Evidence and the Message: Difference between revisions

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(Created page with "{{Top of Page}} =What the Bible says about evidence= The bible clearly talks about the value of evidence. ==Luke focused on evidence as proof the Gospel was true== The wh...")
 
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Is there evidence of William Branham's failed visions and prophecies?  Is there proof that he lied?


Message followers often tell us that they will not look at the evidence because they have been called to "only believe".
But what does the Bible say we should look at?


=What the Bible says about evidence=
=What the Bible says about evidence=
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Luke 1:1-5:
Luke 1:1-5:


:''Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. <ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016), Lk 1:1–5.</ref>
:''Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us,  it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, '''that you may have certainty''' concerning the things you have been taught. <ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016), Lk 1:1–5.</ref>


Acts 1:1-3 (written by Luke):
Acts 1:1-3 (written by Luke):


:''In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016), Ac 1:1–3.</ref>
:''In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.  He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by '''many proofs''', appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016), Ac 1:1–3.</ref>


Acts 9:22-23 (Paul provided proof to the Jews):
Acts 9:22-23 (Paul provided proof to the Jews):


:''Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn’t refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.<ref>Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2013), Ac 9:22–23.</ref>
:''Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn’t refute '''his proofs''' that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.<ref>Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2013), Ac 9:22–23.</ref>


==Jesus said we should look at the evidence==
==Jesus said we should look at the evidence==
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In John 14:11, the need to look at the evidence is clear:
In John 14:11, the need to look at the evidence is clear:


:''Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.<ref>The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Jn 14:11.</ref>
:''Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on '''the evidence''' of the works themselves.<ref>The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Jn 14:11.</ref>


==The need for 2-3 witnesses is required as evidence==
==The need for 2-3 witnesses is required as evidence==
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Jesus outlined the requirement in Matthew 18:16:
Jesus outlined the requirement in Matthew 18:16:


:''...take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016), Mt 18:16.</ref>
:''...take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by '''the evidence''' of two or three witnesses.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016), Mt 18:16.</ref>


Paul made the requirement clear in 2 Corinthians 13:1:
Paul made the requirement clear in 2 Corinthians 13:1:


:''Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.<ref>The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), 2 Co 13:1.</ref>
:''Every matter must be established by '''the testimony of two or three witnesses'''.<ref>The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), 2 Co 13:1.</ref>


Paul also made the point clear in his instructions to Timothy in 1 Tim. 5:19-20:
Paul also made the point clear in his instructions to Timothy in 1 Tim. 5:19-20:


:''Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016), 1 Ti 5:19–20.</ref>
:''Do not admit a charge against an elder except on '''the evidence''' of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016), 1 Ti 5:19–20.</ref>