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2 Peter 1:16-21 (KJV) For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; where unto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Every year around Christmas and Easter so called educated people make it a point to ridicule the Christian faith. We expect ridicule from the lost soul. It has always been so. The Scripture says:

1 Corinthians 1:18 (KJV) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

The lost soul mocks our faith because they do not want to come to the light. Light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil (John 3:19). The unconverted sinner enjoys the sin they are in, so much so that many ignore the truth of God and the truth of the Cross. The lost many times will mock our faith. The unsaved or natural man cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him (1 Corinthians 2:14). In order to “debunk” our faith the lost look for reasons to disbelieve it. They invent “cunningly devised fables” to make light of the Scripture and what it professes. I can think of two instances off the top of my head.

1. Several many years ago one meteorologist said that the time when Israel passed through the Red Sea it was no miracle, but the Sea was at low tide … only a few inches high. If that is true then how did God destroy the Armies of Pharaoh in a few inches of water? The Bible tells us that after Israel passed through the Sea:Exodus 14:28 (KJV) … And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. The destruction of Egypt’s Army makes sense only if the walls of water fell in on them, crushing them in the impact.
2. Another “scientist” stated that when Jesus walked on the water He was not walking on water, but on ice. He claimed that the Sea of Galilee froze. But the Bible tells us that when Jesus walked on water:Matthew 14:24 (KJV) But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. The eyewitnesses saw the waves of the sea. It was not frozen, but stormy. Jesus walked on waves. It was also Peter – the writer of this Book – who walked next to Christ for but a moment on those same waves. Peter tells us today:

2 Peter 1:16 (KJV) For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

No part of Christianity is a myth, but it is all fact. Our faith is based on physical and spiritual eyewitnesses, eyewitnesses who were willing to lose their homes, their livelihood, and even their lives for the truth of what they saw. Dr. Voddie Baucham stated:

“{Our Bible} is a reliable collection of historical documents written down by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses.”

Peter tells us that “We were eyewitnesses of His majesty”. Every supernatural and natural claim made in the Scripture was verified by two or more eyewitnesses who actually saw and experienced the event. In God’s Law He decreed that:

Deuteronomy 19:15 (KJV) … at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

Christianity Is Based On Physical Eyewitness Accounts

The Virgin Birth Was Witnessed

Many people do not believe in the Virgin Birth of Christ, but if Christ were not Virgin Born then He could not be the Messiah or the Christ. One of the oft quoted prophecies of the coming of the Messiah – the Savior of the world – was that He would enter humanity through a Virgin. The Virgin Birth was first proclaimed in the Garden of Eden when God threatened the Tempter:

Genesis 3:15 (KJV) And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Many years later the Prophet Isaiah declared:

Isaiah 7:14 (KJV) Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

The sign of the Messiah was that He would be Virgin Born. Who witnessed this Virgin Birth? Mary and Joseph (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38) were both witnesses of this miracle, and both spoke to Angels. Mary’s cousin Elizabeth along with her yet born son John (Luke 1:43) were witnesses to the Virgin Birth. The Shepherds (Luke 2:8-20) witnessed the Virgin Birth. Eight days after Christ was born his stepfather and mother took Him to the Temple to be circumcised (Luke 2:21). While in the Temple an old man named Simeon met Jesus and declared Him Messiah, saying:

Luke 2:29-32 (KJV) Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Because TWO witnesses were needed to establish the truth that Jesus is the Only Christ a prophetess named Anna also affirmed Christ as Messiah:

Luke 2:38 (KJV) {Anna} coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Both Anna and Simeon spent their whole lives looking for the Virgin Born Messiah – and fulfilled their mission when they met Christ.

The Miraculous Life Of Christ Was Witnessed

When Jesus started His earthly ministry He was never without a witness to what He did. As a Child in the Temple teaching the sage Rabbi’s eternal truth (Luke 2:41-52) our Jesus had the witnesses of those He taught as well as Joseph and Mary.

Before Jesus formally started His earthly ministry He was witnessed by John the Baptist and the Heavenly Father as well as the Holy Spirit. John testified that Christ was:

John 1:29 (KJV) … the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

While the Spirit descended to Christ, and the Father declared “This is My Beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased (Matthew 3:17). These are His impeccable Witnesses!

When Christ started His earthly ministry He called twelve Apostles as witnesses, men who followed Him where ever He went. They saw and reported on His miraculous ministry. Midpoint in His ministry Jesus took Peter, James, and John – three witnesses – to the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36). While on this Mountain the disciples saw Jesus speaking with Moses and Elijah – two witnesses from the Old Testament. Following this encounter the Father affirmed Christ once more:

Matthew 17:5 (KJV) …. This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Peter speaks of this wonderful moment in our focal text:

2 Peter 1:17-18 (KJV) For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

Jesus’ ministry was marked with miracles. The blind were given sight, the lame walked, the lepers were cleansed, the deaf had their hearing restored, and the dead were caused to live by Jesus (Luke 7:22). Witnesses saw Jesus do these things. He was no charlatan, but the Messiah!

The Brutal Torture And Death Of Christ Was Witnessed

2 Peter 1:16 (KJV) For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

Some have claimed that though Jesus was beaten and crucified, He did not suffer death but merely swooned. Many witnesses saw the crucifixion of Christ. The Scripture says:

Matthew 27:35 (KJV) … they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my venture did they cast lots.

The Crucifixion of the Christ was foretold by the Psalmist in Psalms 22:16-18. There is no doubt that Jesus was placed on the Cross. But how do we that He died on that Cross? There were witnesses to His death. The soldiers whose business it was to crucify people witnessed that Jesus died:

John 19:32-35 (KJV) Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

A professional executioner knew that when a person died blood and water would come out of the stabbed body. The soldiers knew He was dead, and witnessed that death. When He was taken from the Cross witnesses prepared His body:

John 19:40 (KJV) Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

Jesus’ death was witnessed by more than a handful of people. He did not swoon, nor was His death an elaborate hoax. He was crucified and that crucifixion and death was witnessed by both believers and non-believers.

The Victorious Resurrection Of Christ Was Witnessed

The Apostle Paul wrote:

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (KJV) … Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

When Jesus resurrected from the grave He was seen by many people. He was seen by the guards who watched over His Tomb (Matthew 27:62-66). The Pharisees were afraid that Christ’s disciples would come and steal His Body from the grave, then declare that He had risen. Pilate agreed to put a watch on the Tomb, and that the door be sealed:

Matthew 27:65-66 (KJV) Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. 66 So they went, and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

And yet Christ rose from the grave and taught His disciples for 40 days (Acts 1:3) before ascending into Heaven. If Christ’s death was not real then there is no way that the disciples could overcome a trained militia to rob His grave site. No, Jesus died. He was buried. But He rose again on the third day. He was seen of many witnesses. Jesus Christ is alive forever more!

We Have A Sure Word Of Prophecy

The Prophecies that we have in this Grand Old Book we call the Bible is a “sure word”. The Prophecies that Christ fulfilled are not myths, but every bit that is written is witnessed by two or more witnesses. I myself am a witness of Christ, for I was there the day that He touched me, cleansed me, and made me whole. Every Christian who is a Christian indeed has experienced the supernatural touch of the Risen Savior. Every Christian who is a Christian has met with the Holy Spirit of God, and can go back in their minds to that day they encountered God.

The Apostle tells us all to “take heed”:

2 Peter 1:19-21 (KJV) We have also a more sure word of prophecy; where unto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

If you have heard of Christ but are still sitting on the fence – TAKE HEED! God came to this earth for YOU. He came to this earth to pay for your sins. He came to this earth to be with you, helping you through this life. God came to this earth as a light shining in a dark place.

God loves you.
Jesus Christ loves you.
See Him surrendered as the Babe in the Cradle.
See Him seeking you as the God-Man ministering peace.
See Him suffering, dying on Calvary for you.
See Him shamed, hanging between two thieves.
See Him silent, committed unto death.
See Him sinless, risen from the grave.
See Him saving all who will come to Him.

Oh, that day would dawn upon you! Oh that you would let the Son Rise in your hearts. He comes bringing love to all who believe. If only you would trust Him, calling not on a myth but on the Master. The Bible promises:

Romans 10:9 (KJV) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

He is real. He is living. And He will hear your prayers. Call upon the Name of the Lord and you will be saved. Believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). The witnesses have spoken. The Lord Jesus Christ is the one and only Messiah, the Savior. Will you receive Him?