Expert: Dr Tim Gladu - 9/12/2011

Question
Dear Dr.Tim Gladu,
This question has plagued my father and now he's passed it onto me. You see we both were wondering: why did the people believe Peter?
After Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared at the apostles doorstep and sent them out to teach. The holy spirit filled them and out they went. But why did they believe it? On the outside, Jesus and his apostles were seen by the early Jews as a cult, a sort of threat just as we see a man claiming to be the 2nd coming of Jesus with his followers. We would've have said they were crazy and praised ourselves for not believing in such nonsense. Those Jews would've thought the same, thinking they lived in modern times and only would have accepted Jesus when he proved himself. And he did, multiple times raising the dead, healing people, walking on water, the whole lot of it. So after Jesus died and rose again, he visited the apostles and proved himself to Thomas, the doubter. If Thomas didn't believe it and he was Jesus' apostle, how could others believe it? The people Jesus helped could've gained some followers, but why did this particular story last for so long and flourish? You see, this is our question. My father believes something must have happened, other the resurrection of Jesus that proved to people once and for all that this was really happening. I don't care how people I have to ask, I just want to hear what you think.
Sincerely, Plain Jane Age 13.

Answer
Dear Jane,

The fact that Jesus was God in the flesh and that he came back from the dead was something no other god has ever done. The Apostles did continue to do many more miracles and also raised people from the dead and healed people. When they had to preach to many different people of different languages they were able to by the power of the Holy Spirit. I would suggest that you read Acts through and you will read all the many different things that the Apostles did in the ministry to the Christian world. They established the early church on earth through the power of Christ and the Holy Spirit. There are so many wonders they performed that it would be better if you were to read for yourself. I also want you to realize that Christ was on the earth for 40 days after the resurrection and was seen by over 500 disciples. Christ spent a lot of time with the Apostles after he rose to give them very detailed instructions on what they were to do after they received the Holy Spirit. I hope this helps you with your quest for knowledge.