Six Steps Part 2

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Lisa (to Ned): “How do we know the guys who wrote the Bible just didn’t make all that stuff up?”

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Revelation

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1.Bibliographical Test 2. Internal Evidence Test3.External Evidence Test

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“In my opinion, every book of the New Testament was written by a baptized Jew between the 40’s and the 80’s of the first century (very probably sometime between about A..D. 50 and 75)” - William F. Albright, Archaeologist

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• Matthew• Mark• Luke• Romans• 1 Corinthians• Ephesians• 1 Timothy• Titus• Hebrews• James• 1 Peter

Clement (c. A.D. 95)• Matthew• Mark• Luke• John• Acts• Romans• 1 & 2 Corinthians• Galatians• Ephesians• Philippians • Colossians • 1 Thessalonians • 1 & 2 Timothy

• Titus• Philemon • Hebrews• James• 1 & 2 Peter• 1 & 3 John • Revelation

Ignatius (c. A.D. 107) Polycarp (c. A.D. 110)• Matthew• Mark• Luke• John• Acts• Romans• 1 & 2 Corinthians• Galatians• Ephesians• Philippians • Colossians • 2 Thessalonians • 1 & 2 Timothy• 1 Peter & 1 John

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Number of manuscripts

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New Testament – 24,000 Greek (5,300), Latin (10,000), Misc (9,000)20-50

Homer’s Iliad – 643 500

Caesar's Gallic Wars - 10 1,000

Plato - 61,200

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“The more we learn about archaeology and history of Biblical times we realize that most of the stuff in the Bible is fiction. It is an article of faith

It is part of a religious belief system that really doesn't fit the way we think when we think scientifically in the age we live.”

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Imagine sitting on a jury and hearing the testimony of six eyewitnesses who all tell the same story. Then imagine their claims being backed up by forensic science and external parties. Then imagine all agree to die rather than recant their testimony.

What would you conclude?

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Prophecies concerning the Christ

300 total prophecies that concern the Messiah’s first coming

108 distinct prophecies that concern the Messiah’s first coming

All fulfilled in the life of Jesus of Nazareth

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What are the odds?

Peter Stoner in Science Speaks calculates the odds of just eight prophecies being accidentally fulfilled in the life of one man.

1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000 (one hundred quadrillion: 1017)

Statisticians say anything past 1 to 1050 power is no chance. This is exceeded once 20 fulfilled prophecies is considered (and Jesus fulfilled 108).

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Luke 7:19, 22 – “Summoning two of his disciples, John sent them to the Lord, saying, ‘Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?’ At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind. And He answered and said to them, ‘Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them.’”

John 10:25 – “The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for Me.”

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God in the Old Testament Jesus Comparison to Himself

I AM (Exodus 3:14-15; Isaiah 48:12) I AM (John 8:58; John 8:18)

The Shepherd (Psalm 23:1) The Shepherd (John 10:11)

The Light (Psalm 27:1) The Light (John 8:12)

Ruler of all (Isaiah 9:6) Ruler of all (Matthew 28:18)

Judge of all nations (Joel 3:12) Judge of all (John 5:12)

The Bridegroom (Isaiah 62:5; Hosea 2:16) The Bridegroom (Matthew 25:1)

God’s Word never pass away (Isaiah 40:8) Jesus’ words never pass away (Mk. 13:31)

First and the Last (Isaiah 48:12) First and the Last (Revelation 1:17-18)

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Witness Verse Statement

John John 1:1-3,14 God became flesh

Thomas John 20:28 “My Lord and my God!”

Paul Romans 9:5 Jesus is God over all

Paul Philippians 2:5-8 Jesus set aside His right as God

Paul Colossians 1:16-19, 2:9-10 Created all things including angels; all fullness of Deity dwells

Paul 1 Timothy 6:15, Deut 10:17 King of kings, Lord of Lords

Peter 2 Peter 1:1 Jesus our God and Savior

Writer of Hebrews Hebrews 1:8, 13:8 Has everlasting throne and is immutable

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Wonder “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” – Romans 11:33

Truth “…you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” – John 8:31

Love “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” – 1 John 4:10-11

Security “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Romans 5:1

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“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” – 1 Peter

5:6-7

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• Absolute Truth Exists• Reason and Religion are Compatible• God Exists• God can be Known• Jesus is God• God Cares for You

Christianity is True

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“Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit” –

Matthew 15:14

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I am a Christian because … Christianity is true