The Great Historical Gospel Pastor John Fong March 23, 2014 BERKELEY CHINESE BAPTIST CHURCH

Great Gospel Verse! 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 1 Timothy 1:15

The Gospel is Reliable “ “Here is a trustworthy saying…” The basis of the Christian faith is Bible So how do we know the human writers were honest and trustworthy?

Reasons Why the Gospel Writers Are Trustworthy… Writers were extremely honest about their own failings. APOSTLES ABANDONED JESUS WHEN HE WAS ARRESTED: “Then all the disciples deserted him and fled." --Mt.26:56 APOSTLES ABANDONED JESUS WHEN HE WAS ARRESTED: “Then all the disciples deserted him and fled." --Mt.26:56 APOSTLES DOUBTED JESUS' RESURRECTION, "Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted." APOSTLES DOUBTED JESUS' RESURRECTION, "Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted." --Mt. 28: Mt. 28:16-17

Writers distinguished their words from Jesus’ words. Acts 20:35, In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " Acts 20:35, In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " Matthew 5:27-8, 27"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:27-8, 27"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Writers did not deny their testimony under threat of death. "Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, 'Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.'…'We must obey God rather than men!' -Acts 4:18-20, 29

Writers claimed their record was based on eyewitnesses Luke 1:1-3, Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us…they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning” Luke 1:1-3, Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us…they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning” 2 Peter 1:16, We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 2 Peter 1:16, We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

Writers challenged readers to check out the facts. PAUL CHALLENGES FESTUS TO EXAMINE THE FACTS: Acts 26:25-26, PAUL CHALLENGES FESTUS TO EXAMINE THE FACTS: Acts 26:25-26, "I am not insane, most excellent Festus,“ Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.

The Gospel is Universal “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance” Jesus intended for Christianity to be universal John 3:16, “For God so loved the world!” Acts 1:8, “You shall be witnesses…remotest parts of world.”

Christianity began in Jerusalem

Spread to Asia and Greece

Then Westward to Europe

Finally, Spanning the World!

80% of Christians today are not white nor Western

The Gospel is Historical “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world” By historical, we mean the record of events verified by dates, places, and persons.

Luke’s Historical Cross-hairs “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar— when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert” (Luke 3:1-2)

An exact date is given--A. D. 29. All eight people are known from history. --Tiberius Caesar, reigned from A.D Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea, A.D Herod, tetrarch of Galilee, 5 B.C.- 38 A.D. --Philip tetrarch of Iturea, 5 B.C.-36 A.D. --Lysanias, tetrarch of Abilene, 20 B.C.-32 A.D. --Annas, priesthood, A.D A.D. --Caiaphas, priesthood, A.D John son of Zechariah, ca. 5 B.C.-29 A.D. This is not a “once upon a time” story (myth).

Antiquities of the Jews, 63-64, the text of Flavius Josephus About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed it is lawful to call him a man, for he was a performer of wonderful deeds, a teacher of such men as are happy to accept the truth. He won over many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was the Christ, and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the leading men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those who had loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again on the third day, as the prophets of God had foretold these and ten thousand other wonders about him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct to this day.'

Contrast Book of Mormon

The Gospel is Liberating “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” Only Two Religions in the World

Do-Religions Keep the commandments Practice the sacraments Do good works and be good Obey the church Purify yourself from desires Your good works must be more than your bad works

Done-Religion Jesus did the supernatural work of paying for our sins, John 1:29 Salvation is a free gift that you can’t earn, Eph. 2:8-9 Christianity is a living personal relationship with Jesus, the risen Savior!

The Gospel is Personal “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” In comparing ourselves against Jesus, we come off as spiritual Lilliputians!

Here is the High Priest we need. A man who is holy, faultless, unstained, beyond the very reach of sin and lifted to the very Heavens. (Hebrews 7:26 Philips)

The Experience of Peter “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”(Luke 5:8)

Standing before God

In Christ, we have overcome!

Final Thoughts Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.