Paul recognized the power of community and belief. In 1 Corinthians 15:5–8, Paul says that after Christ rose from the dead, “he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living . . . Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also.” Paul may seem to be overly thorough here. Not only did he himself see Jesus risen from the dead, but the other apostles also saw Jesus risen from the dead, and so did five hundred other people you can
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