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How do you know the resurrection is true?
I once thought the Bible was written by one person.
So when I asked a pastor how we know that the resurrection was true, and responded with a series of lyrics to the writing, I thought it was a circular reasoning.
How can you quote from the resource that is actually in question?
But then I learned that the Bible was written by more than 40 writers, by different social strata, even for centuries.
It’s not just a book. It’s a collection of books.
The Bible is an anthology.
I have included my stories in anthologies like the Hot cider books and Register Christian writers Books. I have also created two anthologies myself. All of these anthologies had several contributors who wrote tributes, short stories and poems. The coefficients were in age, experience and location.
Similarly, the Bible is a collection of history, poetry, prose and prophecies written by several authors for many years.
If the Bible were never concentrated – and all the writings remained separate – we would have many different resources to quote instead of a big one.
For example, the New Testament has at least eight writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Jacob, Peter and Judas (but we are not sure who wrote the book of the Jews).
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all wrote letters that became known as “Gospels”.
Matthew
Matthew was originally a tax collector living in Capernaum. He was called as one of the first Apostles of Jesus. He was a witness to the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him. But some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “I was given all power to heaven and earth. (Matthew 28:16 NIV)
He wrote the Gospel of Matthew after 70 AD, around 85-90 AD.
Mark
Mark lived in Jerusalem and was known as Peter’s interpreter. It is said to be in the garden with Jesus when they were arrested.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “Looking for Jesus the Nazareth, who was crucified. It has been resurrected! It’s not here. See the place they put him in. But go, tell his students and Peter: “He goes to Galilee in front of you.” There you will see him, as he told you. ” (Mark 16: 6–7 niv)
He wrote the Gospel of Mark around the year 70 AD.
Look
Luke was a doctor who lived in the first century, but was not an eyewitness to the ministry of Jesus. He was considered one of the first historians of the Church.
While they were still talking about it, Jesus himself stood between them and said, “Peace to you.” They were frightened and scared, thinking that they saw a ghost. He said to them: “Why are you upset, and why are doubts born in your mind? Look at my arms and legs. I’m the same! Touch me and see. A ghost has no flesh and bones, as you can see I have. ” (Luke 24: 36–39, NIV)
He wrote the Gospel of Luke around 85-90 AD.
John
Like Matthew, John was one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus. At first he was a fisherman. He was a close trust in Jesus and the one from whom Jesus asked to take care of his mother after his death.
Eventually, the other student, who had first arrived in the grave, entered in. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from the Bible that Jesus had to be resurrected by the dead.) Then the disciples returned where they were staying. (John 20: 8–10, NIV)
He wrote the Gospel of John between 60-110 AD.
Four very different men with very different backgrounds. If the Bible were never concentrated as a book, these four authors would have been mentioned as four different sources instead of one.
The other four writers of the New Testament include Paul (initially persecutor of Christians), James (brother of Jesus), Peter (one of the original 12) and Judas (younger brother of James and Jesus).
Paul
Paul was a Jewish Pharisee who began as a persecutor of Christians. He became a Christian when Jesus appeared after his death. After Paul’s conversion, he wrote 13 letters included in the New Testament between 50 and 58 AD.
James
James grew up with Jesus. It was skeptical that his brother was the Messiah until Jesus appeared after his death. He wrote Jacob’s book sometime before 62 AD.
Peter
Peter was originally a fisherman, and like Matthew, he was one of the first Apostles of Jesus. It was part of Jesus’ narrowest circle. He wrote his letters between 62 and 64 AD.
Jude
Judas was the youngest brother of Jesus and Jacob. And he was also skeptical that his brother was master until Jesus was revealed after his death. He wrote Judas’ book before the destruction of the temple in 70 AD.
In order to be reliable a research work, at least three sources must be reported. The New Testament has at least eight. And more than half of them are real eyewitnesses to the Resurrection.
I believe that the pastor was right when he quoted many verses of writing to prove the resurrection. Having gathered everything in a big book just made it easy for me to look for.
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