Topical Bible: The Resurrection of Christ: He Appeared After to Paul

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The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a foundational event in Christian theology, signifying His victory over death and His divine nature. Among the post-resurrection appearances of Christ, His appearance to Paul is particularly significant due to its profound impact on the early Church and the spread of the Gospel.

Biblical Account

The appearance of the risen Christ to Paul is primarily documented in the New Testament book of Acts and referenced in Paul's epistles. In Acts 9:3-6 , the event is described as follows: "As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?' 'Who are You, Lord?' Saul asked. 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' He replied. 'Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.'"

This encounter is further elaborated in Acts 22:6-10 and Acts 26:12-18, where Paul recounts his experience before various audiences, emphasizing the divine nature of the encounter and its transformative impact on his life.

Theological Significance

Paul's encounter with the risen Christ is pivotal for several reasons. Firstly, it serves as a powerful testament to the reality of the resurrection. Paul, originally a zealous persecutor of Christians, became one of the most influential apostles, attributing his radical transformation to this divine encounter. In 1 Corinthians 15:8 , Paul writes, "And last of all He appeared to me also, as to one of untimely birth." This statement underscores the legitimacy of his apostleship and the authenticity of his message.

Secondly, the appearance to Paul highlights the inclusivity of the Gospel. Paul, a former Pharisee and persecutor of the Church, was chosen by Christ to be an apostle to the Gentiles. This underscores the message that salvation through Christ is available to all, regardless of their past.

Impact on the Early Church

Paul's conversion and subsequent ministry had a profound impact on the early Church. His missionary journeys, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, and his epistles to various churches, form a significant portion of the New Testament. His theological insights, particularly on justification by faith and the role of grace, have shaped Christian doctrine throughout history.

Paul's testimony of the risen Christ also served to strengthen the faith of early Christians. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-7 , Paul provides a summary of the Gospel message, emphasizing the resurrection and listing the appearances of Christ, including to himself. This passage is one of the earliest creedal statements, affirming the core beliefs of Christianity.

Conclusion

The appearance of the resurrected Christ to Paul is a cornerstone event that not only transformed Paul's life but also significantly influenced the development and spread of early Christianity. Through this divine encounter, the message of the risen Christ was carried to the Gentile world, fulfilling the Great Commission and establishing the foundation for the global Church.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 15:8
And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Eleventh Sunday after Trinity Paul's Witness to Christ's ...
... Eleventh Sunday After Trinity PAUL'S WITNESS TO CHRIST'S RESURRECTION. ... which also
I:received: that Christ died for ... scriptures; 5 and that he appeared to Cephas ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/eleventh sunday after trinity pauls.htm

Whether Christ Ought to have Lived Constantly with his Disciples ...
... Reply to Objection 2: That Christ did not stay continually ... to accept the faith in
His Resurrection from the ... secretly, nor once or twice, that He made Himself ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ ought to have 3.htm

Faustus Quotes Passages to Show that the Apostle Paul Abandoned ...
... He holds that Christ had not a mortal body, and ... wounds which He showed to His disciples
when He appeared to them alive after His resurrection, which Paul ...
/.../faustus quotes passages to show.htm

Christ, Though Known to the Jews under the Law, yet Only ...
... face of Jesus Christ," (2:Cor.4:6); because, when he appeared in this ... power and glory
which shone forth in his resurrection, Christ says that he was not ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 9 christ though known.htm

The Conversion of Paul.
... justifies a doubt concerning the realness of the resurrection itself by ... Last of all,
as unto an untimely offspring, Christ appeared to me also," he draws a ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 31 the conversion of.htm

Paul Before the Council.
... He was now standing before the Sanhedrim, because he had affirmed the resurrection
of Christ, which was not only a proof of his Messiahship, but is ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxvi paul before the.htm

Christ Appears to the Women at the Tomb; to Mary; to the Two ...
... and in bidding them announce his resurrection to the ... that the passage contains no
proof that Christ ascended to ... since it cannot be supposed that he would have ...
/.../section 300 christ appears to.htm

John Chapter xvii. 20
... their word, attained the proper faith in Christ, or, in ... then got firm hold of the
faith of His resurrection. ... those for whom He prayed, when He said, "Neither ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate cix john chapter xvii.htm

The Candour of the Writers of the New Testament.
... they would in their account of Christ's several appearances after his resurrection,
at least ... and such as would not have been made for Christ if he had not ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter iii the candour of.htm

Of the Mission of the Holy Ghost Fifty Days after Christ's ...
... by the example of His own resurrection unfolded immortality ... that, in consequence
of their dispersion, Christ should be ... For He who in meekness had endured them ...
/.../on the catechising of the uninstructed/chapter 23 of the mission of.htm