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Examining The Witnesses
1 John 1:1-4
In the Scriptures there are several witnesses who attest to the fact of the
resurrection of Christ. A careful examination of the witnesses will increase and
strengthen our faith, renew and enrich our hope.
Three things must be considered to decide a case
upon given testimony.
Are the witnesses honest?
Are the facts of a plain, tangible nature?
How many witnesses are involved?
If one establishes these three things beyond lingering doubt, he could have no
better evidence in any court of law. It is the strongest evidence within the
power of mortal man. First, then, we inquire, "Were the witnesses honest men?
This must be determined from the circumstances of the case. What were they to
gain by their testimony? Did they gain large fortunes? Were they promoted to
honor or high position? Were they given a comfortable, easy life? Some have been
known to receive such things after giving certain testimony. However, the
witnesses of the resurrection received only to the
contrary (1 Cor. 4:9-13).
Furthermore, we ask, "Did their testimony agree?" Mark said of the witnesses who
testified against Jesus, "...Their testimonies did not agree." (Mark 14:56).
There are no contradictions in the testimony of those who witnessed of the
resurrection. Also, we question, "Were they willing to stand behind their
testimony?" Some in the face of affliction have changed their testimony, but the
apostles and early Christians were willing to suffer imprisonment and death for
the testimony of Jesus (Acts 5:28-29; Rev. 6:9; 12:11; 20:4). It is not in human
nature for men to suffer and die for something they know to be false and
promises no earthly rewards. Thus, we have established the witnesses to be
honest.
Next, we inquire, "Were the facts of the resurrection of a plain, tangible
nature?" There are three ways a deception could have been wrought. (1) Had they
been only partially acquainted with Jesus, they could have mistaken Him for some
other. (2) If He had been absent for a long time, they could have forgotten His
general appearance. (3) If they did not have a fair opportunity to identify Him,
they could have been deceived.
They were not partially acquainted with Him. They had been closely associated
with Him for over three years and would have known His walk, voice, color of
eyes, and even the very lines on His face. Jesus needed only to call out Mary
Magdalene's name for her to recognize Him (John 20:15-17). They were not away
from Him for a long time. He was crucified on Friday and raised on Sunday -
hardly enough time to erase Him from their memory. They had a fair
opportunity to identify Him after He was raised. He was in their presence (Matt.
28:9-10; John 20:19-20) and ate with them (Luke 24:36-43; Acts 10:40-41). They
were associated with Him for forty days (Acts 1:3) and at last saw Him taken up
into heaven (Acts 1:9-12).
As to the number of witnesses, besides those mentioned above, on one occasion
Jesus was seen of above five hundred brethren at once (1 Cor. 15:6). We close
with these words from the apostle John: "That which was from the beginning,
which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked
upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (for the life was
manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that
eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) that which
we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship
with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus
Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full." (1 John
1:1-4)
By David J. Riggs
From Expository Files 4.3; March 1997
