In atheist forums, unbelievers often use what is called “Russell’s Teapot.” They allow Christians to state claims for their faith, then basically say, “I don’t believe you. Prove it.” The burden of proof always lies squarely on the shoulders of the one who is making a specific claim that something is true. One can theorize, but once crossing the line from theory to stating things as a fact, one is then duty bound to prove what he says is true.

One of the exciting aspects about the record of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus is the immediate, revolutionary change in him. He went from Saul, the persecutor of Christians, to Paul, the proclaimer of salvation, solely through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In this, he stands as an example of the kind of immediate transformation that should exist in all who call on the name of the Lord. We too should become and remain bold witnesses, declaring eternal life exclusively through faith in our Savior. Notice how Paul witnessed. He “…increased…and confounded the Jews…proving that this is [the] very Christ” (Acts 9:22). For a Jew in this day to trust in Christ for eternal life, they had to be convinced that our Savior was the promised Messiah and Redeemer of Israel. While our text does not take the time to specify how Paul proved this to his fellow Jews, he undoubtedly showed them how the Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled many Old Testament Scriptures. The Lord Jesus was a child of Abraham, from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 22:18; 49:10). He was born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) at the predicted time for the Messiah (Daniel 9:25) and then fled to Egypt as predicted in Hosea 11:1. Babies were massacred in the wake of His birth (Jeremiah 31:15). A forerunner prepared His coming (Isaiah 40:3), yet Israel rejected their Messiah (Psalm 69:8). He spoke in parables (Psalm 78:2-4) and He was called a King (Zechariah 9:9). He bore the iniquities of Israel in His death (Isaiah 53:4-12) and was slain, as predicted one thousand years before the cruel practice of crucifixion began (Psalm 22:16-18).

When we witness to others about the Lord Jesus Christ being the Savior of the world, the burden is on us to prove this is so. Be prepared. Arm yourself with the Sword of the Spirit by marking your Bible with a quick reference to these fulfilled prophecies so that you too can “prove it.”