Showing posts with label Jesus is coming back to judge the living and the dead. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus is coming back to judge the living and the dead. Show all posts

Monday, 10 June 2024

Is the Jesus of History the Christ of Faith?

We’re in a good place whenever we honestly ask, “Is the Jesus of history the Christ of Faith?” Let’s look at both today. Study the links and decide for yourself. Holy Spirit will help you. He is drawing you here already.

Whenever we reach the point Thomas did when he saw Jesus on the cross but refused to believe He rose again until he saw the nail prints in His hands and the spear wound in His side, we're in a good place. Thomas was saying, “Unless the Jesus of history is the Christ of faith, I won’t believe”. And Jesus met him and showed him His hands and side.

Jesus of History Christ of Faith

Who was the Jesus of history?

He only did what he saw the Father do (John 6:38) and he only said what he heard the Father speak (John 12:49-50). Jesus was led by compassion (Matthew 14:14). He healed the sick (Mark 1:41) and honoured His mother (John 2:1-11, John 19:25-27) Forgiving Sinners (Luke 7:36-50), Jesus demonstrates compassion by forgiving a sinful woman who anoints his feet with oil, emphasizing mercy and grace over judgment.

Jesus is considered the most remarkable figure in history, central to our civilization. The timeline divides into 'BC' before him and 'AD' after him. He forgave sins, spoke of judging the world, and emphasized the importance of one's response to him in this life. C. S. Lewis argued that based on Jesus' claims, he couldn't be just a great moral teacher but must be either the Son of God, insane, or evil.

Regarding his character, even non-Christians often see Jesus as the epitome of selflessness. Dostoevsky described him as incomparable and perfect, with teachings considered the purest and best ever spoken. C. S. Lewis concluded that Jesus couldn't have been insane or evil, leading him to accept Jesus as God.

The evidence for Jesus' physical resurrection is strong, with over 500 eyewitnesses seeing him after his supposed death. The transformation of the disciples and the rapid growth of the Christian church are attributed to this event. The resurrection is seen as the living truth by many, with Lord Darling highlighting the overwhelming evidence supporting it.

Who is the Christ of Faith?

Jesus' purpose in coming was to sacrifice himself for humanity, described as giving his life as a ransom for many. His death on the cross, one of the cruelest forms of execution, is depicted vividly. Jesus' sacrifice is believed to be an act of love to free humanity from sin, with the word 'ransom' symbolizing his payment to set us free from bondage.

Jesus' death is seen as an act of love, where he bore the sins of humanity out of compassion. This act of sacrifice is described as a ransom paid by his blood on the cross to liberate all who believe in him.

Jesus lived (Flavius Josephus "Antiquities of the Jews," Book 18, Chapter 3, Paragraph 3). And He died (Tacitus "Annals," Book 15, Chapter 44). He rose again ( Pliny the Younger's Epistles, Book 10, Letter 96). His first followers all died because of what they said happen - that they saw the risen Lord. Who dies for a good person? Link to Why do we know Jesus Rose From the Dead

More Videos, Podcasts, and Blog Posts on Jesus

Who is Jesus? - Theology

What difference does Jesus mean to me?

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , ,

7 Reasons Why I Know that Jesus Rose From the Dead

Did Jesus really die and rise again? Paul tells us if He didn’t, our faith is worthless and we are still in our sins (1 Corinthians 15:14-17) so it is an important question to settle in our for our faith.

Trevor H. Lund is the founder of Live LIGHT Academy at https://livelight.ca and the Chief Storyteller at https://revtrev.com. Subscribe and set notifications on YouTube at https://revtrev.com/tv and visit https://revtrev.com/radio to subscribe to his podcast wherever you listen.

Jesus Rose

Here are 7 Reasons Why I Know that Jesus Rose From the Dead

1. Eyewitness Accounts

Emphasizing the significance of eyewitness testimonies, various individuals and groups claimed to have seen Jesus alive after his crucifixion. These accounts are documented in the New Testament, with appearances to Mary Magdalene, the disciples, and over 500 people at once. See John 20:11-18, Matthew 28:9-10, Luke 24:13-35, John 20:19-23, John 20:24-29, John 21:1-14, Matthew 28:16-20, 1 Corinthians 15:6-7

2. Empty Tomb

The discovery of Jesus' empty tomb is another critical point. The tomb was found empty by women, whose testimonies were not highly regarded at that time. This detail adds credibility to the story, as it would be unlikely to fabricate such information. See Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12 , John 20:1-10

3. Transformation of the Disciples

Initially fearful and in hiding after Jesus' death, his disciples became bold proclaimers of his resurrection after claiming to have seen him alive. This transformation from fear to courage, even in the face of persecution and martyrdom, supports the truth of their claims. See: John 20:19 vs Acts 4:13 and see below.

4. Early Christian Writings

Early Christian creeds and writings referencing the resurrection, some dating back to shortly after Jesus' death, suggest that belief in the resurrection was foundational to early Christian faith. This indicates that the belief was not a later development but an integral part of early Christianity. See: Justin Martyr "Dialogue with Trypho", Chapter 108. Tertullian "On the Resurrection of the Flesh", Chapter 48. Origen commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Book 2, Chapter 24.

5. Historical Impact

The rapid growth of Christianity from a small group to a major religious movement within a few centuries is used to argue for the authenticity of the resurrection. Such a significant impact is believed to be difficult to explain without an extraordinary event like the resurrection. There are reasons that Rome made it possible, but why Christianity and not the cult of Mithras? It had even more advantages in the same time period of Roman history.

6. Disciples Zeal

All (but maybe 1 - who was tortured and persecuted*) died because they told people Jesus rose from the dead.

  • Peter: Crucified upside down in Rome, around AD 64-68 during the persecution under Emperor Nero.
  • Andrew: Crucified on an X-shaped cross in Patras, Greece, around AD 60-70.
  • James, son of Zebedee: Beheaded in Jerusalem around AD 44 by Herod Agrippa I.
  • John*: Died of natural causes in Ephesus around AD 95-100, although there are some traditions that suggest he was martyred.
  • Philip: Martyred in Hierapolis, Phrygia (modern-day Turkey) by hanging or crucifixion around AD 80.
  • Bartholomew: Flayed alive and then either crucified or beheaded in Armenia or India.
  • Matthew: Killed by a sword in Ethiopia or Persia.
  • Thomas: Speared to death in Mylapore, India, around AD 72.
  • James, son of Alphaeus: Stoned and clubbed to death in Egypt or Jerusalem.
  • Thaddaeus (Jude): Martyred with arrows in Beirut or Edessa.
  • Simon the Zealot: Crucified in Persia or Samaria.
  • Matthias: Stoned and beheaded in Jerusalem.

Who dies for a good person or to sustain a lie? But this makes sense if they saw Jesus after his death.

7. The difference it’s made in my own life.

So far I’ve stuck with historical, researchable topics, but this reason is my most personal. I’ve confessed with my mouth “Jesus the Lord” and believed in my heart that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9) and I am saved… not only that I know one day I’ll be with Him forever, in a new glorious body and enjoy Him forever, but also from and through the crap that this life can be in the meantime.

Do you have another reason you believe Jesus rose from the dead? Tell me in the comments.

Check out other topics on Jesus

Who is Jesus? - Theology

What difference does Jesus mean to me?

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)