God’s testimony is of the highest character. Consider First John 1:1-3: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” In his commentary on the epistles, Guy N. Woods wrote, “The verb handled suggests the most tangible, intimate, and definite evidence which John offered” (P. 211). The nature of John’s testimony is that of inspiration of the Holy Spirit and his own experience of having been with Jesus (cf. Acts 2:32; I Corinthians 15:1-8; II Peter 1:16). “If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son” (I John 5:9).

The apostles were equipped to testify: “...the Spirit of truth....shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning” (John 15:26,27). “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me...” (Acts 1:8). “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” (II Peter 1:16). “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses” (Acts 2:32).

What had the apostles heard? “Blessed are...your ears, for they hear” (Matthew. 13:17). “...This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid” (Matthew 17:5,6). “And Jesus answered and said unto it (barren fig tree, gm), No man eat fruit of thee hearafter for ever. And his disciples heard it” (Mark 11:14). “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. And as they heard theses things, he added and spake a parable...” (Luke 19:10,11). “...wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me” (Acts 1:4).

What had the apostles seen? “But blessed are your eyes, for they see..” (Matthew 13:16). “For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them” (Luke 10:24). “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” (II Peter 1:16). “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world...” (I John 4:14).

Paul saw Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). “And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time” (I Corinthians 15:8). “...The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard” (Acts 22:14,15).

What had the apostles looked upon? The word translated “look upon” is defined by Thayer: “to behold, look upon, view attentively, contemplate” (P. 284). The twelve and Paul had seen and heard more than enough to give them pause for contemplation.

What had the apostles handled (“to handle, touch, feel”, Thayer p. 676)? “The other disciples therefore said unto him we have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe...Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands, and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing” (John 20:25,27).