrection Theories Part 3 – Conclusion.
If you haven’t been in class since the first day of school…or when the project began…or when the contract was first signed, etc., these feelings make perfect and logistical sense.
Please feel free to go back to where all of this began: