Wandering Crusader #272 Anecdotal Evidence

But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. Acts 4:19-20

“The things which we have seen and heard,” lawyers and scientists call that anecdotal evidence. No matter how many eyewitnesses are on the scene, without something solid to measure, collect, and record, they immediately discount its veracity. After all, it’s just a story.

Except, that is, to the person who actually did the seeing and hearing. The truth, even if prior experience denies it is possible, remains the truth to those who live it. Moreover, it will continue to be the truth, though they never experience the same thing in the same way ever again.

Faith is more than an intangible belief. It is a spiritual dimension grounded in experience and lived out each day. Jesus loves me, this I know—but not just because the Bible tells me so. I know it because I have experienced His love and care. I have seen and heard Him at work in me in real ways that I cannot deny nor explain.

Before healing the crippled man, Peter told him, “such as I have give I thee”. What Peter had to give was the experience of God’s power through Jesus. Christians since that day have endeavored to do the same. So why then are there still cripples? Because the greatest gift given to the lame man was not new legs, but new life.

Maranatha