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RESURRECTION.
533
“Paul says, that Jesus appeared to Cephas; then to the twelve : then he appeared to above 500 brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain until now; 7, then he appeared to James; then to all the apostles, and, last of all, as to one born out of all time, he appeared to me also ; I Cor. XV. 5-7.
“The ascension as witnessed by the apostles is described in the Acts with all the accessories such a spectacular event would imply, whereas Mark and Luke only say that Jesus was received in heaven; Matthew, John, and Paul, in Cor. I., say nothing about so great a miracle."
* Order of appearance." * Jesus appeared in the following order:
"To Mary and Magdalene, then to the 11 apostles, according to Matthew.
“ To Magdalene, then to the two apostles, then to all.--Mark. "To the two apostles, then to Simon, then to all.- Luke.
“To Magdalene, then to the disciples, in 8 days again in Tiberias. --John.
“To the apostles in 40 days.-Acts.
“To Cephas, then to the 12 apostles, then to the above 500.--I Cor.
"To Paul, and James.
“No two records agree as to the number of witnesses, nor as to the order of meeting Jesus.
"Slight variations in the testimony of witnesses would strengthen evidence if they express merely the differences of personal impressions, but the essentials must agree. In the above the essentials not only disagree, but contradict one another. This holds good also with reference to what was spoken by Jesus and his disciples. If closely examined it will be found that the relevant as well as the irrelevant vary with each version, Exempli gratia; Luke, XXIV. 39, the evening of the first day, See my hands and feet, that it is myself; handle me and see: for a spirit hath no flesh and bones, as ye behold me having. In John, XX. 17, Jesus says to Magdalene, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended unto the Father. Again, eight days later, verse 27, he asks Thomas to touch and examine him ......We are left to draw our own conclusions."
There are obvious traces of falsehood and interpolation about the events which took place subsequent
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