Skeptics are good for the church, Christians, and the faith.  They keep us honest in proclaiming the Truth.  In the Apostolic group there was not only a traitor (Judas)… there was a skeptic… Thomas.  This is recoreded after the resurrection in John 20:24-29

Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”  27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”  28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me?  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Thomas required “proof” before he would believe… which by God’s grace he received.  But I love what Jesus said in v 29 because it includes everyone that has ever believed since the resurrection… which means me and I hope you too.  However… consider this… even Jesus’ resurrection was not enough for some people to believe and trust in Him as savior!  Consider…

Luke 16:27 I beg you, father, to send him (Lazarus) to my father’s house—  28 for I have five brothers —so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’  29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’  30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’  31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.'”

Acts 26:23 (Paul) “The Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” 24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” 25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. 26 For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this (Jesus’ death and resurrection) has not been done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”

In Luke it is recorded that if people won’t believe based on what is found in Scripture, they wouldn’t believe the resurrection either.  In Acts it is recorded that Jesus’ resurrection was well known because it was “not done in a corner.”  So just because the resurrection is a historical fact… attested to by many witnesses… even those things will not be enough for some to believe!

I have a friend who is kind, moral, and ethical.  We’ve talked many times about Jesus and salvation.  He’s read books by skeptics who became Christians.  He intellectually agrees with everything in Scripture.  But still does not have saving faith.  He even attends church!  But he says to me… “I don’t know what it is.  I just can’t believe.  I need more.  What that is… I don’t know.”