This page cites texts scholars believe predate the earliest NT writings; i.e. Paul. The texts are from the NT and for reasons cited below and in the links are believed to have been inserted by the NT authors. They provide insight into what the earliest Christians believed.
Philippians Hymn aka The Philippian Creed – Marg Mowczko and Bart Ehrman (at 35 min) believe the hymn pre-dates Paul. These verses also have the characteristics of early Christian hymns. The Christological scheme presented in Philippians 2:6-11 is of Christ’s pre-existence,[2] humiliation, and exaltation which were common themes of many early church hymns. (Marg)
6 Who, being in the form (morphe) of God, did not regard it robbery to be equal with God
7 But he emptied himself taking the form (morphe) of a slave, being in the likeness of human beings
8 And being found in appearance (schema) as a human, he humbled himself, Being obedient unto death, even death on a cross
9 Therefore also God highly exalted him in the highest place And granted to him a Name that is above every Name
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth
11 And every tongue confess that the Lord Jesus is the Christ to the glory and praise of God the Father.
This passage in Philippians uses uncommon words, and words used differently from the way Paul generally used them in his letters. This seems to indicate that Paul was not the original author of this creed-hymn. The fact that there is no mention of salvation or the resurrection in this hymn further suggests that it is not Paul’s composition, as these themes were of vital importance to the apostle (2 Cor. 15:1ff). Marg.
Romans 1:3-4 per Bart Ehrman. See his post The Earliest Belief in Christ??.
“the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord”
Bart believes this is a very early statement of belief by the first Christians before Paul, showing they believed Jesus was exalted upon resurrection.
An Analysis of the Pre-Pauline Creed in 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 by Ryan Turner | Oct 1, 2009
3 For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, 4 and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
The Message in the Earliest Creeds in the New Testament, kevingdrendel, a retired lawyer.
According to Dr. Gary Habermas, Paul cites a number of early Christian creeds in his letters, and Peter cites one as well. Perhaps, the most significant creed is found in 1 Corinthians 15:3-7.
The other creeds include 1 Corinthians 11:26; Acts 2:22-36; Romans 4:25; Romans 10:9; Philippians 2:8; 1 Timothy 2:6; and 1 Peter 3:18.[1] Other scholars identify creeds in 1 Corinthians 11:23-29; Romans 1:3-4; Romans 10:9; 1 Timothy 3:16; 2 Timothy 2:8; and Philippians 2:6-11.[ii]
The importance of these creeds is that they include the earliest message of the church following the death of Jesus. They reveal the most fundamental and central message of the early followers of Jesus. The most significant characteristic of these creeds is a common theme – the death and resurrection of Jesus.
That the writings of the New Testament contain early creeds that were originally passed down orally is accepted by virtually all New Testament scholars.[iii] These creeds are are often identified by statements that the words have been “received and passed on”, their different style, use of Aramaic words and poetic, rhythmical elements.[iv]
Of particular significance is the creed in 1 Corinthians 15:3-5.[v] The early date of this creed is notable. No scholar dates it later than the mid-40s AD,[vi] and some date it within a year or two of the death of Jesus[vii], even many very liberal scholars.[viii] Combine the very early date and the message itself, and the importance is obvious.
The creed is a statement of the death, burial, resurrection, and appearance of Jesus to His followers. Because this creed can be traced to within years (or less) after the events it recalls, we know with a high degree of certainty that the message of the resurrection of Jesus arose early.
Potential Creeds – All links below are to the NRSV.
- 1 Corinthians 11:26;
- 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
- Acts 2:22-36;
- Romans 4:25;
- 25 who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.
- Romans 10:9;
- 9 because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
- Philippians 2:8;
- 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.
- 1 Timothy 2:6;
- 6 who gave himself a ransom for all—this was attested at the right time.
- 1 Peter 3:18.[1]
- 18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit,
- 1 Timothy 3:16;
- …He was revealed in flesh, vindicated in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.
- Philippians 2:6-11.[ii]
- 6 …though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
