Early Christian Belief in Christ's Resurrection

Tertullian, On the Resurrection of the Flesh Direct teaching

...ed up the substance of his own gospel and of their belief in an explanation of the Lord's death and resurrection. He did this in order to draw from it the rule of our hope and its foundation. So he adds this statement: "Now if Christ is preached that He rose from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is vain, and your faith is also vain. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up, if it is true that the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not raised. And if Christ is not raised, your faith is vain, because you are still in your sins, and those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished." 1 Corinthians 15:12-18 Now what is the point that he is plainly working hard to make us believe throughout this passage? The resurrection of the dead, you say, which was denied. He certainly wanted it to be believed on the strength of the example he brought forward, the Lord's resurrection. Certainly, you say. Well then, is an e

Archelaus, Disputation with Manes Direct teaching

...ese: "But when the good pleasure of God was with us, He sent His Son, made of a woman"; and again, "Christ our passover is sacrificed for us"; and once more, "God has both raised up the Lord, and will raise up us together with Him by His own power"? And there are many other passages with a similar meaning. For example, this one that follows: "How do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is vain. Yes, and we will be found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. Then they also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are more miserable than all men. But now Christ is risen from the dead, the beginning of those who sleep"; and so on. Who then, I ask, can be found so rash and bold as not to make his faith fit these sacred words, in which there is no qualification and no doubt? Who, I ask you,

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Supporting witness

...sh." He mentions that the Spirit engages with the flesh in the same Epistle, "You are the letter of Christ, delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of human hearts." If, then, fleshly hearts can partake of the Spirit now, it is not surprising that they will receive life from the Spirit in the resurrection. The apostle talks about this resurrection in the Epistle to the Philippians: "Being conformed to His death, if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead." In what other mortal flesh can life be shown if not in the same flesh that is put to death because of the confession of God? As he himself says, "If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for human reasons, what benefit is it to me if the dead are not raised? If the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is in vain, and your faith is in vain. We are also false witnesses about God, because we've testified that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise if the dead are not raised. If the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. But if Christ has not been raised, your faith is

Justin Martyr, On the Resurrection, Fragments Supporting witness

... the flesh? Wishing to confirm this, when His disciples were unsure whether to believe He had truly risen in the flesh, and were looking at Him in doubt, He said to them, “You still have no faith; see that it is I.” He allowed them to touch Him and showed them the marks of the nails in His hands. When they were persuaded by every kind of proof that it was indeed Himself and in the body, they asked Him to eat with them to further verify that He had genuinely risen bodily; and He ate honeycomb and fish. By doing this, He showed them that there truly is a resurrection of the flesh, and wished to demonstrate that it is not impossible for flesh to ascend into heaven (as He had said that our dwelling place is in heaven), “He was taken up into heaven while they watched,” as He was in the flesh. Therefore, if after all this, anyone still requires proof of the resurrection, they are no different from the Sadducees, since the resurrection of the flesh is the power of God, and, being beyond all reasoning, is established by faith and seen in action.

1 Corinthians 15:12 Direct teaching

Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

Romans 6:9 Supporting witness

Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

1 Corinthians 15:14 Supporting witness

And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.

Mark 16:6 Supporting witness

And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.

Luke 24:6 Supporting witness

He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee,

1 Corinthians 15:4 Supporting witness

And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Cyprian, Treatises Direct teaching

But we who live in hope, and believe in God, and trust that Christ suffered for us and rose again, abiding in Christ, and through Him and in Him rising again, why either are we ourselves unwilling to depart hence from this life, or do we bewail and grieve for our friends when they depart as if they were lost, when Christ Himself, our Lord and God, encourages us and says, I am the resurrection and the life: he that believes in me, though he die, yet shall live;

Hippolytus, Treatise on Christ and Antichrist Supporting witness

66. Concerning the resurrection of the righteous, Paul also speaks thus in writing to the Thessalonians: We would not have you to be ignorant concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not even as others which have no hope.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

... sake. And if you want to be a martyr for the reward of benefits, listen again. For we are saved by hope. But hope that is seen is not hope. For if a man sees something, why does he still hope for it? But if we hope for what we do not see, then we wait for it patiently. Romans 7:24-25 But even if we suffer for righteousness’ sake, Peter says, we are blessed. Do not be afraid of their fear, and do not be troubled. But set apart the Lord God in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you, but do it with meekness and fear, having a good conscience. Then, in the matter for which you are spoken against, those who slander your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if it is the will of God, than for doing evil. But if someone should argue contentiously and say, “How is it possible for weak flesh to resist the forces and spirits of the Powers?” let him know this: by trusting in the Almighty and the Lord, we fight against the principalities of darkness, and against death. “While you are still speaking,” He says, “Look, here I am.” See the unconquerable Helper who protects us. Th

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

...hope of truth and liberty, we may attain to truth and liberty itself. For the very fact that we are Christians is the substance of faith and hope. But for that hope and faith to attain their result, there is need of patience. For we are not following after present glory, but future glory, according to what Paul the apostle also warns us and says: “We are saved by hope; but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees, why does he hope for? But if we hope for that which we do not see, then by patience we wait for it,” Romans 8:24-25. Therefore, waiting and patience are needful, so that we may fulfill what we have begun to be, and may receive what we believe and hope for, according to God's own showing. Moreover, in another place, the same apostle instructs the righteous and the doers of good works, and those who lay up for themselves treasures in heaven with the increase of the divine usury, that they also should be patient. He teaches them, saying, “Therefore, while we have time, let us labor in that which is good to all men, but especially to them who are of the household of faith. But let us not faint in well-doing, for in its season we shall reap.” He warns that no man

Athenagoras, The Resurrection of the Dead Supporting witness

Confident of these things, no less than of those which have already come to pass, and reflecting on our own nature, we are content with a life associated with neediness and corruption, as suited to our present state of existence, and we steadfastly hope for a continuance of being in immortality;

Athenagoras, The Resurrection of the Dead Supporting witness

and this we do not take without foundation from the inventions of men, feeding ourselves on false hopes, but our belief rests on a most infallible guarantee — the purpose of Him who fashioned us, according to which He made man of an immortal soul and a body, and furnished him with understanding and an innate law for the preservation and safeguard of the things given by Him as suitable to an intelligent existence and a rational life: for we know well that He would not have fashioned such a being, and furnished him with everything belonging to perpetuity, had He not intended that what was so created should continue in perpetuity.

Athenagoras, A Plea for the Christians Supporting witness

Therefore, having the hope of eternal life, we despise the things of this life, even to the pleasures of the soul, each of us reckoning her his wife whom he has married according to the laws laid down by us, and that only for the purpose of having children.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book II Supporting witness

...You, and You gave him length of days forever and ever,” demonstrating that the Father of all grants eternal continuance to those who are saved. Life does not originate from us or our own nature but is given according to the grace of God. Therefore, anyone who preserves the life they have been given and gives thanks to the One who granted it will also receive eternal length of days. But whoever rejects it and remains ungrateful to their Creator, given that they were created and did not recognize the One who gave them life, deprives themselves of eternal continuance. For this reason, the Lord said to those who were ungrateful towards Him: “If you have not been faithful in what is little, who will give you what is great?” indicating that those who have been ungrateful in this short earthly life will justly not receive eternal life from Him.

1 Peter 1:3 Direct teaching

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:21 Supporting witness

Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

Romans 8:24 Supporting witness

For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?

Titus 3:7 Supporting witness

so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

... raise us up through our Lord Jesus Christ, according to His infallible promise. He will grant us a resurrection with all those who have slept from the beginning of the world. Then we shall be such as we now are in our present form, without any defect or corruption. For we shall rise incorruptible. Whether we die at sea, or are scattered on the earth, or are torn to pieces by wild beasts and birds, He will raise us by His own power. For the whole world is held together by the hand of God. Now He says, "A hair of your head shall not perish." Luke 21:18 Therefore He exhorts us, saying, "In your patience you possess your souls." Luke 21:19 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, and the recompense of reward for the martyrs, Gabriel speaks to Daniel: "And many of them that sleep shall arise out of the dust of the earth, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that understand shall shine as the sun, and as the firmament, and as the stars." Daniel 12:2-3 Therefore the most holy Gabriel foretold that the saints should shine like the stars. For His sacred name did witness to them, that they might understand the truth. Nor is a resurrection dec

Tertullian, On the Resurrection of the Flesh Supporting witness

But when the preaching of the resurrection, of which they had previously not heard, by its absolute novelty excited the heathen, and a not unnatural incredulity in so wonderful a matter began to harass the simple faith with many discussions, then the apostle took care in almost every one of his writings to strengthen men's belief of this Christian hope, pointing out that there was such a hope, and that it had not as yet been realized, and that it would be in the body — a point which was the special object of inquiry, and, what was besides a doubtful question, not in a body of a different kind from ours.

Cyprian, Treatises Direct teaching

...t with a heavenly voice and said, "It is better for those who are given to death by men to wait for hope from God, to be raised up by Him again to eternal life. For to you there will be no resurrection to life." 2 Maccabees 7:14 The fifth, besides trampling underfoot the king's torments and his severe and various tortures by the strength of faith, was also stirred by the Spirit of divinity to foreknowledge and knowledge of future events, and foretold to the king the wrath of God and the vengeance that would quickly follow. "Having power among men, though you are corruptible, you do what you will. But do not think that our race has been forsaken by God. Remain, and see His great power, how He will torment you and your seed." 2 Maccabees 7:16 What relief that was to the martyr! What solid comfort in his afflictions, not to think of his own torments, but to foretell the penalties of his tormentor! But in the sixth, not only his bravery but also his humility must be set forth. The martyr claimed nothing for himself, and did not even speak proudly about the honor of his own confession. Instead, he ascribed it to his sins that he was suffering persecution from the king, while he gave

Peter of Alexandria, The Genuine Acts of Peter Supporting witness

Then, after a little while, he says: “If, then, Origen, you maintain that the resurrection of the body, changed into a spiritual body, is to be expected only in appearance, and you present the vision of Moses and Elijah as a very strong proof of it, saying that they appeared after they had departed from life, with no different appearance from what they had from the beginning, then the resurrection of all men will be the same. But Moses and Elijah rose and appeared in this form of which you speak before Christ suffered and rose. How then could Christ be proclaimed by prophets and apostles as the first begotten of the dead? For if Christ is believed to be the first begotten of the dead, He is the first begotten of the dead because He rose before all others. But Moses appeared to the apostles before Christ suffered, having this form in which you say the resurrection is fulfilled. Therefore, there is no resurrection of the form without the flesh. For either there is a resurrection of the form, as you teach, and then Christ is no longer the first begotten of the dead, since souls appeared before Him in this form after death; or He is truly the first begotten, and it is completely imposs

Methodius, From the Discourse on the Resurrection Supporting witness

Then, a little later, he says: "If, then, Origen, you claim that the resurrection of the body, changed into a spiritual body, is to be expected only in appearance, and if you present the vision of Moses and Elijah as very strong proof of this, saying that they appeared after they had departed from this life, keeping the same appearance they had from the beginning, then the resurrection of all people will be in the same way. But Moses and Elijah rose and appeared in this form you speak of before Christ suffered and rose. How then could Christ be proclaimed by the prophets and apostles as the first begotten of the dead? For if Christ is believed to be the first begotten of the dead, He is the first begotten of the dead because He rose before all others. But Moses appeared to the apostles before Christ suffered, having this form in which you say the resurrection is fulfilled. Therefore, there is no resurrection of the form without the flesh. For either there is a resurrection of the form, as you teach, and then Christ is no longer the first begotten of the dead, since souls appeared before Him having this form after death; or He is truly the first begotten, and then it is completely i

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

...ts." We, then, according to the noble apostle, "wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith which works by love." Galatians 5:5-6 And we desire that every one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope," down to, "made a high priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek." Hebrews 6:11-20 Similarly, with Paul the all-virtuous Wisdom says, "He that hears me shall dwell trusting in hope." Proverbs 1:33 For the restoration of hope is called by the same name, hope. To the words "shall dwell" it has most beautifully added "trusting," showing that such a man has obtained rest, having received the hope for which he hoped. Therefore it is also added, "and shall be quiet, without fear of any evil." And openly and expressly the apostle says in the first Epistle to the Corinthians, "Be followers of me, as also I am of Christ," 1 Corinthians 11:1 in order that this may take place. If you are of me, and I am of Christ, then you are imitators of Christ, and Christ of God. Assimilation to God, then, so that as far as possible a man becomes righteous and holy with wisdom, he sets down as the ai

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

For it is not reasonable that he who has been buried with Christ, and is risen again with Him, should appear dejected at His very resurrection.

Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Supporting witness

What have you to do with the image of a body from which you take away the hope of resurrection?

Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Supporting witness

What have you to do with the image of a body from which you take away the hope of resurrection?

Methodius, From the Discourse on the Resurrection Direct teaching

...he soul has fallen and sunk down into the dust of the earth, Daniel 12:2. For it is not what is not dead, but what is dead, that is laid down. But it is the flesh that dies; the soul is immortal. So then, if the soul is immortal, and the body is the corpse, those who say that there is a resurrection, but not of the flesh, deny any resurrection at all. For it is not what remains standing, but what has fallen and been laid down, that is raised up, according to what is written, "Does not he who falls rise again, and he who turns aside return?" Jeremiah 8:4

Peter of Alexandria, The Genuine Acts of Peter Supporting witness

...he soul has fallen and sunk down into the dust of the earth, Daniel 12:2. For it is not what is not dead, but what is dead, that is laid down. But it is the flesh that dies; the soul is immortal. So then, if the soul is immortal, and the body is the corpse, those who say that there is a resurrection, but not of the flesh, deny any resurrection. Because it is not what remains standing, but what has fallen and been laid down, that is raised up, according to what is written, "Does not he who falls rise again, and he who turns aside return?" Jeremiah 8:4.

Athenagoras, The Resurrection of the Dead Supporting witness

and, looking to this, we both await the dissolution of the body, as the sequel to a life of want and corruption, and after this we hope for a continuance with immortality, not putting either our death on a level with the death of the irrational animals, or the continuance of man with the continuance of immortals, lest we should unawares in this way put human nature and life on a level with things with which it is not proper to compare them.

Ignatius, Epistle to the Smyrnaeans (Short Version) Direct teaching

Yea, far be it from me to make any mention of them, until they repent and return to [a true belief in] Christ’s passion, which is our resurrection.

Justin Martyr, On the Resurrection, Fragments Supporting witness

But now He has come proclaiming the glad tidings of a new and strange hope to men.

Alexander of Alexandria, Epistles on the Arian Heresy Direct teaching

John 16:33 After this we know of the resurrection of the dead, the first-fruits of which was our Lord Jesus Christ, who in very deed, and not in appearance merely, carried a body, of Mary Mother of God, who in the end of the world came to the human race to put away sin, was crucified and died, and yet did He not thus perceive any detriment to His divinity, being raised from the dead, taken up into heaven, seated at the right hand of majesty.

Clement of Rome, Connection to 1 Corinthians 15:20 Supporting witness

how the Lord continually proves to us that there shall be a future resurrection, of which He has rendered the Lord Jesus Christ the first-fruits by raising Him from the dead.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Direct teaching

... that He alone can extend both healing and life to His creation, so that His words about its future resurrection may also be believed—so at the end, when the Lord speaks with “the last trumpet,” the dead shall be raised, as He declares: “The hour will come in which all the dead in the tombs will hear the voice of the Son of man, and will come forth; those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.”

Methodius, From the Discourse on the Resurrection Supporting witness

For if the Christ is believed to be the first begotten of the dead, He is the first begotten of the dead as having risen before all others.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Supporting witness

But now Christ has risen from the dead, the first-fruits of those that sleep;

Archelaus, Disputation with Manes Supporting witness

But now is Christ risen from the dead, the beginning of them that sleep;

Acts 26:23 Direct teaching

that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

1 Corinthians 15:20 Supporting witness

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

1 Corinthians 15:21 Supporting witness

For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

John 11:25 Supporting witness

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.