Resurrection: Fact or Fiction?

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JUST THE FACTS

Just the Facts

• Jesus died by means of crucifixion• The Tomb site was known and found empty• Many Resurrection Appearances• Transformed Lives of the Disciples• Preaching Begins in Jerusalem• Preaching of the Resurrection begins very

early

Jesus Died by Crucifixion

• New Testament confirms the death of Jesus• Non-Christian Sources Confirm Jesus

Crucifixion

Non-Christian Sources

• Roman – Thallus (52 A.D.)– Tacitus (115 A.D.)– Pliny (61-113 A.D.)– Celsus (177 A.D.)

• Jewish– Josephus (37-100 A.D.)– Talmud (300 A.D.)

Josephus Antiquities (AD 37-100)

• At this time there was a wise man who was called Jesus. His conduct was good and he was known to be virtuous. And many people from among the Jews and the other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. But those who became his disciples did not abandon his discipleship. They reported that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion, and there he was alive; accordingly he was perhaps the Messiah, concerning whom the prophets have recounted wonders.

Tacitus: 115 AD

• Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judea, . . . but even in Rome.

• Tacitus, Annals, 15.44

Crucifixion Victim 1st Century A.D. (Discovered in Jerusalem 1968)

Nazareth Decree

• It is my decision [concerning] graves and tombs whoever has made them for the religious observances of parents, or children, or household members --that these remain undisturbed forever.…. You are absolutely not to allow anyone to move [those who have been entombed].   But if [someone does], I wish that [violator] to suffer capital punishment under the title of tomb-breaker.

What Liberal Scholars Say

• “That he was crucified is as sure as anything historical can ever be.”   – John Dominic Crossan

• “One of the most certain facts of history is that Jesus was crucified on orders of the Roman prefect of Judea, Pontius Pilate.” – Bart Ehrman

Just the Facts

• Jesus died by means of crucifixion• The Tomb site was known and found empty• Many Resurrection Appearances• Transformed Lives of the Disciples• Preaching Begins in Jerusalem• Preaching of the Resurrection begins very

early

The Tomb Site Was Known

• The Gospel writers identify the specific location: The tomb of Joseph of Arimathea– A prominent public figure– Unlikely to invent a high profile figure

• The Women were the first witness of the Resurrection– Historians call this the principle of embarrassment

Just the Facts

• Jesus died by means of crucifixion• The Tomb site was known and found empty• Many Resurrection Appearances• Transformed Lives of the Disciples• Preaching Begins in Jerusalem• Preaching of the Resurrection begins very

early

Resurrection Appearances

• There were numerous witnesses• Paul states over 500 in 1 Cor. 15• Psychologists agree so many

would not have the same hallucination at the same time

• Hallucinations occur to those who want the event to be true

Just the Facts

• Jesus died by means of crucifixion• The Tomb site was known and found empty• Many Resurrection Appearances• Transformed Lives of the Disciples• Preaching Begins in Jerusalem• Preaching of the Resurrection begins very

early

Transformed Lives of the Disciples

• Disciples transform from frightened men to bold preachers of the resurrection

• History teaches us men and women will not die for what they know to be a lie

• What caused such a transformation????

Just the Facts

• Jesus died by means of crucifixion• The Tomb site was known and found empty• Many Resurrection Appearances• Transformed Lives of the Disciples• Preaching Begins in Jerusalem• Preaching of the Resurrection begins very

early

Preaching Begins in Jerusalem

• Legends can take root in distant lands• The preaching of the Resurrection begins in

Jerusalem where it took place• All the facts could be quickly investigated and

confirmed as true or false

Just the Facts

• Jesus died by means of crucifixion• The Tomb site was known and found empty• Many Resurrection Appearances• Transformed Lives of the Disciples• Preaching Begins in Jerusalem• Preaching of the Resurrection begins very

early

Preaching Begins Very Early

• Historians agree it takes 2-3 generations (80-100 years) for legends to develop

• HOWEVER!!!!!!

• Most of the New Testament is written 20-40 years after the resurrection

• 1 Corinthians 15 Creed is written within 5 years of the resurrection!

The Reason for the empty tomb

• The disciples stole the body??• The women went to the wrong tomb?? • The Swoon theory??• The disciples hallucinated the resurrection??• Dogs ate the body of Jesus??• Substitution Theory (Islam)• Jesus was raised from the dead??

Jesus is Risen!

The ResurrectionMonumental Implications

• Jesus is God in the flesh• Jesus is Lord over all creation• Jesus is the Only Way to Eternal Life and a relationship

with God• All that Jesus taught is true• You have a decision to make

You Can Know God

• “For God so loved the world, He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life!” – John 3:16

• Will you take that step and trust Jesus??

• The Evidence is there …what are you waiting for????

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