Jesus A Man of History

QUOTES IN THESE SLIDES COME FROM MATERIAL COMPLIED BY Josh McDowell in his Evidence That Demands A Verdict published By Campus Crusade for Christ, 1972.

The Twenty-Seven New Testament Documents All these documents speak of Jesus as a historical character. Further and more importantly, these documents introduce Jesus of Nazareth as the Son of God. The many of the writers of these documents died violent deaths maintaining that their testimonies were true.

Cornelius Tacitus A Roman historian who was governor of Asia in 112 A.D. Writing of the reign of Nero, Tacitus alludes to the death of Christ. “But not all the relief that could come from man, not all the bounties that the price could bestow, nor all the atonements which could be presented to the gods, availed to relieve Nero the infamy of being believed to have ordered the fire of Rome. Hence to suppress the rumor, he falsely charged with guilt, and punished with the most exquisite tortures the persons commonly called Christians… Christus, the founder of the name, was put to death by Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea in the reign of Tiberas…”

Lucian A satirist of the second century, who spoke scornfully of Christ and the Christians. He wrote: “…the man who was crucified in Palestine because he introduced the new cult into the world…furthermore, their first lawgiver persuaded them that they were all brothers one of another after they have transgressed once for all by denying the Greek gods and by worshipping that crucified man himself and living under his laws.”

Flavius Josephus Born A.D. 37 and became Jewish historian In A.D. 66, he was the commander of the Jewish forces in Galilee. After being captured, he was attached to the Roman headquarters. He wrote: “Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was the Christ, and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again in the third day…”

Seutonius A Roman historian and court official under Hadrian, annalist of the Imperial House. He wrote: “As the Jews were making constant disturbance at the instigation of Chrestus, he expelled them from Rome.”

Plinius Secundus Governor of Bithynia in Asia (A.D. 112) was writing to the emperor Trajan seeking counsel as to how to treat Christians. He explained that he had been killing both men, women, boys and girls. There were so many being put to death that he wondered if he should continue killing anyone who was discovered to be a Christian. He wrote: “They affirmed, however, that the whole of their guilt, or their error, was that they were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verse a hymn to Christ as to a god, and bound themselves to a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft, adultery….”

Thallus A Samaritan-born historian He is one of the first Gentile writers to mention Christ writing in A.D. 52. He writings are preserved by Julius Africanus, a Christian writer about 221 A.D. Africanus wrote: “Thallus, in the third book of his histories, explains away the darkness as an eclipse of the sun…”

Mara Bar-Serapion F. F. Bruce writes: “…in the British Museum an interesting manuscript preserving the text of a letter written some time later than A.D. 73, but how much later we cannot be sure. This letter was sent by a Syrian named Mara Bar-Serapion to his son Serapion. Mara Bara-Serapion was in prison at the time, but he wrote to encourage his son to the pursuit of wisdom, and pointed out that those who persecuted wise men were overtaken by misfortune.

The Letter What advantage did the Athenians gain from putting Socrates to death? Famine and plague came upon them as judgment for their crime. What advantage did the men of Samos gain from burning Pythagoras? In a moment their land was covered with sand. What advantage did the Jews gain from executing their wise King? It was just after that that their kingdom was abolished…”

Justin Martyr About A.D. 150, Justin Martyr, addressing his Defence of Christianity to the Emperor Antoninus Pius, referred to Pilate’s report, which Justin supposed must be preserved in the imperial archives. But the words, “They pierced my hands and my feet,” he says, “are a description of the nails that were fixed in His hands and His feet on the cross; and after He was crucified, those who crucified Him cast lots for His garments, and divided them among themselves; and that these things were so, you may learn from the “Acts” which were recorded under Pontius Pilate.”

The Jewish Talmuds Babylonian Talmud writes: “…and hanged him on the eve of Passover…” The Jewish authorities did not deny that Jesus performed signs and miracles, but attributed them to the acts of sorcery.

It Never Occurred to Jesus’ First Century Enemies to Deny That He Existed Matt 12: Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23 All the people were astonished and said, "Could this be the Son of David?" 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons." NIV

Jesus of Nazareth Lived in History! That fact cannot be disputed. Yet, who was this Jesus?

One Solitary Life Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself... While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves. While He was dying His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth – His coat. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend. Nineteen long centuries have come and gone, and today He is a centerpiece of the human race and leader of the column of progress. I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that were ever built; all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life. This essay was adapted from a sermon by Dr James Allan Francis in “The Real Jesus and Other Sermons” © 1926 by the Judson Press of Philadelphia (pp titled “Arise Sir Knight!”). If you are interested, you can read the original version. Graham Pockettthe original version

Luke’s Introduction of Jesus Luke 1:1-4 1:1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word have handed them down to us, 3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; 4 so that you might know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. NAS

Sources of Luke’s Account Records events that either he and/or his audience participated in Uses written materials (e.g. Matthew & Mark’s writings) Oral Testimony of eyewitnesses

Luke’s Investigative Spirit “Investigate” means “follow alongside” like a pesky reporter with his note pad and pen incessantly asking questions (Mike Moore). Everything From the beginning Carefully Orderly Account

Recipient of Luke’s Histories Most Excellent Theophilus Title given to the equestrian order or governors (cp. Acts 23:26; 24:3; 26:25). Means “friend of God” Possibly, a Roman official who Luke hopes to use as a door to the greater Roman network who were suspicious of Christianity.

Things Which Seem to Be Aimed at Romans in Luke’s Accounts Pilate’s Admission of Jesus’ Innocence Centurion’s Confession Conversion of Sergius Paulus—A Roman proconsul (Acts 13:6f) Apology of Roman magistrates of Philippi (Acts 16:19-24; 35-40) Gallio, proconsul of Achaia, throwing Paul’s Jewish accusers out of his court (Acts 18:12-17). Town clerk of Ephesus emphasizing the innocence of Paul (Acts 19:35-41). Chiliarch (commander of 1000 troops) unbinding Paul and allowing him to speak in Jerusalem (Acts 21:37-40). Felix admission of Paul not being a criminal before King Agrippa (Acts 25:13ff) Agrippa admission of Paul’s Innocence (Acts 26:30-32). Paul’s freedom to preach Jesus in Rome (Acts 28).

Theophilus Could Conduct His Own Investigations & Interviews How? Luke writes in a time/space dimension to his reader(s).