#2 – The Witnesses For It …

Ford’s Theater (Washington, D.C.) Friday, April 14, 1865

#2 – The Witnesses For It The Witnesses For It

#2 – The Witnesses For It THEIR COLLECTIVE CREDIBILITY  Strength and/or weakness of testimony is often determined by number of witnesses  Taught in the Law of Moses Deut 17:6  Also a principle in the gospel of Christ Mt 18:16 1 Tim 5:19

#2 – The Witnesses For It THEIR COLLECTIVE CREDIBILITY  Viewed collectively, the testimony of those who saw the resurrected Lord is compelling  Jesus appeared 11 times to others after His resurrection

#2 – The Witnesses For It  Mary Magdalene Jn 20:11-17  Other women believers Mt 28:9-10  Peter Lk 24:34 1 Cor 15:5  Cleopas & unnamed disciple Lk 24:13-35  Apostles, minus Thomas Jn 20:19-23  Apostles with Thomas 1 week later Jn 20:26-29  Seven disciples by Sea of Tiberias Jn 21:1-23  Over 500 brethren at one time 1 Cor 15:6  James 1 Cor 15:7  All the apostles in Galilee Mt 28:16-20  All the apostles at His ascension Acts 1:4-9 Jesus’ 11 Post-Resurrection Appearances

#2 – The Witnesses For It THEIR COLLECTIVE CREDIBILITY  Viewed collectively, the testimony of those who saw the resurrected Lord is compelling  Jesus appeared 11 times to others after His resurrection  These are the “infallible proofs” of Acts 1:3

#2 – The Witnesses For It THEIR CASE  These witnesses had “empirical” evidence  Evidence from experiment (experience) and observation…not “theory”  What was this “evidence?”  They ate & drank with Jesus Acts 10:40-41 Jn 21:9-15a

#2 – The Witnesses For It THEIR CASE  What was this “evidence?”  They saw, heard, touched Jesus Jn 20: Jn 1:1-2  They recognized His voice Jn 20:15-16

#2 – The Witnesses For It THEIR CASE  Had they only “partially known” Jesus, or if He had been gone a long time, they could have been mistaken or even forgotten Him  They spent 3+ years with Him…they knew Him  Died on Friday…seen again on Sunday  There was no doubt to them…it was Jesus

#2 – The Witnesses For It THEIR CHARACTER  Their credibility is strengthened when one considers the following… Their former conduct  Skepticism before turned into belief after seeing Jesus Jn 20:24-28

#2 – The Witnesses For It THEIR CHARACTER Their former conduct  An enemy before became a follower after seeing Jesus Acts 9:1-2 26:19-23  They were not “gullible”…willing to believe anything they were told

#2 – The Witnesses For It THEIR CHARACTER Their honesty  What would they gain with such testimony? Fortunes, comfort in life? 1 Cor 4:9-13  What did false witnesses gain by lying? Mt 28:11-15  Would they lie for no possible benefit???

#2 – The Witnesses For It THEIR CHARACTER Their transformation  Prior to Jesus’ resurrection, disciples were afraid…totally without hope  They fled at His arrest Mk 14:50  Some denied even knowing Him Mk 14:66-72  They hid behind locked doors Jn 20:19

#2 – The Witnesses For It THEIR CHARACTER Their transformation  After Jesus’ appearance, they fearlessly proclaimed His resurrection Acts 4:3, :28-32,  Would men with no credibility change from one extreme to another without reason???

#2 – The Witnesses For It THEIR CHARACTER The price they paid  All but 1 suffered martyrdom (accepted by most Bible students)  Only 1 is recorded Acts 12:1-3 Mt 20:20-23  The one not killed was exiled Rev 1:9

#2 – The Witnesses For It THEIR CHARACTER The price they paid  What would have been their motivation to continue supporting something and eventually suffer for something they knew to be false???

#2 – The Witnesses For It Some Concluding Thoughts…  History’s most significant event was not witnessed by anyone alive today  Yet, we are asked to accept it and act on it  All we have is the testimony of the eye witnesses who claimed to have seen Him

#2 – The Witnesses For It Some Concluding Thoughts…  Are they credible enough to be believed… especially when viewed collectively?  Will the case they make (and the evidence) stand up to cross examination?  Does their character compel you to believe?

#2 – The Witnesses For It Some Concluding Thoughts…  If we believe their testimony, even though we did not see for ourselves… Jesus says we are “blessed” Jn 20:27-29  The “blessing” will be living with this resurrected Ruler in heaven forever!!

#2 – The Witnesses For It …