ANALYSIS OF THE RESURRECTION
" A LOOK AT FAITH BASED ON REASON, LOGIC AND PRIMARY EVIDENCES "
Many people are not interested in hearing Christian apologetics. And people may not wish to read of Jesus and his life. However, even though one may not wish to know of GOD and Christian theology, or may even find it offensive to one's own belief. It's important before making a decision, to get an understanding of Christian conviction in Jesus and faith. To understand the essence of what the Christian Faith is and stands for. Who Jesus was ? And what claims he made, and why ? And by doing so, we examine factual events, historic evidences and answer sceptic accusations . And provide logical reasoning and evidences for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. SUBJECTS COVERED Purpose of Christ ? and claims he made. Evidence of Jesus / Non Christian Sources. Simply reporting the truth. Hallucinations. The whole thing is a lie ! Truthful Reporting. Apostles payed the price. Why die for a lie ? THE PURPOSE OF JESUS CHRIST
The purpose of Jesus Christ was the offering of himself, as the only means for man to be unified with God the Father, and thus receive eternal life.
Jesus Christ achieved his objective by being crucified and dying on the cross at Calvary. By doing this, he paid the ransom for all sins of mankind on himself, and by the shedding of his blood and his death, he had become that Sin. He paid the penalty for Sin which is death, and by doing so, took in our place the judgment and Wrath of God. Jesus Christ willingly offered himself to a physical death. But on the third day he rose again from the grave.
And with his Resurrection from death, this confirmed and sanctioned - he had conquered OVER - ALL SIN and DEATH
The risen Jesus Christ proved his divine nature as God, and that only through him, can salvation be granted, and therefore be given eternal life. People ask about Jesus, and don't want to know about prophecies of him, about his birth, the miracles he performed, and especially about the resurrection.
Unfortunately for them, that’s impossible, that’s the only records we have on Jesus.
JESUS CHRIST HIMSELFWhat did he claim ?
JESUS claimed to be the SON OF GOD - would be Crucified and Rise from the grave 3 days later. For this to occur, it would be the most miraculous event to ever happen in world history. And when we look at ancient records, they clearly show that’s what happened. Jesus was resurrected from the grave 3 days after dying. The ancient manuscripts, record and confirm - The Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of Man as factual and present it as the most testified event in the ancient world. Jesus is mentioned 88 times in the New Testament.
Son of Man is used in the Old Testament scripture as the coming Prophesied Messiah (God), he is Eternal, and is given all authority and power over all the nations. The description Son of Man is a messianic title. When Jesus used the phrase, and claimed he is the Son of Man. He was assigning the Messiah prophecy to himself. The Jews of that era knew exactly what that phrase meant, and to whom it referred. Jesus was proclaiming himself as the Eternal Messiah – GOD HIMSELF !
Jesus attested to Jewish and all people of his claim to be in essence of divine nature. It was this very declaration of authority, which incensed the Jewish Pharisees, (Religious Leaders) in 1st Century Jerusalem. This declaration proclaimed in all certainty, that Jesus himself and he alone is the Messiah and the true living God. He also claimed which further inflamed the religious leaders, that only through him can one obtain the forgiveness of sins, and only through him can Salvation and Eternal Life be granted.
Jesus undoubtedly stands out exclusively in world history; unlike other religious leaders or leaders of spiritual philosophical concepts,
Jesus has influenced and shaped the world more than any other person that has ever lived. JESUS - Claimed He Is The Only Way to Eternal Life He commanded attention wherever he went. He made authoritative statements, claiming he is the only person that can provide mankind a relationship with God the Father, and therefore be given Eternal Life. He claimed his divinity (incarnate) - to be fully Man and God, and only by him can mankind gain redemption. When discussions are held between people today, regarding religious beliefs and or other spiritual concepts, many beliefs and religious leaders are fully accepted. However to mention Jesus is increasingly becoming an outrage, through media and in public places he is criticised and cursed, and the bible is regarded with contempt. He is ever increasingly mocked, and despised publicly throughout the world. The very mention of Jesus is becoming an affront in cities all over the world. Most people either reject Jesus in whole, or accept him to be just a man, who was a great ethical teacher, but do not accept his claim to be God. There have been many people who claim to be divine – ( God ). And most people consider these claims to be that of a lunatic or delusional. So when we look at Jesus, we must remember he also made the same claim of his Divine nature - Being GOD. When we evaluate his life and his message, his works and his overall teachings for mankind. We need to make a decision whether he was a mad man, delusional, a fraud or truly God. Throughout his ministry, he was mocked, ridiculed, accused of sorcery; he was spat on, beaten and finally killed. Even today he is continually reviled, called a liar and even hated.
However he is also praised and accepted as the Living God. It is demeaning and patronizing to view Jesus as just a man or ethical teacher.It is unmistakeable that he presented himself with ONE intention, and made it clear in no uncertain terms. His absolute claim of his divine nature being - GOD When we look at the Jesus of history, we must look at the life and preaching of his ministry, what he said, what he did, and how he positioned himself in society before the religious leaders, the Roman Empire and the people of Judea.
To look at Jesus another way, other than what the historical records say, we are willingly being Ignorant to the true history of Jesus Christ.
He made an exceptional claim, Jesus appointed ALL authority on himself.
No other religious leader or person before in history had ever declared this. Jesus proclaimed salvation and redemption is through him only, and there is no other authority. He was the only person ever to make this claim. “ All authority in heaven and earth and under the earth is given to me “ “ I say build on me and you build on a rock, anything else you build is on sand ” Wherever Jesus went, he only taught that salvation can only be reached through him, there was no other way. He continually spoke of his authority " All Authority " over everything, in all of Heaven and on Earth, he was the central focus in heaven. " All Power " there had never been anyone making claims like this, he was claiming to be the centre of all life, " Life Itself " He made claims that no man is perfect and no man ever will, and criticised those who thought they were flawless.
He always preached he alone is the redemption of man. He decreed eternal life only upon receiving Him and accepting his claims of his divine nature, the Son of God the Messiah. " I am the door, I am the life, I am the water, I am the light, by me if any man enter in, I am the way the truth and the light “ He preached he was the source of knowledge. He criticized and accused Jewish religious leaders of hypocrisy. He made statements he was here to take the sins of humanity, to reveal the truth of God, and correct the passage of life as sin had become decadent and corruption filled man. He claimed the only way to unite mankind with God and remove the wrath of God, was by his death.And he would take the burden of All sin forever, he would be the scape-goat.
His meaning was that he would die for mankind, and his death would pay the ransom for sin, and by doing so through his blood and sacrifice, redemption is granted only through Him ; therefore escape the wrath of God.
He predicted one of his follower’s would betray him; he would be killed and would rise from death from the grave, specifically giving a time frame of 3days later.
He also claimed when he has risen from death, he will ascend to paradise and be seated in glory in heaven, and one day will return back to earth as the Messiah to all humanity. He also claimed on that day, all the people of that generation living on the earth, will simultaneously see him return.
( EVERY EYE SHALL SEE HIM )
"At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." "Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of Him."
People who make these sorts of announcements, are regarded as either, delusional, insane, or at the very least a - Fraud. So the question we should ask ourselves - Was Jesus telling the TRUTH, and if he was, what would compel these claims to be TRUE ?
Whenever someone makes an outrageous claim, specifically what Jesus was claiming to rise from death back to life. You would instantly discard that person as insane; However, if that person achieved those miraculous claims. Then you would perhaps want to Re - Examine Him. EVIDENCE OF JESUS IN HISTORY
There are numerous books and ancient manuscript records, which overwhelmingly document the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, both in Christian and non- biblical Christian sources. People today may not believe the claims of ancient manuscript writings about the resurrection of Jesus. But cannot Dismiss his existence, writings and the influence they made. These are some examples of - Non-Christian records speaking of Jesus, of the crucifixion, resurrection and Christian faith that followed, as well as other isolated events confirming Jesus.
TACITUS
Publius (or Gaius) Cornelius Tacitus (AD 56 – 117), was a Senator and a historian of the Roman Empire. The surviving portions of his two major works (the Annals and the Histories) examine the reigns of Roman Emperors Tiberius, Claudius, Nero, and those who reigned in the Year of the Four Emperors (AD 69). These two works span the history of the Roman Empire from the death of Augustus in AD 14 to the years of the First Jewish–Roman War in AD 70 Tacitus is considered to be one of the greatest Roman historians. He lived in what has been called the Silver Age of Latin literature. In his Annals, in book 15, chapter 44, written c. 116 AD, there are passages which refers to Christ, Pontius Pilate, and to a mass execution of the Christians after a six-day fire that burned much of Rome in July (64 AD) by Nero.
Here we read as follows -
“ Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace "." Christus ( Latin for Christ ), 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, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their center and become popular. Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind ". " Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired ".
This occurred during the reign of - Tiberius ( Emperor of Rome), and by the sentence of execution given to Jesus by Pontius Pilatus.
This Confirms what the Gospels tell us about the death of Jesus - " A MOST MISCHIEVOUS SUPERSTITION ” which subsequently arose not only in Judea, but also in Rome ? Tacitus is here bearing indirect . . . . . testimony to the conviction that Jesus was crucified, suffered the extreme penalty ( Death by crucifixion ), had RISEN from the grave ( MISCHIEVOUS SUPERSTITION ), spreading to Rome.
This helps explain the occurrence of a rapidly growing religion based on the worship of a man who had been crucified as a criminal. This narration of Jesus Christ, documented in Rome, is a non-Christian reference to the origin of Christianity, as well as the execution of Christ and the Resurrection described in the New Testament gospels.
Christianity was rejected by the Romans calling it - " A Mischievous Superstition " and the persecution of Christians began with Christ himself in Jerusalem, in Rome and other Roman provinces.
FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS The extant manuscripts of the writings of the 1st century Romano-Jewish historian Flavius Josephus. Include references to Jesus and the origins of Christianity, and to other people alive in the period that Jesus preached in Judea. Josephus' Antiquities of the Jews, written around (93–94 AD), includes two references to Jesus in Books and a reference to John the Baptist.
Josephus also writes about people that were alive with Jesus, he makes several references to people well-known to New Testament readers. Professor and Scholar F. F. Bruce summarized the evidence - " Here, in the pages of Josephus, we meet many figures who are well known to us from the New Testament; the colourful family of the Herod; the Roman emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Claudius, and the procurators of Judea; the high priestly families-Annas, Caiaphas, Ananias, and the rest; the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and so on " The works of Josephus also refer the reference to " Jesus called Christ " mentioned along with the identification of James, that phrase " who was called Christ " is used by Josephus in this passage -
" by way of distinguishing Jesus the brother of James. “ So he assembled the Sanhedrin of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus who was called " Christ " whose name was James. " Now there was about this time Jesus a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure.
He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the Cross, those that loved him at the first did not for sake him, for he appeared to them alive again the third day ; As the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day “
The Testimonium Flavianum (meaning the testimony of Flavius Josephus) is the name given to the passage found in of the Antiquities in which Josephus describes the condemnation and crucifixion of Jesus at the hands of The Roman authorities.
PLINY THE YOUNGER Pliny wrote hundreds of letters, many of which still survive. They are historical evidence for that time period. An important source of evidence about Jesus and early Christianity is found in the letters of Pliny the Younger to Emperor Trajan. Pliny was the Roman governor of Bithynia in Asia Minor. In one of his letters, dated around (112 A.D), he asks Trajan's advice about the appropriate way to conduct legal proceedings those accused of being Christians.
Pliny says that he needed to consult the emperor about this issue because a great multitude of every age, class, and sex stood accused of Christianity. At one point in his letter, Pliny relates some of the information he has learned about these Christians:
We read as followers - “ 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, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; After which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food but food of an ordinary and innocent kind “ Their worship was directed to Christ, demonstrating that they firmly believed in His Divinity. Pliny's statement that hymns were sung to Christ as to a GOD is a reference to the distinguishing fact," unlike other gods who were worshipped, Christ was a person who had lived on earth, and considered as God. " Pliny then explains to the Emperor how he questioned suspected Christians by torture and eventually sentenced them to death. “ In the meanwhile, the method I have observed towards those who have denounced to me as Christians is this: I interrogated them whether they were Christians; if they confessed it I repeated the question twice again, adding the threat of capital punishment; if they still persevered, I ordered them to be executed. For whatever the nature of their creed might be, I could at least feel not doubt that contumacy and inflexible obstinacy deserved chastisement. There were others possessed of the same folly; but because they were Roman citizens, I signed an order for them to be transferred to Rome “ Pliny also wrote that Roman suspects should be executed for their confession of being Christians, and usually sent them to Rome for execution.
SUETONIUS Suetonius was a secretary and historian to Hadrian, Emperor of Rome from (117-138 AD). Regarding Emperor Claudius (41-54 AD) and the Riot of Rome in (49 AD), Suetonius wrote – “ As the Jews were making constant disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus ( CHRIST ) he emperor expelled them from Rome “Not long after Jesus’ crucifixion, the Christian faith was spreading in Rome. There were 40 – 50,000 Jews living in Rome. Emperor Claudius expelled all of them from Italy because of the tension caused in Italy. Because the tension created between Judaism Jews and Christian Jews. All Jews were banished from the city.
Luke and Paul the apostle confirm this in The New Testament Bible.
Acts 18:2 - He recounts how he met Aquila and his wife Priscilla, because of Emperor Claudius forcing all Jews to leave Rome. After five years of exile the Jews were allowed to return to Rome at the beginning of Emperor Nero’s rule in 54 A.D. Suetonius also wrote about the great fire of Rome in 64 A.D, and the persecution later inflicted by Nero on Christians. Another mention in relation to Jesus in history is the Sudden Darkness while Jesus was on the cross mentioned by the Apostles. In the New Testament, there are writings of darkness falling upon the land during the crucifixion of Christ. “ And it was now about the sixth hour, and " DARKNESS " fell over the whole land until the ninth hour, the sun being obscured; and the vail of the temple torn in two. And Jesus crying out with a loud voice said, Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit and having said this he breathed his last “
IS THERE ANY NON BIBLICAL EVIDENCE OF THE DAY OF DARKNESS MENTIONED AT CHRISTS DEATH
THALLUS Thallus a 1st century roman historian lived during and after the crucifixion of Christ, he wrote about a Darkness that covered the land followed by an earthquake, though his writings are mostly fragments, we have references of those writings in other ancient writers. Thallus around the year (55 A.D) wrote a three volume history of the Mediterranean from before the Trojan War to circa 50. Like many ancient works we have knowledge of them by other ancient historic writers. Sextus Julius Africanus (160 A.D) speaks of them in his writings of history of the world [2] [3] [4].
SEXTUS JULIUS AFRICANUS Sextus Julius Africanus 2nd century historian, Julius called himself a native of Jerusalem, which some scholars consider his birth place. As well as his own works, he also preserved other historical writings in his books.
He studied the writings of Roman historian Thallus ( The Day Of Darkness), and spoke of it in his own transcripts, he confirms the writings of Thallus in ( 55 A.D). He found in the writings of Thallus an account of the sudden fearful darkness and earthquake in Jerusalem. He writes – “ There pressed a most fearful darkness, and the rocks were rent by an earthquake, and many places in Judea and other districts were thrown down, it appears to me without reason, an eclipse of the sun “ The darkness Thallus talks about, is in the three volume history of the Mediterranean world.However Julius disagrees and explains – eclipses of the sun can - not occur during Jewish Passover ( the time of the crucifixion ). An eclipse can-not happen during the Easter period or Passover because the fall on a full moon. Julius was correct , we now know this through modern astronomy and positioning of the moon. And still today Passover is celebrated on a full moon; therefore the fearful darkness Thallus wrote of could not have been an eclipse of the sun.
However - the darkness of the land is clearly recorded in the pages of history, during the time of the crucifixion of Jesus.
PHLEGON Phlegon was a 1st Century Greek Historian. His main works are the Olympiads, a group of 16 historical books from the 1st to the 229th Olympiad From - (776 BC – 137 A.D). In ( 776 B.C ) the Olympics commenced in Greece, and every 4 years the games continued till they ended in (393 A.D). They did not commence again for another 1200 years. So this tells us the 202nd Olympics were held in the year (32A.D), around the same time as the crucifixion of Jesus. To the Greeks as like Phlegon, the Olympics were an important sporting event. And it’s equally important for non-biblical support of a sudden darkness across the ancient world at that time. Phlegon in his writings of the 202nd Olympics is as follows - " In the fourth year, however, of Olympiad 202, an eclipse of the sun happened, greater and more excellent than any that had happened before it; At the sixth hour, Day turned into Dark Night, so that the stars were seen in the sky, and an earthquake in Bithynia toppled many buildings of the city of Nicaea "
Phlegon work is referred to by other ancient historians; and written in other historical manuscripts of - Julius Africanus, Joannes Philoponus, Origen, Eusebius and Maximu, Historian Philoponus also wrote that - " This is shown by the historical account itself of Tiberius Caesa " Throughout history both in the ancient world and still today, historians / scribes refer to and record earlier writings including them in their own manuscript work. Because of this thousands of years of historical writings and events, have been preserved and passed on to future generations. Although not all original works are available, it is by these very means of continuous recorded writings, we are able to look back in history, and piece together historic accounts of the development of the world we live in today. In the event of that reported day; whatever people think might of happened. The important consideration is we have Non-Biblical Records, which talk about the Sudden Darkness around the time of Christ’s Crucifixion. There may be differences as to the cause; however it confirms the truthful testimony, of the Apostles witnessing the sudden darkness during the crucifixion of Jesus.
THE CHARGES AGAINST JESUSJesus Suffered Crucifixion. There are many discussions about who was to blame for the crucifixion and ultimately the death of Jesus. But the truth is a number of people contributed to the final verdict for his demise. The manner and capture of Jesus, that led to his crucifixion is as the follows. Captured and put under arrest in the garden of Gethsemane. His arrest was prompted by the Religious Jewish leaders, who were infuriated, as he openly challenged there authority as well as being a threat to their very positions in Jerusalem. The Jewish leaders accused him of Blasphemy before the Sanhedrin (a judicial body). False witnesses were produced with accusations of him claiming to be king of the Jews. He was then placed in the hands of Roman jurisdiction. They also stated as a result of his rebellion, he was campaigning against Roman authority and the Roman Empire itself, which was causing instability and chaos in the city of Jerusalem.
These were the charges brought before Pilate and Herods court.
He was physically crucified by the Romans, implicated by Jewish Religious leaders. He was firstly taken away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
When Ciaiphas asked Jesus, are You the " Christ " - the Son Of God. When Jesus answered, and confirmed he was the Christ, it meant he also was claiming to be GOD. With that, the high priest ripped his garments saying he has committed blasphemy, and punishment in Jewish law was Death.
The problem for the Jewish leaders was the Romans had taken away the Jews right to execute anyone. As they were under Roman rule, they had to go to Pontius Pilate, the Roman Procurator to get the Execution approved. The charges were treason and incitement to rebellion.
Pontius Pilate was the fifth Prefect (Governor) (AD 26-36) to the Roman province of Judea. The primary function of Pilate or Procurator was military. He had great authority under the Roman Empire, he was responsible for financial administration, for imperial taxes, and had supreme power judicially.
He has been chronicled, for authorising the execution of Jesus. Pilate has also been recorded as washing his hands, to show that he was not responsible for the verdict of Jesus, and reluctantly sends him to his death.
When we discuss the resurrection of Jesus, we must look at the historical facts and events that took place leading to the arrest; the crucifixion, and the actions that followed that lead to the rapid rise of the Christian movement never seen before in history. If you’re debating a subject, you have certain facts to go by. Like wise when you look at the case of the risen Jesus, you have prior and there after factual events that occurred. And with that information, you construct a picture of what happened, and why those events happened and build the core of your argument. WHAT HAPPENED ? On that very first Easter day, no one was disputing the tomb was Empty. Everyone agreed, including the authorities, the stone was rolled back and the body of Jesus was Gone. So the question asked was, how the tomb became empty ? Immediately the Jewish leaders crafted a ludicrous story, accusing the disciples or followers of stealing the body. Why would the disciples want to steal the body ? They had no motive and lacked the opportunity. By stealing the body and claim he had risen from the dead, they would be put to death themselves. After the crucifixion the disciples went into hiding, in fear of their lives thinking they were next to being arrested themselves. And besides, why would you risk your life, with the odds stacked against you, trying to steal the body while romans soldiers are guarding the tomb, then claiming he had risen when knowing it’s all a LIE. This story never worked for the authorities back then, it doesn’t make sense, it was never accepted and still isn’t nowThis concocted story was a desperate attempt by the authorities to silence the Christian Movement. Jewish leaders were more anxious to discredit / disprove the Resurrection more so than today. It was more important to them; it threatened the very Jewish theology they were preaching. They were far more concerned to refute the preaching of Jesus, which is why they immediately charged and accused the disciples of stealing the body. They already knew the testament of Jesus claiming his Resurrection, which was spoken by HIM during the charges and trial. So to make sure no one could remove the body, Pontius Pilate authorized to seal the tomb and place roman guards there, for the very reason to prevent an attempt to Steal the body and make that claim. Roman Military was exceptional. The fear of Roman soldier’s failure in their duties meant they paid attention to the smallest details of their jobs. Escape of a prisoner was punishable by death. One way a guard was put to death was by being stripped and burned alive with a fire started with his own clothing. If it wasn’t apparent which of the guard failed in his duty, then lots were chosen to decide which soldier was punished. Roman military discipline produced impeccable awareness to duty, especially soldiers on duty at night. . WHY WERE THE FIRST CHRISTIANS PERSECUTED ? Now with the body missing which made the Jewish Religious Leaders look foolish. When the disciples began preaching he had risen. The authorities began to pursue and persecute the disciples. The disciples or Apostles were not only preaching his Resurrection from the DEAD, but also that he physically left the earth by watching him ascend into the clouds, and is now seated in heaven. So the very first preaches who proclaimed the Resurrection of Jesus, were immediately under threat of capture and death. Peter the Apostle “ the rock ” which Jesus termed, like other Apostles preached the Risen Christ. He publicly spoke in the streets of Jerusalem, saying god raised him up, you killed the prince of life and god raised him up, the first preachers were being accused of incitement and rebellion towards the Roman Empire like Jesus was. Peter was later imprisoned for preaching the gospel of the Resurrection of Christ, and eventually executed. THE TOMB WAS EMPTY AT A KNOWN ACCESSIBLE TOMB The concern of the Jewish Leaders was to stop the preaching. They were the very ones who initiated the charges towards Jesus for that precise reason. If the body was still in the known tomb, they would have simply gone to the known tomb and presented the body and the preaching would have ended there. No Historian today will Deny the events that took place, in relation to the Arrest, Crucifixion and Death of Jesus. And the events that followed, the witness testimonial preaching of his resurrection. The sticky point or stumbling block for many people is the Resurrection of Jesus. Because of the preaching of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, was with such determination and passion, and the sudden rise and lightning speed; The expansion and growth of the Christian faith was in such a short period of time. Many views have been suggested to try and discredit the Resurrection of Jesus. For Example - Disciples stole the body / Roman leaders removed the body / Jewish leaders removed the body / HallucinationsThe story was made up / The followers of Jesus lied and so on. OR THE DISCIPLES SIMPLY REPORTED THE TRUTH ? The disciples spoke about a fully Risen Jesus Christ in all his glory, with no beaten and bloodied body, the story they preached goes beyond making the statement of an empty tomb, the facts are self-evident; which require accepting the recorded events following the crucifixion, the disciples are preaching of a resurrected Jesus. They saw a live vigorous and healthy Christ as he predicted would happen, triumphant over death, and all of them witnessing an Ascending Christ. Many people object to the Resurrection of Jesus on the grounds that the paranormal or supernatural is just not possible. So they begin with a Pre-Conceived ideas from the beginning. " Miracles just don’t happen, it’s not possible ". Many people will only believe if they see the risen Christ themselves in the flesh, so any idea to disprove the resurrection will suffice. their position is the resurrection is impossible, there's no such thing, it could not have happened. It has no merit, those people who believe it are naive and /or gullible, or are in it for other reasons, so I won’t consider it. They make a decision before they give themselves a chance, and totally reject it. HOWEVER Christians Firmly Hold The Position It Happened Once, And It Only Happened To JESUS CHRIST These Recorded Historical Events, Are To Be Viewed Like Any Other Ancient Documented Historical Pasts Weather One Believes Them or Not. When sincerely looking at the ancient documents / manuscripts and testimony on the life of Jesus. On what he declared, spoke of and what he did. To then change him or re-shape his character to a different person, or nature. You demonstrate your shortcoming and absence, of the true knowledge of Jesus. People may claim Jesus of being a fraud with mischievous intentions, or con artist. Or he was insane and believed in ridiculous ideas, but was an honorable, ethical man.Then you are not being true to yourself when examining the character of Jesus, You are Modifying the Historic Records of Him, side-stepping the historical facts and events when looking at the real Jesus of history. You are being ignorant of the Ancient Documented Manuscripts of the life of Jesus, witnessed by thousands. Some people reject the idea of Jesus claiming his divinity as GOD all together. People out-right oppose the facts, not even attempt to look at the historic events; life and claims of Jesus. There may be numerous reasons for this. Different ideologies; perhaps fear of change; it may force people to adjust their lives. Some may be in positions of authority, and fear-openly accepting Jesus and his Resurrection, may affect careers and decisions in everyday life. People may fear of what other people will say and think of them, it may affect their social circles, friends and even family life. And because of these possible reasons - many may feel there too far down the track to change. Many people can even come to a Decision, they’re not interested – The Risk Is Far Too Great. Whatever reason people may have, when you study the facts of what Jesus claimed and what happened, when you look at the actions and what followed, ultimately you need to make a Decision. Either Jesus Christ was the Divine Messiah (God) - a madman / or a fraud. The arguments that attack the resurrection event - Are all but attempts to try to deliberately side - step the historical recorded facts and witness accounts. None of the arguments are plausible. It is a historical fact that the tomb of Jesus was empty on that third day. The preaching of the resurrection could in no way have survived if the tomb was NOT empty. Any one hearing this could have gone to the tomb themselves. And the authorities in power also acknowledged the tomb was empty. Before we look at the theories of the empty tomb, we should look at the circumstances that relate to the burial of Jesus, and why these theories simply make NO sense at all, and have Never been accepted. Most of the time Roman soldiers did not have to guard a tomb of a convicted criminal. But this was different. Jesus was considered a radical, could even been regarded as a revolutionist by today standards. He was unlike any other person the Jewish leaders had ever encountered before. The Jewish leaders went to The Roman leader Pilate. They reminded him what Jesus had said calling him the deceiver, telling them and the people while he was alive, that after 3 days he would rise again from death. Declaring if the body was to be stolen and rumors were to spread he had risen, this deception would create unimaginable chaos in an already tense city. So Pilate realizing the implications this could bring for his ruling over the city of Jerusalem as Roman Procurator. He ordered the tomb to be secured with the Roman seal stretched across a large stone, sealing the tomb and ordered Roman Soldiers to guard the tomb. So the question raised by all was - where the BODY OF JESUS went ? DISCIPLES STOLE THE BODY Firstly, we must look at the state the disciples were in after the execution of Jesus. The disciples were fearful for their own lives and went into Hiding. They had just witnessed one of the most brutal crucifixions the romans had ever performed. After the arrest of Jesus while held in prison before his trial. Peter one of his most loyal followers was in the prison courtyard, and asked by other people if he knew Jesus. Peter was so fearful of his life even before the trial had begun. Peter denied three times knowing or even meeting Jesus. The disciples had given up their daily lives to follow him. Jesus had been claiming his divinity as God, and the disciples were expecting him to free them from the bondage of the Roman Empire. And now the only reality of truth they have, is Jesus lay Dead in a tomb. Even if they considered taking the body ; To begin with, it would be incredibly difficult to overpower the Roman soldiers, and roll back the stone sealing the body of Jesus. As well, In full knowledge they knew to break the Roman Seal meant - Execution. They did not have the means or the motive, and why steal the body for no particular reason. We must understand the disciples were in a total state of despair. Afraid depressed and dis-heartened. There living hope was just brutally tortured and killed. The disciples are in a state of hopelessness, devastation and cowardice. To then suddenly become brave. Then face a detachment of Roman Soldiers, steal the body and then lie about the Resurrection. And knowing they would ultimately face a life of suffering and death for their - " Manufactured Messiah Lie " - Is Absolutely Ludicrous, there is no Logic to this viewpoint. This Theory has NO FOUNDATIONS to stand ON and with absolutely NO EVIDENCE to back it. JEWISH LEADERS REMOVED THE BODY. There was no reason for the Jewish leaders to remove the body. It would work against them, for they were the ones who conspired to put him to death to refute his very claim of the resurrection – ( the claim of being the eternal messiah ). In any case, even if they did take the body for whatever reason, realising the social unrest it was causing, would have simply put it back or displayed the dead body to the public. And the Christian preaching of the resurrected Jesus would all be over. No foundations to stand on, and makes no sense at all. ROMAN LEADERS REMOVED THE BODY Again, the Romans are in a similar position. The last thing they wanted was social upheaval. The trial and crucifixion of Jesus was not an easy one. Jesus was brought before Pilate first. Pilate did not want to deal with this Jesus dilemma, so he had Jesus sent to Herods court. And by passing it on, he thought he would be rid of the problem. But Herod also wasn’t interested in dealing with Jesus, so he sent him back to Pilate. Eventually, under pressure from Jewish leaders and people gathered in the square calling for his execution. So Pilate ordered the execution of Jesus. This whole trial was politically driven by the Jewish leaders, as they saw Jesus as a threat to their very standings in Jewish culture. Pilate would have faced many trials as the Roman procurator, but this was controversial after ordering his execution. He washed his hands before the people affirming his innocence of the blood of Jesus. Remember both Jewish High Priests and Romans had no reason whatsoever to take the body, and risk any disorder in the city of Jerusalem. A dead Jesus would no longer be a threat to the establishment of the Jewish Religious Leaders. And a dead Jesus would not be a threat to a potential Jewish uprising or instability to Pilate as Roman ruler. So if for some reason either faction took the body, it would be in both their interests to show the dead body of Jesus. And that would immediately stop the preaching of the resurrected Jesus. And put an end to the Christian faith. The idea the Disciples, Jewish Leaders or Romans took the body, makes no sense at all, and is completely implausible. HALLUCINATIONS First we know – anticipation and expectation play a crucial role in the occurrence of hallucinations. This by itself make the Apostles poor candidates for such experiences. The disciples were depressed sorrowful and deeply grieved. In fact some still doubted him even after seeing him. None of the disciples were in a position or state of mind to hallucinate. Jesus appeared to various individuals under various circumstances and localities. He appeared both indoors and outdoors. He apperared over 40 days to different people with different backgrounds and personality types. The diversity of the appearances of Jesus makes hullucinations not credible at all. The psychiatric medical position agrees that hallucinations are an individual occurance. By their very nature only one person can see a given hallucinate a time. Neither is it possible that one person somehow induce a hallucination in someone else. And yet Jesus not only appeared to individuals but to groups as well on numerous occasions. And of course Jesus not only appeared to his disbelieving brother James, he also appeared to Paul. A self-professed enemy to the Christian faith.
James and Paul, these two people had no previous commitment to Jesus at all, they were in total disbelief of the claims Jesus was making. There is no reason for them to have hallucinations and it is physiologically implausible. The Resurrection appearances occurred in many different environments and at different times. Hallucinations of this nature occur to those who intensely want to believe. Jesus appeared to people who were hostile to the news of the Resurrection. They occur when people are in - anticipation of an expectation. The records show there was NO foreseen expectation. In contrast the disciples were in disbelief, even after being told of the resurrection.
The appearance of Jesus lasted for too long to be a hallucination. Hallucinations usually last a few seconds or minutes; rarely hours. The appearance of Christ lasted for 40 days! When the Apostle Paul spoke about the witness accounts of the resurrected Christ, he states that many hundreds of witnesses were still alive in Jerusalem. And implied anyone could check the truth of the Resurrection by checking and questioning them. He could not have done this and gotten away with it, if it were not true.Paul put his credibility on the line, anyone could of come back and destroyed his integrity if it was not - TRUE .
This was not just one short episode it lasted over a Month. They touched him, talked with him, and ate with him. This is not the sort of things that happen during a hallucination. There simply is no other case in history where this kind of hallucination took place. The Apostles hallucinating is illogical; they lost all hope because they believed that Jesus was dead.
You don’t have diverse people, hundreds of people and single individuals having the same hallucinations. Hallucinations are linked in individuals subconscious to his/her particular past experiences, and this was not a particular past experience. Also Jesus appeared to people not restricted to any particular make up.
When someone hallucinates, a person already has a psychological expectation of what they believe they are seeing. Many people claim they see apparitions. But when questioned and under close examination, we find people have a mental expectancy of that vision. For example, there are countless cases today of people claiming extra-terrestrial visions. In all cases we find not only there is no evidence of their claim, these people already believe in alien life, are fixated in their belief and have a mental state of expectancy the possibility of an encounter. In contrast, the Apostles and Jews never had any Expectation of the Resurrection, it goes against Jewish Religious Theology, it was completely foreign to them, they persecuted him, and killed him, and he was now dead in the tomb.
The followers of Jesus went into hiding, in fear of their own lives, and ( NO ONE )- Expected a 3 day Resurrection. These historical documented facts MUST be reckoned with when investigating the Resurrection and the Empty Tomb. The transformation of the Apostles, watching his body ascend into heaven, and the preaching of the Resurrection originating in Jerusalem itself before thousands of witnesses.
Hallucination theory has always been Rejected by simple evaluation. When all events are examined, and other events explained further down. It clearly shows the hallucination theory, crumbles under the weight of the facts.
Arrest, Torture and The Crucifixion
Jesus was arrested, he then appeared before the Sanhedrin court. He was blindfolded and repeatedly beaten so badly that he could hardly be recognized. He was spat on, beaten with fists and mocking him to " Prophesy ". He was striped of clothing and scourged. When the Romans scourged a person, they used what was called a flagrum. A flagrum was a type of whip with multiple leather straps, embedded with metal and glass pieces included metal balls stitched into each end of the thong.When struck against the back it would embed into the skin, tearing off flesh and exposing muscle. According to Jewish law, 39 lashes was the number agreed to. However this could be shortened if the person was considered to be close to death. Also a thorn of crowns was pressed into his scalp resulting in further severe bleeding, and again was beaten after Scourging. Because of this he was not able to bear the cross on his own, and another personwas ordered to carry the cross for him.
" And as they were coming out they found a man of Cyrene named Simon, whom they pressed into service to bear his cross "
Jesus was taken outside the city of Jerusalem and nailed to the cross. Lying on the cross, both arms stretched out, 6 - 8 inch nails driven through his wrists. His feet were also nailed to the cross, then raising the cross in an upright postion for all to see. Death by Crucifixion
What actually happens to a person who is nailed to a cross and dies by Crucifixion ? Modern medical profession examining the evidence, detail a gruesome, horrifying death.
It is as follows - As Jesus hung on the cross, His lung capacity was reduced to nil. To be able to breathe, he had to raise his body with his legs, only supported by the nails. When he was no longer able to stand the pain in his arms and legs, he then relaxed bringing with it the inability to breathe. As Jesus slowly sagged down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating, fiery pain shot along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain. The nails in the wrists were putting pressure on the median nerve, large nerve trunks which traverse the mid-wrist and hand. As He pushed himself upward to avoid this stretching torment, He placed His full weight on the nail through His feet. Again there was searing agony as the nail tore through the nerves between the metatarsal bones of his feet. As the arms fatigued, great waves of cramps swept over the muscles, knotting them in deep relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps came the inability to push Himself upward. Hanging by the arm, the pectoral muscles, the large muscles of the chest, were paralysed and the intercostal muscles, the small muscles between the ribs, were unable to act. Air could be drawn into the lungs, but could not be exhaled. Jesus fought to raise Himself in order to get even one short breath. Finally, the carbon dioxide level increased in the lungs and in the blood stream, and the cramps partially subsided.Eventually unable to hold one’s self, the tension could not be relieved from the muscles of the chest, and rapid suffocation occurred.
To make sure of death, a soldier drove his spear between the ribs, upward through the pericardium and into the heart. John 19:34 states, " And Immediately There Came Out Blood and Water ". Thus there was an escape of watery fluid from the sac surrounding the heart and the blood of the interior of the heart. This is rather conclusive post-mortem evidence that Jesus died, not the usual crucifixion death by suffocation, but of heart failure due to shock and constriction of the heart by fluid in the pericardium
The Romans perfected the crucifixion, as an instrument of death, and made sure you would die.
The fact remains, he was dead.
JAMA an independent body – Journal of American Medical Association – has a comprehensive detailed account, explaining medical reasons how Jesus died. With diagrams of the anatomy showing how the spear driven into the flesh of Jesus, killed him and resulting in the flow of blood and water, confirming he died. Jesus died a horrible death The Whole Thing Is a Lie ? The authorities had no other explanation, so they claimed the preaching is a lie. So when looking at the events that followed the crucifixion and the actions of the apostles; it boils down to Choice - compelled by the facts. You need to decide whether Jesus was a madman, a fraud or his claim of God to be true. He is the only Jesus you find in history that fits the Messiah that was prophesised to come hundreds of years before he was born. The only person in history that we know of that was perfect. THERE IS NO OTHER JESUS. You need to choose, if you study what Jesus said and did - he clearly asks you to choose. The opponents of Jesus were accusing the Apostles they were making the story up, his followers were wrong about him and they were now making stories up. Claiming he has risen from the dead, saying it roughly took the disciples about 6 weeks to fabricate the story and now there preaching it. Not one of these theories in over 2000 years has ever stood the test of time.
The Apostles of Jesus either Lied or told the Truth The Apostles changed from hiding in fear, to an inconceivable and miraculous change, totally unbreakable in there preaching of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. After the resurrection the preaching began in earnest. The gospels were being written by different people and in separate places, all within years after witnessing the assention of Jesus to heaven. Someone may ask ? Why would you believe that the Apostles, are NOT preaching a LIE ?Or why do you believe they are preaching the - TRUTH ?
The individual personalities of the Apostles like any biography you read, can be determined by their behaviour and persona. The Apostles personalities are laced throughout the bible. And we can bear witness to truth by fundamental characteristic changes PETER Peter is always an impulsive spontaneous character, hot-headed and at times reckless with himself, its Peter that immediately is forth coming in laying his life for Christ. Jesus tells his Apostles it is written that all of them will desert him in the coming days. Immediately when hearing Jesus talk of the coming desertion and betrayal by one of the Apostles, and the coming of his death. It’s Peter again who erratically speaks courageously denying that he will never desert him. Jesus knowing his final days on earth is at hand, before his arrest goes to the mount of transfiguration and brings Peter.Peter always portrays himself as the most committed follower of Jesus. While Jesus went away for a short time, Peter goes to sleep. He had even asked Peter could he not even stay awake for just one hour in his time of need. Shortly the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, Peter hastly strikes the servant of the high priest with a sword, and cuts his right ear, immediately Jesus heals the servant’s ear and asks Peter to put his sword away. Again Peter’s character is on display, an impetuous spur-of-the-moment personality; reacting carelessly. As Jesus spoke to the Apostles during that final night before his arrest, Peter continually takes a position he will stand by him no matter what happens. Jesus replies to Peter, telling him he would deny knowing him 3 times after his arrest, Peter then fearlessly declares -“ Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death, even if I must die with you, I will by no means deny you ” The following morning after Jesus was in custody, Peter was outside the palace courtyard. He was asked on 3 separate occasions as people gathered for the trial, confronting him if he was one of the followers of Jesus. And all 3 times he denied knowing him. Peter fulfilled the prediction Jesus had said. His erratic character is strewed through the Gospels.But immediately after Peter sees the resurrected Christ, he becomes " THE ROCK " as Jesus said he would after his resurrection. Peter in the same city in front of the very people he denied knowing Jesus out of fear, with no concern in front of people abusing and ridiculing him on the street, he accused them you killed the prince of life but God raised him from the dead. Peter instantly became a changed man, from impulsiveness and unpredictability, to absolute strength and stability, with no fear of condemnation determined in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.
JOHN While Jesus was dying on the cross, he asked John to take care of Mary his mother, a duty which John fulfilled even after Christ's resurrection up until her death. In (54 AD) Mary the mother of Jesus died and so John fulfilled his duty of caring for her until the very end. Before Jesus ascended, he charged John with watching over the newly established Church. The Apostle John trained Polycarp (AD 69-155) who later became Bishop of Smyrna (Modern DayTurkey). This was important because Polycarp was able to carry John's message of Jesus to future generations. Polycarp continued to pass on the teachings and writings to other church leaders. These first church leaders are the very People who lived the same time as the Apostles, and received the Testament of Jesus and his Resurrection from John the Apostle and other disciples. And it is these very manuscripts of Jesus’ life and resurrection; we have today that are printed in the King James Bible. Jesus told his disciples how they would meet their end with the exception of John.John wrote three letters while living in Ephesus, and other writings and later The Book of Revelation. John was taken away in the persecution of the Roman emperors in Ephesus, and imprisoned. John was beaten, tortured with boiling oil and suffered greatly in Rome. He was later sent by the Roman authorities to the Greek prison island of Patmos. This event occurred during the reign of Domitian, a Roman emperor who was known for his persecution of Christians in the late 1st century. While on the Island of Patmos John wrote the final book of the Bible - The Book of Revelation.John’s life like all the Apostles was one of constant concern of been apprehended. They lived a hard life but never wavered from their responsibility of sharing the Gospels of Jesus Christ. He was imprisoned and suffered immensely for his faith in Christ. Like all Apostles even in prison. John never relinquishes from the testimony of the resurrected Jesus, even when ample opportunity was given. John survived his contemporary Apostles; manuscript evidence of early records tell us he was the only Apostle not to be martyred. John testified that God had kept him alive for himself and his service to God. Surrounded by his closest friends in Ephesus, he died at age 94 in (100 AD).
THOMAS Of all the Apostles of Jesus, Thomas is referred in the bible as the sceptic, constantly doubting Jesus and his divinity. Jesus spoke to the disciples throughout his preaching of heaven, salvation and eternal life only through him. Jesus talked about going away preparing mansions and speaking about his departure, his death and return to heaven. “ I’m going, to prepare a place for you, and then I’m going to come back and get you,and take you to be with me ”Thomas being doubtful, Jesus then says - “ wither I know you go, and the way you know “ Thomas immediately speaks out sceptically, “ we don’t know where you’re going, and how can we know the way ”
Thomas is seen in all gospels written as openly doubting Jesus.
The resurrected Jesus appeared to the other Apostles before Thomas, when they told him of the risen Christ, he refused to believe them. Thomas clearly states his position, a sound mind, and only the very appearance of Jesus himself will convince him, and puts demands on Jesus as well.
Thomas quotes - " Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails,and put my hand into His side, I will not believe ” This is characteristically Thomas, a sceptic from the start, a personality trait seen throughout the Gospels from the beginning, and now to the excessive, demanding to see not just Jesus himself but the very wounds. Eight days later Jesus appears to Thomas and the Apostles with self - evident truth and said -“ Thomas you believe because you see me, blessed is they who have not seen, for it is better to believe without seeing,reach here your finger. and see my hands: and reach here your hand, and put it into my side and be not unbelieving, but believing. Thomas fell to his knees and answered to Jesus, "My Lord and my God” THERE IS NO HALLUCINANTION HERE ! Thomas is just one example of how the hallucination theory just doesn't stand. He fits the perfect psychological profile, of someone NOT HALLUCINATING He was a sceptic from the start.
Thomas required the ultimate proof where he could see and touch the risen Jesus, restored in his gloryFrom that very moment, Thomas the sceptic never denounced his faith of the knowledge and truth in Jesus after seeing the resurrected Christ. He travelled to areas of the world that were entrenched in deep-seated eastern philosophical religions, mystic philosophies, Hinduism, where the birth of Buddhism began, he carved into that part of the world, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and established the Christian faith. Not by force but by the power of the Holy Spirit - That Jesus promised would guide and dwell in him and all the Apostles with no fear of persecution. Thomas the sceptic went on to preach across, Syria, Iran and finally India.
Thomas was killed in India in (72 AD), attaining martyrdom at St. Thomas Mount near Mylapore (part of Chennai, capital of Tamil Nadu). He was buried on the site of Chennai's San Thome Basilica in the Dioceses of Saint Thomas of Mylapore. Thomas, having aroused the hostility of the local priests by making converts, fled to St. Thomas's Mount four miles (6 km) southwest of Mylapore. He was followed by his persecutors, who transfixed him with a spear as he prayed kneeling. His body was brought to Mylapore and buried inside the church he had built. The present San Thome Basilica is on this spot. Thomas instantly changed from an absolute sceptic, in fear of his life, to unprecedented never-ending faith in the resurrected Jesus Christ till his last breath. JAMES Many people are not aware that Jesus had brothers and sisters, and some are mentioned in the bible. Jesus was the first child. James is a brother of Jesus who later played an important part in Christianity. When Jesus left home to begin his ministry, other members of his family disapproved. We read in the gospel of Mark (3:21) -they said he was “out of his mind ” and some of them attempted to take charge of him, and bring him home. The gospel of Mathew (12:46-50), even indicates that Jesus refused to speak to his mother and brothers when they tracked him down and tried to see him. John (7:5) - states even his own brothers did not believe him. The brothers of Jesus certainly believed he was a real person, and they also knew he performed miracles. But they did not believe his claim to be the divine Son of God.When Jesus left home to begin his ministry, other members of his family disapproved. JESUS STATED HE WAS A MAN AND COMPLETELY - GOD Today we get a better understanding of this doctrine, because we see the full accomplishment of Christ on the cross and his purpose. But back then his family had not seen the risen Jesus yet. They were concerned of his behaviour and his preaching, which was challenging the very laws of Jewish religious theology. They had not come to the conclusion which sets Jesus apart from any other person, they did not understand the claim Jesus was making - he was Incarnate - GOD WAS WALKING AMONG THEM James was in total disbelief of Jesus to be the Son of God. He could not come to believe his claims. James stood firm to this throughout his ministry, even though James witnessed amazing miracles. When Jesus was killed and placed in the tomb, his belief Jesus was not the Messiah was confirmed.
James like Thomas had gone from despair and absolute fear and doubt, to a staunch believer in the Risen Christ. A miraculous transformation happened. The resurrected Jesus appeared to James - Instantly his life changed forever, he devotes his life in a prominent and leading role in the Christian faith in Jerusalem. Still observing and keeping Jewish tradition, but a new faith in Jesus Christ. James is also credited with writing the book in The Testament, the Epistle of James and is regarded as among the most practical of the epistles of the New Testament. He witnessed his brother’s death in the flesh, he grew up with him as a child and it was his brothers resurrection, which brought James to an everlasting faith in Christ. This is a complete change, a change to unquestionable faith. This is not the character of a liar, or someone seeing visions, there are NO expectations of a resurrection. James became a very important influential leader in the early church of Jerusalem; With unbound resilience he helped establish the early Christian faith in Jerusalem amongst the Jews. He ultimately died for his faith in spreading Jesus Christ and the Resurrection; he was condemned to death and executed in Jerusalem.
PAUL Saul, who later was known as Paul, was a Jew that had roman citizenship; he was a cultured and educated man, he was also entitled roman privileges. Paul had become part of the Roman Empires plan to hunt down and violently destroy the newly formed Christian Church, to target the Apostles of Jesus and anyone believing and preaching the resurrected Jesus. Paul was a vigorous oppressor of the Christian faith, intensely persecuting and entering Jewish synagogues and arresting all Christians, he was always against the teachings of Jesus. He had never known Jesus or any of the disciples before his conversion. Paul was responsible for many arrests and executions of Christians. During his reign of persecutor, Paul had papers to travel to Damascus and put under arrest Christiansworshipping at the Jewish synagogues.On his journey to Damascus, he testifies and wrote a heavenly light shone around him, he falls to the ground and he hears a voice. “ Why are you persecuting me " Paul asks " who art thou " and the lord said -
“ I AM JESUS " whom thou persecute: it is hard for them to kick against the pricks”. Prix or Goad, was a devise that was used, to control an ox when it rebelled against a person trying to plough the land.
The meaning was - Paul was rebelling against GOD.
Trembled and astonished he was told " Arise and go into the city, and it will be told to you what you must do " He states the men that were with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no man. When Paul got up he had lost his vision, he was blind. The men with him led him to the city of Damascus. Paul received his sight back after 3 days. He states a Christian in Damascus was appointed by Jesus to go to Paul and heal his vision.
This is the sworn testament by Paul the Apostle.
From that point on, Paul the enemy of Jesus and the Christian movement, was then to become one of the most celebrated Christian preachers the world has ever seen. By the mid-30s to the mid-50s (AD), the feared enemy of Christ, founded churches in Asia Minor and Europe. Being of Jewish decent as well as a Roman citizen, Paul was in a unique position to minister to both Jews and Romans.Paul the most feared persecutor of Christians transformed to never-ending faith after seeing the risen Jesus Christ
PAUL WAS NOT HALLUCINATING
Again the very idea of a resurrected Jesus was completely foreign to him. He was of sound mind and knew exactly where he was going and what his mission was. And that mission was to arrest and put to death both Men and Women, who continued to preach and praise Jesus Christ. As he had done many times before. He phenomenally changed for the rest of his life, imprisonment, beatings, torture, even being shipwrecked through his travels of preaching the risen Christ. Paul had become the greatest missionary of all time. All the Apostles of Jesus changed for the better. Paul while preaching to people, he talked about the many hundreds of witnesses who saw the resurrected Jesus.He suggesting to them to check the evidence for themselves, to ask those people who were still alive in Jerusalem, who had seen the resurrected Jesus themselves.
He was putting forward to them; don’t just believe what i am saying, this is not a myth, do the research and find out your-selves that the resurrected Jesus actually appeared before hundreds in this very city. If Paul or anyone for that matter was trying to hide a made up story, myth or plot,you would never make statements like that.
The fact is that the gospel was preached only a month after the resurrection and assention of Jesus. If you lived during that time you would be able to personally speak to people. Investigate and cross examine those who witnessed the miracles, saw the crucifixion, and saw the risen Jesus himself. Paul himself changed from someone who with authority by the Roman Empire, authorised the imprisoned and murder of Christians. To then himself; spreading the message with absolute conviction of Jesus Christ and salvation only through him, knowing very well the penalty of preaching this message is death, and could lead to his own execution. Which he eventually was captured by the romans and executed by Nero.
ABSOLUTE PHENOMENAL CHANGES IN ALL THE APOSTLE Both James and Paul and all the Apostles went from disbelief, to suddenly and instantly willing to give up their lives, proclaiming that Jesus is the divine Son of God, who overwhelmingly proved it by returning from the dead.
Many people throughout history have sacrificed their lives for their religious beliefs, because what they have been told about that particular belief. However this is different for the Apostles of Jesus. The disciples were people prepared to give their lives, and eventually did. Not because of what’s been told to them by someone else, and hoping it’s true. But in contrast, the disciples of Jesus were in a distinct position in History; they were there, to know as a Factual event that Jesus returned from the dead. They didn’t just believe it because they heard it, they witnessed the truth before there very eyes, they sat with him and touched him, they spoke with him, they shared meals with him. Jesus was participating in normal activities for over a Month. He was presenting himself as the Resurrected Christ. He then parted from them into the clouds promising to return again.
This is their eyewitness testimonies. The Apostle Thomas , would not believe Jesus had risen until he saw him for himself, demanding to see the very holes left by the piercing nails.
Jesus appears in the flesh and speaks to him - " BEHOLD MY WOUNDS "The Apostles themselves were the eyewitnesses of the Risen Jesus Christ in the flesh. THAT’S THE DIFFRENCE WITH CHRISTIANITY
People who have died for other religious beliefs can only hope and believe it to be true, because that’s what they have been told.
What separates the Apostles from all other religions is they saw the truth with their very eyes. They Witnessed( THE RESURRECTED CHRIST ) Seeing the truth first hand; hearing and touching the resurrected Christ and were willing to die.
AND PEOPLE DO NOT DIE FOR A KNOWN LIE !
The evidence of the resurrection is in the creed of the early church, in the nature of the early resurrection accounts.
Written accounts by the witnesses of the resurrection, which go back to the very crucifixion itself. Preached immediately and written shortly after the Risen Christ. One example would be of Paul’s writings in 1st Corinthians, confirming the names of people and sceptics.Everyone agrees the spread of the gospel of Jesus is an extraordinary singular event, unparalleled anywhere in history; For it to circulate so rapidly against all odds and regard it as a myth, or a made up story, and wipe off or discredit historical manuscript resurrection accounts, by hundreds of witnesses, would be unprecedented and unrealistic, and a first in the history of the world. A myth can take many hundreds of years to take hold; the Christian church began Immediately, because the records show Jesus appeared before hundreds some 3 days after his death. There was NO opportunity for a myth to happen, it could not formulate, preaching and written accounts were being passed instantly to Christians as well as other people and early churches. So one of the many questions people ask today is. Are the records we have today on Jesus trustworthy ? The answer is unquestionably YES. We have manuscripts accounts that are exceptionally early, written by people during the lifetime of the actual witnesses of the resurrection. The New Testament manuscripts are the most proven authentic ancient writings we have, compared to other ancient manuscripts.There is not one ancient document written anywhere, which disputes the ministryof Jesus his miracles and resurrection. People may not believe the miracles and resurrection, and ridicule these events, but they cannot dispute the authentic manuscript reported witness accounts. As a result, with The New Testament ancient manuscripts we have, we know for certain, the scripture in today’s Bible has not been corrupted, because we are able to cross reference the many thousands of manuscript writings we have. And they affirm the authenticity of scripture we read today, as the same when it was originally written.
What do the ancient records say ?
The records unmistakably declare that Jesus claimed to be divine, declaring to be GOD himself. As discussed earlier by claiming to be the Son of God, Jesus knew the people listening to him, would know he was claiming to be the Prophecied Saviour - " THE ETERNAL GOD " The records declare he performed miracles in front of thousands, random miracles in different locations indoors and outdoors, some of his own choice and others spontaneously at the request of people, both believers and unbelievers. Even his critics saw the miracles and did not dispute them, but accused him of sorcery. Jesus is the only person in history that fits prophesies of the coming messiah to born in Bethlehem. There is no one else that has accurately fulfilled the time frame mathematically, that was predicted hundreds of years before. There is no one else that can fulfil the events that happened anymore, it prophetically has passed, the crucifixion and resurrection could only happen in that time frame, and it happened with Jesus. Jesus fulfilled perfectly the prophecy predicted hundreds of years before his birth, of his divinity as the messiah by returning from the dead; proclaiming victory over death and presenting himself as the only means of Salvation, as God in his Resurrected glorified nature. These events were recorded in ancient historical manuscripts, beginning shortly after the Resurrection by different writers in different places; it is the greatest self-evident occurrence of the ancient world. When you look at the actions the evidence is clear, these people were of sound rational mind, not delusional, not just willing to die and hoping this could be true. And certainly did not die for a known lie. They witnessed a historical event; they make it Clear - Jesus Christ appeared before them many times. ( The Resurrected Christ ) And the claim Jesus made being the Son of God is intrinsically True, it has Passed. He alone and no-one Before or After him can be the prophesied - MESSIAH.
TRUTHFUL REPORTING Throughout the bible there are inherent self-evident and honest recordings, written by the witnesses of Jesus.One of the clearest evidences of truthful reporting, of the events that happened during Jesus’ ministry, is that the writers include incidents which can hurt their very claims of the events that took place. Contrary to their own interests, they give the audience and reader an opportunity to accuse them of deceit. They are reporting incidents that can destroy their own case. Also it is the small inconsistencies / differences that imply truthful reporting. One of the most irrefutable evidences of truthful reporting seen,is the Apostles said women first discovered the empty tomb.Why would the Apostles of Jesus if they were making up a lie have women as the first witnesses of the risen Jesus? In the first century Jewish culture, the testimony of women was not considered reliable at all; Women were not even allowed to testify in a court of law because they were not considered a truthful witness and inadequate. The culture of that time both Roman and Jewish, women were not considered trustworthy sources. In fact the famous Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus who lived in that time, even stated in his writings - " But let not thee testimony of women be admitted " The Jewish authority stated “ Any evidence a woman gives is not valid to offer ” So if the writers of the gospels could write whatever they wanted, anything to sell their story, they would never have written women found the empty tomb first. Because it destroys there case, and makes it unbelievable from the very start. In the 1st century there trying to convince there audience of there claims, if they wanted to make it really stick, free of objection or any criticism, the logical thing to say is a follower of Jesus or an Apostle found the empty tomb first, or for that matter, any Male would suffice. Why would they jeopardise their own story from the very start by saying women discovered the empty tomb first. If you were trying to sell a story for people to believe in those days, you would never have women being witnesses; let alone the first witnesses, the writers were absolutely aware of this. The only explanation is that’s what happened, they are recounting the truth, women were the first to find the empty tomb! Even though it was inconvenient and works totally against the writers of the Gospel, this was the truthful testimony of what happened, they simply reported the truth. Some passages of the Bible vary in there description of the events, and some minor details are left out, therefore many people suggest it’s a lie because of the discrepancy, but on the contrary it makes perfect sense.
It’s these small differences that many people make up their minds and write off the bible as a myth. Many people who make these claims are also not aware of the evidence in further scripture,which explain the diffrences that prove otherwise.
An example would be if a group of people witnessed an accident and were told to write what happened. It’s common there are discrepancies in accident witness accounts all the time, not because there making it up, people just report things differently. Their stories may vary. However, we can get anaccurate account of that accident, by analysing the information and the truth of what occurred is discovered. That is one way historians piece together past events, by cross - referencing and formulating actual events.
There are many incidents in the bible of slight variations in reporting, however when examining the events and cross-refrencing, as well with other scripture you clearly see truthful reporting by the witnesses accounts, weather it be mirles performed or the very words of Jesus himself. Different writers, different reporting, but the truth is revealed within the reporting which comes to the same conclusion. These truthful eyewitness accounts are laced throughout the bible with some variations in description. But by no means do they contradict or as some people accuse them of errors.
It is this very humanistic nature, which provides us with proof of honest reporting.
Trivial details like John getting to the empty tomb first, running ahead of Peter waiting at the tomb for him, we know John was younger, and that’s why he probably got there first before Peter, reporting John got there first has no bearing on that day or the reported event, and is totaly insignificant. However it does not change the truth of the event, the tomb was still empty, - again self-evident honest reporting -
THEY WERE TELLING THE TRUTH When we read about the arrest of Jesus and trials before the high priest, one gospel said they struck him on the face. We then read in another gospel, they struck him on the face and were mocking him - calling him " though messiah " Then you go to another gospel, it said they first blind folded him, then struck him on the face, asking him for " prophecy while blindfolded, who is it that struck you ". As mentioned - people reporting differently, it is these variations people criticise, even though the gospel accounts are not quite the same in this instance, from this account a common sequence of Truth is revealed. In this case, the common truth - was Jesus is being beaten / struck across the face.
These witnesses were reporting truthfully.
If any of the gospel writers were scheming or hatching a plan. And years later to protect their scheming plot from accusations of fraud or making up a lie. They would get together and match up their stories perfectly; they would have protected themselves against such allegations we here today. Let alone have women as first witnesses - that in itself is enough to destroy their story. And they themselves knowing; making up stories about a man called Jesus and claiming him to be God, goes against Old Testament Jewish scripture, it would be impossible to get away with it. They would have never gone with this type of story, if it wasn’t true to them.Once again reporting the Truth, inherent testimonial self-evidences. We also see further truthful reporting of incidents not understood by the Apostles. The night before Jesus was arrested and taken into captivity and crucified. He went to the garden of Gethsemane to pray. In the Gospel of Luke - he talks about Jesus being in so much anguish for knowing what was to come. We read Luke 22:44 - " And being in agony, he prayed more earnestly. And his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground ”
To the Apostles observing this would have been baffling, and to preach this as testimony to 1st Century people would almost certainly be subject to ridicule. But that’s what they saw and what they reported, they did not know of a rare medical condition that may of happened called - " Hematidrosis "
Hematidrosis is a very rare but very real condition, in which a persons sweat can contain blood as well. It can happen when a person suffers extreme agonising stress, for instance facing his or her own death. The sweat glands are enclosed by blood vessels, the blood vessels begin to tighten and become smaller, and then the blood vessels dilate to the point of rupture. As a result the blood will break the capillaries in the sweat glands, causing a mix of blood and sweat to be realised.
Again, even though they knew nothing of the Medical explanation, they simply reported the Truth. " HIS SWEAT WAS OF GREAT DROPS OF BLOOD "There are self-evidences of truthful reporting throughout the bible. The Bible tells of Jesus on the cross. It talks about how he was pierced through his chest by one of the Roman Soldiers, to make sure he was dead. Out came blood and water, the people and gospel writers who witnessed this flow of blood and water, were not advanced enough to understand the medical condition when someone is dead, to them they just reported what they saw, blood and water came out. The medical explanation today is. The spear pierced through under His ribs that ruptured the pericardial sack resulting in a flow of both blood and water, which is a membrane that encloses the heart.
JESUS CLEARLY HAD DIED ! THE PRICE THE APOSOTLES PAID These are some of the following records according to early manuscripts, bible writings, and other reports by different nations where they preached.All there travels and preaching in other nations can be seen by the spread of the Christian faith, and are evident through archaeological findings, surviving ancient churches , dedications, traditional ceremonies and ancient manuscripts writings, of their presence and teachings in those countries BARTHOLEMEW Bartholomew was persecuted for the message of Jesus Christ, plagued to death with a whip in Armenia, by order of Astyages, for having converted his brother, Polymius, King of Armenia.
ANDREW Andrew was crucified on a cross, the two ends of which were fixed diagonally in the ground; this is where we get the term referred to as the St. Andrews cross. Andrew is said to have been martyred by crucifixion at the city of Patras (Patræ) in Achaea, on the northern coast of the Peloponnese Eusebius. Historian Origen quotes as saying Andrew preached in Skythia. The Chronicle of Nestor adds that at he preached along the Black Sea and the Dnieper river as far as Kiev, and from there he traveled to Novgorod. Hence he became a patron saint of Ukraine, Romania and Russia. PETER Was crucified in Rome with his head facing downwards, during the time of the Neronian persecution; (A.D. 67-68)
JAMES He was put to death by Herod Agrippa I shortly before the day of the Passover, in the year 44 or about 12 years after the death of Christ. Acts 12: 1-2
THOMAS He was pursued by pagan priests and soldiers and was killed by a spear through his body whilehe knelt in prayer, in India.
LUKE Luke was hanged from an olive tree in the town of Thebes in Beothia, Greece
MARK In AD 49, about 19 years after the Ascension of Jesus, Mark traveled to Alexandria and founded the Church of Alexandria, which today is part of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Aspects of the Coptic worship can be traced back to Mark himself. He became the first bishop of Alexandria and he is honored as the founder of Christianity in Africa. Coptic writings say he was martyred in (AD 68) he was dragged to death through the streets of Alexandria.
The first known Christian martyr was St. Stephen, recorded in the book of Acts.
Stephen was accused of blasphemy and denounced the Sanhedrin (Jewish Religious Leaders) as "stiff-necked" people who just as their ancestors had done persecute prophets. The penalty for blasphemy was stoning. There were probably other early Christian martyrs besides Stephen, as Paul the Apostle acknowledged persecuting Christians before his conversion to Christ.
All the Apostles except John died a horrible martyr’s death.
You can go through all the Apostle deaths. As well as find extraordinary accounts of their preaching and travels throughout the ancient world. All of them except John, who survived to old age, and was then, exiled to a prison island, and wrote the last book of the New Testament ; The Book of Revelation.John later lived in Asia Minor in the last decades of the first century and from Ephesus had guided the Churches of that province.
NO ONE READILY GIVES UP THEIR LIVES FOR A KNOWN LIE - IT IS THEORETICALLY IMPLAUSIBLE
Throughout history people have made up stories, some with unimaginable consequences, and others for personal gain. Whatever the reason is, it has been happening for centuries. THE QUESTION IS ? Did the Apostles of Jesus fabricate the resurrection story, or is it True ?
Now imagine the Apostles of Jesus in different parts of the world separated for years, no idea if one or the others are still alive or not. And the chances of them seeing each other again are rather slim, given the risk of capture and death. Now lets assume the Apostles made the Resurrection story up as some people have claimed. They made a mistake following Jesus, he was not God the messiah, just a man who died a convicted criminal. So they got together and made up this story of him rising from death. Imagine each of these Apostles alone in a foreign country, with no one to turn to; there being beaten, tortured and whipped to death for preaching the resurrected Jesus Christ, as actually happened. All they had to do was deny the message Jesus and his resurrection, deny their story - admit it’s a lie, that they made it up and their lives would be spared. Why would they care if they denounced Jesus, remember the whole thing is a lie; there life is on the line. There in another country on their own, they made the resurrected story up, they spread the story knowing it’s a lie, been caught and being punishment for it. They could easily end the torment by giving up on the story of Jesus and the resurrection, and it would all be over and they would still be alive. But they don’t ! None of them do.
They all willingly choose to Die! Testifying with their lives, Jesus Christ died on the cross, rose from the dead, they touched him, sat with him, spoke with him, and watched him ascend to heaven and take his rightful place as Jesus said he would.It is absolutely inconceivable; and totally illogic, the Apostles of Jesus would die for a known lie. They were telling what they knew to be True, they were reporting honestly, not because someone told them, but because they witnessed first-hand for themselves, the most incredible event to ever happen. Every theory possible; since the very crucifixion of Jesus has been attempted to disprove the Resurrection account. The life of Jesus and his crucifixion is not questioned; he existed and was killed by the Romans, historians alike all agree, these events actually happened. The difficult or problematic part is the supernatural event of Jesus rising from death, and appearing in the flesh. There is No-Where that show any records the Apostles went on to live extravagant lavish lives. In contrast after the Resurrection they were beaten, imprisoned and lived in poverty. There is no explanation except for the Apostles testimony for the resurrected Jesus. Why they willingly gave up their lives to pursue a life of hardship and ultimately be executed. All theories discussed above to discredit the story of the risen Jesus - after analysis collapse within their own reasoning. Consequently after investigation, they inadvertently provide more evidence for the Resurrection itself. In over 2000 years, there is nowhere you will find the slightest evidence that any ofthe Apostles of Jesus ever retracted, or withdrew from their preaching in their undying faith of Jesus Christ, as God the Messiah
TO SUMMORIZE THE DOCTRINE OF THE RESURRECTION
GOD infinite in endless eternity came into the physical realm of Man In The Flesh. He came into the physical world to bring into fruition. The decree spoken in Jewish Old Testament Scripture Law - The Eternal God will dwell amongst man as saviour and liberator. He came into the world Divine in nature, to demonstrate his Kingship, and for us to accept him as King (MESSIAH ) for mankind. He presented himself as a physical being, taking the appearance as Sinful Flesh; however he committed Not One Sin. He physically offered himself as Payment For Sin. He then accomplished the written decree, of saviour and liberator, and paid that ransom of sin with his life.
Thereafter he proved his Divine Supremacy - 3 days later by arising from death. And by doing so, he brought into the world the redemption of sin, now freely available to mankind.
In all of history ; weather you believe God exists or not, there has never been witnessed the events that took place in 1st century Jerusalem. God as man conquering sin, triumphant through human flesh, now seated in endlessness eternity. Jesus Christ in everlasting life as the Redemption - positioned and given All Authority and judgment. Christ being the gift of salvation that was not available to us, that did not exist prior to his presence on earth.
AN ETERNALISED GOD UNITED IN MAN He Made NO Exception ! Jesus Christ while on earth made it Very Clear. Salvation and Eternal Life is Available and can be granted to ANYONE.
BUT THROUGH HIM - AND ONLY HIM - AND BY - NO OTHER MEANS Of all religious faiths in the world, spiritual philosophies or a point of view; Jesus Christ is the only person who unites AND connects you directly to God himself. No one else in history gives you that direct relationship
Jesus Christ also said and Guarantees. Anyone who turns to him in Truthful quest, he will not turn away and by the power of the Holy Spirit bestowed by God the Father, will reveal and be given the knowledge of God and truth in humanity. The events that happened are unparalleled in history. The evidence of the Resurrection is in the following actions -
The Risen Jesus Christ proved his divinity as God - appeared in the flesh and inspired the Apostles with no fear of retribution, to travel to foreign lands trenched in pagan beliefs, and cement the Christian faith of Jesus Christ the redeemer. The New Testament spread at a staggering speed, " NOT BY FORCE BUT BY FREE WILL " That eventually would impact the world, and the very freedom and democracy that has shaped the World we live in today.
The Apostles witnessed the THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST There can be no other explanation; he had risen from death.
Many people are not interested in hearing Christian apologetics. And people may not wish to read of Jesus and his life. However, even though one may not wish to know of GOD and Christian theology, or may even find it offensive to one's own belief. It's important before making a decision, to get an understanding of Christian conviction in Jesus and faith. To understand the essence of what the Christian Faith is and stands for. Who Jesus was ? And what claims he made, and why ? And by doing so, we examine factual events, historic evidences and answer sceptic accusations . And provide logical reasoning and evidences for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. SUBJECTS COVERED Purpose of Christ ? and claims he made. Evidence of Jesus / Non Christian Sources. Simply reporting the truth. Hallucinations. The whole thing is a lie ! Truthful Reporting. Apostles payed the price. Why die for a lie ? THE PURPOSE OF JESUS CHRIST
The purpose of Jesus Christ was the offering of himself, as the only means for man to be unified with God the Father, and thus receive eternal life.
Jesus Christ achieved his objective by being crucified and dying on the cross at Calvary. By doing this, he paid the ransom for all sins of mankind on himself, and by the shedding of his blood and his death, he had become that Sin. He paid the penalty for Sin which is death, and by doing so, took in our place the judgment and Wrath of God. Jesus Christ willingly offered himself to a physical death. But on the third day he rose again from the grave.
And with his Resurrection from death, this confirmed and sanctioned - he had conquered OVER - ALL SIN and DEATH
The risen Jesus Christ proved his divine nature as God, and that only through him, can salvation be granted, and therefore be given eternal life. People ask about Jesus, and don't want to know about prophecies of him, about his birth, the miracles he performed, and especially about the resurrection.
Unfortunately for them, that’s impossible, that’s the only records we have on Jesus.
JESUS CHRIST HIMSELFWhat did he claim ?
JESUS claimed to be the SON OF GOD - would be Crucified and Rise from the grave 3 days later. For this to occur, it would be the most miraculous event to ever happen in world history. And when we look at ancient records, they clearly show that’s what happened. Jesus was resurrected from the grave 3 days after dying. The ancient manuscripts, record and confirm - The Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of Man as factual and present it as the most testified event in the ancient world. Jesus is mentioned 88 times in the New Testament.
Son of Man is used in the Old Testament scripture as the coming Prophesied Messiah (God), he is Eternal, and is given all authority and power over all the nations. The description Son of Man is a messianic title. When Jesus used the phrase, and claimed he is the Son of Man. He was assigning the Messiah prophecy to himself. The Jews of that era knew exactly what that phrase meant, and to whom it referred. Jesus was proclaiming himself as the Eternal Messiah – GOD HIMSELF !
Jesus attested to Jewish and all people of his claim to be in essence of divine nature. It was this very declaration of authority, which incensed the Jewish Pharisees, (Religious Leaders) in 1st Century Jerusalem. This declaration proclaimed in all certainty, that Jesus himself and he alone is the Messiah and the true living God. He also claimed which further inflamed the religious leaders, that only through him can one obtain the forgiveness of sins, and only through him can Salvation and Eternal Life be granted.
Jesus undoubtedly stands out exclusively in world history; unlike other religious leaders or leaders of spiritual philosophical concepts,
Jesus has influenced and shaped the world more than any other person that has ever lived. JESUS - Claimed He Is The Only Way to Eternal Life He commanded attention wherever he went. He made authoritative statements, claiming he is the only person that can provide mankind a relationship with God the Father, and therefore be given Eternal Life. He claimed his divinity (incarnate) - to be fully Man and God, and only by him can mankind gain redemption. When discussions are held between people today, regarding religious beliefs and or other spiritual concepts, many beliefs and religious leaders are fully accepted. However to mention Jesus is increasingly becoming an outrage, through media and in public places he is criticised and cursed, and the bible is regarded with contempt. He is ever increasingly mocked, and despised publicly throughout the world. The very mention of Jesus is becoming an affront in cities all over the world. Most people either reject Jesus in whole, or accept him to be just a man, who was a great ethical teacher, but do not accept his claim to be God. There have been many people who claim to be divine – ( God ). And most people consider these claims to be that of a lunatic or delusional. So when we look at Jesus, we must remember he also made the same claim of his Divine nature - Being GOD. When we evaluate his life and his message, his works and his overall teachings for mankind. We need to make a decision whether he was a mad man, delusional, a fraud or truly God. Throughout his ministry, he was mocked, ridiculed, accused of sorcery; he was spat on, beaten and finally killed. Even today he is continually reviled, called a liar and even hated.
However he is also praised and accepted as the Living God. It is demeaning and patronizing to view Jesus as just a man or ethical teacher.It is unmistakeable that he presented himself with ONE intention, and made it clear in no uncertain terms. His absolute claim of his divine nature being - GOD When we look at the Jesus of history, we must look at the life and preaching of his ministry, what he said, what he did, and how he positioned himself in society before the religious leaders, the Roman Empire and the people of Judea.
To look at Jesus another way, other than what the historical records say, we are willingly being Ignorant to the true history of Jesus Christ.
He made an exceptional claim, Jesus appointed ALL authority on himself.
No other religious leader or person before in history had ever declared this. Jesus proclaimed salvation and redemption is through him only, and there is no other authority. He was the only person ever to make this claim. “ All authority in heaven and earth and under the earth is given to me “ “ I say build on me and you build on a rock, anything else you build is on sand ” Wherever Jesus went, he only taught that salvation can only be reached through him, there was no other way. He continually spoke of his authority " All Authority " over everything, in all of Heaven and on Earth, he was the central focus in heaven. " All Power " there had never been anyone making claims like this, he was claiming to be the centre of all life, " Life Itself " He made claims that no man is perfect and no man ever will, and criticised those who thought they were flawless.
He always preached he alone is the redemption of man. He decreed eternal life only upon receiving Him and accepting his claims of his divine nature, the Son of God the Messiah. " I am the door, I am the life, I am the water, I am the light, by me if any man enter in, I am the way the truth and the light “ He preached he was the source of knowledge. He criticized and accused Jewish religious leaders of hypocrisy. He made statements he was here to take the sins of humanity, to reveal the truth of God, and correct the passage of life as sin had become decadent and corruption filled man. He claimed the only way to unite mankind with God and remove the wrath of God, was by his death.And he would take the burden of All sin forever, he would be the scape-goat.
His meaning was that he would die for mankind, and his death would pay the ransom for sin, and by doing so through his blood and sacrifice, redemption is granted only through Him ; therefore escape the wrath of God.
He predicted one of his follower’s would betray him; he would be killed and would rise from death from the grave, specifically giving a time frame of 3days later.
He also claimed when he has risen from death, he will ascend to paradise and be seated in glory in heaven, and one day will return back to earth as the Messiah to all humanity. He also claimed on that day, all the people of that generation living on the earth, will simultaneously see him return.
( EVERY EYE SHALL SEE HIM )
"At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." "Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of Him."
People who make these sorts of announcements, are regarded as either, delusional, insane, or at the very least a - Fraud. So the question we should ask ourselves - Was Jesus telling the TRUTH, and if he was, what would compel these claims to be TRUE ?
Whenever someone makes an outrageous claim, specifically what Jesus was claiming to rise from death back to life. You would instantly discard that person as insane; However, if that person achieved those miraculous claims. Then you would perhaps want to Re - Examine Him. EVIDENCE OF JESUS IN HISTORY
There are numerous books and ancient manuscript records, which overwhelmingly document the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, both in Christian and non- biblical Christian sources. People today may not believe the claims of ancient manuscript writings about the resurrection of Jesus. But cannot Dismiss his existence, writings and the influence they made. These are some examples of - Non-Christian records speaking of Jesus, of the crucifixion, resurrection and Christian faith that followed, as well as other isolated events confirming Jesus.
TACITUS
Publius (or Gaius) Cornelius Tacitus (AD 56 – 117), was a Senator and a historian of the Roman Empire. The surviving portions of his two major works (the Annals and the Histories) examine the reigns of Roman Emperors Tiberius, Claudius, Nero, and those who reigned in the Year of the Four Emperors (AD 69). These two works span the history of the Roman Empire from the death of Augustus in AD 14 to the years of the First Jewish–Roman War in AD 70 Tacitus is considered to be one of the greatest Roman historians. He lived in what has been called the Silver Age of Latin literature. In his Annals, in book 15, chapter 44, written c. 116 AD, there are passages which refers to Christ, Pontius Pilate, and to a mass execution of the Christians after a six-day fire that burned much of Rome in July (64 AD) by Nero.
Here we read as follows -
“ Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace "." Christus ( Latin for Christ ), 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, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their center and become popular. Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind ". " Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired ".
This occurred during the reign of - Tiberius ( Emperor of Rome), and by the sentence of execution given to Jesus by Pontius Pilatus.
This Confirms what the Gospels tell us about the death of Jesus - " A MOST MISCHIEVOUS SUPERSTITION ” which subsequently arose not only in Judea, but also in Rome ? Tacitus is here bearing indirect . . . . . testimony to the conviction that Jesus was crucified, suffered the extreme penalty ( Death by crucifixion ), had RISEN from the grave ( MISCHIEVOUS SUPERSTITION ), spreading to Rome.
This helps explain the occurrence of a rapidly growing religion based on the worship of a man who had been crucified as a criminal. This narration of Jesus Christ, documented in Rome, is a non-Christian reference to the origin of Christianity, as well as the execution of Christ and the Resurrection described in the New Testament gospels.
Christianity was rejected by the Romans calling it - " A Mischievous Superstition " and the persecution of Christians began with Christ himself in Jerusalem, in Rome and other Roman provinces.
FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS The extant manuscripts of the writings of the 1st century Romano-Jewish historian Flavius Josephus. Include references to Jesus and the origins of Christianity, and to other people alive in the period that Jesus preached in Judea. Josephus' Antiquities of the Jews, written around (93–94 AD), includes two references to Jesus in Books and a reference to John the Baptist.
Josephus also writes about people that were alive with Jesus, he makes several references to people well-known to New Testament readers. Professor and Scholar F. F. Bruce summarized the evidence - " Here, in the pages of Josephus, we meet many figures who are well known to us from the New Testament; the colourful family of the Herod; the Roman emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Claudius, and the procurators of Judea; the high priestly families-Annas, Caiaphas, Ananias, and the rest; the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and so on " The works of Josephus also refer the reference to " Jesus called Christ " mentioned along with the identification of James, that phrase " who was called Christ " is used by Josephus in this passage -
" by way of distinguishing Jesus the brother of James. “ So he assembled the Sanhedrin of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus who was called " Christ " whose name was James. " Now there was about this time Jesus a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure.
He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the Cross, those that loved him at the first did not for sake him, for he appeared to them alive again the third day ; As the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day “
The Testimonium Flavianum (meaning the testimony of Flavius Josephus) is the name given to the passage found in of the Antiquities in which Josephus describes the condemnation and crucifixion of Jesus at the hands of The Roman authorities.
PLINY THE YOUNGER Pliny wrote hundreds of letters, many of which still survive. They are historical evidence for that time period. An important source of evidence about Jesus and early Christianity is found in the letters of Pliny the Younger to Emperor Trajan. Pliny was the Roman governor of Bithynia in Asia Minor. In one of his letters, dated around (112 A.D), he asks Trajan's advice about the appropriate way to conduct legal proceedings those accused of being Christians.
Pliny says that he needed to consult the emperor about this issue because a great multitude of every age, class, and sex stood accused of Christianity. At one point in his letter, Pliny relates some of the information he has learned about these Christians:
We read as followers - “ 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, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; After which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food but food of an ordinary and innocent kind “ Their worship was directed to Christ, demonstrating that they firmly believed in His Divinity. Pliny's statement that hymns were sung to Christ as to a GOD is a reference to the distinguishing fact," unlike other gods who were worshipped, Christ was a person who had lived on earth, and considered as God. " Pliny then explains to the Emperor how he questioned suspected Christians by torture and eventually sentenced them to death. “ In the meanwhile, the method I have observed towards those who have denounced to me as Christians is this: I interrogated them whether they were Christians; if they confessed it I repeated the question twice again, adding the threat of capital punishment; if they still persevered, I ordered them to be executed. For whatever the nature of their creed might be, I could at least feel not doubt that contumacy and inflexible obstinacy deserved chastisement. There were others possessed of the same folly; but because they were Roman citizens, I signed an order for them to be transferred to Rome “ Pliny also wrote that Roman suspects should be executed for their confession of being Christians, and usually sent them to Rome for execution.
SUETONIUS Suetonius was a secretary and historian to Hadrian, Emperor of Rome from (117-138 AD). Regarding Emperor Claudius (41-54 AD) and the Riot of Rome in (49 AD), Suetonius wrote – “ As the Jews were making constant disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus ( CHRIST ) he emperor expelled them from Rome “Not long after Jesus’ crucifixion, the Christian faith was spreading in Rome. There were 40 – 50,000 Jews living in Rome. Emperor Claudius expelled all of them from Italy because of the tension caused in Italy. Because the tension created between Judaism Jews and Christian Jews. All Jews were banished from the city.
Luke and Paul the apostle confirm this in The New Testament Bible.
Acts 18:2 - He recounts how he met Aquila and his wife Priscilla, because of Emperor Claudius forcing all Jews to leave Rome. After five years of exile the Jews were allowed to return to Rome at the beginning of Emperor Nero’s rule in 54 A.D. Suetonius also wrote about the great fire of Rome in 64 A.D, and the persecution later inflicted by Nero on Christians. Another mention in relation to Jesus in history is the Sudden Darkness while Jesus was on the cross mentioned by the Apostles. In the New Testament, there are writings of darkness falling upon the land during the crucifixion of Christ. “ And it was now about the sixth hour, and " DARKNESS " fell over the whole land until the ninth hour, the sun being obscured; and the vail of the temple torn in two. And Jesus crying out with a loud voice said, Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit and having said this he breathed his last “
IS THERE ANY NON BIBLICAL EVIDENCE OF THE DAY OF DARKNESS MENTIONED AT CHRISTS DEATH
THALLUS Thallus a 1st century roman historian lived during and after the crucifixion of Christ, he wrote about a Darkness that covered the land followed by an earthquake, though his writings are mostly fragments, we have references of those writings in other ancient writers. Thallus around the year (55 A.D) wrote a three volume history of the Mediterranean from before the Trojan War to circa 50. Like many ancient works we have knowledge of them by other ancient historic writers. Sextus Julius Africanus (160 A.D) speaks of them in his writings of history of the world [2] [3] [4].
SEXTUS JULIUS AFRICANUS Sextus Julius Africanus 2nd century historian, Julius called himself a native of Jerusalem, which some scholars consider his birth place. As well as his own works, he also preserved other historical writings in his books.
He studied the writings of Roman historian Thallus ( The Day Of Darkness), and spoke of it in his own transcripts, he confirms the writings of Thallus in ( 55 A.D). He found in the writings of Thallus an account of the sudden fearful darkness and earthquake in Jerusalem. He writes – “ There pressed a most fearful darkness, and the rocks were rent by an earthquake, and many places in Judea and other districts were thrown down, it appears to me without reason, an eclipse of the sun “ The darkness Thallus talks about, is in the three volume history of the Mediterranean world.However Julius disagrees and explains – eclipses of the sun can - not occur during Jewish Passover ( the time of the crucifixion ). An eclipse can-not happen during the Easter period or Passover because the fall on a full moon. Julius was correct , we now know this through modern astronomy and positioning of the moon. And still today Passover is celebrated on a full moon; therefore the fearful darkness Thallus wrote of could not have been an eclipse of the sun.
However - the darkness of the land is clearly recorded in the pages of history, during the time of the crucifixion of Jesus.
PHLEGON Phlegon was a 1st Century Greek Historian. His main works are the Olympiads, a group of 16 historical books from the 1st to the 229th Olympiad From - (776 BC – 137 A.D). In ( 776 B.C ) the Olympics commenced in Greece, and every 4 years the games continued till they ended in (393 A.D). They did not commence again for another 1200 years. So this tells us the 202nd Olympics were held in the year (32A.D), around the same time as the crucifixion of Jesus. To the Greeks as like Phlegon, the Olympics were an important sporting event. And it’s equally important for non-biblical support of a sudden darkness across the ancient world at that time. Phlegon in his writings of the 202nd Olympics is as follows - " In the fourth year, however, of Olympiad 202, an eclipse of the sun happened, greater and more excellent than any that had happened before it; At the sixth hour, Day turned into Dark Night, so that the stars were seen in the sky, and an earthquake in Bithynia toppled many buildings of the city of Nicaea "
Phlegon work is referred to by other ancient historians; and written in other historical manuscripts of - Julius Africanus, Joannes Philoponus, Origen, Eusebius and Maximu, Historian Philoponus also wrote that - " This is shown by the historical account itself of Tiberius Caesa " Throughout history both in the ancient world and still today, historians / scribes refer to and record earlier writings including them in their own manuscript work. Because of this thousands of years of historical writings and events, have been preserved and passed on to future generations. Although not all original works are available, it is by these very means of continuous recorded writings, we are able to look back in history, and piece together historic accounts of the development of the world we live in today. In the event of that reported day; whatever people think might of happened. The important consideration is we have Non-Biblical Records, which talk about the Sudden Darkness around the time of Christ’s Crucifixion. There may be differences as to the cause; however it confirms the truthful testimony, of the Apostles witnessing the sudden darkness during the crucifixion of Jesus.
THE CHARGES AGAINST JESUSJesus Suffered Crucifixion. There are many discussions about who was to blame for the crucifixion and ultimately the death of Jesus. But the truth is a number of people contributed to the final verdict for his demise. The manner and capture of Jesus, that led to his crucifixion is as the follows. Captured and put under arrest in the garden of Gethsemane. His arrest was prompted by the Religious Jewish leaders, who were infuriated, as he openly challenged there authority as well as being a threat to their very positions in Jerusalem. The Jewish leaders accused him of Blasphemy before the Sanhedrin (a judicial body). False witnesses were produced with accusations of him claiming to be king of the Jews. He was then placed in the hands of Roman jurisdiction. They also stated as a result of his rebellion, he was campaigning against Roman authority and the Roman Empire itself, which was causing instability and chaos in the city of Jerusalem.
These were the charges brought before Pilate and Herods court.
He was physically crucified by the Romans, implicated by Jewish Religious leaders. He was firstly taken away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
When Ciaiphas asked Jesus, are You the " Christ " - the Son Of God. When Jesus answered, and confirmed he was the Christ, it meant he also was claiming to be GOD. With that, the high priest ripped his garments saying he has committed blasphemy, and punishment in Jewish law was Death.
The problem for the Jewish leaders was the Romans had taken away the Jews right to execute anyone. As they were under Roman rule, they had to go to Pontius Pilate, the Roman Procurator to get the Execution approved. The charges were treason and incitement to rebellion.
Pontius Pilate was the fifth Prefect (Governor) (AD 26-36) to the Roman province of Judea. The primary function of Pilate or Procurator was military. He had great authority under the Roman Empire, he was responsible for financial administration, for imperial taxes, and had supreme power judicially.
He has been chronicled, for authorising the execution of Jesus. Pilate has also been recorded as washing his hands, to show that he was not responsible for the verdict of Jesus, and reluctantly sends him to his death.
When we discuss the resurrection of Jesus, we must look at the historical facts and events that took place leading to the arrest; the crucifixion, and the actions that followed that lead to the rapid rise of the Christian movement never seen before in history. If you’re debating a subject, you have certain facts to go by. Like wise when you look at the case of the risen Jesus, you have prior and there after factual events that occurred. And with that information, you construct a picture of what happened, and why those events happened and build the core of your argument. WHAT HAPPENED ? On that very first Easter day, no one was disputing the tomb was Empty. Everyone agreed, including the authorities, the stone was rolled back and the body of Jesus was Gone. So the question asked was, how the tomb became empty ? Immediately the Jewish leaders crafted a ludicrous story, accusing the disciples or followers of stealing the body. Why would the disciples want to steal the body ? They had no motive and lacked the opportunity. By stealing the body and claim he had risen from the dead, they would be put to death themselves. After the crucifixion the disciples went into hiding, in fear of their lives thinking they were next to being arrested themselves. And besides, why would you risk your life, with the odds stacked against you, trying to steal the body while romans soldiers are guarding the tomb, then claiming he had risen when knowing it’s all a LIE. This story never worked for the authorities back then, it doesn’t make sense, it was never accepted and still isn’t nowThis concocted story was a desperate attempt by the authorities to silence the Christian Movement. Jewish leaders were more anxious to discredit / disprove the Resurrection more so than today. It was more important to them; it threatened the very Jewish theology they were preaching. They were far more concerned to refute the preaching of Jesus, which is why they immediately charged and accused the disciples of stealing the body. They already knew the testament of Jesus claiming his Resurrection, which was spoken by HIM during the charges and trial. So to make sure no one could remove the body, Pontius Pilate authorized to seal the tomb and place roman guards there, for the very reason to prevent an attempt to Steal the body and make that claim. Roman Military was exceptional. The fear of Roman soldier’s failure in their duties meant they paid attention to the smallest details of their jobs. Escape of a prisoner was punishable by death. One way a guard was put to death was by being stripped and burned alive with a fire started with his own clothing. If it wasn’t apparent which of the guard failed in his duty, then lots were chosen to decide which soldier was punished. Roman military discipline produced impeccable awareness to duty, especially soldiers on duty at night. . WHY WERE THE FIRST CHRISTIANS PERSECUTED ? Now with the body missing which made the Jewish Religious Leaders look foolish. When the disciples began preaching he had risen. The authorities began to pursue and persecute the disciples. The disciples or Apostles were not only preaching his Resurrection from the DEAD, but also that he physically left the earth by watching him ascend into the clouds, and is now seated in heaven. So the very first preaches who proclaimed the Resurrection of Jesus, were immediately under threat of capture and death. Peter the Apostle “ the rock ” which Jesus termed, like other Apostles preached the Risen Christ. He publicly spoke in the streets of Jerusalem, saying god raised him up, you killed the prince of life and god raised him up, the first preachers were being accused of incitement and rebellion towards the Roman Empire like Jesus was. Peter was later imprisoned for preaching the gospel of the Resurrection of Christ, and eventually executed. THE TOMB WAS EMPTY AT A KNOWN ACCESSIBLE TOMB The concern of the Jewish Leaders was to stop the preaching. They were the very ones who initiated the charges towards Jesus for that precise reason. If the body was still in the known tomb, they would have simply gone to the known tomb and presented the body and the preaching would have ended there. No Historian today will Deny the events that took place, in relation to the Arrest, Crucifixion and Death of Jesus. And the events that followed, the witness testimonial preaching of his resurrection. The sticky point or stumbling block for many people is the Resurrection of Jesus. Because of the preaching of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, was with such determination and passion, and the sudden rise and lightning speed; The expansion and growth of the Christian faith was in such a short period of time. Many views have been suggested to try and discredit the Resurrection of Jesus. For Example - Disciples stole the body / Roman leaders removed the body / Jewish leaders removed the body / HallucinationsThe story was made up / The followers of Jesus lied and so on. OR THE DISCIPLES SIMPLY REPORTED THE TRUTH ? The disciples spoke about a fully Risen Jesus Christ in all his glory, with no beaten and bloodied body, the story they preached goes beyond making the statement of an empty tomb, the facts are self-evident; which require accepting the recorded events following the crucifixion, the disciples are preaching of a resurrected Jesus. They saw a live vigorous and healthy Christ as he predicted would happen, triumphant over death, and all of them witnessing an Ascending Christ. Many people object to the Resurrection of Jesus on the grounds that the paranormal or supernatural is just not possible. So they begin with a Pre-Conceived ideas from the beginning. " Miracles just don’t happen, it’s not possible ". Many people will only believe if they see the risen Christ themselves in the flesh, so any idea to disprove the resurrection will suffice. their position is the resurrection is impossible, there's no such thing, it could not have happened. It has no merit, those people who believe it are naive and /or gullible, or are in it for other reasons, so I won’t consider it. They make a decision before they give themselves a chance, and totally reject it. HOWEVER Christians Firmly Hold The Position It Happened Once, And It Only Happened To JESUS CHRIST These Recorded Historical Events, Are To Be Viewed Like Any Other Ancient Documented Historical Pasts Weather One Believes Them or Not. When sincerely looking at the ancient documents / manuscripts and testimony on the life of Jesus. On what he declared, spoke of and what he did. To then change him or re-shape his character to a different person, or nature. You demonstrate your shortcoming and absence, of the true knowledge of Jesus. People may claim Jesus of being a fraud with mischievous intentions, or con artist. Or he was insane and believed in ridiculous ideas, but was an honorable, ethical man.Then you are not being true to yourself when examining the character of Jesus, You are Modifying the Historic Records of Him, side-stepping the historical facts and events when looking at the real Jesus of history. You are being ignorant of the Ancient Documented Manuscripts of the life of Jesus, witnessed by thousands. Some people reject the idea of Jesus claiming his divinity as GOD all together. People out-right oppose the facts, not even attempt to look at the historic events; life and claims of Jesus. There may be numerous reasons for this. Different ideologies; perhaps fear of change; it may force people to adjust their lives. Some may be in positions of authority, and fear-openly accepting Jesus and his Resurrection, may affect careers and decisions in everyday life. People may fear of what other people will say and think of them, it may affect their social circles, friends and even family life. And because of these possible reasons - many may feel there too far down the track to change. Many people can even come to a Decision, they’re not interested – The Risk Is Far Too Great. Whatever reason people may have, when you study the facts of what Jesus claimed and what happened, when you look at the actions and what followed, ultimately you need to make a Decision. Either Jesus Christ was the Divine Messiah (God) - a madman / or a fraud. The arguments that attack the resurrection event - Are all but attempts to try to deliberately side - step the historical recorded facts and witness accounts. None of the arguments are plausible. It is a historical fact that the tomb of Jesus was empty on that third day. The preaching of the resurrection could in no way have survived if the tomb was NOT empty. Any one hearing this could have gone to the tomb themselves. And the authorities in power also acknowledged the tomb was empty. Before we look at the theories of the empty tomb, we should look at the circumstances that relate to the burial of Jesus, and why these theories simply make NO sense at all, and have Never been accepted. Most of the time Roman soldiers did not have to guard a tomb of a convicted criminal. But this was different. Jesus was considered a radical, could even been regarded as a revolutionist by today standards. He was unlike any other person the Jewish leaders had ever encountered before. The Jewish leaders went to The Roman leader Pilate. They reminded him what Jesus had said calling him the deceiver, telling them and the people while he was alive, that after 3 days he would rise again from death. Declaring if the body was to be stolen and rumors were to spread he had risen, this deception would create unimaginable chaos in an already tense city. So Pilate realizing the implications this could bring for his ruling over the city of Jerusalem as Roman Procurator. He ordered the tomb to be secured with the Roman seal stretched across a large stone, sealing the tomb and ordered Roman Soldiers to guard the tomb. So the question raised by all was - where the BODY OF JESUS went ? DISCIPLES STOLE THE BODY Firstly, we must look at the state the disciples were in after the execution of Jesus. The disciples were fearful for their own lives and went into Hiding. They had just witnessed one of the most brutal crucifixions the romans had ever performed. After the arrest of Jesus while held in prison before his trial. Peter one of his most loyal followers was in the prison courtyard, and asked by other people if he knew Jesus. Peter was so fearful of his life even before the trial had begun. Peter denied three times knowing or even meeting Jesus. The disciples had given up their daily lives to follow him. Jesus had been claiming his divinity as God, and the disciples were expecting him to free them from the bondage of the Roman Empire. And now the only reality of truth they have, is Jesus lay Dead in a tomb. Even if they considered taking the body ; To begin with, it would be incredibly difficult to overpower the Roman soldiers, and roll back the stone sealing the body of Jesus. As well, In full knowledge they knew to break the Roman Seal meant - Execution. They did not have the means or the motive, and why steal the body for no particular reason. We must understand the disciples were in a total state of despair. Afraid depressed and dis-heartened. There living hope was just brutally tortured and killed. The disciples are in a state of hopelessness, devastation and cowardice. To then suddenly become brave. Then face a detachment of Roman Soldiers, steal the body and then lie about the Resurrection. And knowing they would ultimately face a life of suffering and death for their - " Manufactured Messiah Lie " - Is Absolutely Ludicrous, there is no Logic to this viewpoint. This Theory has NO FOUNDATIONS to stand ON and with absolutely NO EVIDENCE to back it. JEWISH LEADERS REMOVED THE BODY. There was no reason for the Jewish leaders to remove the body. It would work against them, for they were the ones who conspired to put him to death to refute his very claim of the resurrection – ( the claim of being the eternal messiah ). In any case, even if they did take the body for whatever reason, realising the social unrest it was causing, would have simply put it back or displayed the dead body to the public. And the Christian preaching of the resurrected Jesus would all be over. No foundations to stand on, and makes no sense at all. ROMAN LEADERS REMOVED THE BODY Again, the Romans are in a similar position. The last thing they wanted was social upheaval. The trial and crucifixion of Jesus was not an easy one. Jesus was brought before Pilate first. Pilate did not want to deal with this Jesus dilemma, so he had Jesus sent to Herods court. And by passing it on, he thought he would be rid of the problem. But Herod also wasn’t interested in dealing with Jesus, so he sent him back to Pilate. Eventually, under pressure from Jewish leaders and people gathered in the square calling for his execution. So Pilate ordered the execution of Jesus. This whole trial was politically driven by the Jewish leaders, as they saw Jesus as a threat to their very standings in Jewish culture. Pilate would have faced many trials as the Roman procurator, but this was controversial after ordering his execution. He washed his hands before the people affirming his innocence of the blood of Jesus. Remember both Jewish High Priests and Romans had no reason whatsoever to take the body, and risk any disorder in the city of Jerusalem. A dead Jesus would no longer be a threat to the establishment of the Jewish Religious Leaders. And a dead Jesus would not be a threat to a potential Jewish uprising or instability to Pilate as Roman ruler. So if for some reason either faction took the body, it would be in both their interests to show the dead body of Jesus. And that would immediately stop the preaching of the resurrected Jesus. And put an end to the Christian faith. The idea the Disciples, Jewish Leaders or Romans took the body, makes no sense at all, and is completely implausible. HALLUCINATIONS First we know – anticipation and expectation play a crucial role in the occurrence of hallucinations. This by itself make the Apostles poor candidates for such experiences. The disciples were depressed sorrowful and deeply grieved. In fact some still doubted him even after seeing him. None of the disciples were in a position or state of mind to hallucinate. Jesus appeared to various individuals under various circumstances and localities. He appeared both indoors and outdoors. He apperared over 40 days to different people with different backgrounds and personality types. The diversity of the appearances of Jesus makes hullucinations not credible at all. The psychiatric medical position agrees that hallucinations are an individual occurance. By their very nature only one person can see a given hallucinate a time. Neither is it possible that one person somehow induce a hallucination in someone else. And yet Jesus not only appeared to individuals but to groups as well on numerous occasions. And of course Jesus not only appeared to his disbelieving brother James, he also appeared to Paul. A self-professed enemy to the Christian faith.
James and Paul, these two people had no previous commitment to Jesus at all, they were in total disbelief of the claims Jesus was making. There is no reason for them to have hallucinations and it is physiologically implausible. The Resurrection appearances occurred in many different environments and at different times. Hallucinations of this nature occur to those who intensely want to believe. Jesus appeared to people who were hostile to the news of the Resurrection. They occur when people are in - anticipation of an expectation. The records show there was NO foreseen expectation. In contrast the disciples were in disbelief, even after being told of the resurrection.
The appearance of Jesus lasted for too long to be a hallucination. Hallucinations usually last a few seconds or minutes; rarely hours. The appearance of Christ lasted for 40 days! When the Apostle Paul spoke about the witness accounts of the resurrected Christ, he states that many hundreds of witnesses were still alive in Jerusalem. And implied anyone could check the truth of the Resurrection by checking and questioning them. He could not have done this and gotten away with it, if it were not true.Paul put his credibility on the line, anyone could of come back and destroyed his integrity if it was not - TRUE .
This was not just one short episode it lasted over a Month. They touched him, talked with him, and ate with him. This is not the sort of things that happen during a hallucination. There simply is no other case in history where this kind of hallucination took place. The Apostles hallucinating is illogical; they lost all hope because they believed that Jesus was dead.
You don’t have diverse people, hundreds of people and single individuals having the same hallucinations. Hallucinations are linked in individuals subconscious to his/her particular past experiences, and this was not a particular past experience. Also Jesus appeared to people not restricted to any particular make up.
When someone hallucinates, a person already has a psychological expectation of what they believe they are seeing. Many people claim they see apparitions. But when questioned and under close examination, we find people have a mental expectancy of that vision. For example, there are countless cases today of people claiming extra-terrestrial visions. In all cases we find not only there is no evidence of their claim, these people already believe in alien life, are fixated in their belief and have a mental state of expectancy the possibility of an encounter. In contrast, the Apostles and Jews never had any Expectation of the Resurrection, it goes against Jewish Religious Theology, it was completely foreign to them, they persecuted him, and killed him, and he was now dead in the tomb.
The followers of Jesus went into hiding, in fear of their own lives, and ( NO ONE )- Expected a 3 day Resurrection. These historical documented facts MUST be reckoned with when investigating the Resurrection and the Empty Tomb. The transformation of the Apostles, watching his body ascend into heaven, and the preaching of the Resurrection originating in Jerusalem itself before thousands of witnesses.
Hallucination theory has always been Rejected by simple evaluation. When all events are examined, and other events explained further down. It clearly shows the hallucination theory, crumbles under the weight of the facts.
Arrest, Torture and The Crucifixion
Jesus was arrested, he then appeared before the Sanhedrin court. He was blindfolded and repeatedly beaten so badly that he could hardly be recognized. He was spat on, beaten with fists and mocking him to " Prophesy ". He was striped of clothing and scourged. When the Romans scourged a person, they used what was called a flagrum. A flagrum was a type of whip with multiple leather straps, embedded with metal and glass pieces included metal balls stitched into each end of the thong.When struck against the back it would embed into the skin, tearing off flesh and exposing muscle. According to Jewish law, 39 lashes was the number agreed to. However this could be shortened if the person was considered to be close to death. Also a thorn of crowns was pressed into his scalp resulting in further severe bleeding, and again was beaten after Scourging. Because of this he was not able to bear the cross on his own, and another personwas ordered to carry the cross for him.
" And as they were coming out they found a man of Cyrene named Simon, whom they pressed into service to bear his cross "
Jesus was taken outside the city of Jerusalem and nailed to the cross. Lying on the cross, both arms stretched out, 6 - 8 inch nails driven through his wrists. His feet were also nailed to the cross, then raising the cross in an upright postion for all to see. Death by Crucifixion
What actually happens to a person who is nailed to a cross and dies by Crucifixion ? Modern medical profession examining the evidence, detail a gruesome, horrifying death.
It is as follows - As Jesus hung on the cross, His lung capacity was reduced to nil. To be able to breathe, he had to raise his body with his legs, only supported by the nails. When he was no longer able to stand the pain in his arms and legs, he then relaxed bringing with it the inability to breathe. As Jesus slowly sagged down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating, fiery pain shot along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain. The nails in the wrists were putting pressure on the median nerve, large nerve trunks which traverse the mid-wrist and hand. As He pushed himself upward to avoid this stretching torment, He placed His full weight on the nail through His feet. Again there was searing agony as the nail tore through the nerves between the metatarsal bones of his feet. As the arms fatigued, great waves of cramps swept over the muscles, knotting them in deep relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps came the inability to push Himself upward. Hanging by the arm, the pectoral muscles, the large muscles of the chest, were paralysed and the intercostal muscles, the small muscles between the ribs, were unable to act. Air could be drawn into the lungs, but could not be exhaled. Jesus fought to raise Himself in order to get even one short breath. Finally, the carbon dioxide level increased in the lungs and in the blood stream, and the cramps partially subsided.Eventually unable to hold one’s self, the tension could not be relieved from the muscles of the chest, and rapid suffocation occurred.
To make sure of death, a soldier drove his spear between the ribs, upward through the pericardium and into the heart. John 19:34 states, " And Immediately There Came Out Blood and Water ". Thus there was an escape of watery fluid from the sac surrounding the heart and the blood of the interior of the heart. This is rather conclusive post-mortem evidence that Jesus died, not the usual crucifixion death by suffocation, but of heart failure due to shock and constriction of the heart by fluid in the pericardium
The Romans perfected the crucifixion, as an instrument of death, and made sure you would die.
The fact remains, he was dead.
JAMA an independent body – Journal of American Medical Association – has a comprehensive detailed account, explaining medical reasons how Jesus died. With diagrams of the anatomy showing how the spear driven into the flesh of Jesus, killed him and resulting in the flow of blood and water, confirming he died. Jesus died a horrible death The Whole Thing Is a Lie ? The authorities had no other explanation, so they claimed the preaching is a lie. So when looking at the events that followed the crucifixion and the actions of the apostles; it boils down to Choice - compelled by the facts. You need to decide whether Jesus was a madman, a fraud or his claim of God to be true. He is the only Jesus you find in history that fits the Messiah that was prophesised to come hundreds of years before he was born. The only person in history that we know of that was perfect. THERE IS NO OTHER JESUS. You need to choose, if you study what Jesus said and did - he clearly asks you to choose. The opponents of Jesus were accusing the Apostles they were making the story up, his followers were wrong about him and they were now making stories up. Claiming he has risen from the dead, saying it roughly took the disciples about 6 weeks to fabricate the story and now there preaching it. Not one of these theories in over 2000 years has ever stood the test of time.
The Apostles of Jesus either Lied or told the Truth The Apostles changed from hiding in fear, to an inconceivable and miraculous change, totally unbreakable in there preaching of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. After the resurrection the preaching began in earnest. The gospels were being written by different people and in separate places, all within years after witnessing the assention of Jesus to heaven. Someone may ask ? Why would you believe that the Apostles, are NOT preaching a LIE ?Or why do you believe they are preaching the - TRUTH ?
The individual personalities of the Apostles like any biography you read, can be determined by their behaviour and persona. The Apostles personalities are laced throughout the bible. And we can bear witness to truth by fundamental characteristic changes PETER Peter is always an impulsive spontaneous character, hot-headed and at times reckless with himself, its Peter that immediately is forth coming in laying his life for Christ. Jesus tells his Apostles it is written that all of them will desert him in the coming days. Immediately when hearing Jesus talk of the coming desertion and betrayal by one of the Apostles, and the coming of his death. It’s Peter again who erratically speaks courageously denying that he will never desert him. Jesus knowing his final days on earth is at hand, before his arrest goes to the mount of transfiguration and brings Peter.Peter always portrays himself as the most committed follower of Jesus. While Jesus went away for a short time, Peter goes to sleep. He had even asked Peter could he not even stay awake for just one hour in his time of need. Shortly the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, Peter hastly strikes the servant of the high priest with a sword, and cuts his right ear, immediately Jesus heals the servant’s ear and asks Peter to put his sword away. Again Peter’s character is on display, an impetuous spur-of-the-moment personality; reacting carelessly. As Jesus spoke to the Apostles during that final night before his arrest, Peter continually takes a position he will stand by him no matter what happens. Jesus replies to Peter, telling him he would deny knowing him 3 times after his arrest, Peter then fearlessly declares -“ Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death, even if I must die with you, I will by no means deny you ” The following morning after Jesus was in custody, Peter was outside the palace courtyard. He was asked on 3 separate occasions as people gathered for the trial, confronting him if he was one of the followers of Jesus. And all 3 times he denied knowing him. Peter fulfilled the prediction Jesus had said. His erratic character is strewed through the Gospels.But immediately after Peter sees the resurrected Christ, he becomes " THE ROCK " as Jesus said he would after his resurrection. Peter in the same city in front of the very people he denied knowing Jesus out of fear, with no concern in front of people abusing and ridiculing him on the street, he accused them you killed the prince of life but God raised him from the dead. Peter instantly became a changed man, from impulsiveness and unpredictability, to absolute strength and stability, with no fear of condemnation determined in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.
JOHN While Jesus was dying on the cross, he asked John to take care of Mary his mother, a duty which John fulfilled even after Christ's resurrection up until her death. In (54 AD) Mary the mother of Jesus died and so John fulfilled his duty of caring for her until the very end. Before Jesus ascended, he charged John with watching over the newly established Church. The Apostle John trained Polycarp (AD 69-155) who later became Bishop of Smyrna (Modern DayTurkey). This was important because Polycarp was able to carry John's message of Jesus to future generations. Polycarp continued to pass on the teachings and writings to other church leaders. These first church leaders are the very People who lived the same time as the Apostles, and received the Testament of Jesus and his Resurrection from John the Apostle and other disciples. And it is these very manuscripts of Jesus’ life and resurrection; we have today that are printed in the King James Bible. Jesus told his disciples how they would meet their end with the exception of John.John wrote three letters while living in Ephesus, and other writings and later The Book of Revelation. John was taken away in the persecution of the Roman emperors in Ephesus, and imprisoned. John was beaten, tortured with boiling oil and suffered greatly in Rome. He was later sent by the Roman authorities to the Greek prison island of Patmos. This event occurred during the reign of Domitian, a Roman emperor who was known for his persecution of Christians in the late 1st century. While on the Island of Patmos John wrote the final book of the Bible - The Book of Revelation.John’s life like all the Apostles was one of constant concern of been apprehended. They lived a hard life but never wavered from their responsibility of sharing the Gospels of Jesus Christ. He was imprisoned and suffered immensely for his faith in Christ. Like all Apostles even in prison. John never relinquishes from the testimony of the resurrected Jesus, even when ample opportunity was given. John survived his contemporary Apostles; manuscript evidence of early records tell us he was the only Apostle not to be martyred. John testified that God had kept him alive for himself and his service to God. Surrounded by his closest friends in Ephesus, he died at age 94 in (100 AD).
THOMAS Of all the Apostles of Jesus, Thomas is referred in the bible as the sceptic, constantly doubting Jesus and his divinity. Jesus spoke to the disciples throughout his preaching of heaven, salvation and eternal life only through him. Jesus talked about going away preparing mansions and speaking about his departure, his death and return to heaven. “ I’m going, to prepare a place for you, and then I’m going to come back and get you,and take you to be with me ”Thomas being doubtful, Jesus then says - “ wither I know you go, and the way you know “ Thomas immediately speaks out sceptically, “ we don’t know where you’re going, and how can we know the way ”
Thomas is seen in all gospels written as openly doubting Jesus.
The resurrected Jesus appeared to the other Apostles before Thomas, when they told him of the risen Christ, he refused to believe them. Thomas clearly states his position, a sound mind, and only the very appearance of Jesus himself will convince him, and puts demands on Jesus as well.
Thomas quotes - " Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails,and put my hand into His side, I will not believe ” This is characteristically Thomas, a sceptic from the start, a personality trait seen throughout the Gospels from the beginning, and now to the excessive, demanding to see not just Jesus himself but the very wounds. Eight days later Jesus appears to Thomas and the Apostles with self - evident truth and said -“ Thomas you believe because you see me, blessed is they who have not seen, for it is better to believe without seeing,reach here your finger. and see my hands: and reach here your hand, and put it into my side and be not unbelieving, but believing. Thomas fell to his knees and answered to Jesus, "My Lord and my God” THERE IS NO HALLUCINANTION HERE ! Thomas is just one example of how the hallucination theory just doesn't stand. He fits the perfect psychological profile, of someone NOT HALLUCINATING He was a sceptic from the start.
Thomas required the ultimate proof where he could see and touch the risen Jesus, restored in his gloryFrom that very moment, Thomas the sceptic never denounced his faith of the knowledge and truth in Jesus after seeing the resurrected Christ. He travelled to areas of the world that were entrenched in deep-seated eastern philosophical religions, mystic philosophies, Hinduism, where the birth of Buddhism began, he carved into that part of the world, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and established the Christian faith. Not by force but by the power of the Holy Spirit - That Jesus promised would guide and dwell in him and all the Apostles with no fear of persecution. Thomas the sceptic went on to preach across, Syria, Iran and finally India.
Thomas was killed in India in (72 AD), attaining martyrdom at St. Thomas Mount near Mylapore (part of Chennai, capital of Tamil Nadu). He was buried on the site of Chennai's San Thome Basilica in the Dioceses of Saint Thomas of Mylapore. Thomas, having aroused the hostility of the local priests by making converts, fled to St. Thomas's Mount four miles (6 km) southwest of Mylapore. He was followed by his persecutors, who transfixed him with a spear as he prayed kneeling. His body was brought to Mylapore and buried inside the church he had built. The present San Thome Basilica is on this spot. Thomas instantly changed from an absolute sceptic, in fear of his life, to unprecedented never-ending faith in the resurrected Jesus Christ till his last breath. JAMES Many people are not aware that Jesus had brothers and sisters, and some are mentioned in the bible. Jesus was the first child. James is a brother of Jesus who later played an important part in Christianity. When Jesus left home to begin his ministry, other members of his family disapproved. We read in the gospel of Mark (3:21) -they said he was “out of his mind ” and some of them attempted to take charge of him, and bring him home. The gospel of Mathew (12:46-50), even indicates that Jesus refused to speak to his mother and brothers when they tracked him down and tried to see him. John (7:5) - states even his own brothers did not believe him. The brothers of Jesus certainly believed he was a real person, and they also knew he performed miracles. But they did not believe his claim to be the divine Son of God.When Jesus left home to begin his ministry, other members of his family disapproved. JESUS STATED HE WAS A MAN AND COMPLETELY - GOD Today we get a better understanding of this doctrine, because we see the full accomplishment of Christ on the cross and his purpose. But back then his family had not seen the risen Jesus yet. They were concerned of his behaviour and his preaching, which was challenging the very laws of Jewish religious theology. They had not come to the conclusion which sets Jesus apart from any other person, they did not understand the claim Jesus was making - he was Incarnate - GOD WAS WALKING AMONG THEM James was in total disbelief of Jesus to be the Son of God. He could not come to believe his claims. James stood firm to this throughout his ministry, even though James witnessed amazing miracles. When Jesus was killed and placed in the tomb, his belief Jesus was not the Messiah was confirmed.
James like Thomas had gone from despair and absolute fear and doubt, to a staunch believer in the Risen Christ. A miraculous transformation happened. The resurrected Jesus appeared to James - Instantly his life changed forever, he devotes his life in a prominent and leading role in the Christian faith in Jerusalem. Still observing and keeping Jewish tradition, but a new faith in Jesus Christ. James is also credited with writing the book in The Testament, the Epistle of James and is regarded as among the most practical of the epistles of the New Testament. He witnessed his brother’s death in the flesh, he grew up with him as a child and it was his brothers resurrection, which brought James to an everlasting faith in Christ. This is a complete change, a change to unquestionable faith. This is not the character of a liar, or someone seeing visions, there are NO expectations of a resurrection. James became a very important influential leader in the early church of Jerusalem; With unbound resilience he helped establish the early Christian faith in Jerusalem amongst the Jews. He ultimately died for his faith in spreading Jesus Christ and the Resurrection; he was condemned to death and executed in Jerusalem.
PAUL Saul, who later was known as Paul, was a Jew that had roman citizenship; he was a cultured and educated man, he was also entitled roman privileges. Paul had become part of the Roman Empires plan to hunt down and violently destroy the newly formed Christian Church, to target the Apostles of Jesus and anyone believing and preaching the resurrected Jesus. Paul was a vigorous oppressor of the Christian faith, intensely persecuting and entering Jewish synagogues and arresting all Christians, he was always against the teachings of Jesus. He had never known Jesus or any of the disciples before his conversion. Paul was responsible for many arrests and executions of Christians. During his reign of persecutor, Paul had papers to travel to Damascus and put under arrest Christiansworshipping at the Jewish synagogues.On his journey to Damascus, he testifies and wrote a heavenly light shone around him, he falls to the ground and he hears a voice. “ Why are you persecuting me " Paul asks " who art thou " and the lord said -
“ I AM JESUS " whom thou persecute: it is hard for them to kick against the pricks”. Prix or Goad, was a devise that was used, to control an ox when it rebelled against a person trying to plough the land.
The meaning was - Paul was rebelling against GOD.
Trembled and astonished he was told " Arise and go into the city, and it will be told to you what you must do " He states the men that were with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no man. When Paul got up he had lost his vision, he was blind. The men with him led him to the city of Damascus. Paul received his sight back after 3 days. He states a Christian in Damascus was appointed by Jesus to go to Paul and heal his vision.
This is the sworn testament by Paul the Apostle.
From that point on, Paul the enemy of Jesus and the Christian movement, was then to become one of the most celebrated Christian preachers the world has ever seen. By the mid-30s to the mid-50s (AD), the feared enemy of Christ, founded churches in Asia Minor and Europe. Being of Jewish decent as well as a Roman citizen, Paul was in a unique position to minister to both Jews and Romans.Paul the most feared persecutor of Christians transformed to never-ending faith after seeing the risen Jesus Christ
PAUL WAS NOT HALLUCINATING
Again the very idea of a resurrected Jesus was completely foreign to him. He was of sound mind and knew exactly where he was going and what his mission was. And that mission was to arrest and put to death both Men and Women, who continued to preach and praise Jesus Christ. As he had done many times before. He phenomenally changed for the rest of his life, imprisonment, beatings, torture, even being shipwrecked through his travels of preaching the risen Christ. Paul had become the greatest missionary of all time. All the Apostles of Jesus changed for the better. Paul while preaching to people, he talked about the many hundreds of witnesses who saw the resurrected Jesus.He suggesting to them to check the evidence for themselves, to ask those people who were still alive in Jerusalem, who had seen the resurrected Jesus themselves.
He was putting forward to them; don’t just believe what i am saying, this is not a myth, do the research and find out your-selves that the resurrected Jesus actually appeared before hundreds in this very city. If Paul or anyone for that matter was trying to hide a made up story, myth or plot,you would never make statements like that.
The fact is that the gospel was preached only a month after the resurrection and assention of Jesus. If you lived during that time you would be able to personally speak to people. Investigate and cross examine those who witnessed the miracles, saw the crucifixion, and saw the risen Jesus himself. Paul himself changed from someone who with authority by the Roman Empire, authorised the imprisoned and murder of Christians. To then himself; spreading the message with absolute conviction of Jesus Christ and salvation only through him, knowing very well the penalty of preaching this message is death, and could lead to his own execution. Which he eventually was captured by the romans and executed by Nero.
ABSOLUTE PHENOMENAL CHANGES IN ALL THE APOSTLE Both James and Paul and all the Apostles went from disbelief, to suddenly and instantly willing to give up their lives, proclaiming that Jesus is the divine Son of God, who overwhelmingly proved it by returning from the dead.
Many people throughout history have sacrificed their lives for their religious beliefs, because what they have been told about that particular belief. However this is different for the Apostles of Jesus. The disciples were people prepared to give their lives, and eventually did. Not because of what’s been told to them by someone else, and hoping it’s true. But in contrast, the disciples of Jesus were in a distinct position in History; they were there, to know as a Factual event that Jesus returned from the dead. They didn’t just believe it because they heard it, they witnessed the truth before there very eyes, they sat with him and touched him, they spoke with him, they shared meals with him. Jesus was participating in normal activities for over a Month. He was presenting himself as the Resurrected Christ. He then parted from them into the clouds promising to return again.
This is their eyewitness testimonies. The Apostle Thomas , would not believe Jesus had risen until he saw him for himself, demanding to see the very holes left by the piercing nails.
Jesus appears in the flesh and speaks to him - " BEHOLD MY WOUNDS "The Apostles themselves were the eyewitnesses of the Risen Jesus Christ in the flesh. THAT’S THE DIFFRENCE WITH CHRISTIANITY
People who have died for other religious beliefs can only hope and believe it to be true, because that’s what they have been told.
What separates the Apostles from all other religions is they saw the truth with their very eyes. They Witnessed( THE RESURRECTED CHRIST ) Seeing the truth first hand; hearing and touching the resurrected Christ and were willing to die.
AND PEOPLE DO NOT DIE FOR A KNOWN LIE !
The evidence of the resurrection is in the creed of the early church, in the nature of the early resurrection accounts.
Written accounts by the witnesses of the resurrection, which go back to the very crucifixion itself. Preached immediately and written shortly after the Risen Christ. One example would be of Paul’s writings in 1st Corinthians, confirming the names of people and sceptics.Everyone agrees the spread of the gospel of Jesus is an extraordinary singular event, unparalleled anywhere in history; For it to circulate so rapidly against all odds and regard it as a myth, or a made up story, and wipe off or discredit historical manuscript resurrection accounts, by hundreds of witnesses, would be unprecedented and unrealistic, and a first in the history of the world. A myth can take many hundreds of years to take hold; the Christian church began Immediately, because the records show Jesus appeared before hundreds some 3 days after his death. There was NO opportunity for a myth to happen, it could not formulate, preaching and written accounts were being passed instantly to Christians as well as other people and early churches. So one of the many questions people ask today is. Are the records we have today on Jesus trustworthy ? The answer is unquestionably YES. We have manuscripts accounts that are exceptionally early, written by people during the lifetime of the actual witnesses of the resurrection. The New Testament manuscripts are the most proven authentic ancient writings we have, compared to other ancient manuscripts.There is not one ancient document written anywhere, which disputes the ministryof Jesus his miracles and resurrection. People may not believe the miracles and resurrection, and ridicule these events, but they cannot dispute the authentic manuscript reported witness accounts. As a result, with The New Testament ancient manuscripts we have, we know for certain, the scripture in today’s Bible has not been corrupted, because we are able to cross reference the many thousands of manuscript writings we have. And they affirm the authenticity of scripture we read today, as the same when it was originally written.
What do the ancient records say ?
The records unmistakably declare that Jesus claimed to be divine, declaring to be GOD himself. As discussed earlier by claiming to be the Son of God, Jesus knew the people listening to him, would know he was claiming to be the Prophecied Saviour - " THE ETERNAL GOD " The records declare he performed miracles in front of thousands, random miracles in different locations indoors and outdoors, some of his own choice and others spontaneously at the request of people, both believers and unbelievers. Even his critics saw the miracles and did not dispute them, but accused him of sorcery. Jesus is the only person in history that fits prophesies of the coming messiah to born in Bethlehem. There is no one else that has accurately fulfilled the time frame mathematically, that was predicted hundreds of years before. There is no one else that can fulfil the events that happened anymore, it prophetically has passed, the crucifixion and resurrection could only happen in that time frame, and it happened with Jesus. Jesus fulfilled perfectly the prophecy predicted hundreds of years before his birth, of his divinity as the messiah by returning from the dead; proclaiming victory over death and presenting himself as the only means of Salvation, as God in his Resurrected glorified nature. These events were recorded in ancient historical manuscripts, beginning shortly after the Resurrection by different writers in different places; it is the greatest self-evident occurrence of the ancient world. When you look at the actions the evidence is clear, these people were of sound rational mind, not delusional, not just willing to die and hoping this could be true. And certainly did not die for a known lie. They witnessed a historical event; they make it Clear - Jesus Christ appeared before them many times. ( The Resurrected Christ ) And the claim Jesus made being the Son of God is intrinsically True, it has Passed. He alone and no-one Before or After him can be the prophesied - MESSIAH.
TRUTHFUL REPORTING Throughout the bible there are inherent self-evident and honest recordings, written by the witnesses of Jesus.One of the clearest evidences of truthful reporting, of the events that happened during Jesus’ ministry, is that the writers include incidents which can hurt their very claims of the events that took place. Contrary to their own interests, they give the audience and reader an opportunity to accuse them of deceit. They are reporting incidents that can destroy their own case. Also it is the small inconsistencies / differences that imply truthful reporting. One of the most irrefutable evidences of truthful reporting seen,is the Apostles said women first discovered the empty tomb.Why would the Apostles of Jesus if they were making up a lie have women as the first witnesses of the risen Jesus? In the first century Jewish culture, the testimony of women was not considered reliable at all; Women were not even allowed to testify in a court of law because they were not considered a truthful witness and inadequate. The culture of that time both Roman and Jewish, women were not considered trustworthy sources. In fact the famous Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus who lived in that time, even stated in his writings - " But let not thee testimony of women be admitted " The Jewish authority stated “ Any evidence a woman gives is not valid to offer ” So if the writers of the gospels could write whatever they wanted, anything to sell their story, they would never have written women found the empty tomb first. Because it destroys there case, and makes it unbelievable from the very start. In the 1st century there trying to convince there audience of there claims, if they wanted to make it really stick, free of objection or any criticism, the logical thing to say is a follower of Jesus or an Apostle found the empty tomb first, or for that matter, any Male would suffice. Why would they jeopardise their own story from the very start by saying women discovered the empty tomb first. If you were trying to sell a story for people to believe in those days, you would never have women being witnesses; let alone the first witnesses, the writers were absolutely aware of this. The only explanation is that’s what happened, they are recounting the truth, women were the first to find the empty tomb! Even though it was inconvenient and works totally against the writers of the Gospel, this was the truthful testimony of what happened, they simply reported the truth. Some passages of the Bible vary in there description of the events, and some minor details are left out, therefore many people suggest it’s a lie because of the discrepancy, but on the contrary it makes perfect sense.
It’s these small differences that many people make up their minds and write off the bible as a myth. Many people who make these claims are also not aware of the evidence in further scripture,which explain the diffrences that prove otherwise.
An example would be if a group of people witnessed an accident and were told to write what happened. It’s common there are discrepancies in accident witness accounts all the time, not because there making it up, people just report things differently. Their stories may vary. However, we can get anaccurate account of that accident, by analysing the information and the truth of what occurred is discovered. That is one way historians piece together past events, by cross - referencing and formulating actual events.
There are many incidents in the bible of slight variations in reporting, however when examining the events and cross-refrencing, as well with other scripture you clearly see truthful reporting by the witnesses accounts, weather it be mirles performed or the very words of Jesus himself. Different writers, different reporting, but the truth is revealed within the reporting which comes to the same conclusion. These truthful eyewitness accounts are laced throughout the bible with some variations in description. But by no means do they contradict or as some people accuse them of errors.
It is this very humanistic nature, which provides us with proof of honest reporting.
Trivial details like John getting to the empty tomb first, running ahead of Peter waiting at the tomb for him, we know John was younger, and that’s why he probably got there first before Peter, reporting John got there first has no bearing on that day or the reported event, and is totaly insignificant. However it does not change the truth of the event, the tomb was still empty, - again self-evident honest reporting -
THEY WERE TELLING THE TRUTH When we read about the arrest of Jesus and trials before the high priest, one gospel said they struck him on the face. We then read in another gospel, they struck him on the face and were mocking him - calling him " though messiah " Then you go to another gospel, it said they first blind folded him, then struck him on the face, asking him for " prophecy while blindfolded, who is it that struck you ". As mentioned - people reporting differently, it is these variations people criticise, even though the gospel accounts are not quite the same in this instance, from this account a common sequence of Truth is revealed. In this case, the common truth - was Jesus is being beaten / struck across the face.
These witnesses were reporting truthfully.
If any of the gospel writers were scheming or hatching a plan. And years later to protect their scheming plot from accusations of fraud or making up a lie. They would get together and match up their stories perfectly; they would have protected themselves against such allegations we here today. Let alone have women as first witnesses - that in itself is enough to destroy their story. And they themselves knowing; making up stories about a man called Jesus and claiming him to be God, goes against Old Testament Jewish scripture, it would be impossible to get away with it. They would have never gone with this type of story, if it wasn’t true to them.Once again reporting the Truth, inherent testimonial self-evidences. We also see further truthful reporting of incidents not understood by the Apostles. The night before Jesus was arrested and taken into captivity and crucified. He went to the garden of Gethsemane to pray. In the Gospel of Luke - he talks about Jesus being in so much anguish for knowing what was to come. We read Luke 22:44 - " And being in agony, he prayed more earnestly. And his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground ”
To the Apostles observing this would have been baffling, and to preach this as testimony to 1st Century people would almost certainly be subject to ridicule. But that’s what they saw and what they reported, they did not know of a rare medical condition that may of happened called - " Hematidrosis "
Hematidrosis is a very rare but very real condition, in which a persons sweat can contain blood as well. It can happen when a person suffers extreme agonising stress, for instance facing his or her own death. The sweat glands are enclosed by blood vessels, the blood vessels begin to tighten and become smaller, and then the blood vessels dilate to the point of rupture. As a result the blood will break the capillaries in the sweat glands, causing a mix of blood and sweat to be realised.
Again, even though they knew nothing of the Medical explanation, they simply reported the Truth. " HIS SWEAT WAS OF GREAT DROPS OF BLOOD "There are self-evidences of truthful reporting throughout the bible. The Bible tells of Jesus on the cross. It talks about how he was pierced through his chest by one of the Roman Soldiers, to make sure he was dead. Out came blood and water, the people and gospel writers who witnessed this flow of blood and water, were not advanced enough to understand the medical condition when someone is dead, to them they just reported what they saw, blood and water came out. The medical explanation today is. The spear pierced through under His ribs that ruptured the pericardial sack resulting in a flow of both blood and water, which is a membrane that encloses the heart.
JESUS CLEARLY HAD DIED ! THE PRICE THE APOSOTLES PAID These are some of the following records according to early manuscripts, bible writings, and other reports by different nations where they preached.All there travels and preaching in other nations can be seen by the spread of the Christian faith, and are evident through archaeological findings, surviving ancient churches , dedications, traditional ceremonies and ancient manuscripts writings, of their presence and teachings in those countries BARTHOLEMEW Bartholomew was persecuted for the message of Jesus Christ, plagued to death with a whip in Armenia, by order of Astyages, for having converted his brother, Polymius, King of Armenia.
ANDREW Andrew was crucified on a cross, the two ends of which were fixed diagonally in the ground; this is where we get the term referred to as the St. Andrews cross. Andrew is said to have been martyred by crucifixion at the city of Patras (Patræ) in Achaea, on the northern coast of the Peloponnese Eusebius. Historian Origen quotes as saying Andrew preached in Skythia. The Chronicle of Nestor adds that at he preached along the Black Sea and the Dnieper river as far as Kiev, and from there he traveled to Novgorod. Hence he became a patron saint of Ukraine, Romania and Russia. PETER Was crucified in Rome with his head facing downwards, during the time of the Neronian persecution; (A.D. 67-68)
JAMES He was put to death by Herod Agrippa I shortly before the day of the Passover, in the year 44 or about 12 years after the death of Christ. Acts 12: 1-2
THOMAS He was pursued by pagan priests and soldiers and was killed by a spear through his body whilehe knelt in prayer, in India.
LUKE Luke was hanged from an olive tree in the town of Thebes in Beothia, Greece
MARK In AD 49, about 19 years after the Ascension of Jesus, Mark traveled to Alexandria and founded the Church of Alexandria, which today is part of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Aspects of the Coptic worship can be traced back to Mark himself. He became the first bishop of Alexandria and he is honored as the founder of Christianity in Africa. Coptic writings say he was martyred in (AD 68) he was dragged to death through the streets of Alexandria.
The first known Christian martyr was St. Stephen, recorded in the book of Acts.
Stephen was accused of blasphemy and denounced the Sanhedrin (Jewish Religious Leaders) as "stiff-necked" people who just as their ancestors had done persecute prophets. The penalty for blasphemy was stoning. There were probably other early Christian martyrs besides Stephen, as Paul the Apostle acknowledged persecuting Christians before his conversion to Christ.
All the Apostles except John died a horrible martyr’s death.
You can go through all the Apostle deaths. As well as find extraordinary accounts of their preaching and travels throughout the ancient world. All of them except John, who survived to old age, and was then, exiled to a prison island, and wrote the last book of the New Testament ; The Book of Revelation.John later lived in Asia Minor in the last decades of the first century and from Ephesus had guided the Churches of that province.
NO ONE READILY GIVES UP THEIR LIVES FOR A KNOWN LIE - IT IS THEORETICALLY IMPLAUSIBLE
Throughout history people have made up stories, some with unimaginable consequences, and others for personal gain. Whatever the reason is, it has been happening for centuries. THE QUESTION IS ? Did the Apostles of Jesus fabricate the resurrection story, or is it True ?
Now imagine the Apostles of Jesus in different parts of the world separated for years, no idea if one or the others are still alive or not. And the chances of them seeing each other again are rather slim, given the risk of capture and death. Now lets assume the Apostles made the Resurrection story up as some people have claimed. They made a mistake following Jesus, he was not God the messiah, just a man who died a convicted criminal. So they got together and made up this story of him rising from death. Imagine each of these Apostles alone in a foreign country, with no one to turn to; there being beaten, tortured and whipped to death for preaching the resurrected Jesus Christ, as actually happened. All they had to do was deny the message Jesus and his resurrection, deny their story - admit it’s a lie, that they made it up and their lives would be spared. Why would they care if they denounced Jesus, remember the whole thing is a lie; there life is on the line. There in another country on their own, they made the resurrected story up, they spread the story knowing it’s a lie, been caught and being punishment for it. They could easily end the torment by giving up on the story of Jesus and the resurrection, and it would all be over and they would still be alive. But they don’t ! None of them do.
They all willingly choose to Die! Testifying with their lives, Jesus Christ died on the cross, rose from the dead, they touched him, sat with him, spoke with him, and watched him ascend to heaven and take his rightful place as Jesus said he would.It is absolutely inconceivable; and totally illogic, the Apostles of Jesus would die for a known lie. They were telling what they knew to be True, they were reporting honestly, not because someone told them, but because they witnessed first-hand for themselves, the most incredible event to ever happen. Every theory possible; since the very crucifixion of Jesus has been attempted to disprove the Resurrection account. The life of Jesus and his crucifixion is not questioned; he existed and was killed by the Romans, historians alike all agree, these events actually happened. The difficult or problematic part is the supernatural event of Jesus rising from death, and appearing in the flesh. There is No-Where that show any records the Apostles went on to live extravagant lavish lives. In contrast after the Resurrection they were beaten, imprisoned and lived in poverty. There is no explanation except for the Apostles testimony for the resurrected Jesus. Why they willingly gave up their lives to pursue a life of hardship and ultimately be executed. All theories discussed above to discredit the story of the risen Jesus - after analysis collapse within their own reasoning. Consequently after investigation, they inadvertently provide more evidence for the Resurrection itself. In over 2000 years, there is nowhere you will find the slightest evidence that any ofthe Apostles of Jesus ever retracted, or withdrew from their preaching in their undying faith of Jesus Christ, as God the Messiah
TO SUMMORIZE THE DOCTRINE OF THE RESURRECTION
GOD infinite in endless eternity came into the physical realm of Man In The Flesh. He came into the physical world to bring into fruition. The decree spoken in Jewish Old Testament Scripture Law - The Eternal God will dwell amongst man as saviour and liberator. He came into the world Divine in nature, to demonstrate his Kingship, and for us to accept him as King (MESSIAH ) for mankind. He presented himself as a physical being, taking the appearance as Sinful Flesh; however he committed Not One Sin. He physically offered himself as Payment For Sin. He then accomplished the written decree, of saviour and liberator, and paid that ransom of sin with his life.
Thereafter he proved his Divine Supremacy - 3 days later by arising from death. And by doing so, he brought into the world the redemption of sin, now freely available to mankind.
In all of history ; weather you believe God exists or not, there has never been witnessed the events that took place in 1st century Jerusalem. God as man conquering sin, triumphant through human flesh, now seated in endlessness eternity. Jesus Christ in everlasting life as the Redemption - positioned and given All Authority and judgment. Christ being the gift of salvation that was not available to us, that did not exist prior to his presence on earth.
AN ETERNALISED GOD UNITED IN MAN He Made NO Exception ! Jesus Christ while on earth made it Very Clear. Salvation and Eternal Life is Available and can be granted to ANYONE.
BUT THROUGH HIM - AND ONLY HIM - AND BY - NO OTHER MEANS Of all religious faiths in the world, spiritual philosophies or a point of view; Jesus Christ is the only person who unites AND connects you directly to God himself. No one else in history gives you that direct relationship
Jesus Christ also said and Guarantees. Anyone who turns to him in Truthful quest, he will not turn away and by the power of the Holy Spirit bestowed by God the Father, will reveal and be given the knowledge of God and truth in humanity. The events that happened are unparalleled in history. The evidence of the Resurrection is in the following actions -
The Risen Jesus Christ proved his divinity as God - appeared in the flesh and inspired the Apostles with no fear of retribution, to travel to foreign lands trenched in pagan beliefs, and cement the Christian faith of Jesus Christ the redeemer. The New Testament spread at a staggering speed, " NOT BY FORCE BUT BY FREE WILL " That eventually would impact the world, and the very freedom and democracy that has shaped the World we live in today.
The Apostles witnessed the THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST There can be no other explanation; he had risen from death.