The New Testament Writers Trustworthyness Part 3
5. The New Testament Writers Included Events Related to The Resurrection That They Would Have Not InventedIn addition to the inclusion of embarrassing details regarding themselves and Jesus,the N.T writers record events related to the Resurrection that they would not have inserted if they had invented the story. These include:
The Burial of Jesus
The N.T. writers record that Jesus was buried by Joseph of Arimathea,a member of the Sanhedrin,which was the Jewish ruling council that had sentenced Jesus to die for blasphey. This is not an event they would have made up. Considering the bitterness some Christians harbored against the Jewish authorities,why would they put a member of the Sanhedrin in such a favorable light? And why would they put Jesus in the tomb of a Jewish authority? For if Joseph didn't really bury Jesus,the story would have been easily exposed as fraudulent by the Jewish enemies of Christianity. But the Jews never denied the story,and no alternative burial story has ever been found.
The First Witnessess
All four Gospels say women were the first witnessess of the empty tomb and the first to learn of the Resurrection. One of those women was Mary Magdalene,who Luke admits had been demon-possessed(Luke 8:2). This would never be inserted in a made-up story. Not only would a once-demon-possessed person make a questionable witness,but women in general were not considered reliable witnessess in that first century culture. In fact, a woman's testimony carried no weight in a court of law. So if you were making up a Resurrection story in the first century,you would avoid women witnessess and make yourselves-the brave men-the first ones to discover the empty tomb and the risen Jesus. Citing the testimony of women-especially demon-possessed women-would only hurt your attempt to pass off a lie as the truth.
The Conversion of Priests
"Why didn't the risen Jesus appear to the Pharisees?" is a popular question asked by skeptics. The answer might be that it wasn't necessary. This is often overlooked,but many priests in Jerusalem became believers. Luke writes, "The number of priests in Jerusalem increased rapidly,and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith"(Acts 6:7). These priests eventually initiated a controversy that took place later in the Jerusalem church. During a council meeting between Peter,Paul,James,and other elders,"some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharasees stood up and said,'The Gentles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses"(Acts 15:5).
The council resolved the issue,but the main point is that Luke would not have included these details if they were fiction. Why not? Because everyone would have known Luke was a fraud if there were not significant converts from the ranks of the Pharasees. Theophilus and other first-century readers would have known-or could have easily found-out if such converts existed. Obviously, the Pharasees would have known too. Why would Luke give them an easy way of exposing his lies? after all,if your trying to pass off a lie as the truth,you don't make it easy for your enemies to expose your story. Pharasees conversion and Joseph of Arimathea were two unnecessary details that-if untrue-would have completely blown Lukes cover. And the Joseph story would have blown the cover not only of Luke but of every other Gospel writer as well because they include the same burial story.
To be continued...
Comments (8)
i will look this up but is there another reference or document that explains how or why that occurred?
From what I have looked into,Luke is the only one who mentions Mary Magdalene as being demon-possessed(Luke 8:2).
There are no references or documents that explain how or why she was demon possessed. The Bible seems to be silent regarding this issue. All we know, is that she was demon-possessed prior to meeting Jesus,who cured her of evil spirits.
God bless,friend!
Not only would a once-demon-possessed person make a questionable witness,but women in general were not considered reliable witnessess in that first century culture. In fact, a woman's testimony carried no weight in a court of law. So if you were making up a Resurrection story in the first century,you would avoid women witnessess and make yourselves-the brave men-the first ones to discover the empty tomb and the risen Jesus. Citing the testimony of women-especially demon-possessed women-would only hurt your attempt to pass off a lie as the truth.
True words....personally i believe Jesus...
born again thousands times around the world..
for reasons only known to him he likes to be
invisible at this movement...
I hope you do not mind my opinion.
cmiyer
Thanks for commenting. You are always welcome to share what you like.
Jesus said..."I tell you the truth,no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again(John 3:3).
To be born again,is to become a child of God, through a spiritual rebirth,that occures only once,by receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.
According to the Bible,Jesus is coming again,to take his church(all believers) to be with him, in heaven(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). This is the blessed hope,for all those who are Christians. It could happen at any moment!
God bless!
Calliopesgirl
It is interesting that Jesus not only appeared to believers ,but also to unbelievers,that were opposed to Christianity. One such Pharasee was Saul,who we know as the apostle Paul. Only the resurrection, can account for his drastic conversion from being the biggest enemy of the church,to the greatest missionary of the Christian faith.
God bless!