EYE WITNESS TESTIMONY

EYE WITNESS TESTIMONY “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched — this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.” (1 John 1:1, 2) According to researchers Dr. L.D. Rosenblum, Dr. Harold Stolovitch and Dr Erica Keeps, here is how we learn: 83.0% – Sight 11.0% – Hearing 03.5% – Smell 01.5% – Touch 01.0% – Taste These researchers point out that you can see about 50 miles, but can only hear a fraction of that distance. You can only smell a fraction of the distance you can hear, and your ability to touch is limited to the length of your arm. Taste, of course, is even more limited than touch. The more of these 5 senses that are involved , of course, the better we learn. John specifically mentions 3 of the 5 senses to validate his testimony. He also adds, however, that he had “looked at” or “pondered” the evidence about Christ. It is also logical to assume that John also “smelled” and “tasted” things that added to his confidence about Christ. Just as Isaac could smell Esau’s clothing (Gen.27:27), certainly John could “smell” Jesus when he learned back against him at the last supper (Jn. 21:20). And how could John forget the special “taste” of the water that Jesus turned into wine (Jn. 2:1 - 11). At any rate, John considered the evidence and was completely confident about Christ. The original followers of Christ believed because of what they saw, Jesus, however, said “blessed are those who do not see and yet believe” (Jn. 20:29).

Peter confirmed: “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen — by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.” (Acts 10:39-41) Jesus could have appeared unto everyone, but He deliberately chose not to do so. He appeared only unto special witnesses like Peter and John. Then He commanded these special witnesses to preach to the rest of us. Peter continued: “ He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." (Acts 10:42-43) Remember! We are saved by faith, not by sight. Faith is being certain of what we cannot see (Heb. 11:1). Ladies and gentlemen in a jury are not eye witnesses. They cannot rely upon direct evidence from any of their 5 senses. They can, however, arrive at the truth by exercising their powers of logic and reason to examine evidence. This is the way God ordained that we are saved. This “God ordained process”, however, does not keep the rest of us from being “eye witnesses” of evidence. Paul wrote that “Christ in you” is the hope of glory (Col. 1:27). When believers are transformed from the works of the flesh to the fruit of the Spirit, they shine like lights in a dark world (2 Cor. 4:6). Our love for one another, for example, is convincing evidence that we are His disciples (Jn. 13:34). So - “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matt 5:16)