#49 How many believers were there at the time of the Ascension

Response by Dave Marr

How many believers were there at the time of the ascension?

The skeptic's irresolution:

There were 120 believers after the ascension.
"the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty." Acts 1:15

There were more than 500 believers before the ascension.
"He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep." 1 Corinthians 15:6

Explanation:
This case appears to be one where the skeptic is straining to find a “contradiction”. None exists. There were likely far more than 500 believers before the Ascension. 1 Corinthians 15:6 says that “more than 500 brethren” witnessed Jesus. It doesn’t say “all brethren”. After the Ascension, there were probably far more disciples. In Acts 1:15, Peter is speaking to a select group of believers, the “core of the group” so to speak. At this meeting, there happened to be “about an hundred and twenty” present. Again, this verse does not say “all”.

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