WITNESS BEARING

“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”  (Luke 1:1-4 NIV)

In the training of the twelve for the work of apostleship, hearing and seeing the words and works of Christ necessarily occupied an important place. Eye and ear witnessing of the facts of an unparalleled life was an indispensable preparation for future witness bearing. The apostles could secure credence for their wondrous tale only by being able to preface it with the protestation: “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard.” (1 John 1:3a NIV)

None would believe their report, save those who, at the very best, were satisfied that it emanated from men who had been with Jesus. Hence the third evangelist, [Luke] himself not an apostle, but only a companion of apostles, presents his Gospel with all confidence to his friend Theophilus as genuine history, and no mere collection of fables, because its contents were attested by men who “from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.”

-- A.B. Bruce in “The Training of the Twelve”


#4830