Pre-Textual Creeds: Resurrection Belief from the Very Beginning of Christianity
When most of us hear “Creed” we either think of the band from the 90s or we think of the Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed, or Caledonian Creed. By the way, those creeds are helpful and worth your time to study (the ancient creeds, not necessarily the band)! However, what few Christians know is that the vast majority of scholars believe that several statements in the New Testament were actually pre-textual creeds that had been used to pass key doctrines through oral transmission before the New Testament was written. Why does this matter? It demonstrates that belief in Jesus deity and resurrection were not legends that developed over time, but were foundational beliefs held by eyewitnesses in Jerusalem immediately.
Pre-Textual Creeds Documented in Scripture
There are some NT passages that are worded succinctly, even in a “sing song” poetic pattern….This would have made them easy to memorize and pass along from church to church and convert to convert.
What are the Creeds?
You may have noticed that there are some NT passages that are worded succinctly, even in a “sing song” poetic pattern. The “kenosis” passage of Philippians 2 is an example. The “descended” and “ascended” language is patterned with a metered structure that reads like a hymn or poem. Similar language is used in Romans 10:9-10 which may be the most succinct creed of them all. This would have made them easy to memorize and pass along from church to church and convert to convert.
Many scholars note that the creeds reflect the structure of the psalms and may well be the "'hymns” Paul talks about when he admonishes the Christians to address one another in “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19). The fact that creeds were being sung alongside psalms indicates that they were held in high regard alongside revealed Scripture.
The consensus is that the following passages include pre-textual creeds: 1 Corinthians 15:3-7, 1 Corinthians 11:26; Acts 2:22-36; Romans 4:25; Romans 10:9; Philippians 2:8; 1 Timothy 2:6; and 1 Peter 3:18.
“First Importance” (1 Corinthians 15:3-7)
1 Corinthians 15:3-7 is particularly demonstrable, because Paul mentions that he had passed the creed along to them before writing down. Not only that, he says that he “received” it himself, indicating that it was a creed taught before his first visit to Corinth….or, more likely, before his conversion! Note that this creed, like the others, focuses on the atoning death and resurrection of Christ.
“3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. ”
Even critics widely agree that 1 Corinthians is written by Paul in the mid-50s AD, having first visited in 50AD. By the way, critics also agree that Paul wrote Galatians early, and Paul makes note of visiting Jerusalem to talk to Peter and James just a few years after the resurrection. It is possible, even likely, that the Jerusalem visit Paul mentioned in Galatians is when Paul “received” the creed mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15.
Renowned apologist, Dr. Gary Habermas points out that a large number of critical scholars affirm early dates for the pre-Pauline Creeds, even dating 1 Corinthians 15:3-7 to as early as AD 30, within months of the crucifixion! [1]
Renowned apologist, Dr. Gary Habermas points out that a large number of critical scholars affirm early dates for the pre-Pauline Creeds, even dating 1 Corinthians 15:3-7 to as early as AD 30, within months of the crucifixion!
Why does this matter?
Debunking the “Legend Theory.” Historical scholar (and critic) A.N. Sherwin-White notes that legends require long periods of time to develop. Even two generations is too short a time for legendary belief to develop against the facts of an event.[2] What the creeds give the apologist is a critically affirmed recognition that belief in Jesus’ deity and resurrection were widely held by Christians in Jerusalem and beyond right after the resurrection. The “legend theory” can’t stand against such evidence.
Second-Temple Jews and Jesus Worship. These were devout, monotheistic, Second-Temple Jews. They scorned pagan polytheism. Yet, they worshipped Jesus as God! Not only that, in Romans 10 paul quotes Joel 2:32 in reference to Jesus as "YHWH”! He makes no effort to explain why, indicating that he and the rest of the Church believed that Jesus is the God of the Old Testament! For monotheistic Jews to worship Jesus as God would have required they witness a profound event, an event only possible by God’s direct action. The resurrection was that event.
Evangelism. Paul writes in Romans 10:17 that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ.” This “Word of Christ” is the gospel message that spread throughout the world with unprecedented speed. It is the same gospel that has power today, and it is still spreading. If the gospel could spread through the proclamation of the gospel in such simple, easy to memorize statements then, it can do so today. Preach the gospel, brothers and sisters. Memorize the 1 Cor. 15:3-7 and Romans 10:9-10. Take the gospel to the nations!
[1] Gary Habermas, “Tracing Jesus’ Resurrection to Its Earliest Eyewitness Accounts,” God is Great, God is Good (InterVarsity Press, 2009), 212.
[2] A. N. Sherwin-White, Roman Society and Roman Law in the New Testament (Oxford: Clarendon, 1963), 190.
Daniel Samms
Daniel is a Worldviewish contributor who pastors Restoration Church and teaches theology for Liberty University Online. He is also the overseer for Underground Seminary. You can find him online:
www.undergroundseminary.net
www.restorationhcn.org
@undergroundseminary
