Final answer:
Others in the early Christian period disputed the message of Jesus and Paul's teachings, with some figures like Demas and Ermogenes opposing the idea of the resurrection. The early church had diverse beliefs, and not all people accepted the teachings of Christian evangelists; some sought to stop their spread through legal action.
Step-by-step explanation:
While Paul preached Christ risen from the dead, others were engaging in debates and disputes about Christian teachings and the message of Jesus. The early Christian church did not have a single unified set of beliefs or texts, and as a result, there were varied interpretations of Jesus's teachings. Different sects and individuals had their own understandings of Jesus's message, with some opposing new teachings, including the concept of the resurrection. For instance, contemporary Jewish leaders and Roman authorities at the time often viewed Christian teachings with skepticism or outright hostility, accusing Christians like Paul of promoting customs that were considered illegal or blasphemous within the Roman Empire.
In some accounts, such as those by Demas and Ermogenes, they would argue against the resurrection, suggesting alternative interpretations or trying to discredit Christian teachings by appealing to authority figures to silence their spread. In the early days, Christianity was a contentious topic, and responses to the preaching of the resurrection were mixed, ranging from curiosity and conversion to opposition and persecution.