Matthew 28:1-10 – In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of

him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I

have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.”

I. The Number of Witnesses The strength or weakness of any

testimony is determined by the number of witnesses.

Deuteronomy 17:6 – “At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.”

I. The Number of Witnesses The strength or weakness of any

testimony is determined by the number of witnesses.

So for 40 days over 500 people had an opportunity to see Jesus

II. The Character of the WitnessesA. Some had not believed in Jesus

John 7:5 – “For neither did His brethren believe in Him.”

II. The Character of the WitnessesA. Some had not believed in Jesus

Acts 1:14 – “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brethren.”

II. The Character of the WitnessesA. Some had not believed in JesusB. Some were skeptical after Jesus death

John 20:24-25 – “But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in His hands…

II. The Character of the WitnessesA. Some had not believed in JesusB. Some were skeptical after Jesus death

John 20:24-25 – …the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

II. The Character of the WitnessesA. Some had not believed in JesusB. Some were skeptical after Jesus death

Acts 10:40-41 – “Him God raised up the third day, and showed Him openly; Not to all people, but unto witnesses chose before of God”

II. The Character of the WitnessesA. Some had not believed in JesusB. Some were skeptical after Jesus deathC. One was even a former enemy

Saul of Tarsus, who later became known as Paul the apostle

III. The Strength of their WitnessA. Demonstrated by the nature of their

testimony Their testimony was based on

observation rather than theory For 40 days there were given infallible

proofs – Acts 1:3 They ate and drank with Jesus – Acts

10:41

III. The Strength of their WitnessA. Demonstrated by the nature of their

testimony For 40 days there were given infallible

proofs – Acts 1:3 They ate and drank with Jesus – Acts

10:41 They saw, heard, and touched Him – 1

John 1:1-2

III. The Strength of their WitnessA. Demonstrated by the nature of their

testimonyB. Demonstrated by their transformation

Prior to the resurrection the disciples were afraid and without hope

After the resurrection they fearlessly praised God and proclaimed Jesus

III. The Strength of their WitnessA. Demonstrated by the nature of their

testimonyB. Demonstrated by their transformationC. Demonstrated by their high moral

standardEphesians 4:15 – “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.”

III. The Strength of their WitnessA. Demonstrated by the nature of their

testimonyB. Demonstrated by their transformationC. Demonstrated by their high moral

standard They lived their own lives in an

unimpeachable way

III. The Strength of their WitnessA. Demonstrated by the nature of their

testimonyB. Demonstrated by their transformationC. Demonstrated by their high moral

standardD. Demonstrated by the price they paid

All but one died a martyr’s death because of their testimony

1 John 1:1-3 – “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard,

which we have seen with our eyes, which we have

looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the

Word of life; For

the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and

show unto you that eternal life, which

was with the Father, and was manifested unto us; That which

we have seen

heard declare we unto you, that ye

also may have Fellowship with us:

and truly our fellowship is with

the Father, and with His Son Jesus

Christ.”