1. WE WISH TO SEE JESUS John 12:20-21 (ESV) 20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”

2. 1 Corinthians 2:2 - For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. NASU 1 Corinthians 1:22-24 - For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. NASU

3. Acts 5:42 - And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. NASU Acts 8:5 - Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them. NASU

4. John 14:6 - Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. NASU

5. John 14:6- Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me". NIV John 14:6- Jesus answered, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me. New Century Version

6. Philippians 3:18-19- 18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. NASU

7. Thallus (52AD) – (An enemy of Christianity) Thallus is perhaps the earliest secular writer to mention Jesus. He offers an explanation for the earthquake and darkness that occurred during Jesus’ crucifixion. Mara Bar-Serapion (70AD) Sometime after 70 AD, a Syrian philosopher named Mara Bar-Serapion, writing to encourage his son, compared the life and persecution of Jesus with that of other philosophers who were persecuted for their ideas. There are many ancient historical records of Jesus outside the Bible.

8. Or the Jews by murdering their wise king?…After that their kingdom was abolished. God rightly avenged these men…The wise king…Lived on in the teachings he enacted.”“What benefit did the Athenians obtain by putting Socrates to death? Famine and plague came upon them as judgment for their crime. Or, the people of Samos for burning Pythagoras? In one moment their country was covered with sand. Or the Jews by murdering their wise king?…After that their kingdom was abolished. God rightly avenged these men…The wise king…Lived on in the teachings he enacted.” Phlegon (80-140AD) Pliny the Younger (61-113AD) Suetonius (69-140AD) His writings about Christians describe their treatment under the Emperor Claudius (41-54AD): “Because the Jews at Rome caused constant disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus (Christ), he (Claudius) expelled them from the city (Rome).” (Life of Claudius, 25:4)

9. The Roman Historian Cornelius Tacitus wrote in 112 A.D., 'Christus, the founder of the name (Christian), was put to death by Pontius Pilate procurator of Judea in the reign of Tiberius' (Annals XV.44). Lucian of Samosata, a satirist of the second century, said of Jesus, 'The Christians, you know, 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 they are converted, and deny the gods of Greece, and worship the crucified sage, and live after his laws…'(The Works of Lucian of Samasota, trans. by H.W. Fowler )

10. Celsus (175AD) Celsus was quite antagonistic to the claims of the Gospels, but in his criticism he unknowingly affirmed and reinforced the Biblical authors and their content. His writing is extensive and he alludes to 80 different Biblical quotes, confirming their early appearance in history. In addition, he admits the miracles of Jesus were generally believed in the early 2nd century.

11. THE TALMUD

12. THE RELIABILITY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT AS HISTORY Acts 26:26 “…for this has not been done in a corner.” Luke 1:1-4 - Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. NIV

13. John 21:24 - This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. NIV

14. Now date back to mid first century

15. According to the rules of evidence, every eyewitness is assumed credible, unless proven otherwise.

16. Lysanias, tetrarch of Abilene (Luke 3:1).

17. Gallio being proconsul of Achaea (Acts 18:12-17)

18. Luke also gives correct titles for government officials (not an easy job considering the constant upheaval and changes in many of the Provinces). In Thessalonica, they were called 'politarchs'; Ephesus, 'temple wardens'; Cyprus, 'procounsul'; Malta, 'the first man of the island'. Each one of these has been confirmed by secular sources. In all, Luke names thirty-two countries, fifty-four cities, and nine islands without making a single error.

19. The Unique Jesus 1 John 1:1 - What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life — NASU Luke 2:52 - And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. NIV He looked His age - John 8:57 - 57 "You are not yet fifty years old," the Jews said to him, "and you have seen Abraham!" NIV He became hungry and thirsty (Matt. 4:2; John 19:28); Tired Mark 4:38 - "Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" NIV

20. Expressed sorrow (Matt. 26:38); Wonder (Mark 6:6) anger and grief (Mark 3:5); compassion (Mark 1:41); and tears (John 11:35).

21. He made claims which would have been ungodly, if He was just a man. John 10:30-33 - "I and the Father are one." 31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus answered them, "I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?" 33 The Jews answered Him, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God." NASU John 5:17-18 - 17 But He answered them, "My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working." 18 For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. NASU

22. He claimed that He deserved the degree of respect only reserved for God the Father. He claimed that He deserved the degree of respect only reserved for God the Father. John 5:22-23 - 22 "For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. NASU

23. John 5:26-27 - 26 "For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; 27 and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. NASU He claimed that He would judge mankind – John 5:26-27 - 26 "For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; 27 and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. NASU

24. He claimed the ability and power to forgive sin - Mark 2:7-12 - "Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?" 8 Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said to them, "Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts? 9 "Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven'; or to say, 'Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk'? 10 "But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" — He said to the paralytic, 11 "I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet and go home." 12 And he got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this." NASU

25. He claimed His words would outlast the creation itself - Matt. 24:35 - Heaven and earth will pass away… He claimed an eternal pre-existence - John 8:57-59 - So the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?" 58 Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am." 59 Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple. NASU

26. Jesus is either God in the flesh, or the devil of hell. C.S. Lewis wrote, 'I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish things that people often say about Him: "I'm ready to accept Jesus as a good moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God." That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher.' (Mere Christianity, pp. 55-56)

27. JESUS IS GOD Matt. 4:10 - Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'" NASU The good shepherd (John 10:11=Psalm 23:1). The light - John 8:12 - 12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."NASU Psalms 27:1 - The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? NASU 'I am' = Exodus 3:14 - God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM"; and He said, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" NASU

28. The disciples made the same claim. They attributed to Jesus titles reserved for God ('the first and the last'-Revelation 1:7; 2:8 - Isaiah 44:6 - "Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: 'I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me. NASU Called Him God directly - John 20:28 - "My Lord and my God'. Literally, the Lord of me and the God of me." –Note that Jesus did not rebuke Thomas for this statement, but instead reinforced what Thomas said (20:29-31). We don’t have the time to mention all of the verses that proclaim Jesus to be God. John 1:1- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. NASU Colossians 2:9 - "For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form" NASU

29. Hebrews 1:8- But of the Son He says, "YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER, AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM. 9 "YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS; THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS ANOINTED YOU WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE YOUR COMPANIONS." NASU

30. The name of Jesus is given equal status, power and authority with the name of the Father Galatians 1:3 - 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, NASU Matthew 28:19-

31. Evidence Which Supports The Claim The Fulfillment Of Old Testament Prophecy: Then what happened to the real Messiah? How did Jesus just happen to accidentally rise from the dead??? (Acts 2:25-29) Mathematicians have calculated that the probability of just 16 predicitions being accidentally fulfilled in one man at 1 in 10 to the 157th power.

32. Then there is the ethical problem of God allowing things to get so out of control that a Jewish carpenter accidentally ruins all His prophetic plans. But this theory brings up a bigger problem. What happened to the real Messiah?

33. John 7:31 - 'When the Christ shall come, He will not perform more signs than those which this man has, will He?' What did Jesus leave undone? Which prophesy was unfulfilled? How does one manipulate the place of His birth? Micah 5:2 - But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity." NASU

34. How do you choose your family lineage? And how do you control what will happen after your death? Zechariah 12:10- "I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn. NASU And how do you control what unbelievers would do during His suffering Psalms 22:18 - They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. NIV

35. Psalms 22:7-8 - All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: 8 "He trusts in the Lord; let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him." NIV

36. How do you arrange to be born of a virgin? Isaiah 7:14 -

37. The Miracles Of Jesus? John 11:47- (ESV) So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs (NIV miracles).

38. “If God became a man what would He be like?” we would expect him to have an unusual entrance into life, be without sin, manifest supernatural powers, have an acute sense of difference from other men, speak the greatest words ever spoken, have a lasting and universal influence, satisfy the spiritual hunger in man, and exercise power over death.' (Evidence That Demands A Verdict. McDowell, pp. 111-112)