Final answer:
The statement that Apostle Paul understood Jesus to have raised himself from the dead is considered false. Christian theology typically attributes the act of resurrection to God's power, consistent with early Christian teachings and the New Testament narratives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the Apostle Paul understood Jesus to have raised himself from the dead is generally considered false. In Christian theology, the Resurrection is understood as an act of God, and while interpretations vary, mainstream Christian thought attributes the act of resurrection to the power of God rather than to Jesus raising himself from the dead. This view is consistent with early Christian teachings and the accounts found in the New Testament, where the Resurrection is treated as a miraculous event performed by God.
Early Christianity did not have a uniform set of texts or beliefs, and many of Jesus's teachings were open to interpretation. The Apostle Paul, who was instrumental in spreading early Christianity, taught that Jesus's death and resurrection were part of God's plan for the salvation of humanity. Moreover, the Gospels describe the resurrection of Jesus with women discovering the empty tomb and being told by an angel that Jesus has risen. The apostles, after the resurrection, began to teach and spread Christianity, referring to Jesus as 'the Christ' which means 'the anointed one' or messiah.
resurrection itself is a cornerstone of Christian faith, signifying Jesus's victory over death and offering salvation to believers. This event is distinct from other miracles like the raising of Lazarus, where Jesus is depicted as performing the miracle himself. Therefore, the idea that Jesus raised himself from the dead is not a common interpretation within mainstream Christian belief, and attributing the act directly to Jesus, rather than God, would not align with the Apostle Paul's teachings or the Gospel narratives.