The So-calledThe So-called

Discovered 1980 South of Jerusalem

“Jesus, Son of Joseph”? “Jesus, Son of Joseph”?

I. What Was Found?I. What Was Found?10 Empty Ossuaries with 6

Inscriptions1. "Jesus son of Joseph." 2. "Maria." 3. "Matthew." 4. "Joseph." 5. "Mariamene e Mara" 6. “Judah son of Jesus."

10 Empty Ossuaries with 6 Inscriptions

1. "Jesus son of Joseph." 2. "Maria." 3. "Matthew." 4. "Joseph." 5. "Mariamene e Mara" 6. “Judah son of Jesus."

I. What Do They Claim About This?I. What Do They Claim About This?The odds are 600 to one that this is

Jesus’ family tomb and—1. Jesus was married to Mary

Magdaline. 2. They had a son named Judah 3. Jesus did not rise bodily from the

dead.

In short, Christianity is a hoax!

The odds are 600 to one that this is Jesus’ family tomb and—

1. Jesus was married to Mary Magdaline.

2. They had a son named Judah 3. Jesus did not rise bodily from the

dead.

In short, Christianity is a hoax!

II. What Do Scholars Say to This?II. What Do Scholars Say to This?1. There is no evidence Jesus was married.2. “Jesus” was a common name (9%).3. “Joseph” was a common name (14%).4. “Mary” was a very common name (25%). 5. A 1st cent. text had 3 men named “Jesus.”6. It may not be “Jesus” but “Hanum.” . 7. Odds are much lower if all names are

included (They leave out “Matthew”).

8. Odds are trumped by facts.

1. There is no evidence Jesus was married.2. “Jesus” was a common name (9%).3. “Joseph” was a common name (14%).4. “Mary” was a very common name (25%). 5. A 1st cent. text had 3 men named “Jesus.”6. It may not be “Jesus” but “Hanum.” . 7. Odds are much lower if all names are

included (They leave out “Matthew”).

8. Odds are trumped by facts.

The Odds are 216 to 1 against it

But it in fact it does happen!

The Odds are 216 to 1 against it

But it in fact it does happen!

1296 to 1 against it—for four dice!1296 to 1 against it—for four dice!

Chances for a Perfect HandChances for a Perfect Hand

1 in 635 billion plus!1 in 635 billion plus!

Facts Trump Odd!Facts Trump Odd!The Facts Are there Are--

1. More manuscripts (5700 vs. 10 to 20)

2. Earlier manuscripts (25+ yrs. vs. 1000 yrs.)

3. More accurately copied (99%+ vs. 90-95%)

4. Earlier writers (first century contemporaries)

5. More writers (9 writers and 27 books)

6. More accurate writers

--for the NT than for any other book from the ancient world!

The Facts Are there Are--1. More manuscripts (5700 vs. 10 to 20)

2. Earlier manuscripts (25+ yrs. vs. 1000 yrs.)

3. More accurately copied (99%+ vs. 90-95%)

4. Earlier writers (first century contemporaries)

5. More writers (9 writers and 27 books)

6. More accurate writers

--for the NT than for any other book from the ancient world!

Bible Expert: Sir. Frederick Bible Expert: Sir. Frederick KenyonKenyon

Bible Expert: Sir. Frederick Bible Expert: Sir. Frederick KenyonKenyon

“…“…TheThe last foundation for any doubt last foundation for any doubt that the Scriptures have come down that the Scriptures have come down substantially as they were written has substantially as they were written has now been removed.now been removed. Both Both the the authenticity and the general integrity of authenticity and the general integrity of the books of the New Testament may be the books of the New Testament may be regarded as finally establishedregarded as finally established”” ((TheThe Bible and Archaeology,Bible and Archaeology, 288). 288).

“…“…TheThe last foundation for any doubt last foundation for any doubt that the Scriptures have come down that the Scriptures have come down substantially as they were written has substantially as they were written has now been removed.now been removed. Both Both the the authenticity and the general integrity of authenticity and the general integrity of the books of the New Testament may be the books of the New Testament may be regarded as finally establishedregarded as finally established”” ((TheThe Bible and Archaeology,Bible and Archaeology, 288). 288).

Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great

• Sources Available• Contemporary--none

• 100 years later--only fragments

• 300--500 years later-- several histories

• Sources Available• Contemporary--none

• 100 years later--only fragments

• 300--500 years later-- several histories

Evidence That Jesus Claimed to be God Evidence That Jesus Claimed to be God Matthew 16:16-17: Peter said, “You are the Christ, the

Son of the Living God.”Mark 14:61-61: The High Priest asked: “Are You the

Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

Mark 2:5, 7: Jesus said, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” The Scribes replied, “Why does this man blaspheme like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone.”

John 8:58: Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Before Abraham was, I AM” cf. Ex. 3:14).

John 10:30-31: Jesus said, “‘I and the Father are one.’ Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him.”

Matthew 16:16-17: Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

Mark 14:61-61: The High Priest asked: “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

Mark 2:5, 7: Jesus said, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” The Scribes replied, “Why does this man blaspheme like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone.”

John 8:58: Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Before Abraham was, I AM” cf. Ex. 3:14).

John 10:30-31: Jesus said, “‘I and the Father are one.’ Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him.”

Evidence His Disciples Said He was GodEvidence His Disciples Said He was God

John 20:28: “Thomas said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’”

Romans 9:5: “Christ who is over all, the eternally blessed God.”

Colossians 1: 16: “For by Him were all things created: things in heaven and things on earth.”

Colossians 2:9: “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.”

Titus 2:13: “Looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Heb 1:8: “But to the Son He says: ‘Your throne O God, is forever and ever.’”

John 20:28: “Thomas said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’”

Romans 9:5: “Christ who is over all, the eternally blessed God.”

Colossians 1: 16: “For by Him were all things created: things in heaven and things on earth.”

Colossians 2:9: “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.”

Titus 2:13: “Looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Heb 1:8: “But to the Son He says: ‘Your throne O God, is forever and ever.’”

Evidence That Jesus Was God:Evidence That Jesus Was God:

a. By fulfilling supernatural predictionsb. By performing supernatural actsc. By His supernatural resurrection

No other religious leader ever did this!

a. By fulfilling supernatural predictionsb. By performing supernatural actsc. By His supernatural resurrection

No other religious leader ever did this!

Human Race Woman, Gen 3:15Human Race

Woman, Gen 3:15

Ethnic Group Abraham, Gen 12:1Ethnic Group

Abraham, Gen 12:1Tribe

Judah, Gen 49:10Tribe

Judah, Gen 49:10

Dynasty David, 2 Sam 7:12

Dynasty David, 2 Sam 7:12

How Virgin, Isa 7:14

How Virgin, Isa 7:14

Where Bethlehem, Mic 5:2

Where Bethlehem, Mic 5:2

When 33 A.D., Dan 9:24

When 33 A.D., Dan 9:24

Jesus did Many MiraclesJesus did Many MiraclesWalked on waterHealed one born blindRestored lepers to healthTurned water to wineMultiplied loavesRaised the dead

Walked on waterHealed one born blindRestored lepers to healthTurned water to wineMultiplied loavesRaised the dead

Evidence Jesus Rose for the Dead Evidence Jesus Rose for the Dead

1. The tomb was empty with grave clothes in it2. Over 500 witnesses saw Him 12 times 3. They touched His physical body4. They saw His crucifixion scars5. They ate with Him four times6. He taught them for 40 days7. He did miracles for them8. He transformed them

From cowards to martyrs overnight!

1. The tomb was empty with grave clothes in it2. Over 500 witnesses saw Him 12 times 3. They touched His physical body4. They saw His crucifixion scars5. They ate with Him four times6. He taught them for 40 days7. He did miracles for them8. He transformed them

From cowards to martyrs overnight!

The PassionThe PassionIt’s Not Just a Movie: It’s History!It’s Not Just a Movie: It’s History!

Easter:It’s Not Just a Holiday: Its Reality Easter:It’s Not Just a Holiday: Its Reality

Why is Jesus the Only Way?Why is Jesus the Only Way?

GodGodManMan

Because only the God-Man can bridge between God and Man

Because only the God-Man can bridge between God and Man

God-ManGod-Man

“I am the way…. No one comes to the Father but by Me.”

“I am the way…. No one comes to the Father but by Me.”