Many Infallible Proofs

by Terry Wane Benton

"To whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3 NKJV).

Luke was convinced that the evidence for Jesus's being the Messiah and Son of God was so strong that he could write out a portion of it for a governor (Theophilus) to check out and that he could not refute it. Nobody can reasonably refute the "many infallible proofs," not even to this day.

Luke was convinced that Jesus’ resurrection from death was not an empty claim that could easily be disproven because Jesus “presented Himself alive by many infallible proofs” (Acts 1:3). Strong says the word “infallible proofs” is a criterion for certainty, “defining a fact.” Thayer says it means “that from which something is surely and plainly known; an indubitable evidence, a proof.“ So, as Luke opens up his second “account” of the impact of Jesus, he challenges Theophilus to consider the powerful evidence of Jesus’ factual resurrection, which is proven with many (not a few) hard and certain proofs. It is not just a possible conclusion but an absolute fact, “demonstrated” (Romans 1:4) with many infallible or uncontestable facts. If we combined Luke’s two books (Luke and Acts) the many incontestable proofs would include the evidence of:

• The timing of Jesus’ birth and life. It was at the right time, prophesied by the prophets. See Daniel 2,9.
• He was born at the right place, as prophesied by Micah 5:2. The right time and right place, with the right proof of established lineage from King David from either parent who went back to Bethlehem for census registry at the right time.
• He was to have a forerunner that acted as a harbinger to the coming king and kingdom (John the Baptizer). All right in harmony with prophetic scripture (Isaiah 40; Malachi 4:4f). John prepared the way for that Messiah, and Jesus fit the bill perfectly.
• The miracles of Jesus were so well known that no Jew of the time or for centuries could deny the factual nature of those miracles (Acts 2:22). Peter stood up in the face of thousands gathered on Pentecost and dared any to deny Jesus’ miracles, saying “as you yourselves also know.” Neither would any governor contest the miracle claims. Herod had heard of these and was in town and hoped to get a glimpse of one of Jesus’ miracles. Theophilus could not deny either of Luke’s records regarding Jesus’ miracles.
• His predicted rejection (both by the prophets and by Jesus Himself) and its happening is not proof against Him being the Messiah but actually is further proof that He is the Messiah. The Psalmist called Him “the stone rejected by you builders,” and Isaiah said He was not bruised for His own iniquities but for ours (Isaiah 53).
• The timing and means of death. Whereas stoning was the usual method of execution, the means of execution by crucifixion fit the “hands and feet pierced” description of Psalm 22, and the timing of the Passover, the great shadow form seen in the great deliverance of Israel from bondage described in Exodus 12, show God designed the timing.
• The predicted resurrection was foreshadowed in several events recorded in the Old Testament, predicted in several prophecies, and then further predicted by Jesus Himself, which meant that Jesus proved Himself infallibly to have power over death. This is the foundational miracle of all miracles. If Jesus remained in the grave after three days, His movement and kingdom were over for good.
• There were efforts to ensure that his tomb was guarded so that no resurrection claim could be made, and yet after 3 days, His tomb was empty, and no guards could produce the body to shut down His followers. There were numerous eyewitnesses, and they all agreed with the Pharisees' own scriptures. The proof was right there in the city where the crucifixion took place. It was too powerful to refute.
• The circumstances of the empty tomb, guarded but now empty after the three days predicted, disarmed all opponents from being able to provide credible counter-proof. The proof was all on the side of Jesus and His disciples, and all fair-minded examiners were moved by the evidence to side with Jesus and His disciples.
• The various eyewitnesses were not going to be intimidated into silence. This change in them is another very remarkable proof.
• The unbreakable conviction of these witnesses as their testimony spread from Jerusalem to the uttermost parts of the earth, changing the world and causing men to acknowledge the impact of Jesus so that even the calendar would change to reflect “the Year of Our Lord.”

Luke includes case after case, preaching the resurrected Jesus from place to place. Any counter-evidence has never refuted the case for Jesus. The testimony has withstood every challenge for 2000 years. Jesus did indeed present Himself alive by “many infallible proofs.” That evidence proves beyond reasonable doubt that God is real, there is life beyond the grave, and heaven is real for those who would let Jesus into their lives by being baptized into union with Him and living faithfully to Him. Heaven is not just an empty wish! It is real! We can know a Man who demonstrated that He came from there and returned there to prepare a place for you if you want it! We hope you do!