1. So the Bible Really is History? Apologetics Part II hsmparadox.wikispaces.com

2. The Reason But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16

3. The Environment And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 2 Tim 2:24-26

4. How to Win an Argument Identify the opposing position Clarify your understanding of that position and why the person adheres to that belief Show how that position is inadequate for that person’s needs Now, share with him a new perspective that does fit his needs

5. The Opposition Weren’t the disciples biased and not really recording accurately? All the information we have on Jesus is from the Christians’ perspective.

6. The Authors Did the writers of the Gospels consider that they were recording history?

7. Luke Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

8. Mark He begins with a prophecy from Isaiah about John the Baptist He then goes on to quote John’s statement of One Who would be coming Who would be greater than he Then Jesus enters for His baptism

9. Matthew Begins with a genealogy of the family of Joseph, Jesus legal father Chapter 1, verse 18 begins “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about…”

10. John The most theological of the Gospels John recorded on 7 miracles of Jesus (he called them “signs”) Each sign illustrated something about Jesus Himself John had a theological agenda Chapter 20, verse 31: “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God…” Why would anybody be persuaded by John if he did not first accurately record the facts?

11. What else did they include? Disciples frequently misunderstood Jesus They squabbled over who would be most highly honored Mark (who wrote Peter’s account) did not paint Peter in a flattering light

12. If you were going to invent a god… Wouldn’t you have invented one that went a little easier on you? Jesus calls us to be perfect as God is perfect He says for us to love one another—not as we love ourselves—but as He loved us Adultery includes lust in your heart Those who wish to be first (and who doesn’t) must make themselves last

13. What about the lives of the disciples? Take Peter, for example: He leapt out of the boat when he saw Jesus walking on the water, then lost it He refused to let Jesus wash his feet, then when Jesus said Peter could have no part in Him, Peter asked for a bath Whipped out the word and cut off a servant’s ear to protect Jesus He claimed he would die for Jesus, never deny, then denied Him three times

14. So what was Peter like Peter was a ready-fire-aim kind of guy He was rash, quick-to-speak, slow-to-think When push came to shove, Peter was a coward: all talk and no action He regretted his denial bitterly, but… Where was he after Christ’s death? Hiding

15. Then came Pentecost The disciples were gathered and the Holy Spirit came upon them and filled them Now… Where is Peter? Preaching; even under threat of violence and torture In fact, all the disciples but John died martyrs’ deaths Don’t discount John. Tradition has it that he was boiled in oil and survived before he was exiled

16. Here’s a question… Would you die or something you know is a lie? Neither would they Not one confessed to a conspiracy even under pain of torture

17. Never confessed to conspiracy Peter: crucified upside-down because he claimed he was unworthy to die as his Lord had Matthew: staked to the ground with short spear and beheaded James (brother of Jesus): thrown from the pinnacle of the Temple. When he was found alive, he was beaten to death with a club Bartholomew: flayed with a whip Most of the others were crucified

18. Extra-Biblical evidence Later Jewish writings called Jesus a sorcerer who led Israel astray Josephus, a Jewish historian of the 1 st century, wrote about Jesus –“…he was one who wrought surprising feats and was a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks.” –He goes on to write about Jesus’ death at the hands of Pilate and further says “…those who had in the first place come to love him did not give up their affection for him.”

19. Extra-Biblical evidence Tacitus also agrees that Jesus was crucified under Pilate, that his followers worship him as if he were God, that they met at dawn on a fixed day to worship, and that their integrity was above reproach Jewish tradition supports the Gospel claims that Jesus was a healer and miracle-worker

20. Which all adds up to… 1.Jesus was a Jewish teacher 2.Many people believed that He performed healings and exorcisms 3.Some believed He was the Messiah 4.He was rejected by the Jewish leaders 5.He was crucified under Pontius Pilate 6.Despite His shameful death, his followers, who believed He was still alive, spread so there were multitudes of them in Rome by A.D. 70 7.All types & classes of people worshipped Him as God

21. The Opposition Weren’t the disciples biased and not really recording accurately? All the information we have on Jesus is from the Christians’ perspective. What about all those miracles?

22. So the Bible Really is History? Apologetics Part II hsmparadox.wikispaces.com