Gospel witnesses

Depends on the context of how "gospel witnesses" is used. I think it usually means the gospels themselves. Sometimes texts are described as "witnesses."

 

In Hebrews 11, the writer tells of what we call the "Heroes of Faith." Then he follows in Chapter 12 by calling them "so great cloud of witnesses."

Some of the apostles described themselves as witnesses, in part referring to the resurrected Christ.

One of the qualifications for Judas' replacement was that he had to be a witness to Jesus resurrection. Matthias, who was chosen, had to have seen Jesus alive.

Paul's claim to apostleship was based on his encounter with the resurrected Christ, among other things. Others included his direct call from Jesus, and direct teaching from him.

Then we have the gospels and all the New Testament writings, none of which would have been written without the resurrection. The NT is the completed "gospel witness," written mostly by "gospel witnesses."

 

GE, you are kind.

The requirement in Acts 1 for Judas' replacement, that he had to have seen the resurrected Christ, is the principal reason I believe the office of apostle no longer exists.

Those of us who live today are, as you put it, witnesses by faith. But it is not blind faith. There is the work of the Holy Spirit to illuminate our minds and change our hearts. Believers also may also give testimony of the transformation of their lives. Those, along with the scriptural record, help us to make sense of things which made little sense before our conversion.

We do not have to reason everything out. In fact, to exclude faith is to displease God.