BIBLICAL MANUSCRIPT EVIDENCE
A time-line and historical evaluation of Biblical Manuscripts.
Providing evidence of authors, and why scripture today is the same scripture as the original writings.
The definition of a Manuscript is any document or text that has been handwritten,
as opposed to being printed or reproduced in any other way.
Before the printing press was introduced, all books and documents were hand written Manuscripts.Manuscripts have been produced in forms of Scrolls, Books and Codex format.
Manuscripts were constructed on Papyrus (Papyrus Plant Sheets), Vellum (Mammal Skin) and other parchment.
These materials were used by early people.
All ancient history and historic figures, for example; the Persian and Egyptian empires, right through to the Greek and Roman empires; from the ancient Pharaohs to Roman Emperors, that we know of today, are revealed because of writings on ancient manuscripts like Papyrus. The biblical account of The New Testament has also become known to us because of these ancient manuscripts writings.
One of the doubts people have in relation to The New Testament of Jesus Christ, is the authenticity of the writings in the bible. Many people believe the biblical writings we have today, were written many hundreds or a thousand or more years after Jesus walked the earth. And for this reason, people believe they may have been altered and / or changed, or are simply made up stories. For example, a common response when asked about the bible is the view ; what’s written in today’s bible, has probably been changed over the centuries, and therefore cannot be trusted.
People often make these claims without any knowledge of historical biblical manuscripts. Most people are not aware the New Testament is overwhelmingly supported by historic ancient manuscripts, more so than any other document from ancient antiquity.
The New Testament manuscripts are incredibly trustworthy as historically records. When you measure up support for biblical documents against other ancient documents and letters, it becomes surprisingly evident, that no other ancient record can even compare, or stand equally alongside the New Testament records of Jesus Christ. The New Testament manuscripts are unparalleled compared to other ancient documents. So before any criticism is made of the bible, we need to take a look at the historical manuscript we have available today, which not just includes biblical manuscripts, but other ancient records as well.
We must therefore examine The New Testament writings in comparison to other documents of ancient antiquity.
A problem with ancient materials they wrote on, was it’s not like the paper we have today that lasts almost forever.They used Papyrus, which over time breaks down. Most ancient writings of antiquity were written on Papyrus,
That’s why we have very few originals left.
Papyrus is produced from the pith of the Papyrus plant, a wetland grass like plant that grew in the Middle East along the Nile-Delta River, in Egypt. Papyrus was manufactured in Egypt as far back as the Fourth Millennium BC.
There have been cases where ancient Papyrus manuscripts have been found, and exposed to sunlight without taking precautions, and it would literally disintegrate before people’s very eyes. That’s why Papyrus documents like the Dead Sea Scrolls (Old Testament), which have survived, are in museums under temperature controlled glass enclosures, to preserve them from falling apart.
The New Testament scriptures are criticized by many people as not reliable or accurate. This could not be further from the Truth If you are going to reject the New Testament manuscripts, then you must dismiss and reject other ancient historical documents, we openly credit and teach as truth.
Ancient manuscripts like - Plato, Aristotle, Caesar, and Alexander the Great, are but few we must also reject as fact. The reason is the New Testament Manuscripts are more numerous in numbers and reliable, than any other ancient writing. To deliberately reject the New Testament manuscripts, and regard other ancient documents as reliable truth, is being ignorant and hypocritical. . And furthermore, because there are so many New Testament manuscripts available, we can uniquely cross examine for their consistency, like no other ancient documents. The chart below gives some examples of manuscripts taught and fully accepted today against New Testament manuscripts. And also illustrates time-frames from original writings to ealiest copies available today, and time differences from original manuscript.
All ancient history and historic figures, for example; the Persian and Egyptian empires, right through to the Greek and Roman empires; from the ancient Pharaohs to Roman Emperors, that we know of today, are revealed because of writings on ancient manuscripts like Papyrus. The biblical account of The New Testament has also become known to us because of these ancient manuscripts writings.
One of the doubts people have in relation to The New Testament of Jesus Christ, is the authenticity of the writings in the bible. Many people believe the biblical writings we have today, were written many hundreds or a thousand or more years after Jesus walked the earth. And for this reason, people believe they may have been altered and / or changed, or are simply made up stories. For example, a common response when asked about the bible is the view ; what’s written in today’s bible, has probably been changed over the centuries, and therefore cannot be trusted.
People often make these claims without any knowledge of historical biblical manuscripts. Most people are not aware the New Testament is overwhelmingly supported by historic ancient manuscripts, more so than any other document from ancient antiquity.
The New Testament manuscripts are incredibly trustworthy as historically records. When you measure up support for biblical documents against other ancient documents and letters, it becomes surprisingly evident, that no other ancient record can even compare, or stand equally alongside the New Testament records of Jesus Christ. The New Testament manuscripts are unparalleled compared to other ancient documents. So before any criticism is made of the bible, we need to take a look at the historical manuscript we have available today, which not just includes biblical manuscripts, but other ancient records as well.
We must therefore examine The New Testament writings in comparison to other documents of ancient antiquity.
A problem with ancient materials they wrote on, was it’s not like the paper we have today that lasts almost forever.They used Papyrus, which over time breaks down. Most ancient writings of antiquity were written on Papyrus,
That’s why we have very few originals left.
Papyrus is produced from the pith of the Papyrus plant, a wetland grass like plant that grew in the Middle East along the Nile-Delta River, in Egypt. Papyrus was manufactured in Egypt as far back as the Fourth Millennium BC.
There have been cases where ancient Papyrus manuscripts have been found, and exposed to sunlight without taking precautions, and it would literally disintegrate before people’s very eyes. That’s why Papyrus documents like the Dead Sea Scrolls (Old Testament), which have survived, are in museums under temperature controlled glass enclosures, to preserve them from falling apart.
The New Testament scriptures are criticized by many people as not reliable or accurate. This could not be further from the Truth If you are going to reject the New Testament manuscripts, then you must dismiss and reject other ancient historical documents, we openly credit and teach as truth.
Ancient manuscripts like - Plato, Aristotle, Caesar, and Alexander the Great, are but few we must also reject as fact. The reason is the New Testament Manuscripts are more numerous in numbers and reliable, than any other ancient writing. To deliberately reject the New Testament manuscripts, and regard other ancient documents as reliable truth, is being ignorant and hypocritical. . And furthermore, because there are so many New Testament manuscripts available, we can uniquely cross examine for their consistency, like no other ancient documents. The chart below gives some examples of manuscripts taught and fully accepted today against New Testament manuscripts. And also illustrates time-frames from original writings to ealiest copies available today, and time differences from original manuscript.
WRITERS | SUBJECT WRITINGS | DATE WRITTEN | EARLIEST COPIES | TIME GAP | NUMBER OF MANUSCRIPTS |
Caesar
Roman Empire | Gallic Wars | 100 - 44 B.C | 900 A.D | 1000 Years | 10 Copies |
Aristotle. | Philosophy, Science. | 384 - 322 B.C. | 1100 A.D | 1400 years | 49 copies |
Homer. | Iliad | 9th Century B.C. | c.400 B.C | 500 years | 643 copies |
Herodotus. | The Histories of Herodutus | 480 - 425 B.C. | c.900 A.D | 1300 years | 8 copies |
Plato. | Dialogues | 427 - 347 B.C. | c.900 A.D | 1350 years | 7 copies |
Sophocles | Tragedian, Theatre, Drama | 496 - 406 B.C. | 1000 A.D | 1400 years | 193 copies |
Thucydides | History of the Peloponnesian War. | 460-400 B.C. | c.900 A.D | 1300 years | 8 copies |
Livy | Historian | 59 B.C - 17 A.D | 900 A.D | 950 years | 20 Copies |
Suetonius | de Vita Caesarun | 75-160 A.D | 950 A.D | 800 years | 8 Copies |
Euripedes | Athenian playwright | 480-460 B.C | 1100 - 1500 A.D | 1500 years | 19 Copies |
Catullus | Latin Poet | 54 B.C - 1100 A.D | 1600 A.D | 1500 years | 3 Copies |
Bible -
The New Testament | New Testament - 1st book of Mathew,to the last book - The Book of Revelation. | 50 - 100 A.D. | c.125 A.D | 29 years | 27'000Copies in total.
Written inGreek, Latin, Syriac, Coptic and AramicLanguages |
THE EVIDENCE IS OVERWHELMINGLY PROVEN !
The New Testament has More Historical Manuscript Evidence than any other ancient record. There are over Five Thousand Handwritten manuscripts. The entire New Testament was written while the Apostles and eyewitnesses of the resurrection were alive. Beginning shortly after the crucifixion of Jesus (32 A.D) and completed before the end of the first century (100 A.D). And confirmation of The New Testament scripture being preached and written elsewhere by people who encountered the Apostles of Jesus, is confirmed by other early records. There are writings of early church leaders indicating there knowledge of the New Testament Books. Who became acquaintances and students of the Apostles, who continued to spread the accounts of the crucified and resurrected Jesus throughout Asia Minor. During the 1st century the Apostles of Jesus travelled and preached to the surrounding nations, one of the nations was modern day Turkey. One of the very first church leaders was Polycarp of Smyrna (69–155 A.D), who later became the Christian bishop of Smyrna at Izmir, Turkey.
John one of the Apostles of Jesus, who is also credited for writing the last account in the New Testament - The Book of Revelation, in his travels arrives in Turkey, and records show he preached and taught Polycarp.
Polycarp receiving the witness accounts of the Resurrected Christ - directly from John. Himself become a student and disciple of John the Apostle.
Polycarp was the foremost leader, if not the most important one of the early Christian church.
We have a manuscript letter Polycarp wrote, known as The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians (110-135 A.D).
In this letter he refers to New Testament Scripture.
Polycarp alludes to the New Testament Books as extracts or references, varying from the Gospels and letters. In this letter he shows his knowledge and reference to - Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1, 2, & 3 John, Jude and Revelation - The books of the New Testament.
This letter from Polycarp demonstrates quotations or references, of completed New Testament manuscripts given directly to Polycarp by the Apostles. Confirming the Scripture we have in Todays Bible, and his association with John the apostle who passed away in (100 A.D). Further references to having all New Testament scripture from the Apostles; Is Polycarp like Peter, another Apostle of Jesus, identically in the New Testament Gospel - (2nd Peter 3:16), acknowledges the writings of the Apostle Paul as wisdom and sound scripture from Jesus Christ.
Polycarp confirms knowledge of New Testament books, directly from the ( Apostles ) eyewitness of Jesus Christ, early churches, other church leaders in Asia Minor, and Christians as a whole were already familiar with The Entire New Testament. Additionally, in The Book of Revelation, John the Apostle himself writes that Jesus instructed him to let the the churches in Asia Minor, know of what future prophecy was given to him by the Ressurected Christ.
Revelation 1:11
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea”
The New Testament states, John was given the responsibility to watch over the established new church on earth, by Jesus before his parting. John was the youngest, he out lived all the other Apostles. He was the last Apostle to write the final addition of The New Testament Bible - The Book of Revelation. A book that is prophetic in nature, to warn the inhabitants of earth of the final days, before the return of Jesus himself.
Polycarp being a disciple of John the Apostle, was aware of the Entire Writings of The New Testament, and records show other Apostles also spent much time in Asia Minor with early church leaders. His letter reveals the cannon of The New Testament, as well as John’s last writings – The Book of Revelation. It is evident the manuscripts of the bible we read today, were passed throughout Asia Minor by the Apostles themselves.
The Christian faith spread because of leaders like Polycarp. He passed on the writings and teachings of the resurrected Jesus to other church leaders in Asia Minor and elsewhere. As well as passing on personal experiences about John the Apostle to his own students. For example; Polycarp taught Irenaeus (115–202 A.D), and passed on details about John the Apostle. In Against Heresies, Irenaeus relates how Polycarp told an account of John the disciple -
“ John, the disciple of the Lord, going to bathe at Ephesus, and perceiving Cerinthus within, rushed out of the bath-house without bathing, exclaiming, "Let us fly, lest even the bath-house fall down, because Cerinthus, the enemy of the truth is within "
The church leaders and scribes continued to pass on those writings and account. And as a result, we now have an abundance of manuscripts, that verify the same accounts in the todays King James Bible recorded by the Apostles, who witnessed the very crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And we can cross check and prove the original testimonial accounts by the Apostles, are what we read today.
These early continuous writings by first church leaders, validate the authenticity of New Testament scripture. They demonstrate the accuracy and meticulous preservation of the story of Jesus, receiving the Gospel accounts directly from the witnesses of Christ's resurrection, the Apostles themselves. And because of the vast collection of manuscripts available today, there is nowhere in ancient antiquity records, except for the story of Jesus. That we can trace back the chronological order of today’s New Testament Bible, back to the Crucifixion Itself. The Apostle John and Paul both spent much time in Asia Minor, preaching the message of Jesus with authority as witnesses. Watching over the very formation and establishment of the Christian church, passing on the testimonial of the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Christ. Not just to the people of that region, but more importantly historic figures like Polycarp, that would go on to play an important role in spreading the New Testament Gospels.
Polycarp is recorded as saying on the day of his death, " Eighty and six years i have served him, and he has done me no wrong, how then can i blaspheme my king and saviour Bring forth what thou wilt Polycarp was burned alive at the stake (155 A.D), for refusing to burn incense to the Roman Emperor and refusing his faith in Jesus Christ. Polycarps testimonial letter accounts, his association with the Apostles, his legacy, and other early church records, link us back in history, to the very crucifixion of Christ himself.
The Apostle John; teacher of Polycarp testifies of Jesus, being the prophesied messiah, he bears witness of the trial and crucifixion of Jesus, he watched him die on the cross, and confirms 3 days later he had risen back to life. He states Jesus proved his divinity as God, by rising from the grave and defeating death. He then spoke, touched, shared meals, and saw with his very eyes, Jesus Christ ascend into the clouds. This is his sound testimony in New Testament Scripture of John the Apostle, passed directly to the church leaders of the 1st Century.
The very biblical manuscripts we have of Jesus and the resurrection, are because of truthful reported accounts. Authenticated by personal contact with John the Apostle, Paul and others, who witnessed the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
There are even new discoveries of further New Testament scripts that may possibly take us back to even closer to the crucifixion.
As well as these early writings, there are over 19,000, copies of New Testament manuscripts, in Latin, Syriac, Coptic and Aramaic. There is in total 27,000 New Testament handwritten manuscripts now available.
It has been concluded The New Testament records were completed before the end of the first century (100 A.D). This means that the entire New Testament scripture was written soon after the crucifixion. This is significant in relation to the accuracy and the very nature of the Christian faith spreading. It means when these manuscripts were being preached and written in Jerusalem, a month or so after the crucifixion. The people of Jerusalem, were the same people who witnessed the ministry of Jesus his crucifixion and death. Many hundreds of these people also witnessed the risen Jesus. And because of this, The New Testament preaching and written accounts expanded at a staggering pace on a scale never seen before. Paul the Apostle while preaching the resurrected Jesus, was even submitting to his audience for those who had not seen the risen Christ. Not to just take his word for it, to check for themselves and satisfy their own minds, to ask the many thousands of people who are still alive in Jerusalem that saw the risen Christ.
Paul like the other Apostles, besides risking his life, was challenging the people. He was allowing himself open to accusation of lies and condemnation. " Ask other people, find out yourselves ". Anyone could discredit him and disrepute his character. Instantly destroying the resurrection account of Jesus Christ, if what he was saying wasn’t true.
And there is not ONE ancient document anywhere that Disputes The New Testament writings.
If you are going to reject the New Testament writings as not worthy ancient manuscripts. Then you must also reject all other historic manuscripts and people, such as - Caesar, Aristotle, Plato, Alexander the Great, Homer etc. And thousands of other accepted historic manuscripts and persons . However, those historic manuscripts are recognized and taught throughout the world as truthful historic manuscripts and persons.
Therefore by acknowledging and accepting other historic persons and manuscripts. You also must acknowledge as well - the historic writings of The New Testament manuscripts, as written historical facts. ( YOU CAN-NOT VIEW THEM ANY OTHER WAY ) The New Testament manuscripts as historical documents are overwhelmingly evident just in sheer numbers, and supported by countless historical figures, both in and outside of Christian circles.
As ancient writings, they are far more trustworthy, than any other ancient manuscript of antiquity.
As well as their geographical accuracy, earliest manuscript time-frames, it is the relationship to actual witnesses. The Apostles themselves, accurately communicating the story of Jesus Christ. His life, his miracles, crucifixion and resurrection, involved with guiding the early church and its leaders. And because of this, we can see today - The ancient manuscripts writings by the Apostles, are the same writings in today’s Christian Bible. The New Testament is by far, the most superior and leading frontrunner in manuscript history.
The most amazing and Only Unique to the New Testament Is that if you were to destroy every bible in the world today. And destroy every ancient manuscript we have available, so there’s nothing left to read.
You can still construct the entire New Testament of Jesus Christ with all but 11 verses. And those 11 verses, do not in any way hinder the message of the resurrection and Salvation through Jesus Christ.
When the early church leaders like Polycarp would correspond with others, while writing letters to each other. They would also include quotations from The New Testament manuscripts, sometimes complete chapters. They were taking notes and quoting within the letters. And remarkably, we now have over 86,000 manuscript quotations of The New Testament, just from letters of early church leaders corresponding with each other.
And with just these quotations we are able to recreate the entire New Testament of Jesus Christ. This is astonishing and unprecedented against any other ancient manuscript of antiquity. There are ( NO OTHER ANCIENT MANUSCRIPTS ) that can do this ! The legitimacy of The New Testament writings is overwhelmingly convincing by all measured standards, and unsurpassed in manuscript authority in history.
And it's because of this lack of knowledge - of proven manuscript evidence. And historical authenticity of The New Testament manuscripts. Many people believe the written accounts of Jesus and his resurrection, has been changed over the many centuries.
When you research the Christian ancient manuscripts - against all other historical manuscripts, you can clearly come to a firm verdict with absolute Historical Confidence. The New Testament Manuscripts - Reveal that the Evidence is far more Authentic, Truthful and Accurately reported of All other Ancient Manuscripts in History. You may not believe and reject the testified writings - of the manuscripts of Jesus Christ and his resurrection.. However, you cannot dismiss the Overwhelming Ancient Manuscript Evidence. That what was written in the 1st Century, is the same writings we have in today’s King James Bible. And what was witnessed by the Apostles of Jesus and his resurrection to life. Was Truthfully written without Malice or Deceit.
The New Testament has More Historical Manuscript Evidence than any other ancient record. There are over Five Thousand Handwritten manuscripts. The entire New Testament was written while the Apostles and eyewitnesses of the resurrection were alive. Beginning shortly after the crucifixion of Jesus (32 A.D) and completed before the end of the first century (100 A.D). And confirmation of The New Testament scripture being preached and written elsewhere by people who encountered the Apostles of Jesus, is confirmed by other early records. There are writings of early church leaders indicating there knowledge of the New Testament Books. Who became acquaintances and students of the Apostles, who continued to spread the accounts of the crucified and resurrected Jesus throughout Asia Minor. During the 1st century the Apostles of Jesus travelled and preached to the surrounding nations, one of the nations was modern day Turkey. One of the very first church leaders was Polycarp of Smyrna (69–155 A.D), who later became the Christian bishop of Smyrna at Izmir, Turkey.
John one of the Apostles of Jesus, who is also credited for writing the last account in the New Testament - The Book of Revelation, in his travels arrives in Turkey, and records show he preached and taught Polycarp.
Polycarp receiving the witness accounts of the Resurrected Christ - directly from John. Himself become a student and disciple of John the Apostle.
Polycarp was the foremost leader, if not the most important one of the early Christian church.
We have a manuscript letter Polycarp wrote, known as The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians (110-135 A.D).
In this letter he refers to New Testament Scripture.
Polycarp alludes to the New Testament Books as extracts or references, varying from the Gospels and letters. In this letter he shows his knowledge and reference to - Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1, 2, & 3 John, Jude and Revelation - The books of the New Testament.
This letter from Polycarp demonstrates quotations or references, of completed New Testament manuscripts given directly to Polycarp by the Apostles. Confirming the Scripture we have in Todays Bible, and his association with John the apostle who passed away in (100 A.D). Further references to having all New Testament scripture from the Apostles; Is Polycarp like Peter, another Apostle of Jesus, identically in the New Testament Gospel - (2nd Peter 3:16), acknowledges the writings of the Apostle Paul as wisdom and sound scripture from Jesus Christ.
Polycarp confirms knowledge of New Testament books, directly from the ( Apostles ) eyewitness of Jesus Christ, early churches, other church leaders in Asia Minor, and Christians as a whole were already familiar with The Entire New Testament. Additionally, in The Book of Revelation, John the Apostle himself writes that Jesus instructed him to let the the churches in Asia Minor, know of what future prophecy was given to him by the Ressurected Christ.
Revelation 1:11
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea”
The New Testament states, John was given the responsibility to watch over the established new church on earth, by Jesus before his parting. John was the youngest, he out lived all the other Apostles. He was the last Apostle to write the final addition of The New Testament Bible - The Book of Revelation. A book that is prophetic in nature, to warn the inhabitants of earth of the final days, before the return of Jesus himself.
Polycarp being a disciple of John the Apostle, was aware of the Entire Writings of The New Testament, and records show other Apostles also spent much time in Asia Minor with early church leaders. His letter reveals the cannon of The New Testament, as well as John’s last writings – The Book of Revelation. It is evident the manuscripts of the bible we read today, were passed throughout Asia Minor by the Apostles themselves.
The Christian faith spread because of leaders like Polycarp. He passed on the writings and teachings of the resurrected Jesus to other church leaders in Asia Minor and elsewhere. As well as passing on personal experiences about John the Apostle to his own students. For example; Polycarp taught Irenaeus (115–202 A.D), and passed on details about John the Apostle. In Against Heresies, Irenaeus relates how Polycarp told an account of John the disciple -
“ John, the disciple of the Lord, going to bathe at Ephesus, and perceiving Cerinthus within, rushed out of the bath-house without bathing, exclaiming, "Let us fly, lest even the bath-house fall down, because Cerinthus, the enemy of the truth is within "
The church leaders and scribes continued to pass on those writings and account. And as a result, we now have an abundance of manuscripts, that verify the same accounts in the todays King James Bible recorded by the Apostles, who witnessed the very crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And we can cross check and prove the original testimonial accounts by the Apostles, are what we read today.
These early continuous writings by first church leaders, validate the authenticity of New Testament scripture. They demonstrate the accuracy and meticulous preservation of the story of Jesus, receiving the Gospel accounts directly from the witnesses of Christ's resurrection, the Apostles themselves. And because of the vast collection of manuscripts available today, there is nowhere in ancient antiquity records, except for the story of Jesus. That we can trace back the chronological order of today’s New Testament Bible, back to the Crucifixion Itself. The Apostle John and Paul both spent much time in Asia Minor, preaching the message of Jesus with authority as witnesses. Watching over the very formation and establishment of the Christian church, passing on the testimonial of the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Christ. Not just to the people of that region, but more importantly historic figures like Polycarp, that would go on to play an important role in spreading the New Testament Gospels.
Polycarp is recorded as saying on the day of his death, " Eighty and six years i have served him, and he has done me no wrong, how then can i blaspheme my king and saviour Bring forth what thou wilt Polycarp was burned alive at the stake (155 A.D), for refusing to burn incense to the Roman Emperor and refusing his faith in Jesus Christ. Polycarps testimonial letter accounts, his association with the Apostles, his legacy, and other early church records, link us back in history, to the very crucifixion of Christ himself.
The Apostle John; teacher of Polycarp testifies of Jesus, being the prophesied messiah, he bears witness of the trial and crucifixion of Jesus, he watched him die on the cross, and confirms 3 days later he had risen back to life. He states Jesus proved his divinity as God, by rising from the grave and defeating death. He then spoke, touched, shared meals, and saw with his very eyes, Jesus Christ ascend into the clouds. This is his sound testimony in New Testament Scripture of John the Apostle, passed directly to the church leaders of the 1st Century.
The very biblical manuscripts we have of Jesus and the resurrection, are because of truthful reported accounts. Authenticated by personal contact with John the Apostle, Paul and others, who witnessed the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
There are even new discoveries of further New Testament scripts that may possibly take us back to even closer to the crucifixion.
As well as these early writings, there are over 19,000, copies of New Testament manuscripts, in Latin, Syriac, Coptic and Aramaic. There is in total 27,000 New Testament handwritten manuscripts now available.
It has been concluded The New Testament records were completed before the end of the first century (100 A.D). This means that the entire New Testament scripture was written soon after the crucifixion. This is significant in relation to the accuracy and the very nature of the Christian faith spreading. It means when these manuscripts were being preached and written in Jerusalem, a month or so after the crucifixion. The people of Jerusalem, were the same people who witnessed the ministry of Jesus his crucifixion and death. Many hundreds of these people also witnessed the risen Jesus. And because of this, The New Testament preaching and written accounts expanded at a staggering pace on a scale never seen before. Paul the Apostle while preaching the resurrected Jesus, was even submitting to his audience for those who had not seen the risen Christ. Not to just take his word for it, to check for themselves and satisfy their own minds, to ask the many thousands of people who are still alive in Jerusalem that saw the risen Christ.
Paul like the other Apostles, besides risking his life, was challenging the people. He was allowing himself open to accusation of lies and condemnation. " Ask other people, find out yourselves ". Anyone could discredit him and disrepute his character. Instantly destroying the resurrection account of Jesus Christ, if what he was saying wasn’t true.
And there is not ONE ancient document anywhere that Disputes The New Testament writings.
If you are going to reject the New Testament writings as not worthy ancient manuscripts. Then you must also reject all other historic manuscripts and people, such as - Caesar, Aristotle, Plato, Alexander the Great, Homer etc. And thousands of other accepted historic manuscripts and persons . However, those historic manuscripts are recognized and taught throughout the world as truthful historic manuscripts and persons.
Therefore by acknowledging and accepting other historic persons and manuscripts. You also must acknowledge as well - the historic writings of The New Testament manuscripts, as written historical facts. ( YOU CAN-NOT VIEW THEM ANY OTHER WAY ) The New Testament manuscripts as historical documents are overwhelmingly evident just in sheer numbers, and supported by countless historical figures, both in and outside of Christian circles.
As ancient writings, they are far more trustworthy, than any other ancient manuscript of antiquity.
As well as their geographical accuracy, earliest manuscript time-frames, it is the relationship to actual witnesses. The Apostles themselves, accurately communicating the story of Jesus Christ. His life, his miracles, crucifixion and resurrection, involved with guiding the early church and its leaders. And because of this, we can see today - The ancient manuscripts writings by the Apostles, are the same writings in today’s Christian Bible. The New Testament is by far, the most superior and leading frontrunner in manuscript history.
The most amazing and Only Unique to the New Testament Is that if you were to destroy every bible in the world today. And destroy every ancient manuscript we have available, so there’s nothing left to read.
You can still construct the entire New Testament of Jesus Christ with all but 11 verses. And those 11 verses, do not in any way hinder the message of the resurrection and Salvation through Jesus Christ.
When the early church leaders like Polycarp would correspond with others, while writing letters to each other. They would also include quotations from The New Testament manuscripts, sometimes complete chapters. They were taking notes and quoting within the letters. And remarkably, we now have over 86,000 manuscript quotations of The New Testament, just from letters of early church leaders corresponding with each other.
And with just these quotations we are able to recreate the entire New Testament of Jesus Christ. This is astonishing and unprecedented against any other ancient manuscript of antiquity. There are ( NO OTHER ANCIENT MANUSCRIPTS ) that can do this ! The legitimacy of The New Testament writings is overwhelmingly convincing by all measured standards, and unsurpassed in manuscript authority in history.
And it's because of this lack of knowledge - of proven manuscript evidence. And historical authenticity of The New Testament manuscripts. Many people believe the written accounts of Jesus and his resurrection, has been changed over the many centuries.
When you research the Christian ancient manuscripts - against all other historical manuscripts, you can clearly come to a firm verdict with absolute Historical Confidence. The New Testament Manuscripts - Reveal that the Evidence is far more Authentic, Truthful and Accurately reported of All other Ancient Manuscripts in History. You may not believe and reject the testified writings - of the manuscripts of Jesus Christ and his resurrection.. However, you cannot dismiss the Overwhelming Ancient Manuscript Evidence. That what was written in the 1st Century, is the same writings we have in today’s King James Bible. And what was witnessed by the Apostles of Jesus and his resurrection to life. Was Truthfully written without Malice or Deceit.
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