PROVING THE PAGES The Case for Historic New Testament Christianity

WHIRLWIND REVIEW The Historic Jesus The Historic Jesus Contemporary Documentation Contemporary Documentation Historical Context Historical Context Acid Test Acid Test Apostolic Fathers Apostolic Fathers Manuscript Attestation Manuscript Attestation  Classical Histories comparison Paleography Paleography The Resurrection The Resurrection

The Resurrection More than anything else in the New Testament there MUST be an empty tomb!

If Jesus WASN’T RAISED… He’s not alive to raise us from the grave He’s not alive to raise us from the grave Christianity collapses Christianity collapses Our faith is vain Our faith is vain The apostles are liars The apostles are liars People are still in their sins People are still in their sins Dead means dead, believer or not Dead means dead, believer or not Christians “are of all people most to be pitied”- 1 st Cor. 15:15-19 Christians “are of all people most to be pitied”- 1 st Cor. 15:15-19

The Proposition of Scripture The Old Testament prophesied the Messiah- Isaiah 53 The Old Testament prophesied the Messiah- Isaiah 53 The Messiah would be identified by His death, burial, & resurrection- Luke 24:44-48 The Messiah would be identified by His death, burial, & resurrection- Luke 24:44-48 Jesus claimed to be on equal footing with God- John 8:58 Jesus claimed to be on equal footing with God- John 8:58 Jesus claimed he would be killed, buried, & rise again- Matt. 16:21 Jesus claimed he would be killed, buried, & rise again- Matt. 16:21 Jesus is the Christ- John 20:30-31 Jesus is the Christ- John 20:30-31

The Proposition of Scripture Jesus claimed the scripture are the Word of God- John 10:35 If Jesus was raised from the dead He IS divine & what He claimed to be true is true The resurrection proves it all!!! The Deity of Christ then confirms the Old Testament- Matt. 22:31-32

The Empty Tomb FOUR FACTS from John The stone had been rolled away to show an open tomb 2. The tomb was empty 3. The grave clothes were lying in the tomb 4. This happened on the first day of the week

The Empty Tomb FOUR FACTS from John The stone had been rolled away to show an open tomb 2. The tomb was empty 3. The grave clothes were lying in the tomb 4. This happened on the first day of the week

The Empty Tomb The Roman Guard The Roman Guard The Seal The Seal Friends of Jesus COULDN’T have moved the stone & taken His body Friends of Jesus COULDN’T have moved the stone & taken His body Enemies of Jesus WOULDN’T have moved the stone & taken His body Enemies of Jesus WOULDN’T have moved the stone & taken His body

The Empty Tomb Burial Custom of the Jews Burial Custom of the Jews  Account of Lazarus- John 11:43-44  Wrapped in Linens  Arms at side, wrapped around body in several places  Face cloth tied around head

The Empty Tomb Burial Custom of the Jews Burial Custom of the Jews  Jesus was buried according to Jewish custom (John 19:39-40)  Aloes & myrrh were poured into the folds (2 nd Chron. 16:14)  “The Balsamodendron myrrah, which produces the myrrh of commerce, has a wood and bark which emit a strong odor; the gum which exudes from the ark is at first oily, but becomes hard by exposure to air.”  Plueoberts Bible Dictionary, p. 428  lbs used

The Empty Tomb Scripture on the Clothes Scripture on the Clothes  John 20:1-10  Clothes lying there  Hardened by spices  Face cloth folded in a place by itself

The Empty Tomb So NOW …. Who got past the guard, broke the seal, moved the stone, got Jesus’ body, got Him OUT of His hardened aloe & spiced shell of burial clothes, left them there, took His body again past the guard, and NO ONE NOTICED?!?!?!

The Third Day Jesus prophesied He would rise on the 3 rd Day Disciples on the road to Emmaus – Luke 24:21 Appears to His disciples- Mark 16:9-14 First Day of the Week- John 20:1

THE PENTECOST PHENOMENON THE CLAIM: The New Testament records that on the day of Pentecost a change occurred in the apostles which was the direct result of the Holy Spirit THE PROPOSITION: This change indeed was accomplished by the Holy Sprit and is therefore evidence of His resurrection

THE PENTECOST PHENOMENON 5 Facts 1. The coming of the Holy Spirit was promised by Jesus 2. The coming was conditional 3. Jesus died at Calvary 4. The Jewish concept of Messiah & His Kingdom before Pentecost 5. The Apostles’ change on Pentecost

THE PENTECOST PHENOMENON Jesus’ Promise Promise- John 14:26; 16:12-13 Promise- John 14:26; 16:12-13  Was to give remembrance  Teach them all things  Declare what was to come

THE PENTECOST PHENOMENON Conditions Jesus was to return to the Father BEFORE the Spirit would be given- John 16:5,7,10 Jesus was to return to the Father BEFORE the Spirit would be given- John 16:5,7,10

THE PENTECOST PHENOMENON Jesus Died Documented by witnesses (Matt. 27:50; John 19:30) Documented by witnesses (Matt. 27:50; John 19:30) Gospel writers, church in the 1 st century, Pilate, centurion, Joseph & Nicodemus, Jewish leaders ALL thought He was dead Gospel writers, church in the 1 st century, Pilate, centurion, Joseph & Nicodemus, Jewish leaders ALL thought He was dead THUS : If Jesus died BEFORE returning to the Father, in order to ascend He would have to be resurrected

THE PENTECOST PHENOMENON Jewish Theology

THE PENTECOST PHENOMENON The Apostles Theologically Militant Nationalists! Militant Nationalists!  Only for the Jews  Even the apostles sought position and authority (Mark 10:35-38)  Told not to tell anyone who He was- Matt. 16:13-20

THE PENTECOST PHENOMENON The Apostles Intellectually Dull of Perception Dull of Perception Didn’t have the understanding Jesus even sometimes expected- Matt. 16:5-12 Didn’t have the understanding Jesus even sometimes expected- Matt. 16:5-12

THE PENTECOST PHENOMENON The Apostles Positionally Often a state of tension Often a state of tension Division- Mark 10:41 Division- Mark 10:41 Vying for position in the coming kingdom- Luke 22:24 Vying for position in the coming kingdom- Luke 22:24

THE PENTECOST PHENOMENON The Apostles Psychologically Fearful Fearful Distraught Distraught Locked away – John 20:19 Locked away – John 20:19

THE PENTECOST PHENOMENON The Apostles Summed Up Theologically militant nationalists who had it wrong anyway and were still fighting over it until they had reason to hide from everyone… Theologically militant nationalists who had it wrong anyway and were still fighting over it until they had reason to hide from everyone…

THE PENTECOST PHENOMENON THE CHANGE- 50 th Day after the Resurrection Theologically Theologically  The Gospel  The church of Christ is the fulfillment of the Old Testament kingdom prophecies  No longer jockeyed for power Doctrinally Doctrinally  United in brotherhood AND in doctrine

THE PENTECOST PHENOMENON THE CHANGE- 50 th Day after the Resurrection Psychologically Psychologically  No longer fearful  Courageous in faith Emotionally Emotionally  Bold  Ready to be among the people

THE PENTECOST PHENOMENON THE CHANGE- 50 th Day after the Resurrection Intellectually Intellectually  Can interpret the Old Testament perfectly  Learned over a dozen different languages perfectly  Became visibly learned  Become men of weakness to men of power!

How’d This Happen?!?!? Natural Learning? Time Time  50 days- enough? Education Education  Who was their teacher?

How’d This Happen?!?!? Bible Claims it was the Holy Spirit – Acts 2:1ff Paul Claims it was the Holy Spirit- 1 st Cor. 2; Eph. 3 Peter Claims it was the Holy Spirit – 1 st Peter 1 & 2 nd Peter 1

In that Case…. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit AFTER He ascended to the Father Jesus Died Jesus Rose The Holy Spirit Came

BIG POINT The coming of the Holy Spirit, the ONLY explanation of Pentecost, proves Jesus was killed, buried, & rose from the dead to send Him!

NEXT WEEK & BEYOND The Apostles’ Testimony Conversion of Saul of Tarsus Jesus & His Destiny The 1 st Century Church Archeology The Dead Sea Scrolls Copying Methods