Reason 6 of 13
Two sceptics changed sides
James, the brother of Jesus, did not believe in Him during His ministry. Saul of Tarsus persecuted the church. Both became leaders of the movement after, they said, the risen Jesus appeared to them.
James
The Gospels say Jesus' brothers did not believe in Him. Yet James became the leader of the church in Jerusalem, and Josephus records that he was stoned to death in AD 62. The early creed gives the reason: Jesus appeared to James.
5For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.
John 7:5 (WEB) · context
7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,
1 Corinthians 15:7 (WEB) · context
19But of the other apostles I saw no one except James, the Lord’s brother.
Galatians 1:19 (WEB) · context
Paul
Saul was a trained Pharisee who hunted Christians. He gave up status, safety and his whole career to preach the faith he had tried to destroy, and he explained the change in one way: he had seen the risen Lord.
13For you have heard of my way of living in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the assembly of God and ravaged it. 14I advanced in the Jews’ religion beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through his grace, 16to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I didn’t immediately confer with flesh and blood,
Galatians 1:13-16 (WEB) · context
4though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has confidence in the flesh, I yet more: 5circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless. 7However, I consider those things that were gain to me as a loss for Christ. 8Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be a loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ
Philippians 3:4-8 (WEB) · context
8and last of all, as to the child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also. 9For I am the least of the apostles, who is not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the assembly of God. 10But by the grace of God I am what I am. His grace which was given to me was not futile, but I worked more than all of them; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
1 Corinthians 15:8-10 (WEB) · context
The strongest objection, stated fairly
Conversions happen in every religion, so these prove nothing.
How it answers
These are not converts persuaded by someone else's preaching. A family sceptic and an active persecutor both changed because of what they said they personally saw, and both paid for it with their lives. That needs an explanation.
Sources
- John 7:5; 1 Corinthians 15:7-10; Galatians 1:13-19; Acts 9
- Josephus, Jewish Antiquities 20.200 (the death of James)
Why the evidence matters
If Jesus rose, His offer is real
God loves you and gave His Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish.