There are four kinds of evidence which are acceptable to any legal mind, namely:(1) physical, (2) documentary, (3) testimonial, (4) analytical. The claim (see video below) of these ‘imaginary people that the miracles performed by the Lord Jesus Christ did not leave behind any evidence is unfounded and idiotic.Let us examine the issue.
In the first place, we have to consider the accounts in the Bible written by the apostles and evangelists, as testimonial and analytical evidences.John 20:30-31 says:
“And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
The miracle in Cana, turning water into wine, was witnessed by John and other eyewitnesses, wrote it in his account, and the existence of manuscripts dating back to as early as 120 A.D.(fig. 1), can now be considered as testimonial, analytical, and physical evidence.
These informations written in the Bible, written in ancient writing materials, and are now preserved in various museums of the world, whose authenticity and antiquity is unchallenged even by the detractors of the Bible, can be considered as analytical pieces of evidences.
Luke, a medical doctor and the only Gentile writer of Bible books, writing to another Gentile, Theophilus, (gentile is someone who is not Jew), investigated the miracles and the works done by the Lord Jesus from eyewitnesses, wrote them in his gospel and in the book of Acts, left them as documentary evidence of Jesus’ miracles.
(Luke 1:1-3)“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, and ministers of the word; It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus…”
(Acts 1:1-2)“In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.”
Note that what Luke wrote are accounts from eyewitnesses, and first hand informations, investigated with a perfect understanding of what factually happened.
The testimonial account written and left by the apostles can be subjected to scientific investigation by any legal mind, and can be proven true by collateral pieces of physical evidences.
The absence of physical evidence in our time does not mean that there is no evidence at all!The Lord Jesus healed a woman with an issue of blood for twelve years.Unfortunately, there were no medical forms accomplished and signed by the woman to have documentary evidence from the very person healed.It was not customary then.But eyewitnesses to the miracle wrote them and we have them now in the Bible.If only there were video cameras in those days, maybe these ‘imaginary people’ will believe!Further, there were no contending parties then that deny the authenticity of the miracles, so, the Christians did not see any necessity to preserve the remains of the woman that was healed!
(Matthew 9:20-22)“And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said,Daughter,be of good comfort;thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.”
These accounts written by the apostles, and were read by so many detractors of Jesus were not contested by the great-great grandfather of these ‘imaginary people’.The following are the collateral evidences to prove the authenticity of the writings of the apostles who were eyewitnesses to the miracles done by Jesus.
Roman coins found by archaeologists prove the account in Matthew 22:17-21.
“Tell us therefore, what thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.And he saith unto them, whose is this image and superscription?They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.”
A piece of limestone on which the name of Pontius Pilate was inscribed proves the existence of the miracle-performing Jesus.
The Roman historian Tacitus wrote concerning the Great Fire of Rome, in book 15, chapter 44 of his Annals (c. 116):
“Nero subdidit reos et quaesitissimis poenis adfecit, quos per flagitia invisos vulgus Christianos appellabat. Auctor nominis eius Christus Tibero imperitante per procuratorem Pontium Pilatum supplicio adfectus erat;”
English Translation:
“Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius”
Even a Jewish historian by the name of Flavius Josephus wrote about the miracles and the works done by the Lord Jesus (- Jewish Antiquities, 18.3.3 §63).
Testimonium Flavianum
(Flavius Josephus’ Account of Jesus)
“About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man.For he was one who performed surprising deeds and was a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks. He was the Messiah. And when, upon the accusation of the principal men among us, Pilate had condemned him to a cross, those who hadfirst come to love him did not cease.He appeared to them spending a third day restored to life, for the prophets of God had foretold these things and a thousand other marvels about him.And the tribe of the Christians, so called after him, has still to this day not disappeared.”
Unfortunate for these materialistic idiots, when Jesus performed a miracle of Himself when He resurrected from the dead, did not leave any physical evidence, because no evidence was left in the grave!
They say that Jesus did not leave behind any evidence of His miracles.Just look who is talking!
God Bless
EFS
