Paul maintained that Jesus’ resurrection from the dead was a physical rising (i.e. leaving behind an empty grave).
A forthcoming article analyzes at least these 8 evidences:
• 1 Cor 15:2-11 (“died,… buried,… rose”) says so.
• Col 2:9 (“bodily form”) says so.
• Grk. “anastasis” = physical resurrection (by default).
• Grk. “egeiro” = physical resurrection (by default).
• Paul taught a personal return of Christ.
• Jesus overthrows death; he doesn’t flee it.
• Jesus’s resurrection matches how ours will be.
• Rom 8: 11 (“give life, mortal bodies”).
But no... [All Forthcoming]
• Paul says we are raised non-physically.
• Paul doesn’t know of an empty tomb.
• 1 Cor 15:45 (“life-giving spirit”) says its non-physical.
• Paul says Jesus fills all (Eph 1:23).
• 1 Pet 3:18 (made alive in the spirit).
• Paul is critical of physical bodies.
The account of Paul’s life in the book of Acts comports well with the picture given by Paul’s own writings.
• Acts says Paul sees his calling via Her 1 and Isa 49.
• Acts says Paul had impeccable Jewish credentials.
• Acts says Paul was a persecutor of the church.
• Acts says Paul converted in way xyz around Damascus.
• Acts says Paul supported himself by labor.
• Acts says Paul works to support himself (so-as not to burden converts).
• Acts says Paul goes first to Jews, then Gentiles.
• Acts says adapts well to diff audiences (e.g. Jew/Gentile).
• Acts articulates a salvation history.
• Acts says Paul visits local synagogues first.
• Acts sermons match Paul.
*But no…
• [All forthcoming]
Acts 9, 22, 26 mentions this light but describes no body sourcing it. This is relevant because Acts get’s Paul right (re the appearance to him), and Paul says that in this appearance it was Jesus who he saw.
But no...
• Acts 9:7 says Paul did see Jesus form.1
• Paul believed Jesus’ risen body shone as a dazzling light.1