Historicity Of Jesus

Lesson 3 Jesus Christ the Savior

Review

History can be defined as:

“ A chronological record of events , as of

the life or development of a people or

institution, often including an explanation

of or commentary on those events”.

Review

“ We have become convinced that the story

of Jesus is not the biography of a historical

messiah , but a myth based on perennial

pagan stories”.- Timothy Freke & Peter Gandy Page 3 “Behold The Lamb Of God”. Kyle Butt & Eric Lyons.

Review

The New Testament is a reliable historical

document.

We have 5,748 manuscripts.

The N. T. contains factual data with no

errors.

Review

Luke 1: 1-4

“ eyewitnesses and ministers of the word

delivered then to us”.

Review

Historical references pertaining to people.

1. Pilate

2. Sergius Paulus

3. Gallio

Who Do You Say I Am?

“But who do you say I am”?

Simon Peter replied, “ You are the Christ,

the Son of the living God”.

Matthew 16:15-16.

Hypothetical situation

A young college student who grew up in

the Lord’s church enters a class in

world religions.

There his faith in Jesus is truly tested for

the first time.

Other savior gods

1. In pagan religious history there

are similar persons with characteristics

of Jesus Christ

2. They come shockingly close to the

Jesus Christ of the New Testament.

Undeniable similarities

1. Considered “saviors” of man-kind.

2. Born of virgins.

3. Performed miracles.

4. Some were crucified to save man.

Who are these other gods?

- Dionysus Before 430 B.C.

* Offspring of Zeus

* Conquered death and brought his mom back.

* Said to have died and had been raised.

* Followers called him Lysios or redeemer.

* Grape juice was commonly used to

symbolize his blood.

Who are these other gods?

From The Jesus Mysteries by Tim Frekeand Peter Gandy.1. Dionysus is god made flesh.2. Born in humble surroundings Dec. 25th.3. Followers could be “born again” through the rites of baptism.4. Turns water into wine at a marriage ceremony.

Who are these other gods?

5. Followers await his return as a judge.

6. Death and resurrection are celebrated

with bread and wine .

Historical trivia

The first recorded celebration of

Christmas , December 25 , 336 A.D.

The Palm Beach Post, Dec. 25, 2006.

Who are these other gods?

Krishna- ancient Hindu deity. 1200 B.C.

1. Hung on a cross with holes in his hands and feet.

2. Title was lord and savior.

3. Supposedly rose from the dead and

ascended into heaven.

Who are these other gods?

Osiris – ancient Egyptian god. 1400 B.C.

1. Titles include lord of lords, king of kings,

and prince of princes.

2. Rose from the dead and took on the title

“the resurrected one”.

3. Described as one “who’s word is truth”.

Who are these other gods?

Buddha and Jesus?

Newsweek March 27 ,2000 – “the life stories

of Jesus and Buddha are strikingly similar”.

Allegedly were born of virgins and

performed miracles. – Kenneth Woodward

Who are these other gods?

Attis – 1400 B.C. Worshiped in

Anatolia (modern Turkey).• Born of a virgin December 25th.• Depicted as nailed or tied to a tree.• Considered a savior slain for man-kind.

Who are these other gods?

From a debate with Norman Geisler

Christian critic Farrel Till said,

“ ….please understand this. Crucified,

resurrected savior-gods, who had been

born of virgins, were a dime a dozen at this

time”.

Undeniable fact

We must recognize that ancient documents

reveal that the story of Jesus is not the

first story ever told of virgin-born, crucified,

resurrected miracle-working , savior-gods.

Religions

Joseph McCabe, atheist ,noted that through

out man’s history there seems to be a

universal belief in slain and resurrected gods.

Comes from various religions around the globe.

Stories arose from some kind

“universal frame of mind”.

The Bible gives us insight

How could this be?

The Bible holds the answer.

Luke 11:49-51 • “ from the foundations of the world”• “ from the blood of Abel”

The Bible gives us insight

Luke 1: 67-70 Genesis 3:15

• “since the world began”• Some prophecies about Christ are as old

as the world itself.• The Bible nowhere pretends to contain

every Messianic prophecy ever spoken.

Draw a conclusion

Stories of savior-gods came from

God about our Savior.

1. They had heard either inspired prophets

foretell the Redeemer’s coming.

2. Prophecies “made from the foundation

of the world” had been passed down

to them by word of mouth.

The uniqueness of Jesus Christ

Jesus stands apart from the rest.

1. He was sinless. Hebrews 4:15

2. His life is documented history.

3. His teachings are unique. Col. 2:3

4. He told of future events.

* Matthew 16:18

* John 14:26

The uniqueness of Jesus Christ

5. He talked about Himself.

6. He possessed authority.

7. Christianity points to Christ

not just His teachings.

8. He performed ill refutable miracles.

Draw a conclusion

Our conclusion be like that of Norman Geisler.

“It is one thing to claim deity and quite another

to have the credentials to support that claim.

Christ did both”.