There are those who preach the doctrine of the OTW with a twist. They preach that the pre-resurrection was reserved for those who may have died during Jesus’ three and a half years of ministry on earth.
This slight adaptation of the Doctrine of the OTW is suggested only because of Matthew 27:53 which states “and appeared unto many” suggesting that because the words “appeared unto many” the “many” recognized those who had resurrected and were friends, relatives, sons and daughters of those resurrected.
This thought is an adapted teaching that has been ingrained into the minds of followers and has become part of the myth.
If there were a physical resurrection of the New Testament Worthies there are 6 accounts of possible saints that could have been in actual graves at the time of Jesus’ resurrection in Jerusalem: John the Baptist, Joseph the step-father of Jesus, Zacharias the priest of the Temple, Elizabeth who was Zacharias’ wife, Simeon a man who was just and devout, and Anna a prophetess. These were followers of Christ.
But as was the case in the Old Testament, the New Testament Worthies did not have the Holy Spirit. Therefore, they did not qualify to be in the First Resurrection. Therefore, it stands to reason that they did not deserve a claim that God would grant them in a pre-resurrection state. There are a few who accept the concept of the New Testament Worthies as part of the myth, and this is just an assumption.
The Saints Arose 