BoldBelief Devotional

Eyewitnesses to Truth

Add comment2 weeks ago3 min readby Paul Natekin

#BoldBeliefDevotional by Paul Natekin

Key Bible Verse:

“And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised.” — 1 Corinthians 15:14-15 (NIV)

Have you ever wondered if the stories about Jesus in the Bible could just be legends? It’s a common doubt, but let’s dive into why the evidence suggests otherwise.

Apologetic Insight:

The time gap between Jesus’ ministry and the writing of the Gospels was incredibly short, not allowing enough time for legends to develop. As J. Warner Wallace points out, “The Gospels were written within the lifetimes of eyewitnesses, which means any false claims could have been quickly debunked.” Furthermore, the noble character of the apostles like Peter, James, and John adds credibility to their testimonies. As Greg Koukl explains, “These men were raised with a deep respect for the truth, and they were willing to die for what they believed.” Even Jesus’ enemies, such as the chief priests and Pharisees, acknowledged His miracles without disputing them, as noted in John 11:45-48. William Lane Craig emphasizes, “The absence of any contemporary refutation of Jesus’ miracles by His enemies strongly supports the authenticity of these events.”

Encouragement & Application:

Doubts about the historical accuracy of Jesus’ life and miracles are natural, but they can also be an invitation to explore the evidence more deeply. Take time to read the Gospels, engage with apologists’ works, and discuss your questions with trusted mentors or community members. Remember, the truth about Jesus stands firm on the testimonies of those who witnessed His life and miracles firsthand.

Reflection Questions:

How does the reliability of eyewitness testimony impact your understanding of Jesus’ miracles?
In what ways can you seek out more information to strengthen your faith in the historical Jesus?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for the reliable witnesses who shared the truth about Jesus. Help us to trust in the historical accuracy of the Gospels and to find confidence in the testimonies of those who saw Your miracles firsthand. Guide us as we seek to deepen our faith and understanding of Your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.