Back from the Dead:Why Jesus is the One True God

1 Cor. 15:12-19 (p.799)

Conspiracy Theories

1. Disciples stole body

Conspiracy Theories

1. Disciples stole body

Matthew 27:57 & ff(p.693)

Conspiracy Theories

1. Disciples stole body

"It is not hard to imagine the sight which greeted the eyes of the apostles when they reached the tomb: the stone slab, the collapsed graveclothes, the shell of the head-cloth and the gap between the two. No wonder they ‘saw and believed.’ A glance at these graveclothes proved the reality, and indicated the nature, of the resurrection. They had been neither touched nor folded nor manipulated by any human being. They were like a discarded chrysalis from which the butterfly has emerged"

—John Stott, Basic Christianity

Conspiracy Theories

1. Disciples stole body

2. Mass hallucination

Conspiracy Theories

1. Disciples stole body

2. Mass hallucination1 Cor. 15:3-8(p.799)

Conspiracy Theories

1. Disciples stole body

2. Mass hallucination

3. Swoon Theory

Established Fact

1. Archeological evidence

Established Fact

1. Archeological evidence“Evidence that the people in Jesus’ time believed in the resurrection is found on caskets of bones discovered in a sealed tomb outside Jerusalem in 1945. Coins minted in about A.D. 50 were found inside the caskets, dating the burial within about 20 years of Jesus’ crucifixion. Markings are clearly legible, including several statements reflecting knowledge of Jesus’ ability to overcome death. Examples of writings (in Greek) of hope for deceased loved ones include: “Jesus, Help” and “Jesus, Let Him Arise.” The caskets also contain several crosses, clearly marked in charcoal. This is powerful evidence that early Christians believed in Jesus’ ability to triumph over death. It also ties the idea of victory over death to the cross.”

—Ralph Muncaster, What Is the Proof for the Resurrection

Established Fact

1. Archeological evidence2. Secular History

Established Fact

1. Archeological evidence2. Secular History

“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day."

—Flavius Josephus (Antiquities, XVIII, III)

Established Fact

1. Archeological evidence2. Secular History3. Evidence of biblical manuscripts

Established FactMajor Existing Manuscripts Early Records From Event to First Existing Manuscript

Established FactMajor Existing Manuscripts Early Records From Event to First Existing Manuscript

Gallic Wars—Julius Caesar 10 1000 years

Established FactMajor Existing Manuscripts Early Records From Event to First Existing Manuscript

Gallic Wars—Julius Caesar 10 1000 yearsHistory—Pliny the Younger 7 750 years

Established FactMajor Existing Manuscripts Early Records From Event to First Existing Manuscript

Gallic Wars—Julius Caesar 10 1000 yearsHistory—Pliny the Younger 7 750 yearsHistory—Thucydides 8 1300 years

Established FactMajor Existing Manuscripts Early Records From Event to First Existing Manuscript

Gallic Wars—Julius Caesar 10 1000 yearsHistory—Pliny the Younger 7 750 yearsHistory—Thucydides 8 1300 yearsHistory—Herodotus 8 1300 years

Established FactMajor Existing Manuscripts Early Records From Event to First Existing Manuscript

Gallic Wars—Julius Caesar 10 1000 yearsHistory—Pliny the Younger 7 750 yearsHistory—Thucydides 8 1300 yearsHistory—Herodotus 8 1300 yearsIliad—Homer 643 500 years

Established FactMajor Existing Manuscripts Early Records From Event to First Existing Manuscript

Gallic Wars—Julius Caesar 10 1000 yearsHistory—Pliny the Younger 7 750 yearsHistory—Thucydides 8 1300 yearsHistory—Herodotus 8 1300 yearsIliad—Homer 643 500 yearsThe New Testament 24,000+ 25 years

Established Fact

1. Archeological evidence2. Secular History3. Evidence of biblical manuscripts4. Documentation in all four gospels + Acts

Established Fact

1. Archeological evidence2. Secular History3. Evidence of biblical manuscripts4. Documentation in all four gospels + Acts

The Jews then said to Him, "What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?" Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews then said, "It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?" But He was speaking of the temple of His body. So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken. (John 2:18-22)

Established Fact

1. Archeological evidence2. Secular History3. Evidence of biblical manuscripts4. Documentation in all four gospels + Acts5. Followers persuaded against their will

Established Fact

1. Archeological evidence2. Secular History3. Evidence of biblical manuscripts4. Documentation in all four gospels + Acts5. Followers persuaded against their will6. Sabbath changed from Saturday to Sunday

Established Fact

1. Archeological evidence2. Secular History3. Evidence of biblical manuscripts4. Documentation in all four gospels + Acts5. Followers persuaded against their will6. Sabbath changed from Saturday to Sunday7. Time delineated with B.C. and A.D.

Established Fact

1. Archeological evidence2. Secular History3. Evidence of biblical manuscripts4. Documentation in all four gospels + Acts5. Followers persuaded against their will6. Sabbath changed from Saturday to Sunday7. Time delineated with B.C. and A.D.8. Men who tried to disprove & converted

Established Fact

1. Archeological evidence2. Secular History3. Evidence of biblical manuscripts4. Documentation in all four gospels + Acts5. Followers persuaded against their will6. Sabbath changed from Saturday to Sunday7. Time delineated with B.C. and A.D.8. Men who tried to disprove & converted9. Contemporary testimonies

Conclusion:Jesus really rose from the dead, and He is the One and Only True God