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Session 1 – The Historical Jesus

Session 1 – The Historical Jesus. In this class we will be looking at the evidence for the historic Jesus & resurrection. If it can be shown historically that Jesus rose from the dead like the Bible claims, this would absolute evidence for Christianity.

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Session 1 – The Historical Jesus

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  1. Session 1 – The Historical Jesus In this class we will be looking at the evidence for the historic Jesus & resurrection If it can be shown historically that Jesus rose from the dead like the Bible claims, this would absolute evidence for Christianity Many Christians think you have to believe Jesus rose from the dead by blind faith, and are not aware of the great evidence from history

  2. We need to keep in mind the different mindsets that we will encounter when dealing with history Some people will never believe in the resurrection (no matter what the evidence) because they do not believe super-natural activity can happen (they are naturalists) Until they accept the possibility of supernatural intervention as being a possible means, they will never accept it

  3. This is different than if you are dealing with a Muslim who doesn’t believe Jesus was crucified in the first place (we will discuss that another time) They already approach history with the idea of supernatural intervention, and so there is a different starting point when addressing them To be an effective apologist, you need to know your audience

  4. In this session we will discuss and establish the Biblical point of view on the life of Jesus In future sessions we will defend the existence of Jesus as a historical person (which some people today want to argue against) We will also spend much time looking at the evidence for the resurrection, and giving responses to natural ways to interpret that evidence

  5. Who is the Biblical-historical Jesus? Most importantly, he is God John 1:1--"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:14--"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."

  6. He claimed to be God John 5:18--"For this cause therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God." John 8:58--"Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.'"

  7. C.S. Lewis gave us the saying that Jesus is either a liar, lunatic, or Lord Was he a liar? If Jesus made his claims knowing he wasn’t God, then he was ly­ing to his followers. If he was a liar, he was also a hypocrite-a guy who told others to be honest even while he taught and lived a colossal lie. That view of Jesus, however, doesn’t jive with what we know of Jesus or the re­sults of his life and teachings.

  8. Was he a lunatic? If someone told you he was God, you would believe him about as much as if he said he was Santa Claus. You would call him one deluded and self-deceived person Yet Jesus didn’t display the abnormalities and imbalance that usually go hand in hand with being crazy. Jesus was a guy who spoke some of the most pro­found words ever recorded-words that have set free many individuals, even some in mental bondage. 

  9. Was he Lord? If Christ isn’t a liar or a lunatic, you only have one option: He is who he claimed to be-the Son of God. Jesus said that he was God, and those around him said that he was God “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:16 Joseph Smith, Charles Russell, Muhammad, Krishna, Buddha, Confucius and other founders of religions didn’t make that claim

  10. Jesus was born of a Virgin According to the Bible (and nothing in history contradicts it) Jesus was born of a Virgin Isa.7:14: Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. This is theologically vital to the Christian faith

  11. If Jesus was not born of a Virgin, he would inherit the sin nature given to us by Adam, which means he could not be the perfect sacrifice The Virgin birth is as important of a doctrine as the resurrection! If Jesus was not perfect, his sacrifice cannot save anyone Sadly, many Christians tag this as a non-essential today, when it’s not

  12. This is another area when we see the different mindsets of looking at history Those who hold to naturalism will reject the idea of a virgin birth immediately Why? Because we do not see it happening today, and there is no way for it to happen naturally, it takes supernatural intervention to have a virgin birth

  13. Not only was Jesus born of a Virgin, but he lived a sinless life here on earth Today though not all Christians believe that 44% believe that Jesus Christ committed some sins while on earth “For He made Him who knew no sinto be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

  14. Despite some recent news, Jesus was never married! Although only the size of a business card, a tiny papyrus fragment stirred an enormous controversy in 2012 when a Harvard divinity professor revealed that it indicated that Jesus was married. That would put a twist on things wouldn’t it?

  15. Some think that it may be a forgery where they found an ancient papyri and put new information on it The scientific analysis dates the papyrus to the seventh or eighth century A.D., and the carbon composition of the ink was found to be consistent with that time period.  Nowhere near the time of the Bible, and at the time Islam is rising up, which would explain it

  16. Around the age of 30 Jesus began his public ministry that lasted for three years Jesus interacted with many figures and on geography that we can verify existed today, unlike the book of Mormon Jesus in his ministry performed many miracles that caused his following to grow He had 12 disciples who he mentored and eventually would become the foundational teachers of the early church

  17. Jesus had such an impact on history, that for 2000 years his life divided the timescale for earth history (AC, BC) After his three year ministry, he was crucified to pay for the sins of the world Unlike some people think, no one forced Jesus into being crucified, he did it willingly because he knew what had to be done to save the lost

  18. John 10:18:”No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” Jesus was killed and was in the grave for three days, and on the third day he rose from the dead (the resurrection) The resurrection is vital to Christianity, if it is false, Christianity is false

  19. 1 Corinthians 15:12-19: “Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up…—

  20. if in fact the dead do not rise.For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.” The Early Church heavily emphasizes a bodily resurrection because of the Gnostic teachings that were trying to enter the church

  21. Very early on creeds would develop so everyone would understand the essentials 1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: 2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord: 3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary: 4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:

  22. 5. The third day he rose again from the dead: 6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty: 7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead: 8. I believe in the Holy Ghost: 9. I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints: 10. The forgiveness of sins: 1l. The resurrection of the body: 12. And the life everlasting. Amen.

  23. If everything that the Bible says about the history of Jesus and his life on earth is truth, it would mean what it says about his second coming is also true He is coming to judge this world and many people don’t want to bow the knee and be accountable to a supreme judge What sources do we have from this time period to verify what the Bible says?

  24. Many Christians think you have to abandon the Bible and make your point without it, but in reality the Bible is the best (but not only) historical source of that time period The Bible is the most well attested book in history, and there is no reason that Christians should abandon it as a historical sources for the life of Jesus The classic chart that makes our point:

  25. Compared to other ancient works

  26. However, outside the Bible we have sources that also verify what the Bible says • Flavius Josephus (AD 37?-101?, a Jewish historian) • "Now some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod's army came from God, and that very justly, as a punishment of what he did against John, that was called the Baptist: for Herod slew him, who was a good man, and commanded the Jews to exercise virtue, both as to righteousness towards one another, and piety towards God, and so to come to baptism…

  27. In 2002, the Biblical Archaeological Society and the Discovery Channel announced in Washington, D.C. that an ancient inscription on a 2,000-year-old ossuary with the inscribed Aramaic words "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus" was genuine. (dated A.D. 6-70)

  28. We will look at many more examples as the class goes on The road map for the next five sessions 2. An Apologetic For the Historical Jesus Many deny that Jesus every existed, and say that the early church based him off of pre-existing myths. We will examine this claim in session two in detail

  29. 2. & 3. we will look at the historical evidence and basis for believing in the resurrection We will look at the shroud of Turin and see what the evidence says on that topic 4. & 5. we will respond to the theories that have been presented to explain the historical evidence without a resurrection 6. We will sum up all the evidence and arguments and see what the best interpretation of history is

  30. Memory Verse “Blessedbe the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” 1 Peter 1:3

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