Incredible

adjective

1. so extraordinary as to seem impossible.
2. not credible; hard to believe; unbelievable.

English is such an odd language. The same word can have two completely different meanings. How is that possible?

It all depends on what you believe is believable.

Credible means that you think something is capable of belief, worthy of your trust. You decide if you believe something is foolish or fantastic, absurd or awesome.

Credible also means that you’ll need to look at the evidence, weigh the witnesses' veracity, and use logic and reason. Ultimately, each one of us decides, based on the evidence available to us, whether we believe something is credible or not.

Some people look at Christianity’s claims and find them too implausible to be credible; beyond belief, unbelievable. Thus, they do not believe.

On the other hand, Christians look at Christianity’s claims as amazing, astonishing, awe-inspiring. They understand the claims of Christianity press the envelope of possibility but still are credible of belief. Thus, they believe in the extraordinary claims of Christ.

And make no mistake, the claims of Christianity are asking people to believe some pretty extraordinary, seemingly impossible things.

Here is a partial list:

• That God exists
• That God created everything
• The Bible is God’s word
• The virgin conception of Christ
• Jesus is the son of God
• The miracles of Christ
• The resurrection of Christ and the dead
• The ascension of Christ
• The return of Christ
• The judgment seat of Christ
• Immortality
• Heaven
• Hell

Christians are often made fun of for some of these claims of the Bible. Are Christians just gullible, unscientific, superstitious people to think that any of these claims are credible?

That’s a great question.

Let’s take the resurrection of the dead, for example.

What do you believe? Is it possible to raise the dead? Is it credible?

Some reading this will believe that it is not possible. All of our first-hand experience would lead us to conclude that it is not possible. Every funeral is a silent testimony to the finality of death. Some people have shut their minds to the possibility that the dead can be raised and consider anyone who thinks it is possible as ignorant, superstitious, and unscientific.

So how can I, as a Christian, believe something that is by all accounts incredible? Indeed, the dead’s resurrection fits into either the “so extraordinary as to seem impossible” or the “not credible, hard to believe, unbelievable” meanings of the word.

Here is one of my favorite questions in the Bible that also answers why I believe in such an incredible thought. “Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?” (Acts 26:8).

Why do you think it is incredible to raise the dead?

Because it is scientifically not possible?

• Did you know that scientific research is going on right now, trying to find ways to bring dead people back to life?1
• “Cryonics is the practice of preserving life by pausing the dying process using subfreezing temperatures with the intent of restoring good health with medical technology in the future."2 Is it possible for science to advance that far? If science could advance that far in the future, why would you think it incredible that God raises the dead?
• Some brilliant, scientific people are working on achieving Singularity3, where man and machine meld into immortality. After all, if you believe that humans are just “molecules in motion,” they could be “bits on the Internet.” If you think that is possible, why would you think it is incredible that God could raise the dead?

So Christians aren’t the only ones who believe what seems to be incredible things.

Consider the following two questions:

1. Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?
2. Why should it be thought incredible by you that science raises the dead?

The problem for many people is not the what but the who. They are perfectly content to believe that science may raise the dead in some Star Trek future but dare not believe that God can. If you think that one is credible, why not the other?

Some would object and say this whole question about raising the dead is nonsense. That’s the exact thing we read in the Bible.

“At this point, Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.” “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable.” (Acts 26:24-25).

Have you ever had a conversation with an insane person? Have you ever known of someone who was a genius but went insane? If you have, you realize that they may be able to carry on a conversation for a bit. After a while, you realize that what they are saying and doing doesn’t comport with reality.

Festus is not alone. Many people have this reaction to God, the Bible, and Christians. They think we’re crazy.

Does this sound like an insane person to you?

“The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice because it was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” (Acts 26:26-29).

Having recounted his encounter with the risen Christ, he does something that a person out of touch with reality could not do. Paul appealed to Agrippa’s shared knowledge of the events that had taken place. It was not some imaginary fantasy he had concocted only in his mind, but events that had occurred in space and time that both knew.

He appealed to the prophets, men who had foretold the Messiah and made specific predictions centuries in advance. Agrippa was aware of the prophets. Were they also insane? If they made specific predictions that turned out to be accurate, is that not credible?

You’ll notice that Agrippa did not say Paul was insane. As the last Roman king of the Jews, he knew about the events that occurred and about the prophets. After hearing Paul, he agreed that Paul had done nothing worthy of death or chains (Acts 26:30-32). His reply was, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

It takes time to be persuaded to be a Christian. This is why I wanted to write down the most persuasive “true and reasonable” arguments that have convinced me to believe the incredible claims of the Bible.

I also wanted to write to encourage Christians not to be afraid of believing in Christianity’s incredible claims. I hope to include enough material for you to give a reason for the hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15-16), along with encouragements from the word of God for his people.

The God of the Bible calls us to believe the incredible. Things that seem impossible for men are simply the entry-level where God starts.

One of my favorite verses from the old testament is when God took Abraham outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” (Genesis 15:5-6).

Do you know how many stars there are? What an audacious promise.

Did you know that Abraham and Sarah could not have children naturally (Genesis 15, 16, 17, 18)? I love this story because God made this audacious promise to Abraham and Sarah when it seemed impossible for them to have children.

As time passed, they were about 100 years old when God said you’re going to have a baby in a year. Both of them laughed when they heard it. It seemed incredible to them.

God told them to name their son Isaac, which means “to laugh” (Genesis 17:19). Every time they called their son, God wanted them to remember how they laughed.

God starts with the impossible and then exceeds your expectations.

Everyone agrees that the claims of Christianity are incredible. It’s up to you to weigh the evidence and decide which definition you believe best fits. I hope that you will read these words with an open mind and consider the evidence for yourself.

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Kevin Huddleston