That Romans 1:3-4 is an ancient pre-Pauline creed is shown by the parallelism of the clauses,36 which is especially seen in the contrast between Jesus as both the son of David and the Son of God.37 The same Jesus who was born in space and time was raised from the dead.38 This creed proclaims that Jesus was shown to be the Son of God, Christ (or Messiah) and Lord and vindicated as such by his resurrection from the dead.39 Cullmann adds that redemption and Jesus’ final exaltation were also included in this significant creedal affirmation.40 Such an encompassing statement, including three major Christological titles and implying some actions of Jesus, reveals not only one of the earliest formulations of Christ’s nature, but also conveys an apologetic motif in relating all this theology to the vindication provided by Jesus’ resurrection (cf. Acts 2:22f.).
Another early creed which links the resurrection with the person and claims of Jesus is Romans 10:9-10.41 In this passage, belief in this historical event is connected with confessing that Jesus is Lord. As a result one’s salvation is secure.42 Earlier it was pointed out that this may actually be a baptismal creed, whereby the candidate announced his belief in (and allegiance to) Jesus Christ.
Lastly, some creeds also confess Jesus’ ascension to heaven and his resulting exaltation. Two examples of such early creeds were mentioned earlier with regard to the life of Jesus. In 1 Timothy 3:16, it is proclaimed that, after his incarnation, Jesus was “taken up in glory.” In Philippians 2:6f. it is related that after Jesus humbled himself as a man, he was highly exalted and is to be worshiped by all persons (2:9-11).43 This latter passage is taken from Isaiah 45:23 where God the Father is receiving such praise and glory.
Before proceeding to the extended examination of 1 Corinthians 15:3ff. it will be advantageous to briefly summarize the facts reported in various other creeds concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus. A few earlier events of Jesus’ life are mentioned, all from the creeds in Acts: (6) Jesus was born in the lineage of David (13:23; also Rom. 1:3; 2 Tim. 2:8), and (7) came from the town of Nazareth (2:22; 4:10; 5:38). (8) John preceded Jesus’ ministry (10:37; 13:24-25), (9) which began in Galilee, (10) afterwards expanding throughout Judea (10:37). (11) Jesus performed miracles (2:22; 10:38) and (12) fulfilled numerous Old Testament prophecies (2:25-31; 3:21-25; 4:11; 10:43; 13:27-37).
We are further informed by the creed in 1 Corinthians 11:23ff. that (13) Jesus attended a dinner (14) on the evening of his betrayal. (15) He gave thanks before the meal and (16) shared both bread and drink, (17) which, he declared, represented his imminent atoning sacrifice for sin.
(18) Later, Jesus stood before Pilate (Acts 3:13; 13:28) and (19) made a good confession, which very possibly concerned his identity as the King of the Jews (1 Tim. 6:13). (20) Afterwards, Jesus was killed (Acts 3:13-15; 13:27-29) (21) for mankind’s sins (1 Pet. 3:18; Rom. 4:25; 1 Tim. 2:6), (22) in spite of his righteous life (1 Pet. 3:18). (23) Crucifixion was specified as the mode of death (Acts 2:23; 2:36; 4:10; 5:30; 10:39), being performed (24) in the city of Jerusalem (Acts 13:27; cf. 10:39), (25) by wicked men (Acts 2:23). (26) Then he was buried (Acts 13:29).
(27) After his death he was resurrected (Acts 2:24, 31-32; 3:15, 26; 4:10; 5:30; 10:40; 13:30-37; 2 Tim. 2:8), (28) on the third day (Acts 10:40) and (29) appeared to his followers (Acts 13:31), even (30) eating with them (Acts 10:40-41). (31) His disciples were witnesses of these events (Acts 2:32; 3:15; 5:32; 10:39, 41; 13:31). (32) After his resurrection, Jesus ascended to heaven and was glorified and exalted (Acts 2:33; 3:21; 5:31; 1 Tim. 3:16; Phil. 2:6f.).
(33) The risen Jesus instructed that salvation be preached in his name (Acts 2:38-39; 3:19-23; 4:11-12; 5:32; 10:42-43; 13:26, 38-41). (34) This event showed God’s approval of Jesus, by validating his person and message (Acts 2:22-24, 36; 3:13-15; 10:42; 13:32-33; Rom. 1:3-4; 10:9-10).
The person of Jesus Christ
Regarding his person, Jesus is called (35) the Son of God (Acts 13:33; Rom. 1:3-4), (36) Lord (Luke 24:34; Acts 2:36; 10:36; Rom. 1:4; 10:9; Phil. 2:11), (37) Christ or Messiah (Acts 2:36, 38; 3:18, 20; 4:10; 10:36; Rom. 1:4; Phil. 2:11; 2 Tim. 2:8), (38) Savior (Acts 5:31; 13:23), (39) Prince (Acts 5:31) and (40) the Holy and Righteous One (Acts 3:14; cf. 2:27; 13:35). (41) It is even said that, regarding his essential nature, he is God (Phil. 2:6).
1 Corinthians 15:3ff.
While the subject of early Christian creeds is a fascinating area of research, some may wonder on what grounds the facts of the creeds themselves may be established. One approach to this question is to validate the New Testament documents as reliable sources and then argue to the creeds as trustworthy testimony. Although we have provided much of the grounds for such a response in the above chapters, and while this writer believes that such an answer is an approach that has much to commend it, we are again reminded that the task we have set up for ourselves is to pursue independent evidence for such claims. Therefore, because of this particular goal, we will endeavor to provide special evidence for the death and resurrection of Jesus by referring to what is perhaps the most important single creed in the New Testament.
In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Paul states:
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures (RSV).
As the passage continues, Paul records appearances of the resurrected Christ to Peter, to the “twelve” disciples, to over 500 persons at one time, to James, to all of the apostles and then to Paul himself (vv. 5-8).
That this confession is an early Christian, pre-Pauline creed is recognized by virtually all critical scholars across a very wide theological spectrum.44 There are several indications that reveal this conclusion.