Two men, who did not believe in the Lord Jesus’ miracles or His resurrection, met together, and got into conversation.. One of them, named West, said to the other, “We cannot maintain our case against Christianity unless we disprove two things that Christians believe to be true. We must discredit the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
The other man, named Ibbotson said, “Well, I will prove that the whole story of Saul’s conversion is false.”
West replied, “I will take up the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ and prove that He never rose from the dead.” The two men then separated, each intending to write a book on their findings.
After a few months, they met again. West said to Ibbotson, “Have you written your book?”
“Yes,” he replied, “I have. But as I sifted the evidence for the conversion of Saul, I became satisfied that he was really converted, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. As a result I have become a Christian and have written my book proving it. Have you written your book?”
“Yes,” said West, “I have written my book also. But as I sifted the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, I became satisfied that there is no room for honest doubt that He really did rise as the Gospels state. So I have become a Christian and have written my book to prove it.”
What a miracle of God’s grace! These men remind one of Paul, of whom it was written, “He which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.” Gal. 1:2323But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. (Galatians 1:23). The two men, like Paul, had wanted to destroy the faith of Christianity, but now became firm believers in the Lord Jesus.
“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God: For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.” I Cor. 3:19.
ML 12/13/1959