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The following are the introductory sentences from two of the New Testament books:

Eyewitnesses of Jesus were alive into the 90's, sixty years after Jesus' death. For example, the Apostle John lived into the late 90's. Jesus had a public ministry, not a secret ministry, and there were large numbers of eye witnesses.

In these passages, two authors of New Testament books tell how they were either an eye witness, or had interviewed eye witnesses.

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched--this we proclaim concerning the Word of Life." [Jesus] (1 John 1:1, NIV)

"Many have undertaken to 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 and servants of the word. therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught." (Luke 1:1-5, NIV)

Recommended book: The New Living Translation Study Bible (read the New Testament)