Evidence for God — Voluminous information
IX. Voluminous information about Jesus Christ
A. Historicity of Jesus [www.godandscience.org/apologetics/bibletru.html]
1. Early historical references in numerous documents by external authors corroborating New Testament events.
[www.uark.edu/~cdm/answers/articles/Resurrection.htm;
Secular Evidence That Jesus Existed and Ancient Evidence for Jesus from Non-Christian Sources]
a. Flavius Josephus — www.earlychristianwritings.com/josephus.html
b. Cornelius Tacitus — www.earlychristianwritings.com/tacitus.html
c. Thallus, a Samaritan — www.carm.org/bible/extrabiblical_accounts.htm
d. Phlegon, a first-century historian — www.creatingfutures.net/birth.html
e. Lucian of Samosata (in The Passing Peregrinus) — www.earlychristianwritings.com/lucian.html
f. Plinius Secundus, (Pliny the Younger) — www.earlychristianwritings.com/pliny.html
2. Numerous searches by doubting critics verify his existence.
a. Frank Morison — "Who Moved The Stone?" Reprinted, September 1987 Zondervan Publishing
b. Lew Wallace — "Ben Hur" Reprinted, August 1998 Oxford University Press, www.gospelcom.net/chi/DAILYF/2003/02/daily-02-15-2003.shtml
c. Josh McDowell — "Evidence That Demands A Verdict - Volumes I & II" Thomas Nelson Publishers. Copyright,1979 & Campus Crusade for Christ, Inc. Copyright 1993, www.facingthechallenge.org/mcdowell2.htm
d. Lee Strobel — "The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus" (Paperback), 1998 Zondervan Publishing House, www.probe.org/docs/case.html or www.the-case-for-christ.com/
B. Legacy of Jesus [See: XI. Effects of Christ's power]
Evidence for God — Unique claims
X. Unique claims of Jesus Christ
[See: Deity of Christ and Evidence for the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ]
A. He came from the Father in Heaven, John 3:2 & John 8:42
1. God is the highest source of authority. Genesis 22:16 & Hebrews 6:13
2. All authority rests in Christ. Matthew 28:18; John 19:11; Hebrews 1:1-3 [Authority of Bible]
B. He is God's son, John 10:36
C. He is the Messiah.
[Discusses probabilities for numerous prophecies fulfilled in one person: www.messianic-prophecy.net/Messianic-Prophecy.htm; the fulfilment of 48 Prophecies is: 1 X 10 to the 157 power (more atoms then there are in the Universe), Science Speaks by Peter Stoner; and more than 100 Messianic Prophecies]
1. The Messianic hope was to function as God's Prophet. (John 7:40-42; John 6:14-15; Acts 3:18-23)
2. The Messianic hope was to come. (John 4:25-26,42; 10:24-25)
3. The Messianic hope was the Jews "Forever" king. (Mark 15:2; John 18:37)
4. The Messianic hope was a Good Shepherd-King. (John 10:11-16)
5. The Messianic hope was to be God's Son. (John 5:17-20; 20:17; Matthew 26:63-64)
6. The Messianic hope was to relate to human need. (John 1:14-18; 3:14-17; 14:1-6; 6:35, 48-58; 8:12; 11:25-26; Luke 19:9-10)
D. He is the savior of the world. Luke 2:11; Hebrews 7:24-25 www.tentmaker.org/books/ScripturalProofs.html
E. He gives light and life to every human who will accept it.
F. Posesses authority to forgive sin
1. Demonstrated by the overwhelming power (Luke 4:36; Hebrews 2:1-4) of his mercy and love with the healing (Matthew 8:16; Luke 8:26-37; 13:11-17) and deliverance which he showed to people who were outcasts, diseased, demented, and discouraged.
2. Transformed people previously outcasts in Israel
a. Lepers
b. Demon possessed
c. Adulterers
G. By His crucifixion all men would be drawn to Him. (Jn. 12:31-33)
1. His torturous death was called a willing act of grace.
2. He gave up his life not just to be a martyr, but as a savior who is able to release us from the guilt of our personal sin - past, present, and future.
H. Other claims with supportive miracles and signs (John 5:36)
1. "I am the Light of the World" (John 3:11-21)
2. "I am the Living Water" (John 4:10-14)
3. "I am the Good Shepherd" (John 10:11-14)
4. "I am the Gate" (John 10:7)
5. "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life" (John 14:6 & 12:48; See also John 17:17; 18:37; Colossians 2:3; Titus 1:2)
6. "I am the Vine" (John 15:1-5)
7. Dove at Jesus baptism (Luke 3:21-22)
8. Jesus transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36)
9. Feeding the 4,000 (Matthew. 15:36)
10. Feeding of the 5,000 (John 6:11)
11. Walking on the water (Matthew. 14:23-33)
12. Healing the insane boy (Mark 9:14-29)
13. Feeding 5,000 (Matthew 14:23)
14. Raising Lazarus from tomb (John 11:41)
15. Healing multitudes (Luke 5:15-16)
16. Healing individual sick folks (Mark 1:35 [wilderness, v. 33 - whole city at door, etc.]
I. Testimony of others (John 5:31-32)
1. John the Baptist's statements (Mark 1:6-8; Matthew 3:11-15; Luke 3:16; John 1:29-36 & 5:36)
2. Dove at Jesus baptism (Luke 3:21-22)
3. Heavenly Father speaking audibly from Heaven
a. at Christ's baptism (Mark 1:10-11; Luke 3:22; John 5:37)
b. at the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5-6; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:34-36)
4. The prophetic scriptures about Christ (John 5:39; 2 Peter 1:18-19) [See: Messianic Prophecies and Resurrection Of Jesus.html]
5. Coming resurrection (John 2:22)
6. The Holy Spirit's ongoing witness amongst Christ's disciples (John 15:26)
7. The separate accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
8. The statements of Stephen at his execution (Acts 7:55-56) and of Saul of Tarsus about the vision in Acts 9:3-7 (Acts 22:6-21 & 26:9-19)
9. Transformed people previously outcasts in Israel
10. The two Angel's testimony at the tomb while speaking to the three women, et cetera.
J. Establishes the Old Testament (the "Law and the Prophets") by his frequent reference to its commands and prophecies and by claiming that not the smallest letter or the smallest serif on a single letter would ever disappear from the word of God contained in the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 5:17-18; 26:54-56; Luke 4:21; 24:44, etc.)
K. Lived a sinless life (John 17:1-5)
a. His challenging of others to show otherwise. Jn. 8:46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me?
b. His disciples believed it. (They spent three years with Him day and night)
1 Peter 2:21-22 For you have been called for this purpose, since Chris also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth.
1 John 3:3-5 And everyone who has this hope (fixed) on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure...And you know that he appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he (God) hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
1 Peter 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.
1 John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
c. His enemies could find no evil in him.
Mark 14:55 Now the Chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus to put Him to death; and they were not finding any.
Luke 23:22 And he said to them the third time, "Why, what evil has this man done? I have found in Him no guilt (demanding) death; I will therefore punish Him and release Him."
d. Pilate said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him." (Luke 23:14-15)
Judas admitted that he had betrayed "innocent blood." (Matthew 27:4)
e. The Koran states that Jesus was without sin. (See Surah 3:45-46; 19:19-21) * But Mohammed was told to ask for forgiveness. (Surah 40:55; 48:1-2)