The Case for Historic New Testament Christianity PROVING THE PAGES The Case for Historic New Testament Christianity

WHIRLWIND REVIEW The Historic Jesus Contemporary Documentation Historical Context Acid Test Apostolic Fathers Manuscript Attestation Classical Histories comparison Paleography The Resurrection

The Resurrection More than anything else in the New Testament there MUST be an empty tomb!

The Empty Tomb FOUR FACTS from John 19 The stone had been rolled away to show an open tomb The tomb was empty The grave clothes were lying in the tomb This happened on the first day of the week

THE PENTECOST PHENOMENON THE CLAIM: The New Testament records that on the day of Pentecost a change occurred in the apostles which was the direct result of the Holy Spirit THE PROPOSITION: This change indeed was accomplished by the Holy Sprit and is therefore evidence of His resurrection

THE PENTECOST PHENOMENON 5 Facts The coming of the Holy Spirit was promised by Jesus The coming was conditional Jesus died at Calvary The Jewish concept of Messiah & His Kingdom before Pentecost The Apostles’ change on Pentecost

THE PENTECOST PHENOMENON The Apostles Theologically Militant Nationalists! Only for the Jews Even the apostles sought position and authority (Mark 10:35-38) Told not to tell anyone who He was- Matt. 16:13-20

THE PENTECOST PHENOMENON The Apostles Intellectually Dull of Perception Didn’t have the understanding Jesus even sometimes expected- Matt. 16:5-12

THE PENTECOST PHENOMENON The Apostles Positionally Often a state of tension Division- Mark 10:41 Vying for position in the coming kingdom- Luke 22:24

THE PENTECOST PHENOMENON The Apostles Psychologically Fearful Distraught Locked away – John 20:19

THE PENTECOST PHENOMENON The Apostles Summed Up Theologically militant nationalists who had it wrong anyway and were still fighting over it until they had reason to hide from everyone…

THE PENTECOST PHENOMENON THE CHANGE- 50th Day after the Resurrection Theologically The Gospel The church of Christ is the fulfillment of the Old Testament kingdom prophecies No longer jockeyed for power Doctrinally United in brotherhood AND in doctrine

THE PENTECOST PHENOMENON THE CHANGE- 50th Day after the Resurrection Psychologically No longer fearful Courageous in faith Emotionally Bold Ready to be among the people

THE PENTECOST PHENOMENON THE CHANGE- 50th Day after the Resurrection Intellectually Can interpret the Old Testament perfectly Learned over a dozen different languages perfectly Became visibly learned Become men of weakness to men of power!

THE PENTECOST PHENOMENON Natural Learning? Time 50 days- enough? Education Who was their teacher?

How’d This Happen?!?!? Bible Claims it was the Holy Spirit – Acts 2:1ff Paul Claims it was the Holy Spirit- 1st Cor. 2; Eph. 3 Peter Claims it was the Holy Spirit – 1st Peter 1 & 2nd Peter 1

In that Case…. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit AFTER He ascended to the Father Jesus Died Jesus Rose The Holy Spirit Came

BIG POINT The coming of the Holy Spirit, the ONLY explanation of Pentecost, proves Jesus was killed, buried, & rose from the dead to send Him!

The Resurrection & the Apostles’ Testimony Bearing Witness Testify in regard to another to the reality of a truth or event What truly is “Witnessing for Christ?” Acts 4:19-20

The Resurrection & the Apostles’ Testimony Belief in Christ is completely dependent on the Apostles’ eyewitness testimony! No one today has seen Christ New Testament is sole historical record of Apostles’ testimony

The Apostles The Apostles were chosen They were there from the beginning- John 15:27 Their testimony would proceed “to the uttermost parts of the earth- Acts 1:1-8) Chosen because of what they had seen, heard, touched, etc…- 1 John 1:1-4 Luke in Acts 1:1-3, 8; Peter in Acts 10:39-41; Paul’s claim in Acts 13:30-31

The Apostles Purpose of their Testimony To produce belief- John 17:20 To testify Jesus is the Messiah- Luke 24:44-48 To testify to the resurrection of Christ- Acts 1:21-22

The Apostles Specially Qualified Credible From the Beginning- John 15:27 Empowered by the Spirit- John 14:26; 16:13-14; Acts 1:8 Credible Number Unity Faithfulness in Persecution

Jesus, the Man of Destiny The circumstances of Jesus’ own death in regard to His claims indicate He was more than a mere man!

Jesus, the Man of Destiny Jesus’ Claims Manner of death was predetermined- Matt. 20:19, John 3:14, 8:28, 12:32-33 Time of death was predetermined- John 2:4, 7:6, 30; 8:20 No one could take His life from Him- John 10:17-18 Could lay down His own life- John 10:17-18

Jesus, the Man of Destiny Facts Concerning His Life & Death No one could kill Him though attempts were made Herod- Matt. 2:13-21 At Nazareth- Luke 4:16-20 Officers’ attempted arrest- John 7:32f Stoning Attempts- John 8:59, 10:31 Public Threats & Attempts- John 5:18, 7:1, 8:37

Jesus, the Man of Destiny Crucifixion Facts Death by Crucifixion usually took 36-72 hours (breaking of the legs, John 19:31-33) Jesus died in 6 hours- Mark 15:25- 37 Pilate’s Surprise- Mark 15:44 Jesus died voluntarily- Matt. 27:50; Luke 23:46; John 19:30

CONCLUSIONS The Apostles changed due to the Holy Spirit coming upon them at Pentecost, confirming Jesus’ promise & events that had to take place The Apostles’ agreeance in testimony, unity, doctrine, faithfulness, and message confirm the purpose of the Spirit & that it indeed came upon them as stated in Scripture Jesus’ claims about who He was are validated by the manner, time, & way in which He died- no mortal man could have known or controlled that

Conversion of Saul of Tarsus NEXT WEEK & BEYOND Conversion of Saul of Tarsus The 1st Century Church Archeology The Dead Sea Scrolls Copying Methods