Conversions Only Explainable by Resurrection

Claim ID: HIS-IS31

Claim: Conversions Only Explainable by Resurrection

Summary: Jesus' disciples lived with him for three years and witnessed thousands of miracles. However, their lives were marked with doubt and disbelief. It was not until the disciples encountered Jesus in the flesh after his resurrection that they believed. Their dramatic conversion is only explainable by the resurrection of Jesus.

Description: The phrase "seeing is believing" is human nature. Often, we are not convinced of something until we have witnessed concrete evidence or proof. Such is the case with Jesus' disciples and first century Christians.

The disciples initially responded to the news of Jesus' resurrection with utter doubt and disbelief (Luke 24:10-11 NLT). They did not believe the testimony of the women who returned from the empty tomb. They regarded the women's report as nonsense.

Jesus predicted his death and resurrection on five separate occasions [HIS-EV66]. Also see Matthew 12:40 and John 2:18-21. It seems that living with Jesus for three years and witnessing thousands of miracles was not enough proof that Jesus was a person of his word. It's no wonder Jesus rebuked them for their unbelief (Mark 16:14). So, what event caused them to believe and commit their lives to spreading the Good News of salvation through Jesus?

It was not until the disciples encountered Jesus in the flesh that they believed. This was a defining moment, a water shed event.

As for the church throughout the ages, it is the original testimony of the disciples and the power of the Holy Spirit that confirms the trustworthiness of the resurrection account [HIS-EV59].

Therefore, the dramatic conversion of Jesus' disciples and Christians throughout the ages is only explainable by the resurrection of Jesus.

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