The Historicity Of Jesus
Lesson 1.
Lesson 1 “ Who do you say I am”
Study of the historical character called
Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
In Matthew 16: 15 Jesus said,
“ But who do you say I am ?”
This is a question that all man-kind must
answer.
“It makes a difference whether or not
passionate human beings could even
be motivated to live morally with out
believing in living Christ.”
Edward Wharton- Christianity A Clear
Of History.
History
“History is the witness that testifies to the
Passing of time , illuminates reality,
vitalizes memory , provides guidance in daily
life, and brings us tidings of antiquity.”
Cicero
History
“There is properly no history, only biography”.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
“History itself is nothing but the activity of
men pursuing their purposes.”
Karl Marx
History
“Only a good-for-nothing is not interested
in his past”. - Sigmund Freud.
“Every past is worth condemning”.
Friedrich Nietzsche
‘History is more or less bunk.” Henry Ford
History
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.”
This historical journey is not with out
its critics.
“ The Gospel stories are no more historical
than the Genesis creation accounts are
scientific. They are filled with exaggerations,
miracles and admitted propaganda.”
-Dan Barker , atheist
“But also we cannot ignore that in the
interest of theological doctrine,
contemporary circumstances , and effective
story telling , nothing wrong was seen in
creating views for Jesus to express.”
J. Schoenfield – The Passover Plot
“ 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
“ Behold the greatest cover up in history.
Not only was Jesus Christ married, but
He was a father.”
“ The Da Vinci Code” - Dan Brown
Who is this character ?
And who is this ?
Historical Events
Does December 7 , 1941 bring to mind
a profound historical event ?
How do we know this event happened ?
What about July 20 , 1969 ?
Historical dialogue
Who said this ……
“Ask not what you’re country can do for
you , but ask what you can do for you’re
country .”
And this ………
“ forgive your enemies ,but never forget
their name.”
What famous President said this…….
“Read my lips , no new taxes.”
Famous movie quote ….
“Here’s looking at you , kid.”
Christ’s Birth
The Gospel accounts:
Matthew 1 :18
Mark
No account
Luke
1:26
John
1: 13
Birth account of historical figures
*Abraham Lincoln- Hardin County, Kentucky
February 12 , 1809.
* George Washington- Virginia Colony
February 11 , 1731 under the Julian calendar.
When Britain adopted the Gregorian calendar
his birth was changed to Feb. 22, 1732.
* Jesus Christ – A.D. 4 ? Bethlehem , Judah.
Eyewitness accounts
Luke 1: 1-4
“eyewitnesses and ministers of the word
delivered then to us.”
Evidence from out side the Bible
First type of evidences comes from what
is known as hostile sources.
In no way were they friendly to the
Christian cause.
Tacitus A.D.56- 117
*Member of the Roman upper class.
*Held several positions under
Emperor Nerva and Emperor Trajan.
*Wrote “Annals” in A.D. 115
Tacitus wrote:
“ Their originator, Christ, had been executed
in Tiberius’ reign by the governor of Judea,
Pontius Pilatus. But in spite of the temporary
setback the deadly superstition had broken out
afresh , not only in Judea ,but even in Rome.”
Suetonius
* Lived nearly 30 years under the Caesars.
* Had access to Imperial and Senatorial
archives.
* Author of “The Lives Of The Caesars.”
* Because of he had access to contemporary
documents and memoirs , his testimony
becomes reliable historical evidence.
Suetonius wrote :
“ Because the Jews at Rome caused
continuous disturbance at the instigation
of Chrestus (Christos), he ( Claudius)
expelled them from the city.”
Note : See Acts 18:2
And also ………
“ Punishments were also inflicted on the
Christians , a sect professing a new and
mischievous religious belief.”
Pliny The Younger
Pliny was sent by the Roman emperor
Trajan (A.D.110-111) to govern the
region of Bithynia.
Pliny wrote:
“ that they were in the habit of meeting on
a certain fixed day before it was light ,when
they sang in alternate verses a hymn to
Christ , as to a god, and bound themselves
by a solemn oath , not to any wicked deeds.”
Josephus
• Born a few years after Jesus died.
• Galilean military command in A.D. 66.
• Deserted to the Roman Army.
• Became a writer and wrote
“Antiquities Of The Jews” in A.D. 93.
• Wrote a vivid account of John the Baptist
and King Herod. Matt 14:6 , Mark 6:21
Josephus wrote:
“ ….convened the judges of the Sanhedrin
and brought before them a man named
James , the brother of Jesus who was called
the Christ , and certain others. He accused
them of having transgressed the Law and
delivered them up to be stoned.”
“He Walked Among Us” pg. 38 Josh McDowell
And wrote :
“About this time there lived Jesus, a wise
man, if indeed one ought to call him a man.”
*” Wrought surprising feats.”
* “He won over many Jews and many of
the Greeks.”
* Talks about Pilate, the crucifix,
Jesus’ resurrection ,and His appearance to
others.
On historical events
Josephus documents the destruction of
Jerusalem in A.D. 70.
Claims 1.1 million Jews were killed.
Early Christian writers:
Polycarp : A.D. 69-155. Wrote several
letters including one titled
“The Epistle to the Philippians.”
Had conversation with John and others
that had seen the Lord.
Mara Bar – Serapion – Stoic philosopher.
Some time after 70 AD wrote a letter
from prison to his son.
“What advantage did the Jews gain from
executing their wise king ? It was just after
that their kingdom was abolished.”
Others include
• Origen
• Justin Martyr
• Thallus
• Clement of Alexandria
All of these men made reference to
Jesus Christ and His church.
Implications of not believing
1. No hope.
Acts 24:15
2. No peace. Romans 14:17 John 14:27
3. No paradise Luke 23:43
4. No salvation Acts 4:12
Implications of His resurrection
• Implies His Godhead Romans 1:4
• Jesus is trustworthy to keep
his promises. John 11:25 1 Peter 1:3-4
• Christianity stands or falls on the reality
of the resurrection of Jesus.
• If Christ has not been resurrected , then
all is futile. 1 Cor. 15: 12-17
Our Questions
Is Jesus Christ a historical figure?
Can we believe in the accounts of
His life?