A Faith Based on Facts
He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. —Acts 1:2–3
Christianity is not a feel-good belief system that asks you to accept some misguided fairy tale. It is based on reliable and documented evidence of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, thereby justifying His claims and promises. Granted there is an element of faith that is required to believe, but it is based on the clear facts.
Yet going back to the earliest centuries, there have been those who have suggested that Jesus never rose from the dead. Some have said it was a hoax, while others have said the disciples were just hallucinating. But Luke, writing about what he had seen, said that Jesus “presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3).
The word Luke used for “seen” could be translated “eyeballed.” The disciples “eyeballed” the risen Lord. Here was Jesus, who had been crucified and put to death. And He didn’t just appear once or twice—He was popping up everywhere. Five hundred people saw him on a single occasion. That is no mass hallucination; that is evidence.
If this were a hoax the apostles dreamed up, certainly one of them would have broken ranks and admitted it. But they all died the death of a martyr except John, who survived an execution attempt and was banished to the island of Patmos. Not one of them broke ranks, because they could not deny what they knew was true.
Jesus was alive. They had seen Him. They eyeballed Him. It transformed their lives, and they had to share the gospel message with others. They were real people just like you and me. Yet God used them to change the world.
Copyright © 2009 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org and to listen to Greg Laurie's daily broadcast on OnePlace.com, click here.
4 comments:
One of the most telling things about the story of the resurrection for me has always been the about face that the disciples did. If you really read the story, these guys were bickering and fighting and really kind of self-centered in a way before the death. Even afterwards, it appears according to the scriptures that they sorts left in disbelief and returned back to their old lives in some fashion. Then, after seeing the risen Christ, a huge metamorphosis occurred in all these guys and they all started living it hardcore until each of their deaths. Proof positive to me!
Amen
cas
This is a strong reminder for me concerning the faith I have. Clark, well stated my friend. It's amazing that all the apostles lived a life and died a death that offered up proof of a risen savior. My prayer is that I'll do the same.
Agreed, well said Clark. How amazing would it have been to actually have been there and seen Jesus after the resurrection?
i like your comments cas. a true change in attitude like that must have come from seeing. plus, the mere fact that by proclaiming Christ risen was risking their lives is big proof for me.
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