100 Reasons to Believe New Testament History
22. Witness Number and Consistency
The New Testament is a collection of writings by people who either saw Jesus first hand, or by those who interviewed them. Matthew, John and Peter were eyewitnesses to Jesus. As far as we know, Paul only saw the resurrected Jesus, but no doubt learned all the facts concerning Christ’s life and ministry from the other apostles. Luke was a travelling companion of Paul and an ardent researcher who interviewed eyewitnesses A. According to the second century author Papias, Mark received the information for his Gospel directly from the apostle Peter B.
Despite the great diversity in personalities (Paul, a Rabbi; Luke, a doctor; Matthew, a former tax collector; John and Peter, fishermen), there is great unanimity between their testimonies regarding the life and teachings of Jesus. Many experts in legal evidence have concluded that in court of law, these testimonies would have to be deemed trustworthy C.
22. Witness Number and Consistency - Notes and References
A. “Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses…” Luke 1:1-2
B. “…we shall add a matter of primary importance a tradition regarding Mark who wrote the Gospel, which he [Papias] has given in the following words: ‘And the Presbyter said this. Mark having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately whatsoever he remembered. It was not, however, in exact order that he related the sayings or deeds of Christ. For he neither heard the Lord nor accompanied Him. But afterwards, as I said, he accompanied Peter, who accommodated his instructions to the necessities, but with no intention of giving a regular narrative of the Lord’s sayings. Wherefore, Mark made no mistake in thus writing some things as he remembered them. For of one thing he took special care, mot to omit anything he had heard and not to put anything fictitious into the statements.” Eusebius, The Church History, iii.39
C. “All that Christianity asks of men…is, that they would be consistent with themselves; that they would treat its evidences as they treat the evidence of other things; and that they would try and judge its actors and witnesses, as they deal with their fellow men, when testifying to human affairs and actions, in human tribunals. Let the witnesses be compared with themselves, with each other, and with surrounding facts and circumstances; and let their testimony be sifted, as if it were given in a court of justice, on the side of the adverse party, the witness being subjected to rigorous cross-examination. The result, it is confidently believed, will be an undoubting conviction of their integrity, ability, and truth.” Simon Greenleaf, Royal Professor of Law, Harvard University, “The Testimony of the Evangelists, Examined by the Rules of Evidence Administered in Courts of Justice”, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House, 1965 (reprinted from 1847 edition).
“I say unequivocally that the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ is so overwhelming that it compels acceptance by proof which leaves absolutely no room for doubt.” Sir Lionel Luckoo, Attorney with 245 consecutive murder acquittals, knighted twice by Queen Elizabeth, former Justice and Diplomat, Cited by Ross Clifford, “The case for an Empty Tomb”, Albatross Books, 1990, p. 112