Jesus' Appearance to the Few

Splendour

Acts 10:

"39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”




I know we can't get inside God's head nor can we ever understand his ways, but... the above passage got me thinking as to why Jesus didn't appear to the masses.

Obviously many still wouldn't have believed but I imagine the majority would and therefore Christianity may have spread throughout the world at a faster pace.

I wonder why Jesus went to all that trouble of dying on the cross and didn't hang around to witness.

Any biblical scholars care to share their thoughts on this?

PDN

I think part of the reason may be to do with the quality of the witnesses. Jesus' post-resurrection appearances were primarily to those who adhered to his teachings - and the Great Commission was not just to get people to believe that Jesus was God, but also to teach people to obey His words. Therefore, instead of commencing His ministry by going straight to the Cross following His baptism by John, He spent three years training His disciples.

Scholar William Hendicksen speculated in his New Testament Commentary volume on Galatians as to who were the Judaizers that were trying to force Gentile converts to be circumcised and to obey the Jewish law. His thought-provoking suggestion was that they may have been Pharisees who were convinced by the evidence that the Resurrection had taken place, but lacked the breadth of vision to see that Christianity was for the whole world rather than merely being a sect of Judaism.

georgieporgy

From biblical accounts I was under the impression that Jesus appeared to his followers (those that would recognise him) quite a few times in the 40 days between the resurrection and ascension. And on at least one occasion to a large group of 500. Scripture also tells us that Jesus did lots more than what is recorded, so it is concievable he appeared to other people unknown to the 4 evengelists.http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/resurrectionofchrist.html


In any case, the people had Lazarus living among them for a long time after his own resurrection. Surely that alone should dispel any doubts.

I think the reason christianity didn't spread rapidly is because " it is a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the gentiles".

martinedwards

and the fact that it was a much more primative society than we have, with no media, Internet, and the vast majority of people wouldn't have travelled further than a few miles from where they were born. once the disciples started moving out, thespeed at which the gospel spread due to the Pax Romana was remarkable

Splendour

PDN wrote: »

Scholar William Hendicksen speculated in his New Testament Commentary volume on Galatians as to who were the Judaizers that were trying to force Gentile converts to be circumcised and to obey the Jewish law. His thought-provoking suggestion was that they may have been Pharisees who were convinced by the evidence that the Resurrection had taken place, but lacked the breadth of vision to see that Christianity was for the whole world rather than merely being a sect of Judaism.

Interesting...and they weren't alone in thinking this...