Columbia University's Melvin Mencher, author of the classic journalism textbook, "News Reporting and Writing", 'news' as reports containing:

1. Information about an important interruption or change in the usual or expected unfolding of events and
2. Information people need to make intelligent decisions about their lives.

He also cites 7 other factors to determine 'newsworthiness':

1. IMPACT. The report should significantly affect the lives of the readers.
2. TIMELINESS. The report should be given before its value diminishes with time.
3. PROMINENCE. The report involves well-known people, places or institutions.
4. PROXIMITY. The report has some angle, whether social, ethnic, geographical or economic, that connects with the reader.
5. CONFLICT. The report features a confrontation between individuals, organizations or institutions, or a conflict within an individual.
6. SURPRISE. The report highlights unusual occurrences or outcomes.
7. CURRENCY. The report highlights new public interest in something that has been around for quite some time; "an idea whose time has come". (Melvin Mencher quoted in "The Resurrection Report" by William Procter, former New York Daily News Reporter, Broadman and Holman Publishers.)

Joseph Pulitzer, founding father of modern journalism, said that there are three laws of good reporting: "Accuracy, accuracy, and accuracy."

By all of these journalistic tests, the accounts of four particular writers stand out as qualifying for the Pulitzer prize: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Their records of events that took place in Jerusalem in 30 AD have with stood nearly 20 centuries of investigation and remain commendable for their accuracy. The events surrounding the cross of Christ, His death, burial, resurrection and ascension, have a perpetual relevance to all people for all time.

Fifty days after the resurrection and ten days after Jesus concluded his earthly teaching ministry, three thousand people experienced a radical life-change through the power of the promised Holy Spirit. The transformation of lives among the populations of this world continues to this very hour.

Filled with boldness the formerly dejected Apostle Peter proclaimed the meaning of the Cross, declaring that THESE EVENTS DID NOT TAKE PLACE OUTSIDE OF A PROPHETIC CONTEXT. Within 24 months of the resurrection the report had become encapsulated in a popular phrase: "Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, and was buried. He rose from the dead according to the Scriptures and appeared to.." and the then the list of the disciples and those whom Jesus appeared to up to the five hundred who saw him at one time. According to Peter, Jesus had indisputably fulfilled the messianic psalms of David in being raised from the dead. The resurrection identifies Jesus as the One who "would not be abandoned to the grave"; the One who "would not see decay" (Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:27,31).

Peter confidently preached: "Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, AS YOU YOURSELVES KNOW." (THESE EVENTS WERE NOT DONE IN A CORNER). This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him (Acts 2:22-24).

His death was not an accident. It was the fulfillment of specific prophecies that identify him unmistakably as the Messiah, the Lord and Redeemer who would lay down His life as an offering of sin (Isaiah 53:10). He is the fulfillment of all the expiating procedures prescribed for Israel's tabernacle and temple. He is the fulfillment of the Passover Lamb who takes away the sin of the world (1Corinthians 5:7; John 1:29).

The perpetual Good News is that what happened nearly two thousand years ago can affect you today. As Peter said on the Day of Pentecost, "THE PROMISE IS FOR YOU and your children and FOR ALL WHO ARE FAR OFF--FOR ALL WHOM THE LORD OUR GOD WILL CALL." (Acts 2:39).

Two certain gospel-promises granted to those who repent of their sins and put their trust for salvation in the Lord Jesus are forgiveness of sins and eternal life. What is eternal life? It is that you may know by way of a vital personal relationship, "the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent" (John 17:3).

The Apostle Paul wrote: "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1Corinthians 1:18).

Be renewed in the currency of this life-changing event,