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Are the witnesses reliable? Some people say they tried to make the story more impressive. Did they? Or were they honestly reporting what they had seen and heard?

There are many good reasons to show why we can trust these writers. These are briefly summarised below. Click the links for a more detailed discussion.

1. They told the truth even if it made them look bad.

The writers often describe things that could be used to find fault with them. This is one of the most remarkable features of the Christian texts. A deceiver tries to hide his faults and inconvenient facts.

2. They avoid exaggeration.

Sometimes a very small change would have made their argument much stronger. But they do not do this.

3. Others knew the truth.

At that time, many other apostles and witnesses were still alive. Imagine if the writers changed the story. There would be a big argument. We know the disciples sometimes argued with each other. The Christian texts tell us that. So we would know about it. But the early Christian texts agree on all important details. In the second century some people tried to change the gospel. Then there were big arguments. We know about these. So if you think that the original texts were inaccurate: that is unrealistic.

4. The unpopularity of the Gospel.

Were the disciples trying to make their story more impressive? If so they made a big mistake. He was killed on a cross? Weak and shameful. Dead body came back to life? Don’t be stupid! Son of God? Heresy or treason! Most Jews, Greeks and Romans would have thought this way.

5. الأفعال التي تتعارض مع الرسالة.

كثيرا ما تحدث يسوع ضد الرياء والكذب. وفعل تلاميذه كذلك. وهذا يمكن رؤيته بسهولة من خلال قراءة النصوص المسيحية. هل سيقنعون الناس باتباع يسوع بالكذب؟? كم هو سخيف!

6. لماذا يموتون بدلاً من إنكار شهادتهم؟?

لقد واجه الرسل الأوائل الموت المؤلم بدلاً من إنكار شهادتهم. واستشهد جميع الرسل ماعدا واحدا. فقط جون أصبح رجلا عجوزا. تقول التقارير أن لوقا, كما مات مرقس وبولس من أجل إيمانهما. كما قُتل العديد من أتباع يسوع الأوائل. في كثير من الأحيان أتيحت لهم الفرصة للهروب أو إنكار إيمانهم. لكنهم يفضلون الموت على إنكار شهادتهم. فإنها موت دفاعا عن كذب?

لقد اختار الملايين من الناس الموت من أجل إيمانهم. ليس فقط المسيحيين!

لتلخيص: يُظهر الفحص الدقيق للكتب المسيحية المقدسة أن كاتبيها كانوا رجالًا أمناء. لقد حاولوا دائمًا قول الحقيقة, سواء كانت جيدة أو سيئة. إنهم يفضلون الموت على إنكار الحقيقة.

لذلك لا بد أنهم شهدوا بعض الأدلة المقنعة للغاية! فماذا كان بالضبط? ....