One of the earliest creeds, as recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:3-6, testifies to both the scriptural and historical integrity of the gospel. 

 “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, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.”

 Two events are key – Jesus died and he rose again.  Both happened according to the scriptures, which roots them in the understanding of the One True God of the Israelites.  If “the scriptures” is referring to just one passage, it might be the afflicted lamb of Isaiah 53.  But what a glorious realization it is that ALL of the Old Testament that points to the Messiah – the redeemer; prophet, priest, and king; the promised seed and blessing; the great I AM  – all are achieved in Jesus.   He himself claims to be the fulfillment of all the law and the prophets as He miraculously opened the minds of His disciples to understand the scriptures (Luke 24.44-47).

 Just as the whole of God’s recorded plan points to these two events, real-life proofs anchor them in history.  When Jesus died, he was buried.  You don’t bury live people; He was dead. He was a real person, and he really died. Then Jesus astonishingly rose from being dead.  The proof was that he appeared not only to his best friends but also to hundreds more.  He rose from the dead, he is alive, and the Corinthians were invited to interview any of hundreds of eye witnesses who saw and talked to Him.  It’s the truth.