“When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.” Acts 7:54-60
Proof of the fact of the resurrection!
The history of Watergate in the ‘70s suggests that the eyewitnesses of Jesus’ resurrection were trustworthy and reliable. Watergate was a plot concocted by Nixon’s powerful aides. But the fraud unraveled when one man testified against Nixon to save his own skin. The cover-up and hoax held together only two weeks, then everybody jumped ship to save themselves. Nobody’s life was at stake but they faced public embarrassment, disbarment, and prison. All they had to do was say nothing – nobody knew.
The men who knew of Watergate just had to say nothing, but couldn’t keep it secret for weeks. The Apostles all paid huge prices for their message. Most suffered much before their death. All they needed to do was say it wasn’t real and they would have been spared. They didn’t. They couldn’t hide the truth of Jesus Christ.
Are you willing to speak the truth in today’s world where condemnation comes still?