The Evidence of Appearances

Interview #12: Gary Habermas, Ph.D., D.D.

• The creed in 1 Corinthians 15 can be traced back to within two to eight years of the Resurrection, when Paul received it in either Damascus or Jerusalem. It is incredibly early material—primitive, unadorned testimony to the fact that Jesus appeared alive to skeptics like Paul and James, as well as to Peter and the rest of the disciples.
• The creed mentions that Jesus appeared to Peter first. Not surprising because women were not considered competent eye-witnesses. Placing Peter first could indicate logical priority rather than temporal priority.