Fact a Day: April 11th

Knowing the Truth About the Resurrection (Harvest House, 1996) p. 21

Why is the testimony of the people who witnessed Jesus’ resurrection compelling evidence? 
Part 3—The apostles faced persecution and eventual martyrdom for giving testimony to Jesus’ resurrection.

Consider the often malicious opposition encountered by these eyewitnesses. Would they repeatedly endure persecution, prison, risking their lives, and face death, for what they knew was a lie? Here is a small sampling of what these witnesses went through. “And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees, came upon them, being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in jail . . .” (Acts 4:1-3).

“After calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them to speak no more in the name of Jesus…” (Acts 5:40).

“And Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him [Stephen] to death. And on that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem… Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house; and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison” (Acts 8:1,3).

“Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church, in order to mistreat them. And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword…. He proceeded to arrest Peter also” (Acts 12:1-3).