A Christian lawyer has said that legally the question of Christ’s resurrection was beyond doubt, and any court of law would be compelled to admit it.
He said: “I can easily prove my case. If you read your Bible you will see there are thirteen witnesses, unimpeached and unimpeachable, whose names are known. They were well acquainted with Christ. They had met Him many times before His death, and they saw and talked with Him after the resurrection. Five hundred persons also saw Him at the same time.
“One witness (not an accomplice) is sufficient to prove the highest offense known to the law—murder. Two witnesses are required to prove treason, and three witnesses are the highest number required to prove the execution of a will.”
A listener objected: “But they might have been mistaken.”
“No, no!” answered the lawyer. “There could have been no case of mistaken identity. It is urged that the five hundred witnesses were liable to err through prejudice, but where was the motive? Their cause was condemned, their leader killed, themselves outcasts. Would they swear falsely to His identification? It is incredible! The witnesses to the resurrection of Christ never contradicted or denied their testimony in relation to it, but told the same story as long as they lived. Their subsequent conduct is totally consistent with the truth of their story.
“This is always competent evidence, especially where the number of witnesses is large. These witnesses all led exemplary lives. As long as life lasted they lived in poverty and virtue, as their Master had taught. Most of them suffered martyrdom, after preaching the gospel all their lives long at great personal hazard and discomfort. Had they not been sincere, they would not have persisted as they did to the end.”
“Christ died for our sins
according to the scriptures;
and . . . He was buried, and . . . He
rose again the third day
according to the scriptures.”
1 Corinthians 15:3-4