Eyewitnesses
An eyewitness is one whose
firsthand knowledge of a crime or an important event is used to ascertain the
actual facts surrounding the event in a court of law. One witness is usually
insufficient. “The facts of the case must be established by the testimony of
two or three witnesses” (Deuteronomy 19:15).
Paul reminded the
Corinthians to remember what they had believed when they first accepted the
good news (1 Corinthians 15:1). They were to continue believing that “Christ died for
[their] sins . . . was buried, and . . . was raised from the dead on the third
day” (vv.3-4). This was the basis of their salvation, for it was true (v.2).
In the span of 40 days,
Jesus “appeared to the apostles . . . and He proved to them in many ways that
He was actually alive” (Acts 1:3).
In 1 Corinthians 15:5-7, Paul listed credible key eyewitnesses: Peter (Luke 24:34; John 21:1-22), the Twelve (Luke 24:33-49; John 20:19-28), James, Jesus’ previously unbelieving half-brother (John 7:5; Galatians 1:19), and all the apostles (Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:3-8). Paul referred to an occasion (possibly Acts 1:9-11) where Jesus “was seen by more than 500 of His followers
at one time” (1 Corinthians 15:6). Paul also named himself, for he had met the risen Lord
on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:3-5).
Writing some 20 years after
the resurrection (AD 53–56), Paul stated that “most of [these eyewitnesses] are
still alive” (1
Corinthians 15:6). The fact of
Christ’s resurrection, readily verifiable, is firmly established by the
testimonies of more than 500 eyewitnesses (John 8:17; 2 Corinthians 13:1).
As eyewitnesses, we too can
testify to Jesus’ reality. We have experienced His salvation and presence, and
our lives will never be the same!
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