1. Who is Jesus? Lk.1:1-4; 3:1,2; 2 Pet.1:16-21 1. The appeal of Jesus - 2 billion+ followers - 2 billion+ followers - Tens of thousands books, articles, films - Tens of thousands books, articles, films - Appreciation of non-believers - Appreciation of non-believers - AD 135 – execution of Ben Kosiba - AD 135 – execution of Ben Kosiba AD 30/33 – execution of Jesus of Nazareth AD 30/33 – execution of Jesus of Nazareth

2. 2. How do we know about Jesus? a. Greco-Roman 1. Roman Governor – Pliny –AD112 1. Roman Governor – Pliny –AD112 2. Historians – Tacitus, Suetonius, Thallos 2. Historians – Tacitus, Suetonius, Thallos 3. Writers – Mara Ben Serapion, Celsus, Lucian 3. Writers – Mara Ben Serapion, Celsus, Lucian b. Jewish 1. Josephus – 1 st c. historian 1. Josephus – 1 st c. historian 2. Talmud 2. Talmud 3. Rabbi Eliezer 3. Rabbi Eliezer

3. What we gather from these sources 1. Name; place & time-frame 2. Mother & brother – Mary, James 3. Fame as teacher & miracle-worker 4. Spoken of as Messiah & King 5. Time & manner of execution 6. Eclipse at execution 7. Report of resurrection appearances 8. Flourishing movement of worshippers

4. 3. Are the Gospels reliable? a. Reliable witnesses – John 19:35; 21:24; Lk.1:1-4; 3:1,2 - serious thing to give false testimony – 1Cor.15:15; Acts 2:32; 3:15; 5:30,32 - serious thing to give false testimony – 1Cor.15:15; Acts 2:32; 3:15; 5:30,32 - people were still alive to refute false story - people were still alive to refute false story b. Careful transmission

5. Livy 4 c.AD 27copies Livy 4 c.AD 27copies Tacitus 9 c. AD 3 Tacitus 9 c. AD 3 Suetonius 9c.AD 200+ Suetonius 9c.AD 200+ Gallic Wars 9 c. AD 9/10 Gallic Wars 9 c. AD 9/10 Herodutus 1 c.AD 75 Herodutus 1 c.AD 75 N.T. 100-150AD 5000 Greek N.T. 100-150AD 5000 Greek 10,000 Latin 10,000 Latin 1M. quotes 1M. quotes

6. 4. Do you want to know Jesus? a. The Gospels are historical b. Read the Gospels carefully c. Personal, life-transforming relationship – John 20:30,31