They did not wait until years afterward to begin to give their
testimony concerning his resurrection, but did so immediately after the
great event took place. They were so bold in declaring it that had there
been a possibility of refuting their testimony we may be sure that the
Pharisees would have attempted it. They did not give this testimony for
the purpose of gaining fame, glory, or riches. But, on the contrary,
they knew that they would bring upon themselves the indignation of the
Pharisees and rulers and would expose themselves to suffering and death.
[274]At Pentecost, only fifty days after the resurrection of the Lord,
the apostle Peter stood forth before the multitude and proclaimed to the
men of Judea and all that dwelt in Jerusalem concerning the resurrection
of the Lord. In his eloquence he exclaimed: "Therefore let all the house
of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye
have crucified, both Lord and Christ". (Acts 2:36) So persuasive and
convincing was the Apostle's argument that the Jews who had participated
in having the Lord put to death "were pricked in their heart, and said
unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall
we do?" Some of them suffered death and martyrdom because they preached
Christ and his resurrection. (Acts 7:59) The apostles and early
Christians received much persecution because they testified boldly that
Jesus was raised from the dead.
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