Zone1 Is doctrine of the resurrection central to Christianity?

[ding]

The doctrine of the resurrection is central to Christianity – so much so that St. Paul states:

If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead… Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied (1Cor 15:13-15,18-19).

It is truly extraordinary that Paul made the claim that if there is no resurrection from the dead, that the faith of believers is useless and that all who have died in Christ have died in their sins. Paul knows that if he is lying, he and the other disciples have jeopardized the salvation of the whole Christian community, and furthermore he emerges as a false witness (a perjurer) before God, and is answerable to Him. The consequences of lying to (or even deceiving) believers about the resurrection cannot be overstated, because the resurrection is the foundation of Jesus’ claim to be the exclusive Son of God – and the unconditional love of God with us.



After Jesus' resurrection, the apostles, especially Peter, immediately began preaching the Gospel, notably starting with Peter's sermon on Pentecost (Acts 2), which led to thousands of conversions, with all the apostles dispersing to preach globally, including Paul (an apostle to the Gentiles) and Thomas (to India). They all became witnesses to the resurrection, traveling widely, establishing churches, and facing martyrdom to spread the message of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.

Key Apostles & Their Post-Resurrection Ministry:

• Simon Peter: Preached the first sermon after Pentecost, leading thousands to Christ, and ministered to Jews and Gentiles, eventually martyred in Rome.
• John: A key leader alongside Peter and James, he also wrote significant parts of the New Testament.
• James, son of Zebedee: Part of Jesus' inner circle, he was martyred early.
• Matthew: The evangelist, he preached in various Mediterranean communities before his martyrdom in Ethiopia.
• Thomas (Doubting Thomas): Known for his missionary work in India, where he established churches and was martyred.
• James, brother of Jesus: Became the first bishop of Jerusalem and a major leader in the early church.
• Paul: Though not one of the original twelve, he became a prominent apostle, chosen to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, emphasizing the resurrection message.

The Apostolic Mission:

• Witnessing the Resurrection: Their primary role became bearing witness to Jesus' resurrection, as seen in Peter's powerful sermon in Acts.
• Dispersion: After Jesus' ascension, the apostles scattered to different parts of the world, fulfilling the command to preach the Gospel everywhere.
• Martyrdom: Most apostles, including Peter, Paul, and Matthew, faced persecution and were martyred for their faith, solidifying their commitment to the resurrected Christ.

 

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Based on biblical accounts and historical tradition, Peter’s ministry was centered in Jerusalem in the early 30s AD, before expanding to regional missions in Judea and Samaria, and finally to Antioch and Rome. Key dates for his missionary actions include:

• 30 AD (Pentecost): Peter begins his ministry in Jerusalem, preaching to thousands.
• c. 34–35 AD (Samaria and Coastal Plain): Peter journeys to Samaria to confirm new believers (Acts 8) and later preaches in Lydda and Joppa, where he raises Tabitha from the dead.
• c. 35–40 AD (Caesarea): Peter visits the Roman centurion Cornelius in Caesarea, leading to the baptism of the first Gentile converts.
• c. 44 AD: Peter is imprisoned by Herod Agrippa in Jerusalem but escapes.
• c. 48–49 AD (Antioch): Peter travels to Antioch, where he interacts with Paul (referred to in Galatians 2).
• 49–50 AD (Jerusalem Council): Peter plays a key role in the Council of Jerusalem, affirming the Gentile mission.
• Late 50s–60s AD (Missionary Travels): Evidence suggests Peter traveled to regions in Asia Minor (mentioned in 1 Peter 1:1, such as Cappadocia, Galatia, and Bithynia).
• c. 60–64 AD (Rome): Peter travels to Rome, where he leads the church, writes his epistles, and is eventually martyred, likely in 64–68 AD.

 

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Paul's missionary actions spanned roughly from the mid-40s AD to the mid-60s AD, encompassing three major journeys: the first around 45-47 AD (Asia Minor/Cyprus), the second from 49-52 AD (Macedonia/Greece), and the third from 53-58 AD (Ephesus/Asia Minor), followed by imprisonments in Judea and Rome, and further post-release travels before his martyrdom around 67 AD.
Here's a breakdown of his key missionary periods:

• Conversion & Early Ministry: Around 32-37 AD, Paul converted on the Damascus Road, followed by time in Arabia and Tarsus.
• First Missionary Journey: ~45-47 AD, with Barnabas, to Cyprus and Asia Minor (Acts 13-14).
• Second Missionary Journey: ~49-52 AD, with Silas, through Asia Minor, Macedonia, and Greece (Acts 15-18).
• Third Missionary Journey: ~53-58 AD, focusing heavily on Ephesus and then revisiting Greek churches (Acts 18-21).
• Imprisonment & Final Travels: Arrested in Jerusalem (~58 AD), held in Caesarea (58-60 AD), shipwrecked to Rome (61 AD), house arrest in Rome (61-63 AD), followed by possible travels to Spain and Crete before a final Roman imprisonment and martyrdom (~67 AD).

 

[BreezeWood]

Is doctrine of the resurrection central to Christianity?​

no doubt were the above true - as implied by their bible.

much as their phony commandments - using the supernatural for convincing purposes for something that never actually occurred.

 

[ding]

John the Apostle (son of Zebedee) had a long, multi-stage ministry timeline:

• Initial Ministry: Called to discipleship around AD 26-27.
• Post-Ascension: Active in Jerusalem and Samaria (e.g., with Peter, Acts 8) around AD 35.
• Council of Jerusalem: Present in AD 49/50.
• Ministry in Asia Minor: Based in Ephesus, supervising churches from approximately AD 66 onwards.
• Exile to Patmos: Exiled by Emperor Domitian, generally placed around AD 94–96.
• Return & Death: Returned to Ephesus in AD 96, dying around AD 98–100.

 

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James the Greater (son of Zebedee) conducted his main missionary actions between the death/resurrection of Jesus (c. 30–33 AD) and his martyrdom in 44 AD.
Key details regarding the timeline of his actions:

• Active Ministry: Following Christ's resurrection, it is believed he was sent out to spread the message, specifically traveling to Hispania (the Iberian Peninsula/modern-day Spain).
• Leadership in Jerusalem: He was a, if not the, chief leader in the early Jerusalem church.
• Death: He was beheaded by order of King Herod Agrippa I in 44 AD.

 

[ding]

James led the Jerusalem church from around A.D. 44 until his martyrdom in 62 CE, with his missionary actions focusing heavily on Jewish Christians and overseeing the crucial Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) around A.D. 49, affirming the inclusion of Gentiles, and writing his letter (c. 45-48) emphasizing practical faith.

Key Periods & Actions:

• Post-Resurrection (c. 30s-40s AD): Initially skeptical, James converted after seeing the resurrected Christ (1 Corinthians 15:7) and became a key leader in Jerusalem by A.D. 44, taking prominence after Peter's departure.
• Jerusalem Council (c. A.D. 49): He presided and affirmed that Gentile converts didn't need full adherence to Mosaic Law, a pivotal missionary decision (Acts 15).
• Epistle of James (c. 45-48 AD): Wrote his letter, focusing on Jewish Christians, stressing faith demonstrated through works, likely before the Council, notes Insight for Living.
• Leadership in Jerusalem (40s-60s AD): He ministered primarily to Jewish Christians in Jerusalem, serving as a unifying figure.
• Martyrdom (62 CE): Martyred by Jewish authorities during the high priesthood of Ananus, as recorded by Josephus.

Focus of Ministry:

• James's missionary work centered on guiding the nascent Christian community in Jerusalem, bridging Jewish and Gentile believers while maintaining strong ties to Jewish tradition

 

[ding]

Matthew's missionary dates aren't precise, but tradition says he preached in Palestine after Pentecost, then left for lands like Syria, Persia, and Ethiopia, dying as a martyr (around 60s-70s AD, possibly in Ethiopia). His Gospel was likely written in the late 50s to 80s AD, either before or after leaving Palestine, to preserve Jesus's teachings, with many scholars favoring a post-70 AD date.

Key Periods & Traditions:

• Early Ministry (Post-Pentecost): Tradition holds Matthew first preached in Jerusalem and Palestine to Jewish converts before departing.
• Departure to Other Lands: He traveled to Syria, Media, Persia, Parthia, and Ethiopia, but the exact date of this departure is unknown.
• Gospel Writing:
  • Earlier View (c. 55-65 AD): Some suggest he wrote his Gospel in Aramaic in Palestine for Jewish Christians, possibly around the time of Paul's ministry in Rome.
  • Later View (c. 80-90 AD): Most scholars date the Greek Gospel later, after the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple (70 AD), as it reflects a Jewish-Gentile Christian community's needs.
• Martyrdom: Believed to have died a martyr, possibly in Ethiopia, but the date is unknown.

In summary, Matthew's missionary activities spanned from the earliest days of the Church in Jerusalem outward, with his Gospel serving as a crucial record for scattered Christians, likely written in the latter half of the 1st century.

 

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St. Thomas' missionary dates center around his legendary journey to India, traditionally beginning around 52 AD in Kerala and culminating in his martyrdom near Chennai (Mylapore) in 72 AD, after spreading Christianity to India and Persia, though exact dates are debated by historians. He established seven churches in Kerala and converted many before his death, marking the beginning of the St. Thomas Christians tradition.

Key Timeline Points (Traditional):

• c. 52 AD: Arrives in Muziris (Cranganore), Kerala, India, beginning his missionary work in India.
• c. 68 AD: Travels to Eastern India (near modern Chennai).
• c. 72 AD: Martyred (speared) at Mylapore, near Chennai.

Details of his Mission:

• Regions: Tradition suggests he traveled through Parthia (Persia) and India, establishing communities.
• Kerala: Credited with founding seven churches in Kerala, India, and converting families, including upper castes.
• Chennai: Preached and established churches, eventually martyred for converting royalty.

Historical Context:

• While traditions are strong, the historical visit of St. Thomas is debated by scholars, but the enduring St. Thomas Christian communities in India preserve this history.

 

[Mack The Finger]

To answer the title question in one word: YES !

 

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The Church of the apostolic period experienced explosive numerical growth. Within a short time of its founding, the number of men who believed in Christ "reached nearly five thousand" (Acts 4:4). Green (1970, 13) states that ten years after Christ's resurrection and ascension there were churches not only in Jerusalem but also in Alexandria and Antioch. According to Bokkenkotter (2004, 18), by the end of the first century AD there were at least 40 churches in North Africa, Asia Minor, Arabia and Greece.