jesus of nazareth is a real man of history the n.t. documents establish the historical christ the...

Jesus of Nazareth Is a Real Man of History• The N.T. Documents Establish the Historical Christ• Jewish Testimony Establishes the Historical Christ

− The Jewish Babylonian Talmud− Flavius Josephus, Jewish historian (A.D. 93-94)

• Roman Testimony Establishes the Historical Christ− Tacitus, Roman historian (A.D. 56-117)− Suetonius, Roman biographer (A.D. 120)− Pliny the Younger, Roman governor of Bithynia (A.D. 110-112)

• Hostile Testimony Establishes the Historical Christ− Celsus, a pagan philosopher (A.D. 178)− Lucian of Samosata, Greek philosopher (A.D. 115-120)

Jesus Is More Than Just a Man• Some view Jesus as just another man who lived• It is vitally important that Jesus is the Son of God • Eternal matters are contingent upon His deity:

− The existence of the church (Matt. 16:16-19)− The inspiration of the Scriptures (Luke 24:44 + John 16:13-15)− The reconciliation of believers to God (Rom. 5:10)− The revelation of God’s will to man (Heb. 1:1-2)− The priesthood of Christ in our lives (Heb. 4:14-16)− The cleansing efficacy of Christ’s blood (1 John 1:7)− The destruction of the works of the devil (1 John 3:8)− The saving of the world from sin (1 John 4:14)− The promise and possession of eternal life (Jn. 3:36; 1 Jn. 5:12)

Jesus Is the Son of God, Based Upon Facts1. The Miracles of Jesus attest to His deity (Acts 2:22)

− Jesus’ miracles prove His deity (John 20:30-31; Mt. 11:2-5)− Jesus’ miracles could only be done by God (John 3:2; 10:25-38)− Jesus’ enemies even attested to His miracles (Jn. 11:47; 9:16)− Jesus showed power over disease, nature, demons & death

Jesus Is the Son of God, Based Upon Facts2. The Fulfilled Prophecies attest to His deity (Acts 2:25-30)

− There are 332 Old Testament prophecies about the Son of God• Born of Bethlehem in Judea (Micah 5:2)• Born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14)• Betrayed for 30 pieces of silver (Zech. 11:13)• Pierced hands and feet (Psa. 22:16)• Lots cast for His clothing (Psa. 22:18)• No bones broken (Psa. 34:20)• Buried with the rich (Isa. 53:9)• Body would be raised (Psa. 16:10)

− Highly improbable that one man could fulfill all 332 prophecies• Odds of being struck by lightning: 1 in 700,000• Odds of winning Powerball with one ticket: 1 in 175,000,000• Odds of one man fulfilling just 8 Messianic prophecies: 1 in 1017

1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000 (100 quadrillion)− Jesus precisely fulfilled all 332 prophecies—He is the Son of God!

Jesus Is the Son of God, Based Upon Facts1. The Miracles of Jesus attest to His deity (Acts 2:22)2. The Fulfilled Prophecies attest to His deity (Acts 2:25-30)3. The Resurrection attests to His deity (Acts 2:24, 30-36)

− Witnessed by the soldiers (Matt. 28:11-15)− Witnessed by the women who came early (Matt. 28:9-10)− Witnessed by two on road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)− Witnessed by the 11 apostles (John 20:26-31)− Witnessed by more than 500 at once (1 Cor. 15:6)− Witnessed by Saul of Tarsus (1 Cor. 15:8)− Jesus’ resurrection is a proven historical fact

Do you believe it? Have you responded to it?• When you believe Jesus is God’s Son (John 3:36), and• When you repent & turn from your sins (Luke 13:3), and• When you confess your faith in Jesus (Rom. 10:9), and• When you are immersed into Christ (Acts 2:38), then

− God will forgive all of your sins (Acts 22:16)− God will add you to His church (Acts 2:47)− God will enroll you in heaven (Hebrews 12:23)

• Then, you must walk faithfully with Him (1 John 1:7)

Have you done this? Are you doing this?