Articles
Many Convincing Proofs
Is it just wishful thinking—the belief that Jesus did indeed rise bodily from the dead?
Or is there good, solid evidence for it?
Luke says of the apostles, “To these He presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days . . .” (Acts 1:3 NASB).
Among the proofs were these:
1. He suddenly appeared to them behind closed doors (John 20:19).
2. His showed them the scars of His crucifixion (Luke 24:36-40; John 20:20).
3. He invited them to touch Him (Luke 24:39; John 20:24-29).
4. He ate in their presence to prove He was not an apparition (Luke 24:36-38, 41-43).
5. He enabled Peter and his companions to net a huge catch of fish, which no doubt reminded them of a similar miracle during His ministry (John 21:1-11; Luke 5:4-11).
6. He predicted they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days, which happened just as He said (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8).
7. Finally, they watched in awe as He ascended out of their sight into heaven (Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:9-11).
Jesus made these appearances not only in Jerusalem but also in Galilee where He had told them to meet Him (Matthew 28:10, 16-17).
One more thing: The apostles were not expecting Jesus to rise from the dead. When others told them they had seen the risen Lord, they didn’t believe it (Mark 16:9-14; John 20:24-25).
It was the “many convincing proofs” that made true believers of them.
Seeing Him changed everything.
