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The STUDIA UNIVERSITATIS BABEĹž-BOLYAI issue article summary
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Abstract: In 1 Cor 15:3-8 Paul delivers what he had received, and what he calls his Gospel (euvagge,lion): the death and burial, the resurrection and appearance of Christ on the third day, in accordance with the Scriptures. The analysis of vv. 3-7 shows that we have to deal here with a very ancient tradition about Christ’s resurrection, a tradition that precedes Paul’s letter. Arguments for this are some expressions that occur nowhere else in Paul’s letters and the symmetric, 2x(3+1), easy-to-memorize structure, translating an early form of christian preaching.
Christ died – this is a precise, historically defined event (as shown by the aoristos). He died for/because of our sins, as he had no sins, so his death has the meaning of a vicarious sacrifice. He died in accordance with the Scriptures: one must think of the Suffering Servant Songs and Ps 22, and of the fact that this in someway part of God’s plan of salvation. He was buried – this affirms his death and creates a link to the narratives about the empty tomb.
Christ is risen. The verb evgh,gertai should be understood as a passive/transitive form: God is the one who acts, he is the one who raises Christ from the dead. He is risen on the third day, in accordance with the Scriptures. The third day is of major importance in the Bible. Hos 6:2-3 speaks about the resurrection on the third day (although never quoted by NT). The risen Christ appears to the future witnesses. The verb used here (w;fqh) means that Christ (as God in OT theophanies) takes the initiative and makes himself visible. His presence can be welcomed only in faith, yet this is not a merely subjective experience. (Paul always distinguishes his meeting with the risen one on the way of Damascus from his visions.)
The second part presents three traditions about the witnesses of the risen Christ. The first speaks about Cephas and the Twelve. Then we read about an appearance mentioned only here, to more than five hundred brothers. The third mentions James (probably a disciple who was not one of the Twelve) and all the apostles (a broader term than the Twelve). Last but not least Paul speaks of himself as a witness of the risen Christ; this experience will change his whole life and make of him an apostle.
The importance of this text consists in the fact that it presents a very ancient and complex tradition about the main events of our faith: the death, burial, resurrection and appearance of Christ. The narratives of the Gospels will develop this very concise creed.
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