Many times we will be asked why Christians believe that Christ rose from the dead. It’s an absurdity they say, a fairy tale, no one has ever risen from the dead. How can we possibly, 2000 years later, still believe this core truth? It’s quite really simple when you think about it. It comes down to human nature and the fact that nobody dies for a lie.
All of the Apostles were martyred with the possible exception of John. Stephen was the first recorded martyr of the church. (Acts 7). What did he witness that convicted him to point of being stoned to death? The resurrection? He could have been one of the many to witness Christ after the resurrection, or even could have been one of the followers endowed by the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Nobody knows for sure but what we do know he was executed, stoned to death for his beliefs. If any of these people were lying do you think for one moment that they would have recanted? Yes, they would have, the moment torture started. Not one did!
Saul of Tarsus, later known as Paul the apostle was a mass murderer of members of the early church prior to his conversion. Christ appeared to him on the road to Damascus and he wrote much of the New Testament in the form of letters(epistles) that much church doctrine is derived from. Do you really think he went through years of torture and torment and eventually died for a lie? How about his testimony about Stephen?
Acts 22 19-20: “‘Lord,’ I replied, ‘these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you. And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him." NIV
These are undeniable witnesses.
How rapidly the church grew in spite of the persecution it was under, that it grew under the point of the sword, not at the point of the sword, i.e it wasn't forced, is another stunning testimony to the validity of our faith.
Think about it, pray about it and take heart, for our faith is based on something that is well documented by biblical and extra-biblical sources; the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
My video of the week: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w6YG2NZguc
Until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus Name I pray
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