Is the New Testament based on eyewitness testimony? Let’s examine the Bible to find out.

“Draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses.” (Luke 1:1,2 NIV) The Bible writer Luke based his accounts on eyewitness testimony.

“You are eyewitnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:48 NIV) Jesus told his disciples they were eyewitnesses.

“This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also may continue to believe.” (John 19:35 NLT) – Spoken by the Apostle John.

“This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate.” (John 21:24 NLT) – Spoken by the Apostle John.

“God has resurrected this Jesus. We are all witnesses of this.” (Acts 2:32 CSB) – The Apostle Peter testified to this.

“You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact!” (Acts 3:15 NLT) – Spoken by the Apostle Peter. They were “witnesses of this fact.” This is a “fact,” not fiction.

 “We are witnesses of these things,” Peter and the other apostles boldly declared before the Jewish high court. (Acts 5:31 NIV)

“We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem,” Peter declared to non-Jews. (Acts 10:39 NIV)

“I did not receive it [the gospel] from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:12 NLT). The Apostle Paul states he received the gospel directly from Jesus. How?

“I am Jesus . . . I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness of what you have seen [of me] and what you will be shown” (Acts 26:15,16 NAB). Paul recounts his real life encounter with the resurrected Jesus.

“And for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.” (Acts 13:31 NIV) Jesus had “a large crowd” (Mark 10:46) traveling with him who were eyewitnesses of his activities.

“Commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied… ‘We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.'” (Acts 4:18-20 NIV)

Paul writes: “Christ died… he was raised on the third day… he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living…. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-8 NIV)

“We did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty… we ourselves heard this voice.” (2 Peter 1:16-19 NLT)

“We proclaim to what we have seen and heard.” (1 John 1:3 NIV)

Yes, the New Testament is based on eyewitness testimony.