Evidences for the Christian Faith WHY WE BELIEVE Evidences for the Christian Faith

10 Reasons to Believe… In the Christian Faith To know and understand that Christianity is a reasonable and credible faith.

John 6: 64-69 But there are some of you who do not believe John 6: 64-69 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. 65 And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.”

66 As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” 68 Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. 69 We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.”

1. The Credibility of its Founder C.S. Lewis: “ Logic says that He was either a Liar, a Lunatic, or a Legend, or He is the Lord of heaven.” His 1st followers drew their own conclusion. They said they saw Him… - walked on water - still a storm -heal crippled limbs feed five thousand with a few bread & fish lived a blameless life - died a terrible death and lived again

John 6: 68-69 “Lord, to whom shall we go John 6: 68-69 “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. 69 We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.”

2. The Reliability of its Book Written over a period of 1600 yrs. 40 different authors… Begins in creation and ends at the start of eternity. Supported by archeology. Confirmed by the Dead Sea Scrolls. Originated in the Middle East. Convincing prophetic accuracy.

John 20:30-31 Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

3. Its Explanation of Life Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.

Romans 1:16-25 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; …19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

F.F.Bruce: The N.T. Documents: Are They Reliable? “ There is no body of ancient literature in the world which enjoy such a wealth of good textual attestation as the New Testament. The evidence for our New Testament writings is ever so much greater than the evidence for many writings of classical writers, the authenticity of which no one dreams of questioning.”

4. Its Continuity with the Past John 1:1-3,14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being…And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father,

Matthew Finlay: Bible.org “ There is direct continuity of divine revelation and authority running right through all sixty-six books of the Bible. No one part contradicts another part, and if one part were to be missing there would be an obvious gap in the whole Book. There is not the slightest hint in the Bible that the earlier revelations were to be contradicted or cancelled by the New Testament.”

5. Its Foundational Claim Acts 5: 29-42 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. 31 He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”…

So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

6. Its Power to Change Lives Gal.1:11-24 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ…

1 Cor. 6:9-11 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

Mel Trotter , Michigan

7. Its Analysis of Human Nature Matthew 15:19-29 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. 20 These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.”

How God’s Word accurately analyzes people and human nature. Romans 1:20-23  For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

8. Its View of Human Achievement 2 Tim. 3:1-5 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self- control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.

9. Its Impact on Society Barna Research Group 2010: Christian’s positive contribution to society. - They help the poor and underprivileged to a better life. - They influence others to a belief in God or Jesus. - They have a role in shaping the morals and values of society.

10. Its Offer of Salvation Rom.10:9-13 …that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation… … for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Evidences for the Christian Faith WHY WE BELIEVE Evidences for the Christian Faith