What does Acts 10:41 teach about the reliability of apostolic testimony? Setting the Scene Acts 10 finds Peter explaining the gospel to Cornelius’ household. In verse 41 he zeroes in on how the risen Christ made Himself known: “not by all the people, but by the witnesses God had chosen beforehand—by us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.” Key Observations from the Verse • “not by all the people” – The resurrection was not a public spectacle; it was entrusted to specific eyewitnesses. • “witnesses God had chosen beforehand” – Their role was not accidental but divinely appointed. • “by us who ate and drank with Him” – Physical interaction underscores that Jesus’ resurrection was bodily, not a vision or myth. Why Eyewitnesses Matter • Eyewitness testimony anchors Christian faith in historical fact. (1 John 1:1) • Chosen witnesses were already known to the community, giving their words measurable credibility. • Consistency among multiple witnesses guards against fabrication. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8) Physical Interaction Affirms Reality • Eating and drinking prove a tangible, resurrected body. (Luke 24:42-43) • Touching and seeing remove doubt. (John 20:27) • “Many convincing proofs” over forty days further confirm authenticity. (Acts 1:3) God’s Selection Secures Reliability • The apostles were selected “beforehand,” showing sovereignty over the evidence chain. • Their lives—marked by persecution and martyrdom—demonstrate they had no motive to maintain a lie. (2 Peter 1:16) Corroborating Scripture • Acts 1:21-22 – Apostleship required firsthand experience of the resurrection. • 2 Peter 1:16 – Peter explicitly refutes myths, claiming eyewitness status. • 1 John 1:1-3 – John appeals to what was seen, heard, and touched. Implications for Confidence Today • Scriptural truth rests on verifiable events, not private revelations. • God chose credible witnesses and provided repeated, sensory confirmations. • Because their testimony is reliable, every promise tied to Christ’s resurrection stands firm for believers now. |
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