Examiner's Report!

We have four Gospel accounts, each providing a glimpse into the life and teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to John what is recorded is only a portion of what could have been. ( John 21:25) John also later wrote that what he proclaimed to his readers was what he and others had “heard” and “seen with our eyes” and “touched with our hands.” ( 1 John 1:1 -3) It was not second hand information.

As Luke began his record we read…
“(1) Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, (2) just as those who from the beginning were EYEWITNESSES and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, (3) it seemed good to me also, HAVING FOLLOWED ALL THINGS CLOSELY for some time past, TO WRITE AN ORDERLY ACCOUNT FOR YOU, most excellent Theophilus, (4) that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” ( Luke 1:1-4 ESV)

Luke was a physician and traveling companion of Paul. Being a physician it may be no surprise the word he used in mentioning “EYEWITNESSES” and our English word associated with it today. It comes from the Greek “autoptes” (“autos”, self, and “aptano” to see) which W. E. Vine’s “Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words” states “signifies seeing with one’s own eyes.” From this Greek word comes our word “autopsy.” A medical examiner who performs an autopsy, examines with his/her own eyes to determine the cause of death. A determination of facts is made in accordance with the evidence being SEEN WITH THEIR OWN EYES. However, the “autoptai” (Greek plural) to whom Luke referred were EYEWITNESSES not of a dead person, but of the risen Living One. As Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, he noted there were many of these witnesses still living who could verify the truth relating to Christ’s resurrection. ( 1 Corinthians 15:4-6)

May we be encouraged that though our eyes did not see Him, through the eyes of faith we can confidently believe because we have the EYEWITNESS accounts of those who did. As we continue to read the Gospel accounts and the words of the Apostles and what was foretold by the prophets ( 2 Peter 1:19), no matter how we scrutinize and “dissect” the Scriptures, we will see how all the facts of the case for Christ agree.

Have a great day KNOWING OUR FAITH RESTS ON RELIABLE TESTIMONY!
Carl

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