Very early historical testimony of the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth
This passage is one of the earliest and most important of the pre-Pauline creeds in the New Testament and therefore it bears special mention.[48]Β Several features indicate that it is pre-Pauline:
The wordsΒ deliveredΒ andΒ receivedΒ are terms descriptive of rabbinic treatment of holy tradition, indicating that this is holy tradition received by Paul.
Several primitive, early, pre-Pauline phrases are used ("the twelve," "the third day," "he was seen," "for our sins" [plural], "he was raised"). These phrases are very Jewish and early.Β The poetic style is Hebraic.Β The AramaicΒ CephasΒ is used; this was an early way of referring to Peter.
The formula is reserved and straightforward. It does not include speculation about how the resurrection took place or about details of the event itself. Thus, Jewish scholar Pinchas Lapide says,
"This unified piece of tradition which soon was solidified into a formula of faith may be considered as a statement of eyewitnesses for whom the experience of the resurrection became the turning point of their lives."
When should this tradition be dated? 1 Corinthians was written in 55 and Paul first visited the Corinthians in 50, so the formula precedes that date. It was already a formalized statement before Paul shared it with the Corinthians. Most scholars date it from three to eight years after Jesus' death. This date fits well with the mention of James and Cephas, who were also mentioned inΒ Galatians 1:18β19. It seems likely, therefore, that this formula was given to Paul at the meeting which took place three to four years after the crucifixion. A date of three to eight years also fits well with the heavily Semitic flavor of the formula. Of course, the facts reported the crucifixion and the resurrection experiences (if not the resurrection itself) β occurred before the stating of the formula.
FromΒ 1 Corinthians 15:3β8, therefore, we have a very early historical testimony of the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.