“It’s still talk.”
No it is the report of others who have had the continuing opportunity to observe a confession and life consistent with the Gospel. Luk 6:44 “For every tree is known by his own fruit....”
It's the invisible fruits again...There are millions, even billions of people who swear their experience is just as real and they are not Christian. What have you to offer them as proof that your "fruits" are real and theirs' are not? They will tell you they have witnessed a change; they are not the same as they used to be. They will call on others who "witnessed" the same (is it the same?) as "proof."
Show me your fruit that leaves no doubt where it comes from.