Is Jesus Really God? Five Key Questions Is there Truth? Does God Exist? Is there Revelation? Is Jesus Really God? Did Jesus start the Catholic Church? Some Things Anyone Can Say Jesus is the most influential person in human history Jesus is God is either the greatest truth or the greatest lie WHAT IF IT IS TRUE? We can prove that God exists Two options are possible 1. All-powerful, perfect God created the world but has not interacted with it (like a clock maker) That s like giving a laptop to a caveman but not telling him what it is for. It will get destroyed before he figures it out. 2. All-good God created the world and has interacted with us, spoken to us and acted in the world What if God not only spoke to us and acted in our lives, but actually came to Earth, taking on our human nature, uniting Himself to us? That would be really good and really beautiful That would change everything. "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me. John 14:6 I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10 The Father and I are one. John 10:30 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 1
Key Questions How do we know Jesus really existed? Maybe just a myth? How do we know that the Bible is reliable? Could it have been corrupted? Is it reliable eye-witness testimony? What evidence do we have the Jesus really is God? Why do we believe in Jesus? Because of the Catholic Church! The eye witness testimony of apostles, bishops, and hundreds of disciples The Apostles and Disciples were eye witnesses to all of these things that really happened They were willing to die for this truth None of the early disciples ever claimed it was a myth, even under extreme torture 1st John 1:1-4 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life -- the life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the Father and was made manifest to us -- that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing this that our joy may be complete. Jesus never existed He was made up by others who were trying to get power Was the Jesus story made up? When? Before Constantine? Before 313AD? 313AD Edict of Milan legalized Catholicism It was illegal to be Catholic and believe in Christ for the first 300 years Would you make up a myth that got you persecuted and killed? Christians may have given up the faith during torture, but they never claimed it was a big hoax That s something the enemies of Christ would have noticed and held on to Creation of Constantine? Claim: Rome created the myth of Jesus to control Christians When? In the 300s? Problem: We have writings from the 1 st century speaking about Jesus of Nazareth The Gospels are eye-witness testimony Writings from other Christians Non-Christian sources 2
1 st Century Testimony Didache (1 st Century) We give Thee thanks, Holy Father, for Thy holy name, which Thou hast made to tabernacle in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality, which Thou hast made known unto us through Thy Son Jesus. Ignatius of Antioch - "Ignatius, also called Theophorus, to the Church at Ephesus in Asia... predestined from eternity for a glory that is lasting and unchanging, united and chosen through true suffering by the will of the Father in Jesus Christ our God" (Letter to the Ephesians 1 [A.D. 110]). "For our God, Jesus Christ, was conceived by Mary in accord with God s plan: of the seed of David, it is true, but also of the Holy Spirit" (ibid., 18:2). Testimony to Christ Aristides - "[Christians] are they who, above every people of the earth, have found the truth, for they acknowledge God, the Creator and maker of all things, in the only-begotten Son and in the Holy Spirit" (Apology 16 [A.D. 140]). Tatian the Syrian - "We are not playing the fool, you Greeks, nor do we talk nonsense, when we report that God was born in the form of a man" (Address to the Greeks 21 [A.D. 170]). Did Jesus Really Exist? Josephus, a Jewish historian who died in 98AD About this time arose Jesus, a wise man, who did good deeds and whose virtues were recognized. And many Jews and people of other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. However, those who became his disciples preached his doctrine. They related that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive. Perhaps he was the Messiah in connection with whom the prophets foretold wonders. - Jewish Antiquities, XVIII 3.2 Non-Christian Testimony Historian Tacitus in 64AD Nero fastened the guilt... on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of... 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.. Non-Christian Testimony Pliny the Younger, a pagan historian writes to the Emperor in 111AD: They were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food--but food of an ordinary and innocent kind Non-Christian Testimony Babylonian Talmud collection of Jewish rabbinical writings 70-200AD On the eve of the Passover Yeshu was hanged. For forty days before the execution took place, a herald... cried, He is going forth to be stoned because he has practiced sorcery and enticed Israel to apostasy. Lucian of Samosata 2 nd century pagan satirist The Christians... worship a man to this day--the distinguished personage who introduced their novel rites, and was crucified on that account.... [It] was impressed on them by their original lawgiver that they are all brothers, from the moment that they are converted, and deny the gods of Greece, and worship the crucified sage, and live after his laws. 3
The Facts Both Christian and non-christian evidence for a Jesus of Nazareth Evidence from the 1 st century, not centuries later No 1 st or 2 nd century writings claiming Christians invented a Jesus character Evidence from a time when Christians were being killed for this belief Would you make up a lie that would lead to your being persecuted, tortured, and killed? Announced by the Prophets Moses I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brethren; and I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. Deut. 18:18 Micah 3:1 Behold, I send my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. Announced by the Prophets Isaiah 9:6-7 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore. Prophesies of Christ Isaiah 53:3-7 He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. The Prophecies Gen. 3:15 seed of a woman Gen. 18:18 Descendant of Abraham Gen. 49:10 From the tribe of Judah Micah 5:2 Born in Bethlehem Isaiah 7:14 Born of a Virgin Mal. 3:1 Way prepared by a messenger Zech. 9:9 Entry into Jerusalem on a donkey Ps. 22:16 Pierced hands and feet Prophecies about His Death Messiah's price money would be used to Zechariah 11:12-13 Matthew 27:9-10 buy a potter's field. Messiah would be falsely accused. Psalm 35:11 Mark 14:57-58 Messiah would be silent before his accusers. Isaiah 53:7 Mark 15:4-5 Messiah would be spat upon and struck. Isaiah 50:6 Matthew 26:67 Messiah would be hated without cause. Psalm 35:19 Psalm 69:4 John 15:24-25 Messiah would be crucified with Matthew 27:38 Isaiah 53:12 criminals. Mark 15:27-28 Messiah would be given vinegar to drink. Psalm 69:21 Matthew 27:34 John 19:28-30 Messiah's hands and feet would be Psalm 22:16 pierced. Zechariah 12:10 John 20:25-27 Messiah would be mocked and ridiculed. Psalm 22:7-8 Luke 23:35 Soldiers would gamble for Messiah's Luke 23:34 Psalm 22:18 garments. Matthew 27:35-36 Messiah's bones would not be broken. Exodus 12:46 Psalm 34:20 John 19:33-36 4
The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. Luke 1:35 Jesus never existed He was made up by others who were trying to get power And the angel said to them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased! Luke 2:10-14 Behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:17 The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel. Mark 1:15 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him. Matthew 9:9 5
You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Matthew 16:18-19 He who has seen me has seen the Father. John 14:9 6
My Lord and My God John 20:28 What was Jesus mission? To reveal and glorify the Father To fulfill all that had been foretold To testify to the truth To establish the kingdom of God, the Catholic Church To establish a new and everlasting covenant To redeem humanity from everlasting death and open the gates of heaven To send the Holy Spirit into our hearts that we may call God Father Is Jesus of Nazareth God? John 10:33 The Jews answered him, It is not for a good work that we stone you but for blasphemy; because you, being a man, make yourself God. John 8:56-59 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he was to see my day; he saw it and was glad. The Jews then said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM. So they took up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple. Deut. 3:14 God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, `I AM has sent me to you.'" Who is Jesus Christ? Jesus of Nazareth really existed Jesus claimed to be God 3 options Liar Why would someone lie to get crucified Lunatic His teachings and miracles disprove that Lord The prophecies fulfilled and the resurrection proves He is Lord What does it all mean? Jesus reveals who God is and what God is like He who has seen me has seen the Father. (Jn 14:8) Jesus reveals how much we are worth to God You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. (1 Peter 1:18-19) Jesus makes it possible to be alive now and forever I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. (John 11:25-26) We must give our lives to Him who died for us The Lord God loves you 7
The Lord God loves you The Lord God loves you The Lord God loves you The Lord God loves you Catholic Cool Stuff How will you espond to this eat love? The Shroud of Turin Believed to be the burial cloth of Christ And he bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mark 15:45 Caught fire in 1532 Currently kept in Turin, Italy 8
The Shroud of Turin Scientists cannot explain how the image is on the shroud just on the surface of the fibers Not painted Not scorched on from heat Some scientists hypothesize that a form of radiation by light could produce image Blood on the Shroud is type AB and contains a high concentration of bilirubin consistent with someone dying under great stress Man on the cloth is 5 10 tall Scourge marks consistent with Roman flagrum The Shroud of Turin Measures 8 cubits by 2 cubits (14 3 x 3 7 ) Stitching pattern consistent with Jewish cloths in the 1 st century (not in Middle Ages) Shroud of Turin Bloodstains were applied before the image Cotton is a middle eastern species not in Europe Pollens on the shroud are native to Jerusalem 1988 Carbon-14 dating proven false Contaminated by fibers used to repair shroud after fire 2013 Chemical tests date the shroud to the 1 st Century The Shroud of Turin Resources For more information on Jesus Christ: The Holy Bible Theology for Beginners by Frank Sheed Jesus Shock by Dr. Peter Kreeft Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis For more information on the Shroud of Turin: http://www.sindone.org/en - Official Site http://www.historian.net/shroud.htm Shroud App Sindone 2.0 9