The Disciples: a 180 turn
The disciples had every reason not to believe. By acknowledging
their faith in the resurrection, they became subject to fierce
persecution. They must have been absolutely convinced that Jesus had
risen from the dead. They had no doubts. Anybody with doubts would not
have willing suffered as they did.
Compare the behaviour of the apostles before and after Jesus’ resurrection. They had deserted and fled when Jesus was arrested (Matthew 26:56). Peter crept back but when questioned he denied he had ever known Jesus (John 19:15-27). The others did not have the courage to appear at all. Less than three months later, they were all willing to stand up in public and proclaim the resurrection. They rejoiced when they were persecuted (Acts 4:1-21; 5:29-42).
It is amazing to think that a defeated little band of cowards meeting in an upper room one day could, a few months later, be a powerful force withstanding great persecution. Something had convinced these men.
They had every possible motive to review carefully the grounds of their faith, and the evidences of the great facts and truths which they asserted ... It was therefore impossible that they could have persisted in affirming the truths they have narrated, had not Jesus actually risen from the dead.
-Simon Greenleaf, Royall Professor of Law at Harvard University
I would really like to grab a bunch of firey friends and kick it in the upper room.
Compare the behaviour of the apostles before and after Jesus’ resurrection. They had deserted and fled when Jesus was arrested (Matthew 26:56). Peter crept back but when questioned he denied he had ever known Jesus (John 19:15-27). The others did not have the courage to appear at all. Less than three months later, they were all willing to stand up in public and proclaim the resurrection. They rejoiced when they were persecuted (Acts 4:1-21; 5:29-42).
It is amazing to think that a defeated little band of cowards meeting in an upper room one day could, a few months later, be a powerful force withstanding great persecution. Something had convinced these men.
They had every possible motive to review carefully the grounds of their faith, and the evidences of the great facts and truths which they asserted ... It was therefore impossible that they could have persisted in affirming the truths they have narrated, had not Jesus actually risen from the dead.
-Simon Greenleaf, Royall Professor of Law at Harvard University
I would really like to grab a bunch of firey friends and kick it in the upper room.
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