Apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 15:3–8c. AD 53–55 (preserving earlier tradition of debated date and provenance) · [Earliest Christian Epistolary Record]
Excerpt or editorial summary: For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve...
Critical Analysis: Paul's letter is the earliest surviving Christian writing to list claimed appearances; it reports what Paul says he received and transmitted without resolving the tradition's precise date or provenance.
Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to the Smyrnaeans §3c. AD 110 · [Apostolic Fathers]
Excerpt or editorial summary: For I know that after His resurrection also He was still in the flesh, and I believe that He is so now. When, for instance, He came to those who were with Peter, He said to them, 'Lay hold, handle Me, and see that I am not a bodiless demon.' And immediately they touched Him, and believed...
Critical Analysis: Ignatius attests early embodied-resurrection belief against Docetic readings; the passage does not independently recover apostolic memories.
Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho §108c. AD 155 · [Ante-Nicene Apologist]
Excerpt or editorial summary: You have sent chosen and ordained men throughout the whole world to proclaim that a godless and lawless heresy had sprung from one Jesus, a Galilean deceiver, whom we crucified, but his disciples stole him by night from the tomb...
Critical Analysis: Justin presents a mid-second-century Christian polemic that may depend on Matthew; it is not independent confirmation of an original Jewish concession about an empty tomb.