Credible Scripture is Trustworthy! Luke 1:1 4 September 22 nd, 2013 Dr. Michael T. Carey

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "Credible Scripture is Trustworthy! Luke 1:1 4 September 22 nd, 2013 Dr. Michael T. Carey"

Transcription

1 1 Credible Scripture is Trustworthy! Luke 1:1 4 September 22 nd, 2013 Dr. Michael T. Carey I was at a social gathering with good friends who I knew to be skeptics about Christianity. The grandfather said this about his young grandson, He s really interested in ancient mythology so I gave him a book of the stories told by the Vikings, the Greek and Roman gods, as well as the legends about Jesus. I flinched, but reminded myself that aspects of the New Testament do resemble the ancient myths among the pagan religions there were other stories about gods who become human, were born to virgins, and then did things to liberate humans. C. S. Lewis acknowledged this similarity while highlighting the crucial difference: The story of Christ is simply a true myth: a myth working on us the same way as the others, but with the tremendous difference that it really happened (God in the Dock, 1972). J.R. Tolkien, who wrote the Lord of the Rings, was also a believer. Tolkien wrote: Legend and History have met and fused (Leaf and Tree, 1965). The Bible is NOT just the stuff of legends! While some of its 66 books are not intended to be historical, most of the Bibles books are based on actual events. Today we ll focus on the New Testament, since the stories of Jesus are the core of our faith. They are NOT just the stuff of legends; they are the credible testimony of actual eyewitnesses. Look at how Luke begins his Gospel. It was probably written in the 80s A.D., 50 years after Jesus was raised. He wasn t an eyewitness, so Luke was careful to base his account on eyewitness accounts: 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. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. Luke was aware that non Jewish officials would read his Gospel, so he referred to historical events, like the census ordered by Caesar Augustus when Quirinius was governor of Syria before Jesus was born (2:1). In his 2 nd Epistle, Peter declared that we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. (1:16) It would be nice to have video recordings of Jesus death and resurrection. But recording devices didn t existent until the phonograph we have no idea what Abraham Lincoln s voiced sounded like in order to play Lincoln the actor Daniel Day Lewis spent months researching eyewitness accounts. We have no secular record of Jesus in 30 AD. There weren t any newspapers until after Gutenberg invented the printing press. The Roman Empire didn t

2 keep records of who they crucified at the time of his death Jesus was nobody probably hundreds of people were crucified around the Empire that week. What we have are stories by people who cared. Without any way to document what happened, assuming that Jesus would soon return, these eyewitnesses focused their energies on spreading the news. When they became old, Gospels were written to record their testimony. Probably the earliest eyewitness account in the Bible was provided by Paul when he quoted those who saw Jesus empty tomb and beheld his resurrected form. Paul didn t meet Jesus until the Lord appeared to him in resurrected form when Paul was traveling to Damascus to arrest believers. So in 55 AD, Paul wrote: 2 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. (15:3 6) 25 years after these events happened, Paul passed onto the new believers in a whole nother part of the word what he had received news of first importance: that the Christ [the Messiah] died for our sins according to the Scriptures [that is, Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies], that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to those Scriptures appearing to at least 500 disciples. So how can we trust that this core message didn t get exaggerated over those 25 years? I see two compelling signs of their credibility. First, for Jews to say that the Messiah died is a nonsensical statement, unless you experienced something that compels you to believe that it s true. The Jewish Messiah was supposed to kick Rome s tail to put it bluntly but Rome tortured Jesus to death in shame. Many times before Jesus, revolutionaries claimed to be the Messiah, and when Rome crucified them, their followers abandoned them. When Jesus suffered the same fate, many Jews said definitely not the Messiah. But Jewish eyewitnesses said He is the Messiah he won over evil through resurrection. His suffering fulfilled Isaiah s prophecy about a suffering servant who would conquer through sacrificial love. For Jews like Paul to believe this incredible news required great eyewitness credibility. It also refers to 500 witnesses. Its one thing to base your life on Mohammed saying I had a vision and wrote it down ; or to read the Book of Mormon as a sacred text because Joseph Smith said an angel Moroni appeared to me in order to give additional revelations. Of course there are visions and angels in the New Testament books, but they are credible because hundreds of people saw a public execution and a public resurrection which contradicted what they previously believed, then went to their death saying It is true, Jesus the crucified Messiah is the risen Lord of all.

3 The scriptures are trustworthy; if you are ever going to believe anything, these are credible accounts of what God has done to give people love and life. Yes, it would be nice to have ancient non Christian confirmation: Roman records about Jesus, etc., but God chose to send his Son to live in the most obscure part of the Roman Empire nobody in Rome cared what happened in Galilee. Archeology has given us confirmation that Pontius Pilate was the local governor at the time of Jesus death a plaque honoring him was found in the ruins of an outdoor theatre. It is a little weird to claim that the greatest person who ever lived was unknown to his government. Mark Roberts writes about this dilemma in his book Can We Trust the Gospels? His college roommate Larry had a friend who would rehearse playing the cello in their dorm s common room. Mark would hear him and think Wow! That s pretty good! But he never bothered to meet this cello player or attend any of his concerts: 3 Little did I know that Larry s friend would someday be considered the best cello player in the world I wished that I had the chance to meet Yo Yo Ma when I had the chance or at least listen to more of his music. But when I was in college, cellists were off my radar screen completely. Similarly, in the first century A.D., Jesus was almost completely off the radar screen of the Roman Empire it wasn t until the second century that people outside of the Christian church began to care about Jesus. (139 40) While they have no record of Jesus, officials in the Roman Empire confirm that the early church was teaching then what the Bible tells us now. In 109 A.D. Tacitus wrote his history of the Roman Empire, including this explanation of why Nero persecuted the Christians back in 64 A.D.: Christus, from whom the name [Christians] had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome. (Tacitus: Annals 15.44, 109 A.D.) The extreme penalty refers to crucifixion and the most mischievous superstition probably refers to claiming that Jesus rose from the dead. From this point on there are many references to the spread of Christianity in the 100s and 200s. None prove Christianity; these non Christian authorities often refer to the Christians courage when persecuted, their remarkable love for each other, their mixing of the social classes, their care for the poor, and their rescuing of unwanted babies left to die. In recent years there has been amazing verification of scripture s accuracy. I m just going to name several ways that scientific methods are verifying the Bible s accuracy. Perhaps you got nervous when you heard reports that the original manuscripts have disappeared, and

4 that some errors crept into the copies when scribes copied the previous manuscripts. Here s great news: computer analysis of more than 5,000 ancient manuscripts demonstrates that 99% of what is written is undisputed; none of the 1% that is disputed is a crucial passage. For example, in some manuscripts Mark s Gospel ends with a statement about believers handling poisonous snakes without dying; most other manuscripts don t. Thankfully the scholars have determined that some scribe inserted the snake handling passage because the Book of Acts tells us that Paul survived a snake bite. You can still watch the reality TV show about snake handling Christians in Tennessee. By comparing the manuscripts secular scholars have confirmed the accuracy of the Bible. A slam dunk happened when they found the Dead Sea Scrolls in the 1940s. They were hidden by a Jewish sect facing annihilation in 70 A.D. Included in the discoveries was a whole scroll of Isaiah. When compared to scrolls newer by hundreds of years, there were no significant changes. The Holy Spirit has given us God s Word, in part because so many scribes were faithful stewards of that Word. Hundreds of archeological discoveries verify that the places mentioned in the Bible were accurate. Our Media Center has DVD studies led by Middle Eastern archeologists. Sometimes a group wanting publicity (and money) will trumpet a discovery that questions the core of our faith, like last year when the Discovery Channel featured a newlydiscovered bone box with Jesus name on it the name was later shown to be a forgery by secular Israelis. Or the radical Jesus Seminar, scholars are far outside the mainstream; when the Nag Hammadi Codices were discovered in Egypt, these people suggested that newlydiscovered documents might be truer than the Gospels in the Bible. These Gospels suggest that Jesus was married and had a much more political agenda the basis for The DaVinci Code book and movie. It troubles me to meet people who lost their confidence in the Bible because The Gospel of Thomas isn t in it. There s a good reason for it: The Gospel of Thomas and the other Gnostic Gospels were written hundreds of years after the true Gospels by people who didn t like the original story! I guess we ll be correcting falsehoods like this until mainstream scholarship catches up with the charlatans who profit from making scandalizing claims about Jesus. All we can do is use logic and science to show that the biblical story is credible and compelling, then challenge people to obtain personal authentication. Once you discover that Christianity is based on credible eyewitness testimony (unlike other religions scriptures); once you realize that the scriptures themselves have survived more critical analysis than any other pre modern documents; then you must decide whether to test what the scriptures teach by living Jesus life. At the end of the day, living biblically will validate the Bible. As Paul wrote to Timothy: 4 All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16 17)

5 You ll discover that scripture is God breathed as you study it, memorize it, and ponder it; then let it teach you, correct you, and train you for the best work. As you can tell, I m a heady guy who believes the Bible makes sense; yet I also believe because I ve confirmed its truth in my heart. This week I wrote my blog about how to discover God s will: I discovered God s will by recognizing the Lord s answers to my prayer. I learned this by living as if the Bible is true, and then discovered the joy and adventure of following Jesus. 5

Uncomfortable Can I Trust the Bible? July 8 & 9, 2017

Uncomfortable Can I Trust the Bible? July 8 & 9, 2017 Uncomfortable Can I Trust the Bible? July 8 & 9, 2017 Historically you can trust the Bible. 1000-200 BC - Jewish scriptures written Most scholars have dated the written Jewish scriptures as old as the

More information

The Bible on trial: A Historical Work?

The Bible on trial: A Historical Work? The Bible on trial: A Historical Work? The Bible on trial: A historical work? The Resurrection The effect of this claim: This date in time would not be known as 2016 Most of us would never have heard of

More information

1. more than stories nik

1. more than stories nik 1. more than stories nik 2. more than stories sermon background The Bible: The sole basis of our beliefs is the Bible, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. It was uniquely, verbally, and fully inspired

More information

The Bible: A Road Map for Life. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

The Bible: A Road Map for Life. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 The Bible: A Road Map for Life 2 Timothy 3:16-17 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that

More information

Theophilus Quest: Discovery Stage Three. Who is Jesus?

Theophilus Quest: Discovery Stage Three. Who is Jesus? Theophilus Quest: Discovery Stage Three Our second stage of discovery with Theo looked at the Bible and its claim to be the word of God. On this third stage of discovery, Theo will investigate Jesus. Who

More information

WHO WAS JESUS? VALIDITY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

WHO WAS JESUS? VALIDITY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT WHO WAS JESUS? VALIDITY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT 1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with

More information

DO WE HAVE EARLY TESTIMONY ABOUT JESUS? Chapter Nine

DO WE HAVE EARLY TESTIMONY ABOUT JESUS? Chapter Nine DO WE HAVE EARLY TESTIMONY ABOUT JESUS? Chapter Nine Evidence that the New Testament is historically reliable Early testimony Eyewitness testimony Un-invented (authentic) testimony Eyewitnesses who were

More information

higher power. And guess what? He s been sober for ten years? Did the doorknob work for him? Does that make it true? Is putting your faith in the

higher power. And guess what? He s been sober for ten years? Did the doorknob work for him? Does that make it true? Is putting your faith in the 2 Peter 1:16-21 Why do you choose to believe the Bible? How can you live your life, how can you put your faith in a book written by men? Well, I ve recently read a couple of other books that tell me about

More information

3/23/2014 A True Testimony 1

3/23/2014 A True Testimony 1 "A True Testimony" Can we trust what the four gospel accounts say about Jesus? Hello, I m Phil Sanders, and this is a Bible study, In SEARCH of the Lord s Way. And today we re going to see why we should

More information

Introduction to Apologetics Course Objectives

Introduction to Apologetics Course Objectives Table of Contents Introduction to Apologetics... Lesson 1 What Is Apologetics? Why Study Apologetics? Where in Scripture Are We Commanded to Use Apologetics? When Should We Present Apologetics? What Is

More information

Did Jesus Actually Exist?

Did Jesus Actually Exist? The Deity of Christ (Did Jesus Exist?) - 1 Did Jesus Actually Exist? Introduction: 1. One of the many attacks against Christianity and the validity of the Bible is that Jesus Christ never even existed.

More information

Christian Apologetics Class

Christian Apologetics Class Christian Apologetics Class Session #7 3:00 to 4:30 PM 9 October 2013! Teacher: Mr. Darryl Record, MA Christian Apologetics! International Fishers: Christian Evidence Ministry Bible Prophecy and the Historical

More information

Find out more at KidsAnswers.org

Find out more at KidsAnswers.org 1 1 The number of people who have risen from the dead and who are still alive today! Jesus Christ is the only one in all of history who suffered death, was raised to life, and continues to live today.

More information

Can I Believe in the Resurrection Luke 24:1-12 Rev. Min J. Chung (Lord s Day Service, April 16, 2017)

Can I Believe in the Resurrection Luke 24:1-12 Rev. Min J. Chung (Lord s Day Service, April 16, 2017) Can I Believe in the Resurrection Luke 24:1-12 Rev. Min J. Chung (Lord s Day Service, April 16, 2017) Luke 24:1-12 The Resurrection But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb,

More information

Lies, Legends, or Witnesses Part 2 Lie, Legend, or Lord Chris Hutton The First Mennonite Church November 20, 2016

Lies, Legends, or Witnesses Part 2 Lie, Legend, or Lord Chris Hutton The First Mennonite Church November 20, 2016 Lies, Legends, or Witnesses Part 2 Lie, Legend, or Lord Chris Hutton The First Mennonite Church November 20, 2016 I d like to start off our discussion this morning by looking at a clip. This comes from

More information

Acts 4:12 (NIV) Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.

Acts 4:12 (NIV) Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 (NIV) Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. QUICK POINTS: Salvation is ONLY through Jesus Christ. Salvation is

More information

Can we really Trust the Bible?

Can we really Trust the Bible? Can we really Trust the Bible? Europe Edition Europe Edition Can we really trust the Bible? In our modern world, many are convinced that the Bible is nothing more than a silly old book. Its religious rambling

More information

The Case for Christ: Evidence Outside the Bible Date Place Texts: Theme: Occasion:

The Case for Christ: Evidence Outside the Bible Date Place Texts: Theme: Occasion: The Case for Christ: Evidence Outside the Bible Date: May 13, 2018 Place: Lakewood UMC Texts: Matthew 27:45-50; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 Theme: apologetics, biblical credibility Occasion: Case for Christ,

More information

Following God involves both our head and our heart. There s the emotional aspect to it, but we need to remember that our brain our reason, our

Following God involves both our head and our heart. There s the emotional aspect to it, but we need to remember that our brain our reason, our 1 Following God involves both our head and our heart. There s the emotional aspect to it, but we need to remember that our brain our reason, our intelligence, also have a part to play. In faith, our head

More information

The Resurrection of Jesus

The Resurrection of Jesus The Resurrection of Jesus Introduction: Christianity s Sine Qua Non What if Christ is not risen? I. The Historicity of the Resurrection -- Sources -- A. Sources Outside the New Testament See: Gary R Habermas.

More information

Fake News About the Bible Pastor Joe Oakley GFC 9/24/17

Fake News About the Bible Pastor Joe Oakley GFC 9/24/17 Fake News About the Bible Pastor Joe Oakley GFC 9/24/17 1 We are in a new sermon series called Fake News Replacing Lies with Truth. This kind of study is called apologetics which is the branch of theology

More information

The Da Vinci Code. Where Did the Bible Come From? Part II. CA209 LESSON 02 of 08

The Da Vinci Code. Where Did the Bible Come From? Part II. CA209 LESSON 02 of 08 The Da Vinci Code CA209 LESSON 02 of 08 Our Daily Bread Christian University This course was developed by Christian University & Our Daily Bread Ministries. Mart De Haan: I ve found over the years that

More information

Objective: Prophecy. Principle: Prophecy only works if the future is definite.

Objective: Prophecy. Principle: Prophecy only works if the future is definite. Evidence is both objective and subjective The search for evidence begins Objective: Prophecy Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy, by J. Barton Payne, lists 1,239 prophecies in the Old Testament, and 578

More information

The eyewitness evidence. Can the biographies of Jesus be trusted?

The eyewitness evidence. Can the biographies of Jesus be trusted? Book Name: The Case For Christ Lee Strobel CoH Member s Name: BOB Leader Name: Date: Score: Saturday Track BOB 6/6 Comm.Brk. 6/13 BOB 6/20 Lrg. Grp. 6/27 Wednesday Track BOB 6/3 BOB 6/10 BOB 6/17 Lrg.

More information

Bible Basics. Can We Really Trust the Bible? SF105 LESSON 07 of 07. Introduction. Does Anyone Doubt the Bible s Trustworthiness?

Bible Basics. Can We Really Trust the Bible? SF105 LESSON 07 of 07. Introduction. Does Anyone Doubt the Bible s Trustworthiness? Bible Basics SF105 LESSON 07 of 07 Our Daily Bread Christian University This course was developed by Christian University & Our Daily Bread Ministries. Much of the content for this lesson was taken from

More information

OUR FAITH IS FOR REAL 2 PET 1:16-21 TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD FEB 29, 2017

OUR FAITH IS FOR REAL 2 PET 1:16-21 TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD FEB 29, 2017 OUR FAITH IS FOR REAL 2 PET 1:-21 TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD FEB 29, 2017 We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were

More information

OF FIRST IMPORTANCE 1 CORINTHIANS 15:1-8. Rev. Dr. Philip Parker April 29, 2018

OF FIRST IMPORTANCE 1 CORINTHIANS 15:1-8. Rev. Dr. Philip Parker April 29, 2018 OF FIRST IMPORTANCE 1 CORINTHIANS 15:1-8 Rev. Dr. Philip Parker April 29, 2018 The church family was very excited about the new pastor that had been called to serve their congregation, especially after

More information

The ESV says: [Some of the earliest manuscripts do not include 16:9 20.]

The ESV says: [Some of the earliest manuscripts do not include 16:9 20.] THE UNENDING GOSPEL. Rev. Robert T. Woodyard First Christian Reformed Church April 27, 2014, 10:30AM Scripture Text: Mark 16:9-20 Introduction. This text is very controversial, but not for the reasons

More information

Jesus: The Centerpiece of the Bible

Jesus: The Centerpiece of the Bible Jesus: The Centerpiece of the Bible Rivne Lecture #3 Introduction: As I explained in my first lecture, the Bible is divided into two main sections called the Old Testament and the New Testament. The first

More information

Truth Journal. 2017, DiscipleLand. Permission granted to reproduce for personal use.

Truth Journal. 2017, DiscipleLand. Permission granted to reproduce for personal use. Truth Journal Print these pages to begin a journal chronicling your discoveries about Christian truth. The first twelve pages come from your DiscipleSkill. The remaining page is for questions you d also

More information

Do you feel powerless, weak, uncertain, foolish? Or where you just fine until I started talking, but now not so much? Is ignorance bliss?

Do you feel powerless, weak, uncertain, foolish? Or where you just fine until I started talking, but now not so much? Is ignorance bliss? THE ACTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Rev. Robert T. Woodyard First Christian Reformed Church April 15, 2018, 10:30 AM Scripture Texts: Acts 1:1-5 Give your attention to the reading of God s eternally true Holy

More information

Directions: Read and examine the documents below and answer the accompanying questions. Jesus in Judea

Directions: Read and examine the documents below and answer the accompanying questions. Jesus in Judea Name Date Period Class Quaestio: Early Christianity in the Roman World Directions: Read and examine the documents below and answer the accompanying questions. Jesus in Judea Jesus was a Jewish religious

More information

Student Guide. with Dr. Paul L. Maier !!! 6 week study. about the Easter story from a historical perspective

Student Guide. with Dr. Paul L. Maier !!! 6 week study. about the Easter story from a historical perspective Student Guide with Dr. Paul L. Maier 6 week study about the Easter story from a historical perspective Based on the book In the Fullness of Time by Paul L. Maier and the film The Week that Changed the

More information

10. Scriptures and the prophecies

10. Scriptures and the prophecies 10. Scriptures and the prophecies How many of you have heard some unbelievers or Bible skeptics snort and argue about many different versions of the Bibles or corruptions among the ancient manuscripts

More information

The Resurrection Of Jesus Christ. Mark 16:1-9

The Resurrection Of Jesus Christ. Mark 16:1-9 The Resurrection Of Jesus Christ Mark 16:1-9 The Resurrection of Jesus Christ --The Focal Point of Gospel Preaching 29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is

More information

How We Got the Bible And It s Authenticity Part 4

How We Got the Bible And It s Authenticity Part 4 How We Got the Bible And It s Authenticity Part 4 Archeology / Science &the Bible Part 1 How We Got the Bible The Bible is: Made up of 66 different books. Written over a span of 1,600 years (approximately

More information

GROUNDED IN HISTORY, DIVINE REVELATION, AND HOLY SCRIPTURE

GROUNDED IN HISTORY, DIVINE REVELATION, AND HOLY SCRIPTURE The Transfiguration of Our Lord March 2, 2014 GROUNDED IN HISTORY, DIVINE REVELATION, AND HOLY SCRIPTURE (2 PETER 1:16-21) 16 We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power

More information

A GREAT PROPHET HAS ARISEN AMONG US (LUKE 7:16) TAKING ANOTHER LOOK. (1) How to read Luke AT LUKE S JESUS

A GREAT PROPHET HAS ARISEN AMONG US (LUKE 7:16) TAKING ANOTHER LOOK. (1) How to read Luke AT LUKE S JESUS A GREAT PROPHET HAS ARISEN AMONG US (LUKE 7:16) TAKING ANOTHER LOOK AT LUKE S JESUS (1) How to read Luke PROGRAMME 1. How to read Luke 2. Birth: Samuel and David (Luke 1-2) 3. Mission: Isaiah (Luke 4)

More information

This is what Paul says in 1 Corinthians He's talking about the importance of the resurrection, and he starts by saying that,

This is what Paul says in 1 Corinthians He's talking about the importance of the resurrection, and he starts by saying that, The Bible and Reliability So I'm here to talk to you today about the reliability of the Bible. What does that mean, reliability? Well, according to the dictionary, if something is reliable it means we

More information

Impact Hour. April 3, 2016

Impact Hour. April 3, 2016 Impact Hour April 3, 2016 Why People Don t Believe: 1. The Power of Religion 2. Reason To Fear 3. Religion and Violence: A Closer Look 4. Is Christianity Irrational and Devoid of Evidence? 5. Is Christianity

More information

Heartbeat bible study Lesson One

Heartbeat bible study Lesson One 12 1 Heartbeat bible study Lesson One For additional copies of the Heartbeats, please contact: Rev. Darryl Knappen at (320) 762-1565 or Cornerstone Church 202 7th Ave. East Alexandria, MN 56308 office@cornerstoneofalexandria.com

More information

DID THE RESURRECTION REALLY HAPPEN?

DID THE RESURRECTION REALLY HAPPEN? DID THE RESURRECTION REALLY HAPPEN? The resurrection of Jesus forms the startling climax to each of the first accounts of Jesus' life. The resurrection challenges us to see Jesus as more than just a teacher

More information

15 th April The Foundation of Our World Mathew Hessian

15 th April The Foundation of Our World Mathew Hessian 15 th April The Foundation of Our World Mathew Hessian What a busy few weeks we have had here at Caversham Firstly, we have been through what I thought was a fantastic series about living missional lives.

More information

Common Questions. Does God exist?

Common Questions. Does God exist? Common Questions Many people are open to believing in something spiritual or religious and even in Christianity, but they have questions. Maybe they wonder if God exists or if Jesus Christ is the only

More information

Is Jesus the Only Way? The Plausibility of Belief

Is Jesus the Only Way? The Plausibility of Belief Is Jesus the Only Way? The Plausibility of Belief John 14:6 Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Would You Live a Lie? How many of you

More information

Round Top Church Christian Fellowship. Resurrection Day. We are Eyewitnesses. April 16 th, 2017 A.D. The Year of Our Lord. Pastor Matthew Diehl

Round Top Church Christian Fellowship. Resurrection Day. We are Eyewitnesses. April 16 th, 2017 A.D. The Year of Our Lord. Pastor Matthew Diehl Round Top Church Christian Fellowship Resurrection Day We are Eyewitnesses April 16 th, 2017 A.D. The Year of Our Lord Pastor Matthew Diehl (All Scripture is from the New American Standard Bible, unless

More information

The Emmaus Road SESSION SEVEN SESSION SUMMARY SCRIPTURE

The Emmaus Road SESSION SEVEN SESSION SUMMARY SCRIPTURE SESSION SEVEN The Emmaus Road SESSION SUMMARY In this session, the risen King Jesus joined two of His disciples on the road to Emmaus. By taking a look at their conversation, we learn that the risen King

More information

What is Truth. I am the way, the truth, and the life

What is Truth. I am the way, the truth, and the life What is Truth What is Truth I am the way, the truth, and the life Joh 10:17 "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. Joh 10:18 No one takes it from Me, but I

More information

SERMON SERIES ON WHAT WE BELIEVE - We Believe That The Bible Is The Only Inspired, Infallible, And Authoritative Word Of God.

SERMON SERIES ON WHAT WE BELIEVE - We Believe That The Bible Is The Only Inspired, Infallible, And Authoritative Word Of God. SERMON SERIES ON WHAT WE BELIEVE - We Believe That The Bible Is The Only Inspired, Infallible, And Authoritative Word Of God. INTRODUCTION I guess with so many streets, we ought to know that they re always

More information

What Child Is This? Luke 1: th Advent - Love. Dr. Greg Anderson December 20, 2015

What Child Is This? Luke 1: th Advent - Love. Dr. Greg Anderson December 20, 2015 What Child Is This? Luke 1:26-38 4 th Advent - Love Dr. Greg Anderson December 20, 2015 Riverdale Baptist Church Whitehorse, Yukon Introduction 1 Okay, here is how I will approach what we have just heard

More information

Why We Choose to Believe Christ Rose From the Dead Romans 1:4. There is little dispute among Christians concerning the importance of the resurrection!

Why We Choose to Believe Christ Rose From the Dead Romans 1:4. There is little dispute among Christians concerning the importance of the resurrection! Sermon Transcript Why We Choose to Believe Christ Rose From the Dead Romans 1:4 There is little dispute among Christians concerning the importance of the resurrection! First of all, the resurrection is

More information

Firm Foundations: Understanding and Defending the Christian Worldview.

Firm Foundations: Understanding and Defending the Christian Worldview. Firm Foundations: Understanding and Defending the Christian Worldview Email: Bcshaw@liberty.edu Moral Argument Brief review question No man in the sky intervened when I was a boy to deliver me from my

More information

That You May Have Certainty, Luke 1:1-4 (First Sunday of Advent, December 2, 2018)

That You May Have Certainty, Luke 1:1-4 (First Sunday of Advent, December 2, 2018) That You May Have Certainty, Luke 1:1-4 (First Sunday of Advent, December 2, 2018) Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as

More information

Evidence that Demands a Verdict

Evidence that Demands a Verdict Evidence that Demands a Verdict Opening Argument Issue before the court is not that of a crime, but a claim. Did Jesus Christ rise from the dead? If it never happened Christianity collapses into mythology

More information

Structure of the New Testament

Structure of the New Testament Chapter 15 The Geography and Structure of the New Testament 228 Geography of the New Testament 2115 229 Geography of the Old Testament Mediterranean Sea of Galilee Jordan River Bodies of Water in the Gospel

More information

The Da Vinci Code. Was Jesus Just a Man? Part II. CA209 LESSON 06 of 08

The Da Vinci Code. Was Jesus Just a Man? Part II. CA209 LESSON 06 of 08 The Da Vinci Code CA209 LESSON 06 of 08 Our Daily Bread Christian University This course was developed by Christian University & Our Daily Bread Ministries. Dr. Paul L. Maier: It s interesting, you know,

More information

1. LEADER PREPARATION

1. LEADER PREPARATION apologetics: Jesus Christ Lesson 3: The Reality of the Resurrection This includes: 1. Leader Preparation 2. Lesson Guide 1. LEADER PREPARATION LESSON OVERVIEW Since its birth, Christianity has faced attacks

More information

INI. We hear a portion of the Epistle lesson from Saint Peter s First Epistle, which was read earlier. Peter says:

INI. We hear a portion of the Epistle lesson from Saint Peter s First Epistle, which was read earlier. Peter says: INI The Transfiguration of our Lord / 17 January 2016 2 Peter 1,16-21 Greeting: To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; mercy, peace,

More information

The Testimony Cultivating Authentic Christian Community 1 John 5:6-12 Pastor Bryan Clark

The Testimony Cultivating Authentic Christian Community 1 John 5:6-12 Pastor Bryan Clark December 10/11, 2011 The Testimony Cultivating Authentic Christian Community 1 John 5:6-12 Pastor Bryan Clark So do you think it takes more faith to believe the story of Jesus or to reject the story of

More information

The Bible Our Firm Foundation

The Bible Our Firm Foundation The Bible Our Firm Foundation A Self Study Resource The Ultimate Guide Take a moment to imagine that you are going on an unguided safari adventure through Africa and since you don t know much about the

More information

Did Jesus Lie? Daystar Church 12/18/2005

Did Jesus Lie? Daystar Church 12/18/2005 Did Jesus Lie? Daystar Church 12/18/2005 Christmas: Fact or Fiction (Week 3) Introduction: A. 2 weeks ago we answered the question: What is truth? 1. This question is particularly important in the wake

More information

THE RESURRECTION: A FOUR WEEK DEVOTIONAL STUDY GUIDE

THE RESURRECTION: A FOUR WEEK DEVOTIONAL STUDY GUIDE THE RESURRECTION: A FOUR WEEK DEVOTIONAL STUDY GUIDE HOW TO USE: This study guide is based on the facts presented by Josh and Sean McDowell in the book Evidence That Demands a Verdict (ETDV). It is, therefore,

More information

1, In creation - we see nature all around us, for example in flowers, landscapes and mountains. Creation implies a creator.

1, In creation - we see nature all around us, for example in flowers, landscapes and mountains. Creation implies a creator. Page 1 of 7 Christianity Q & A Answers to some of the commonest questions about the Christian faith. Christianity Q & A: This page provides answers to some of the commonest questions asked about the Christian

More information

Matthew 28:1-10 ~ April 16, 2017 (Easter Sunday) ~ Heritage Lutheran Church

Matthew 28:1-10 ~ April 16, 2017 (Easter Sunday) ~ Heritage Lutheran Church What Do You Believe? Matthew 28:1-10 ~ April 16, 2017 (Easter Sunday) ~ Heritage Lutheran Church What do you believe? Did OJ do it? On October 3, 1995 a jury in Los Angeles Superior Court ruled that OJ

More information

How Do You Know What You Know Is True? [Slide 1]

How Do You Know What You Know Is True? [Slide 1] How Do You Know What You Know Is True? [Slide 1] How do you know what you know is true? Social scientists have produced a number of studies that indicate that people hold to their beliefs often in spite

More information

God His Word II Timothy 3:16-17

God His Word II Timothy 3:16-17 God His Word II Timothy 3:16-17 Introduction Tonight we continue our series we have entitled ground work laying a foundation for faith o The reason we are doing this is it is so important that everyone

More information

God s Word. 2 Peter 1:16-21

God s Word. 2 Peter 1:16-21 God s Word 2 Peter 1:-21 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received

More information

THE REAL JESUS: WHO S WHO

THE REAL JESUS: WHO S WHO THE REAL JESUS: WHO S WHO Week One April 8, 2018 Meet Luke (Part 1) GETTING READY Before your group meets next time, spend some time alone in God s Word reading through this week s text, Luke 1:1 4. Pray

More information

The Resurrection of Jesus Dr. Timothy McGrew St. Michael Lutheran Church April 9, 2012

The Resurrection of Jesus Dr. Timothy McGrew St. Michael Lutheran Church April 9, 2012 The Resurrection of Jesus Dr. Timothy McGrew St. Michael Lutheran Church April 9, 2012 Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where

More information

Is the Bible Reliable? Psalms 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21 John Breon

Is the Bible Reliable? Psalms 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21 John Breon Is the Bible Reliable? Psalms 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21 John Breon When I was a senior in high school, one evening I went to a neighboring town to a revival meeting. The evangelist was

More information

How Can We Know Anything About Jesus?

How Can We Know Anything About Jesus? Page 1 of 10 How Can We Know Anything About the Real Jesus? by Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts February 2004 (rev. 3/3/04) Copyright 2004 by Mark D. Roberts Note: You may download this resource at no cost, for

More information

In their ridicule of Him, they actually confirmed that He was a real person of history.

In their ridicule of Him, they actually confirmed that He was a real person of history. Question: What if they say to you that Jesus is a made up person concocted to control the masses? Answer: Show them that the ancient historical writers, most of whom were hostile to Christianity, would

More information

W e are going to begin our study by defining it, by defining what it is and

W e are going to begin our study by defining it, by defining what it is and OBJECTIVE NATURE OF CHRISTIANITY INTRODUCTION W e are going to begin our study by defining it, by defining what it is and what it is not. We want to make the definition by means of a contrast. We want

More information

Why Does Mark s Gospel Omit the Resurrection and the Virgin Birth?

Why Does Mark s Gospel Omit the Resurrection and the Virgin Birth? Why Does Mark s Gospel Omit the Resurrection and the Virgin Birth? If Jesus really did rise from the dead, why didn t Mark say he saw him after the fact? Is Mark not the first gospel written? If I had

More information

Jesus Christ: His Mission and Ministry Chapter 3 Directed Reading Worksheet Tracing the Life of Jesus

Jesus Christ: His Mission and Ministry Chapter 3 Directed Reading Worksheet Tracing the Life of Jesus Name Date Jesus Christ: His Mission and Ministry Chapter 3 Directed Reading Worksheet Tracing the Life of Jesus Directions: Read through the chapter and fill in the missing information. All the questions

More information

Did Jesus really. rise from the dead? Condensed Edition

Did Jesus really. rise from the dead? Condensed Edition Did Jesus really rise from the dead? Condensed Edition Condensed Edition Did Jesus really rise from the dead? Did Jesus really rise from the dead? For most of us in the church, the initial answer to this

More information

IDHEF Chapter 9 DO WE HAVE EARLY TESTIMONY ABOUT JESUS?

IDHEF Chapter 9 DO WE HAVE EARLY TESTIMONY ABOUT JESUS? 1 IDHEF Chapter 9 DO WE HAVE EARLY TESTIMONY ABOUT JESUS? Let s recap what we have learned so far. We have discovered that truth about reality is knowable. There is absolute truth, and it can be known.

More information

Saul of Tarsus. Life of Paul Series: Vol. I, Lesson 1 The Life of Paul: The Young Saul: Our Journey Begins

Saul of Tarsus. Life of Paul Series: Vol. I, Lesson 1 The Life of Paul: The Young Saul: Our Journey Begins The Life of Paul: The Young Saul: Our Journey Begins Few figures are as important in the New Testament as the former Pharisee Saul (Paul). This apostle to the Gentiles (Gal. 1:16, 1 Tim. 2:7) would author

More information

Key today: Abraham. About his life About why his life is important

Key today: Abraham. About his life About why his life is important Our lesson today During Ramadan we want to pray and study To truly be a witness to Muslims, we need to understand their beliefs Do not deceive yourself Today we will look at Abraham More importantly at

More information

He is risen John 20:1-18

He is risen John 20:1-18 He is risen John 20:1-18 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to

More information

Cornerstone Bible Studies, Inc. The Gospel of Luke. Lesson 15

Cornerstone Bible Studies, Inc. The Gospel of Luke. Lesson 15 Cornerstone Bible Studies, Inc. The Gospel of Luke Lesson 15 In the previous lesson, we studied how Jesus displays His divine authority as the Son of God by healing the centurion s servant, raising from

More information

How do we know what s true?

How do we know what s true? Series: Which way to God? A respectful Christian exploration of answers from the Mormon Church, Islam, and other belief systems Topic #1: How do we know what s true? a foundation to help us evaluate history

More information

Impact Hour. April 10, 2016

Impact Hour. April 10, 2016 Impact Hour April 10, 2016 Why People Don t Believe: 1. The Power of Religion 2. Reason To Fear 3. Religion and Violence: A Closer Look 4. Is Christianity Irrational and Devoid of Evidence? 5. Is Christianity

More information

The Resurrection is Central to the Faith

The Resurrection is Central to the Faith SPECIAL SESSION The Resurrection is Central to the Faith SESSION SUMMARY Jesus resurrection points both backward and forward His followers. It points back to what Jesus has done in history through His

More information

We Three Kings: Caesar Augustus Midweek Advent December 12, 2012

We Three Kings: Caesar Augustus Midweek Advent December 12, 2012 We Three Kings: Caesar Augustus Midweek Advent December 12, 2012 Welcome back. In our studio this morning we have Caesar Augustus. Caesar, introduce yourself to our audience and tell them what you do.

More information

Luke Chapter 1:1-4 - Answers

Luke Chapter 1:1-4 - Answers Luke Chapter 1:1-4 - Answers 1. (:1-4) Who writes this book of the Bible, to whom is he sending it, and why has he written it? (Just read the verses the answers are right there.) Who writes it? The answer

More information

SeSSion three Decision Point THe Jesus QuesTion

SeSSion three Decision Point THe Jesus QuesTion SESSION THREE Lord, catch me off guard today. Surprise me with some moment of beauty or pain. So that at least for the moment I may be startled into seeing that you are here in all your splendor, always

More information

The Witness of the Word John 5:37-47

The Witness of the Word John 5:37-47 The following is a rough transcript, not in its final form and may be updated. The Witness of the Word John 5:37-47 Intro: We have arrived at the concluding argument of Christ s first major discourse recorded

More information

My Prayerful Declaration

My Prayerful Declaration My Prayerful Declaration I am what it says I am I can do what it says I can do I am going to be taught the Word of God today and I will NEVER be the same IF YOU WANT TO GRADUATE Attend all four classes

More information

WHAT IS FAITH? (Hebrews 11:1-3) Sunday, July 10, 2016 Summit EFC Series: Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11), Message #1 Pastor Doug Corlew

WHAT IS FAITH? (Hebrews 11:1-3) Sunday, July 10, 2016 Summit EFC Series: Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11), Message #1 Pastor Doug Corlew WHAT IS FAITH? (Hebrews 11:1-3) Sunday, July 10, 2016 Summit EFC Series: Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11), Message #1 Pastor Doug Corlew Video: The Things Unseen (1:30) http://media.preachingtoday.com/mini-movies/59871/faith-the-things-unseen?tcode=d3f00c7275&dcode=aed4d55e2d

More information

The Evangelical versus the Critical Two Opposing Views

The Evangelical versus the Critical Two Opposing Views The Evangelical versus the Critical Two Opposing Views The question of perspective: 1. We all approach the Bible with presuppositions or preconceived notions a. There is no such thing as a neutral observer)

More information

Time Travelling with God (Part 1)

Time Travelling with God (Part 1) for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:21 Time Travelling with God (Part 1) Theme: Exploring the past, the key to the future

More information

There are things that occur naturally in this world that you can read about in

There are things that occur naturally in this world that you can read about in 1 DATE: APRIL 22, 2012 SERMON TEXT: LUKE 24:36-48 SERMON TEXT: Seeing Is Believing There are things that occur naturally in this world that you can read about in books or see pictures of that do not do

More information

We come early this day to celebrate the most significant event in human history the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We come early this day to celebrate the most significant event in human history the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Greetings! This morning have gathered for a tradition three years older than this tower where I stand. Construction was begun on Bok Tower in 1927, the year after the first Easter Sunrise Service in these

More information

3. Christ s Honorable Burial

3. Christ s Honorable Burial 3. Christ s Honorable Burial that He was buried, 1 Corinthians 15:4 Model of Christ s Tomb 4. The Discovery of the Empty Tomb that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 1 Corinthians

More information

The One with all the questions: What Are You Discussing? Luke 24: 13-35

The One with all the questions: What Are You Discussing? Luke 24: 13-35 February 19, 2012 Pastor Jeremy Vaccaro Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church The One with all the questions: What Are You Discussing? Luke 24: 13-35 Today as we continue our series on the ONE with all the questions

More information

Looking Deeper. Who is. Jesus?

Looking Deeper. Who is. Jesus? Looking Deeper Who is Jesus? Looking Deeper Who is Jesus? Good teacher, judgemental perfectionist, some crazy guy, a children s story. There are many versions of Jesus out there. What about the idea that

More information

PP#1: Jesus: Myth, Madman or Messiah Searching for the Historical Jesus But what about you? Jesus asked. Who do you say I am?

PP#1: Jesus: Myth, Madman or Messiah Searching for the Historical Jesus But what about you? Jesus asked. Who do you say I am? New Year s Series: Jesus: Myth, Madman or Messiah Sermon #1: Searching for the Historical Jesus Scripture: Luke 1:1-4 (to be read during the sermon) Source: Rev. Adam Hamilton at the Church of the Resurrection

More information

External Evidence for the Truth of the Gospels and Acts Dr. Timothy McGrew St. Michael Lutheran Church February 13, 2012

External Evidence for the Truth of the Gospels and Acts Dr. Timothy McGrew St. Michael Lutheran Church February 13, 2012 External Evidence for the Truth of the Gospels and Acts Dr. Timothy McGrew St. Michael Lutheran Church February 13, 2012 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power

More information

The Invitation Come and see.

The Invitation Come and see. Copyright Simon G. Harris 2015 Scripture quotations taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission look #jesusnailedit

More information