Hover over Romans 1:20-22 for proof of God's existence, and over Matthew 5:27-28 for Judgment Day’s perfect standard. Then hover over John 3:16-18 for what God did, and over Acts 17:30-31 for what to do.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

The Harmony of the Gospels

I noticed that a skeptic recently mocked the Bible, challenging someone to make sense of the gospel accounts of the resurrection. Let me quote from, The Evidence Bible: “Both Matthew and Mark list women as the first to see the resurrected Christ. Mark says, ‘He appeared first to Mary Magdalene’ (16:9). But Paul lists Peter (Cephas) as the first one to see Christ after His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:5). Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene, then to the other women, and then to Peter. Paul was not giving a complete list, but only the important one for his purpose. Since only men’s testimony was considered legal or official in the first century, it is understandable that the apostle would not list the women as witnesses in his defense of the resurrection here. The order of the appearances of Christ is as follows: 1. Mary: John 20:10–18, 2. Mary: and women Matthew 28:1–10, 3. Peter: 1 Corinthians 15:5, 4. Two disciples: Luke 24:13–35, 5. Ten apostles: Luke 24:36–49; John 20:19–23, 6. Eleven apostles: John 20:24–31, 7. Seven apostles: John 21, 8. All apostles: Matthew 28:16–20; Mark 16:14–18, 9. 500 brethren: 1 Corinthians 15:6, 10. James: 1 Corinthians 15:7, 11. All apostles: Acts 1:4–8, 12. Paul: Acts 9:1–9; 1 Corinthians 15:8.” Now that it makes sense to our skeptic, he will be quick to repent and trust the Savior. Yeah, right.