PART 2
B. CHRISTIAN EVIDENCE
Christianity dramatically grew within the first 100 years or so after the death of Jesus. The early Christian writers included those who learned directly from the original Apostles and told of what they heard directly from those who met Jesus personally. Their biographic letters and papers record details about Jesus' life, death, and the fact that they believed He rose from the dead.
The historical evidence for Jesus of Nazareth is both long-established and widespread. Within a few decades of His life, He is mentioned by Jewish and Roman historians, as well as by dozens of Christian writers. Compare that with King Arthur, who supposedly lived around AD 500. The major historical source for events of that time does not even mention Arthur, and he is first referred to 300 or 400 years after he is supposed to have lived. The evidence for Jesus is not limited to later folklore, as are accounts of King Arthur, and other people that hare purported to have lived.
The historic church has had the complete written "logos/graphe" Word since before AD 100. The New Testament Scriptures (27) were compiled into one book in AD 144 by Marcion of Sinope (AD 85-160), the son of the Bishop of Pontus. There are nearly 5,700 copies of the Greek manuscripts that were made very close to the time of the originals, and they all agree with each other with 99.5% accuracy. The .5% variation would include textual misspellings or minor word alternations. There are also over 19,000 copies in the Syriac, Latin, Coptic, and Aramaic languages, bringing the total supporting New Testament manuscript purity to over 24,000 copies. There are only 10 manuscripts of Caesar's Gallic War, and so-called 'scholars' don't doubt their credibility, veracity, or accuracy. Originals or autographs aren't needed because we can construct the whole Bible through different potteries and lectionaries, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947, which contained text from the Old Testament that was 1000 years older than the previous one. There were just a few negligible discrepancies.
None of the copies of the original manuscripts or the autographs exist. The most commonly translated and copied book of antiquity was the Bible, and it was the most sought-after to be destroyed, so it is a miracle that the Bible exists. The Bible has been translated many times in a one-step process from the original languages into multiple languages throughout history. However, it has never been rewritten.
Intellectually honest Bible Scholars have developed the science of textual criticism. They have examined manuscripts by the thousands and determined that there are so few discrepancies in the textual variants. The only actual variance seems to be misspellings or changes/variations of spelling words or something not anything of significance that would alter the meaning of a text itself.
God the Father, just as He spoke in the past in the Old Testament, continues to speak to His people today through the New Testament by using His own Words spoken to Jesus, who then spoke to His Apostles, who wrote them down, which made up the New Testament (Luke 10:16; John 13:20, 17:17-20). The writers of the New Testament constantly appealed to the Scriptures alone as their base of authority in declaring what was and was not actual Biblical teaching (Matthew 21:42; John 2:22; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Peter 1:10-12, 2:2; 2 Peter 1:17-19; Acts 17:11).
1. EARLY CHRISTIAN WRITERS (Circa AD 40-157)
Virtually all scholars who have investigated the history of the Christian movement find that the historicity of Jesus is effectively certain. Honest historians confirm that existing documents support the conclusion that Jesus was known as a historical person by Christian writers within twenty years of His death, and by non-Christian writers 40 to 157 years after His death.
Didache (Circa AD 50-70)
The Didache was a collection of writings that were used in the early church as a discipleship manual on how Christians should act. It recites some of Jesus' teachings and lays out instructions for celebrating communion and remembering Jesus' death and resurrection.
Clement
Clement was the leader of the first Century church in Rome. He wrote a letter to the church at Corinth (Circa AD 70-96). He also wrote on the teachings of Jesus (13:1), His death (21:6), and resurrection from the dead (24:1).
Papias
Papias (Circa AD 95-110) wrote that he learned about the teaching of Jesus directly from those who had heard Him in person.
Ignatius of Antioch
Ignatius wrote a letter to the Smyrnaeans (Circa AD 110) in which he stated that Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate and Herod the Tetrarch (Chapter 1), and had suffered "all these things for us, and He suffered them really, and not in appearance only, even as also He truly rose again" (Chapter 2).
Quadratus
Quadratus was a Christian who wrote a letter to the emperor Hadrian (Circa AD 117-138) in defense of Christianity. He wrote that the many miraculous works of Jesus were genuine, and those He had healed and raised from the dead were still alive even after the day after He was crucified.
Polycarp
It is believed that Polycarp was taught directly by the John the Evangelist. He wrote a letter to the Philippians (Circa AD 110-140) that affirmed Jesus lived and died.
Irenaeus (Circa AD 130-202)
Irenaeus was from Smyrna and had seen and heard the preaching of Polycarp. He was the last-known living connection with the Apostles and a leader who was known for his role in expanding the Christian communities in the southern regions of present-day France as well as the development of Christian theology to fight heterodox or Gnostic interpretations of Scripture that were considered heresy and defining proto-orthodoxy.
Irenaeus was the earliest surviving witness who based his theological confirmation of the four Gospels as canonical (inspired) and that they were to be included as essential books of the New Testament as the complete and only rule of faith and practice. He also based his choice on Geography, Meteorology, and Symmetry. He taught three pillars of orthodoxy: the Scriptures, the tradition handed down from the Apostles, and the teaching of those who succeeded them.
Justin Martyr
Martyr wrote in his First Apology (Circa AD 155-157) that Jesus was a teacher, was crucified, died, and rose again (Chapter XXI).
The Deaths of the Apostles
Eleven of the twelve Apostles died by Crucifixion and torture because they refused to deny Christ and his teachings. From the first century on, countless disciples of Jesus have been tortured and martyred for proclaiming that Jesus was alive and risen from the dead. People will die for what they imagine to be true, although it could be false. However, they don't give up their life for what they know is a lie.
II. PROPHETIC EVIDENCE
"Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you - unless you believed in vain.' For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:1-4 ESV)
There are over 365 prophetic Scriptures in the Old Testament that relate to Jesus as the promised Messiah. The Lord declares that accurate prophecy belongs to Him alone and that He can prophesy about the future of humanity through human vessels. The precision of fulfilled prophecy becomes not only irrefutable proof of God's foreknowledge and sovereignty, but it also proves conclusively that the Bible is the revelation of God's truth regarding the sinfulness of humanity and the need for salvation. We are confronted with the claims of Christ regarding our sinful rebellion and His pardon that was purchased for us by His death and resurrection.
"remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose" (Isaiah 46:9-10 ESV)
A study was conducted to compare all non-biblical published predictions for their success or failure rate. Of all the prophecies studied, 98% of them were totally incorrect. Only 2% of their predictions were fulfilled.
The Bible says about predictions:
"Let them bring them, and tell us what is to happen. Tell us the former things, what they are, that we may consider them, that we may know their outcome; or declare to us the things to come." (Isaiah 41:22 ESV)
"Tell us what is to come hereafter, that we may know that you are gods; do good, or do harm, that we may be dismayed and terrified." (Isaiah 41:23 ESV)
The Laws of Probability
Statistical theory shows that if the probability of one event occurring is one in five and the probability of another event occurring is one in ten, then the probability of both events being fulfilled in the sequence is five multiplied by ten. Thus, the chance of both events occurring is one in fifty.
The Prediction and the Event Probability
A. The Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah. (Genesis 49:10; Luke 3:23-24) 1 chance in 12
B. He would be born in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2; Matthew. 2:1) 1 chance in 200
C. He would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver. (Zechariah 11:12; Matthew 26:15)
1 chance in 50
The Combined Probability is: 12 X 200 X 50 = 1 chance in 120,000!!
Here are the odds against just 11 of the 365 prophecies being fulfilled:
The Promised Messiah Would: Probability
1. Be born in Bethlehem: 1 chance in 200
Old Testament prediction: (Micah 5:2)
New Testament fulfillment (Matthew 2:1)
2. Be preceded by a messenger: 1 chance in 20
Old Testament prediction: (Isaiah 40:3)
New Testament fulfillment: (Matthew 3:12).
3. Enter Jerusalem on a colt: 1 chance in 50
Old Testament prediction: (Zechariah 9:9)
New Testament fulfillment: (Luke 19:35-37)
4. Be betrayed by a friend: 1 chance in 10
Old Testament prediction: (Psalm 41:9)
New Testament Fulfillment: (Matthew 26:47-50).
5. Have His hands and feet pierced: 1 chance in 100
Old Testament prediction: (Psalm 22:16)
New Testament fulfillment: (Luke 23:33).
6. Be wounded and whipped by His enemies: 1 chance in 25
Old Testament prediction: (Isaiah 53:5)
New Testament fulfillment: (Matthew 27:26).
7. Be sold for thirty pieces of silver: 1 chance in 100
Old Testament prediction: (Zechariah 11:12)
New Testament fulfillment: (Matthew 26:15).
8. Be spit on and beaten: 1 chance in 10
Old Testament prediction: (Isaiah 50:6)
New Testament fulfillment: (Matthew 26:67)
9. Have His betrayal money throne in the Temple and give it to the Potters field. 1 chance in 200
Old Testament prediction: (Zechariah 11:13)
New Testament fulfillment: (Matthew 25:57)
10. Be silent before His accusers: 1 chance in 100
Old Testament prediction: (Isaiah 53:7)
New Testament fulfillment: (Matthew 27:12-14)
11. Be crucified with thieves: 1 chance in 100
Old Testament prediction: (Isaiah 53:12)
New Testament fulfillment: (Matthew 27:38)
The combined Probability is ONE chance in 10 to the 19th Power or ONE chance in 10,000,000,000,000,000,000! (Ten Trillion!)
This means that there is only one chance in 10 billion times 10 billion that the prophets could have accurately predicted these eleven specific prophecies by chance alone or that any single human life could fulfill these detailed prophecies by chance alone!
Critics and Skeptics alike say that the primarily uneducated Gospel writers with their preconceived perceptions and ideas of what the promised Messiah would say and do, got together and reviewed every word written in the Old Testament and then fabricated the details and created an elaborate, meaningless hoax of the 500+ Old Testament prophetic verses to make it appear that Jesus fulfilled them and that the Pharisees, Sadducees, and other people living at the time, who had been around when all those things happened, including the Greeks who had been subjugated by the Romans hundreds of years earlier, went along with the scam and did not jump at the opportunity to discredit them by pointing out the lies even though those events are so well-established historically for anyone to suggest that the disciples fabricated them.
A few questions for the Critics and Skeptics.
How would the Romans and Jewish religious leaders have benefited by inventing a phony, pacifist, Jewish miracle worker who was so hated by the leaders of His own country, and conspiring together with their hated occupiers to have Jesus executed, and then persecute His followers having them beaten, imprisoned, stoned and put to death by other violent means, making them martyrs?
Why would the Gospel writers be willing to be put to death for lies about Jesus being the promised Messiah when they had nothing to gain from inventing a new religion and everything to lose?
Why did the Gospel writers emphasize the crucifixion when the Jewish understanding of the Messianic prophecies emphasized a coming king who would evict the Roman occupiers?
Why didn't the Jewish Talmud ever claim that the fulfillment of the OT prophecies were, in fact, lies?
The simple truth is that the odds of all these things happening are far greater than those of the OT prophecies being fulfilled by Jesus.
COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF MESSIANIC PROPHECIES*
The Pre-Existence of the Messiah
Subject Prophesied Fulfilled
1. The Messiah would be eternal Psalm 102:25-27a Col 1:17
2. The Messiah would be from everlasting Prov 8:22-23 John 17:5
3. The Messiah would be from everlasting (the "Everlasting Father") Isa 9:6e Rev 1:8
4. The Messiah would be from everlasting Isa 48:16a John 1:1-2
5. The Messiah would be from everlasting Micah 5:2c John 8:58
6. The Messiah would be from everlasting Hab 1:12 Mark 1:24
The Messiah Would be God Incarnate
Subject Prophecied Fulfilled
7. The Messiah would be the creator of all Psalm 102:25-27b John 1:3
8. The Messiah would be Lord Psalm 110:1a Matt 22:41-45
9. The Messiah would be holy Dan 9:24b Luke 1:35
10. The Messiah would be God Psalm 45:6-7b Heb 1:8-9
11. The Messiah would be God Isa 7:14c John 12:45
12. The Messiah would be God Isa 40:3c John 10:30
13. The Messiah would be God Jer 23:5-6b John 13:13
14. The Messiah would be both God and man Jer 23:5-6c 1 Tim 3:16
15. The Messiah would be both God and man (the "Mighty God") Isa 9:6d John 10:30
16. The Messiah would be God Zech 11:10-11b John 14:7
17. The Messiah would be God Zech 11:12-13d John 12:45
18. The Messiah would be both God and man Zech 12:10b John 10:30
19. The Messiah would be both God and man Zech 13:7c John 14:9
The Messiah Would be the Son of God
Subject Prophecied Fulfilled
20. God would have a Son Proverbs 30:4b Matt 3:16-17
21. The Messiah would be the Son of God Psalm 2:7a Luke 1:31-35
22. The Messiah would be the Son of God Psalm 2:12a Matt 17:5
23. The Messiah would be the Son of God 2 Sam 7:13-14 Matt 3:16-17
24. The Messiah would be the Son of God 1 Chron 17:13-14 John 12:28-30
25. The Messiah would be the Son of God Isa 9:6b Luke 1:35
26. The Messiah would call God his Father Psalm 89:26 Matt 11:27
29. The Messiah would be killed before the destruction of the temple Dan 9:26c Matt 27:50-51
The Genealogy of the Messiah (Seed, Race, Nation, Tribe, & Family)
Subject Prophecied Fulfilled
30. The Messiah would be born of the "seed" of a woman Gen 3:15a Luke 1:34-35
31. The Messiah would be a descendant of Seth Gen 4:25 Luke 3:23-38
32. The Messiah would be a descendant of Shem Gen 9:26 Luke 3:23-36
33. The Messiah would be a descendant of Abraham Gen 12:3 Matt 1:1
34. The Messiah would be a descendant of Abraham Gen 18:17-18a Matt 1:1
35. The Messiah would be a descendant of Abraham Gen 22:18a Gal 3:16
36. The Messiah would be a descendant of Isaac Gen 17:19 Luke 3:23-34
37. The Messiah would be a descendant of Isaac Gen 21:12 Luke 3:23-34
38. The Messiah would be a descendant of Isaac Gen 26:4 Luke 3:23-34
39. The Messiah would be a descendant of Jacob Gen 28:14a Luke 3:23-34
40. The Messiah would be a descendant of Judah Gen 49:10a Luke 3:23-33
41. The Messiah would be a descendant of Judah 1 Chron 5:2 Luke 3:23-33
42. The Messiah would be a descendant of Boaz & Ruth Ruth 4:12-17 Luke 3:23-32
43. The Messiah would be a descendant of Jesse Isa 11:1a Luke 3:23-32
44. The Messiah would be a descendant of Jesse Isa 11:10a Luke 3:23-32
45. The Messiah would be a descendant of David 2 Sam 7:12-13 Matt 1:1
46. The Messiah would be a descendant of David 2 Sam 7:16 Matt 1:1
47. The Messiah would be a descendant of David 1 Chron 17:11-12a Luke 3:23-31
48. The Messiah would be a descendant of David Psalm 89:3-4 Matt 1:1
49. The Messiah would be a descendant of David Psalm 89:29 Matt 1:1
50. The Messiah would be a descendant of David Psalm 89:35-36 Matt 1:1
51. The Messiah would be a descendant of David Psalm 132:11 Matt 1:1
52. The Messiah would be a descendant of David Psalm 132:17 Matt 1:1
53. The Messiah would be a descendant of David Isa 7:13-14 Matt 1:1
54. The Messiah would be a descendant of David Isa 9:7 Matt 1:1
55. The Messiah would be a descendant of David Jer 23:5-6a Luke 3:23-31
56. The Messiah would be a descendant of David Jer 33:14-15 Luke 3:23-31
57. The Messiah would be a descendant of David Ez 17:22-24 Luke 3:23-31
58. The Messiah would be a descendant of David Ez 34:23-24 Matt 1:1
59. The Messiah would be a descendant of Zerubbabel Haggai 2:23 Luke 3:23-27
The Birth & Childhood of the Messiah
Subject Prophecied Fulfilled
60. The Messiah would be born of a virgin Isa 7:14a Luke 1:34-35
61. The Messiah would be born of a virgin Jer 31:22 Matt 1:18-20
62. The Messiah would be born of a virgin Jer 22:30 Matt 1:18-20
63. The Messiah would be Immanuel, "God with us" Isa 7:14b Matt 1:21-23
64. The Messiah would be called by his name before being born Isa 49:1c Luke 1:0-31
65. The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem Micah 5:2a Matt 2:1-2
66. The birth of the Messiah Isa 9:6a Luke 2:11
67. The Messiah would be announced by a star Num 24:17 Matt 2:2
68. The Messiah would be protected by God Isa 49:2b Matt 2:13-15
69. The Messiah would be brought out of Egypt Hosea 11:1 Matt 2:13-15
70. The male children would be slaughtered Jer 13:15 Matt 2:16-18
71. The Messiah would be from Nazareth Isa 11:1 Matt 2:23
72. The Messiah would be from Nazareth Isa 42:1-4 Matt 2:23
73. The Messiah would grow up in a poor family Isa 11:1b Luke 2:7
74. The Messiah would grow up in a poor family Isa 53:2a Luke 2:7
75. The Messiah would be aware of his Father from his youth Psalm 22:9 Luke 2:40
The Forerunner of the Messiah
Subject Prophecied Fulfilled
76. The forerunner of the Messiah would live in the wilderness Isa 40:3a Matt 3:1-4
77. The forerunner would prepare people for the coming of the Messiah Isa 40:3b Luke 1:17
78. A messenger would prepare the way for the Messiah Mal 3:1a Matt 11:10
79. The Messiah's forerunner would come in the spirit of Elijah Mal 4:5 Matt 3:1-2
80. The Messiah's forerunner would turn many to righteousness Mal 4:6 Luke 1:16-17
The Attributes of the Messiah
Subject Prophecied Fulfilled
81. The Messiah would be a Prophet Deut 18:15-19a John 6:14
82. The Messiah would be a Priest in the order of Melchisedec Psalm 110:4 Heb 6:17-20
83. The Messiah would be Priest and King Zech 6:12-13 Heb 8:1
84. The Messiah would be a King Gen 49:10b John 1:49
85. The Messiah would be a King Num 24:17 John 19:19
86. The Messiah would be a King Psalm 2:6 John 12:12-13
87. The Messiah would be the "Wonderful Counselor" Isa 9:6c John 7:46
88. The Messiah would be the "Prince of Peace" Isa 9:6f Col 1:20
89. The Messiah would be the subject of angels' worship Deut 32:43 Luke 2:13-14
90. The Messiah would be a witness Isa 55:4 John 18:37
91. The Messiah would be as a shepherd Isa 40:11 John 10:11
92. The Messiah would speak in parables Psalm 78:2 Matt 13:34-35
93. The Messiah would speak in parables Isa 6:9-10b Matt 13:13-15
94. The Messiah would speak with a message of grace Psalm 45:2 Luke 4:22
95. The Messiah's words would be as a sharp sword Isa 49:2a Rev 2:12-16
96. The Messiah would speak with words of authority
given to Him from God Deut 18:15-19b John 12:48-50
97. The Messiah would minister in Galilee Isa 9:1-2a Matt 4:12-17
98. The Messiah would shine as a light in darkness Isa 9:2 John 1:9; 12:46
99. The Messiah would have the Spirit of God upon him Isa 42:1b Matt 3:16-17
100. The Messiah would have the Spirit of God upon him Isa 61:1-2a Matt 3:16-17
101. The Messiah would have the Spirit of Wisdom Isa 11:2b Luke 2:40
102. The Messiah would have the Spirit of Understanding Isa 11:2c Luke 2:40
103. The Messiah would have the Spirit of Counsel Isa 11:2d Matt 7:28-29
104. The Messiah would have the Spirit of Might Isa 11:2e Matt 8:27
105. The Messiah would have the Spirit of the Knowledge of God Isa 11:2f John 7:29
106. The Messiah would have the Spirit of the Fear of God Isa 11:2g Heb 5:7
107. The Messiah would have a quick understanding
in the fear of the Lord Isa 11:3a Luke 2:46-47
108. The Messiah would place his trust in God Isa 50:8-10 John 11:7-10
109. The Messiah would be just Zech 9:9c John 5:30
110. The Messiah would not judge on the basis of
external representations Isa 11:3b John 7:24
111. The Messiah would judge the poor with righteousness Isa 11:4 Mark 12:41-44
112. The Messiah would have compassion for the poor and needy Isa 42:3 Matt 11:4-5
113. The Gentiles would trust in the Messiah Isa 42:4b Matt 12:15-21
114. The Messiah would act with righteousness Psalm 45:6-7c John 5:30
115. The Messiah would be responsible for the judgment of mankind Isa 49:2c John 5:22-29
116. The Messiah would not draw attention to himself Isa 42:2 Matt 12:15-21
117. The Messiah would be humble Zech 9:9e Matt 11:29
118. The Messiah would appear as an ordinary man Isa 53:2b Phil 2:7-8
119. The Messiah would be the cornerstone Isa 28:16 1 Peter 2:4-6
120. The Messiah would be the cornerstone Zech 10:4 Eph 2:20
121. The Messiah would be the "Rock" 2 Sam 23:2-4a 1 Cor 10:4
122. The Messiah would be as the "light of the morning" 2 Sam 23:2-4b Rev 22:16
123. The Messiah would say the scriptures were written of him Psalm 40:6-8b Luke 24:44
124. The Messiah would give gifts to men Psalm 68:18b Matt 10:1
125. The Messiah would have the key of David Isa 22:22 Rev 3:7
Events During the Messiah's Ministry
Subject Prophecied Fulfilled
126. The Spirit would rest on the Messiah Isa 11:2a John 1:32-34
127. The Messiah would preach the good news Isa 61:1-2b Luke 4:17-21
128. The Messiah would declare that he was the Son of God Psalm 2:7b John 9:35-37
129. Infants would give praise to the Messiah Psalm 8:2 Matt 21:15-16
130. The Messiah would be greeted with rejoicing in Jerusalem Zech 9:9a Matt 21:8-10
131. The Messiah would be beheld as King Zech 9:9b John 12:12-13
132. The Messiah would pay for the Donkey Ex 13:13 Mark 11:2-3
133. The Messiah would be presented to Jerusalem riding on a donkey Zech 9:9f Matt 21:6-9
134. The Messiah would visit the second Temple Haggai 2:6-9 Luke 2:27-32
135. The Messiah would make a sudden appearance at the temple Mal 3:1b Mark 11:15-16
136. The Messiah would be angered by disrespect toward the temple Psalm 69:9a John 2:13-17
137. The Messiah would be ministered to by God Isa 42:6b John 8:29
138. The Messiah would ask God for His inheritance Psalm 2:8a John 17:4-24
The Messiah Would Perform Miracles
Subject Prophecied Fulfilled
139. The Messiah would heal the blind Isa 35:5a Mark 10:51-52
140. The Messiah would heal the deaf Isa 35:5b Mark 7:32-35
141. The Messiah would heal the lame Isa 35:6a Matt 12:10-13
142. The Messiah would heal the dumb Isa 35:6b Matt 9:32-33
143. The Messiah would heal the blind Isa 42:7 Matt 9:27-30
144. The Messiah would have a healing ministry Isa 53:4a Luke 6:17-19
145. The Messiah would have healing in His wings Mal 4:2a Luke 8:42-48
The Messiah Would Come to do God's Will
Subject Prophecied Fulfilled
146. The Messiah was the one promised to come Psalm 40:7 Matt 11:2-6
147. The Messiah would be called to God's service from the womb Psalm 22:10 Luke 1:30-33
148. The Messiah would be called to God's service from the womb Isa 49:1b Matt 1:20-21
149. The Messiah would be sent by God Isa 48:16b John 7:29
150. The Messiah would come to do God's will Psalm 40:7-8 John 5:30
151. The Messiah would please God Isa 42:1c Matt 3:16-17
152. The Messiah's work would glorify God Isa 49:3b Matt 15:30-31
153. The Messiah would not conceal his mission from the congregation Psalm 40:9-10 Luke 4:16-21
154. The Messiah would not be rebellious to God's will Isa 50:5 John 12:27
155. The Messiah would steadfastly set his face toward his mission Isa 50:7 Luke 9:51-53
156. The Messiah would be God's servant Isa 42:1a John 4:34
157. The Messiah would be God's servant Isa 49:3a John 17:4
158. The Messiah would be God's servant Isa 49:5 John 6:38
159. The Messiah would be God's servant Isa 49:6a John 12:49-50
160. The Messiah would be God's servant Isa 52:13a John 9:4
161. The Messiah would be God's servant Isa 53:11b Rom 5:18-19
162. The Messiah would be God's servant Micah 5:2b John 15:10
163. The Messiah would be God's servant Zech 3:8 John 17:4
164. The Messiah would bear reproach, for God's sake Psalm 69:7 Matt 26:65-67
165. The Messiah would bear reproach, for God's sake Psalm 69:9b Rom 15:3
166. It was God's will the Messiah would be the sin-bearer for all people Isa 53:6b 1 John 4:10
167. It was God's will that the Messiah would die for all mankind Isa 53:10a John 18:11
168. It was God's will that the Messiah would die for all mankind Zech 13:7a John 18:11
169. God would be fully satisfied with the suffering of the Messiah Isa 53:11a John 12:27
170. The Messiah would receive guidance from God Isa 42:6a John 5:19-20
171. The Messiah would speak with knowledge given to Him from God Isa 50:4 John 12:49
172. The Messiah would come in the name of the Lord Psalm 118:26 Matt 21:9
Mark 11:9
The Messiah Would Come for All People
Subject Prophecied Fulfilled
173. The Messiah sent only to Israel Ez 3:4-6 Matt 10:5-6,15,
8:24; Rom15:8
174. The Messiah would come for all nations Gen 18:17-18b Acts 3:24-26
175. The Messiah would come for all nations Gen 22:18b Gal 3:14
176. The Messiah would come for all people Gen 28:14b Gal 3:26-29
177. The Messiah would come for all people 2 Sam 22:50 Rom 15:8-9
178. The Messiah would come for all people Psalm 18:49 Eph 3:4-6
179. The Messiah would come for all people Isa 11:10b Acts 13:47-48
180. The Messiah would come for all people Isa 49:1a 1 Tim 2:4-6
181. The Messiah would be a light to the Gentiles Isa 9:1-2b Luke 2:28-32
182. The Messiah would be a light to the Gentiles Isa 42:6d John 8:12
183. The Messiah would be a light to the Gentiles Isa 49:6b Acts 13:47-48
184. The Messiah would provide "justice" to the Gentiles Isa 42:1d Matt 24:14
The Messiah Would Come to Provide Salvation
Subject Prophecied Fulfilled
185. The Messiah would be the messenger of the new covenant Mal 3:1c Luke 4:43
186. The Messiah would be the new covenant Isa 42:6c Matt 26:28
187. The Messiah would be the new covenant Jer 31:31 Matt 26:28
188. The Messiah would come to make an end to sins Dan 9:24a Gal 1:3-5
189. The Messiah would provide freedom from the bondage
of sin and death Isa 61:1-2c John 8:31-32
190. The Messiah would proclaim a period of grace Isa 61:1-2d John 5:24
191. The Messiah would die for the sins of the world Isa 53:8d 1 John 2:2
192. The Messiah would die for the sins of the world Dan 9:26b Heb 2:9
193. The Messiah would give up his life to save mankind Isa 53:12b Luke 23:46
194. The Messiah would be as a sacrificial lamb Isa 53:7c John 1:29
195. The Messiah would be a (guilt) offering for sin Isa 53:10b Matt 20:28
196. The Messiah's offering of himself would replace all sacrifices Psalm 40:6-8a Heb 10:10-13
197. The Messiah's blood would be shed to make an atonement for all Isa 52:15 Rev 1:5
198. The Messiah would be the sin-bearer for all mankind Isa 53:6a Gal 1:4
199. The Messiah would be the sin-bearer for all mankind Isa 53:11d Heb 9:28
200. The Messiah would be the sin-bearer for all mankind Isa 53:12d 2 Cor 5:21
201. The Messiah would bear and carry upon himself the sins of the world Isa 53:4b 1 Peter 2:24
202. The Messiah would bear the penalty for mankind's transgressions Isa 53:5a Luke 23:33
203. The Messiah's sacrifice would provide peace between man and God Isa 53:5b Col 1:20
204. The Messiah would justify man before God Isa 53:11c Rom 5:8-9
205. The Messiah would be the intercessor between man and God Isa 59:15-16b Matt 10:32-33
206. The Messiah would intercede to God in behalf of mankind Isa 53:12e Luke 23:34
207. The Messiah's atonement would enable believers to be his brethren Psalm 22:22 Heb 2:10-12
208. The Messiah would come to provide salvation Isa 59:15-16a John 6:40
209. The Messiah would bring salvation Zech 9:9d Luke 19:10
210. The Messiah would minister to the "poor," the believing remnant Zech 11:7 Matt 9:35-36
211. The Messiah would offer salvation to all mankind Joel 2:32 Rom 10:12-13
212. The Messiah would come to bring Israel back to God Isa 49:5b Matt 15:24
213. The Messiah would come to Zion as their Redeemer Isa 59:20 Luke 2:38
214. Those who refused to listen to the Messiah would be judged Deut 18:15-19c John 12:48-50
215. The Messiah would reject those who did not believe in him Psalm 2:12b John 3:36
The Messiah Would be Betrayed
Subject Prophecied Fulfilled
216. The Messiah's betrayer would be a friend He broke bread with Psalm 41:9 Mark 14:17-18
217. The Messiah would be betrayed for thirty pieces of silver Zech 11:12-13a Matt 26:14-15
218. 30 pieces of silver would be thrown into the Temple Zech 11:12-13c Matt 27:3-5
219. The potter's field would be uninhabited Psalm 69:25 Acts 1:16-20
220. The Messiah's betrayer would have a short life Psalm 109:8a Acts 1:16-18
221. The Messiah's betrayer would be replaced Psalm 109:8b Acts 1:20-26
The Messiah Would be Abandoned
Subject Prophecied Fulfilled
222. The Messiah would be abandoned by the disciples Psalm 22:11 Mark 14:50
223. The Messiah's disciples would fail him in his time of need Psalm 69:20b Mark 14:33-41
224. Men would hide from being associated with the Messiah Isa 53:3d Mark 14:50-52
The Messiah Would be Despised
Subject Prophecied Fulfilled
225. The Messiah would be despised Isa 49:7 John 10:20
226. The Messiah would be despised Zech 11:8b Matt 27:20
227. The Messiah would be despised Isa 53:3a Luke 4:28-29
228. The Messiah would be hated by many without cause Psalm 69:4 Luke 23:13-22
229. Political and religious leaders would conspire against the Messiah Psalm 2:2 Matt 26:3-4
230. The Messiah would be despised Psalm 22:6 Luke 23:21-23
The Messiah Would be Judged
Subject Prophecied Fulfilled
231. The Messiah would be accused by false witnesses Psalm 109:2 John 18:29-30
232. The Messiah would be judged Isa 53:8b John 18:13-22
233. The Messiah would be silent before his accusers Isa 53:7b Matt 27:12-14
234. The Messiah would be innocent and do no violence Isa 53:9b Mark 15:3
235. The Messiah would have no deceit in his mouth Isa 53:9c John 18:38
The Messiah Would be Rejected
Subject Prophecied Fulfilled
236. At the time of Messiah's coming, Israel would have unfit leaders Zech 11:4-6a Matt 23:1-4
237. The Messiah's brothers would disbelieve him Psalm 69:8b John 7:3-5
238. The Messiah would be the "stone" rejected by the Jews Psalm 118:22 Matt 21:42-43
239. The Jews would have a hardened heart against the Messiah Isa 6:9-10a John 12:37-40
240. The Messiah would be a "stumbling stone" for the Jews Isa 8:14 Matt 21:43-44
241. The unbelief of Israel would force the Messiah to reject them Zech 11:8a Matt 23:33
242. The Messiah would stop ministering to those who rejected Him Zech 11:9 Matt 13:10-11
243. The Messiah would be distressed over the Jews unbelief Isa 49:4a Luke 19:41-42
244. The Messiah's own people would not believe he was the Christ Isa 53:1 John 12:37-38
245. The Messiah would be rejected Zech 11:12-13b Matt 26:14-15
246. The Messiah would be rejected Isa 53:3b Matt 27:21-23
247. The Messiah would be rejected by the Jews Isa 49:4b John 5:43
248. The Messiah would be rejected by the Jews Psalm 69:8a John 1:11
249. The Messiah would be rejected in favor of another king Zech 11:4-6c John 19:13-15
250. The Messiah would be rejected Zech 11:12-13b Matt 26:14-15
251. The Messiah would be rejected by Gentiles Psalm 2:1 Acts 4:25-28
252. The Messiah would be rejected Zech 12:10c John 1:11
253. The Messiah's rejection would cause God to remove
protection of Israel Zech 11:4-6b Luke 19:41-44
254. The Messiah's rejection would cause God to remove
protection of Israel Zech 11:10-11a Luke 19:41-44
255. Israel would be scattered as a result of rejecting the Messiah Zech 13:7d Matt 26:31-56
The Messiah Would Suffer Greatly
Subject Prophecied Fulfilled
256. The Messiah would suffer while reconciling men to God Gen 3:15c 1 Peter 3:18
257. The Messiah would have great sorrow and grief Isa 53:3c Luke 19:41-42
258. The Messiah, anguished, would pray without ceasing Psalm 22:2 Matt 26:38-39
259. The Messiah would be oppressed and afflicted Isa 53:7a Matt 27:27-31
260. The Messiah would be confined and persecuted Isa 53:8a Matt 26:47-27:31
261. The Messiah's face would be beaten and spit upon Isa 50:6b Matt 26:67
262. The Messiah's face would be disfigured from severe beatings Isa 52:14 Matt 26:67-68
263. The Messiah would be beaten by bulky soldiers Psalm 22:12 Matt 26:67-68
264. The Messiah's beard would be plucked out Psalm 22:12 Matt 26:67-68
265. The Messiah's back would be whipped Isa 50:6a Matt 27:26
266. The Messiah's back would be whipped Isa 53:5c Matt 27:26
The Crucifixion of the Messiah
Subject Prophecied Fulfilled
267. The Messiah would be sacrificed on the same mountain
where God tested Abraham Gen 22:14 Luke 23:33
268. The Messiah would die with the wicked Isa 53:9 Luke 23:32-33
269 The Messiah would be grouped with criminals Isa 53:12c Luke 23:32
270. The Messiah would receive wounds in His hands Zech c3:6 Matt 27:38
271. The Messiah's hands and feet would be pierced Psalm 22:16c Matt 27:38
(NOTE: 700 years before crucifixion was invented)
272. The Messiah would pray for his enemies Psalm 109:4 Luke 23:34
273. The Messiah would be offered gall and vinegar Psalm 69:20-21a Matt 27:34
274. The Messiah's garments would be divided Psalm 22:18a John 19:23-24
275. Lots would be cast for the Messiah's clothes Psalm 22:18b John 19:23-24
276. The Messiah would be surrounded by Gentiles at his crucifixion Psalm 22:16a Luke 23:36
277. The Messiah would be surrounded by Jews at his crucifixion Psalm 22:16b Matt 27:41-43
278. The Messiah would be thought to be cursed by God Isa 53:4c Matt 27:41-43
279. The Messiah would be mocked by people shaking their heads Psalm 109:25 Mark 15:29-30
280. The Messiah would be mocked by people shaking their heads Psalm 22:7 Matt 27:39
281. People would stare at the Messiah during his crucifixion Psalm 22:17b Luke 23:35
282. Mockers would say of the Messiah, "he trusted God,
let him deliver him" Psalm 22:8 Matt 27:35
283. The Messiah would be crucified Psalm 22:14b Matt 27:41-43
284. The Messiah would cry out to God Psalm 22:1a Matt 27:46
285. The Messiah would be forsaken by God Psalm 22:1b Mark 15:34
286. The Messiah would be surrounded by evil spirits Psalm 22:12-13 Col 2:15
287. The Messiah would thirst Psalm 22:15a John 19:28
288. The Messiah would thirst Psalm 69:20-21b John 19:28
289. The Messiah would thirst shortly before his death Psalm 22:15b John 19:30
290. The Messiah would be killed Isa 53:8c Matt 27:35
291. The Messiah would be killed Dan 9:26a Matt 27:35
292. The Messiah would die a violent death Zech 13:7b Matt 27:35
293. None of the Messiah's bones would be broken Psalm 22:17a John 19:32-33
294. None of the Messiah's bones would be broken Psalm 34:20 John 19:32-33
295. The Messiah's body would be pierced Zech 12:10a John 19:34-37
296. The Messiah's heart would burst, flowing with blood & water Psalm 22:14a John 19:34
297. The Messiah would be buried in a rich man's grave Isa 53:9a Matt 27:57
The Resurrection & Victory of the Messiah
Subject Prophecied Fulfilled
298. The Messiah's body would not be subject to decay Psalm 16:8-10b Acts 13:35-37
299. The Messiah would be resurrected Psalm 16:8-10a Matt 28:6
300. The Messiah would be resurrected and live forever Isa 53:10c Mark 16:16
301. The Messiah would be resurrected by God Isa 55:3 Acts 13:34
302. Others would rise to life at the resurrection of the Messiah Isa 26:19 Matt 27:52-53
303. The Messiah would be God's "firstborn" Psalm 89:27 Mark 16:6
304. The Messiah would defeat death Isa 25:8 Rev 1:18
305. The Messiah would defeat death Hosea 13:14 1 Cor 15:55-57
306. The Messiah would defeat Satan Gen 3:15b 1 John 3:8
307. The Messiah would be justified by his righteousness Isa 50:8 1 Tim 3:16
308. The Messiah would ascend into heaven Psalm 68:18a Luke 24:51
309. The Messiah would ascend into heaven Dan 7:13-14a Acts 1:9-11
310. The Messiah would ascend and descend from heaven Prov 30:4a John 3:13
311. The Messiah would be exalted to the presence of God Psalm 16:11 Acts 2:25-33
312. The Messiah would be resurrected and crowned as King Psalm 2:7c Acts 13:30-33
313. The Messiah would be exalted by God with power and strength 1 Sam 2:10 Matt 28:18
314. The Messiah would be at the right hand of God Psalm 80:17 Acts 5:31
315. The Messiah would be at the right hand of God Psalm 110:1b Mark 16:19
316. The Messiah would be at the right hand of God Psalm 110:5 1 Peter 3:21-22
317. The Messiah's throne would be everlasting 1 Chron 17:11-12b Luke 1:32-33
318. The Messiah's throne would be everlasting Psalm 45:6-7a Luke 1:31-33
319. The Messiah's dominion would be everlasting Dan 7:13-14c Luke 1:31-33
320. The sacrifice of Messiah would be exalted by God Isa 53:12a Matt 28:18
321. The Messiah would be highly exalted Isa 52:13b Phil 2:9-11
322. The Messiah would be highly exalted Dan 7:13-14b Eph 1:20-22
323. The Messiah would prosper Isa 53:10d John 17:1-5
324. The Messiah would receive authority over all Psalm 2:8b Matt 28:18
325. The Messiah would be given authority over all things Psalm 8:6 Matt 28:18
326. A vision of the Messiah in a glorified state Dan 10:5-6 Rev 1:13-16
327. The Messiah would become the head cornerstone Psalm 118:22-23 Matt 21:42-45
328. The Messiah would fulfill the feast of firstfruits Lev 23:10-14 Matt 27:52-53
*(See https://www.messianic.org/prophecy/a-comprehensive-list-of-messianic-prophecies )
III. PERSONAL EVIDENCE - THE WORD OF YOUR TESTIMONY
I began this series by sharing my testimony about how I came to know Jesus. I believe that personal testimony is the most important and significant proof that Jesus Christ is real.
The Bible tells us that the enemy is "conquered"… "by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of" our "testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death" (Revelation 12:11 ESV).
Every Born-Again Christian has been given the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). We are to preach the Great News of Jesus Christ to everyone we meet so we can fulfill both the Great Commandment and Great Commission!
God has created you uniquely and given you talents and abilities to be used for His Kingdom. The message of your mission is your testimony. It is the most powerful form of communication. (Example - how many of you have bought a product because someone you know had a good experience with it?)
Reasons your testimony is so important:
• It is your reason for your hope (1 Peter 3:15).
• It is the shed blood of Jesus that transformed your life at the moment of conversion that is the strength of your personal testimony.
• It is unique.
• You are the authority on it.
• People connect and relate to stories.
• It is coming from a "real" person, a satisfied customer.
• People often want to know WHY you believe before they want to know HOW.
The Four Main Parts of a Personal Testimony
1 - Life before Christ - or while you were not following Jesus. What were the things most important to you and/or substitutes for God? Did you find meaning for life? These are the common grounds that others can relate to.
2 - Need for Christ - How did you realize you needed Jesus? Was it a crisis that got your attention, slow step by step, or needs and hurts that caused you to be dissatisfied?
3 - Committing your life to Christ - How did you commit your life to Jesus? Did you say a prayer? Where were you, etc.?
4 - Difference with Christ - What is the difference following Jesus has made in your life. What have you found to be the benefits experienced or felt; problems resolved; life changes, etc? Be honest about areas of continual struggle. No one is perfect.
Here are some tips on how to share your testimony.
1. Spend the least amount of time on Part 1 and the most time on Part 4.
2. Tailor your testimony to the person you are speaking with if you can.
3. Stay away from churchy-Christianese as much as possible.
4. Keep it short and simple. (>3 minutes; dates, times, names are not essential)
5. The key and central part of your testimony is the Gospel message. This is the universal part of testimonies. Without it, you just told a personal story, not a testimony of God's work in your life.
A. What is the Gospel?
B. The Great News about Jesus Christ.
C. The basics of the Gospel. (Without these you lose the Gospel)
-1. God the Son became human in Jesus Christ so I can relate to Him and He to me (Romans 1:3-4; Hebrews 4:15).
-2. Jesus died for my sins, so I don't have to (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; John 3:16).
-3. Jesus destroyed death so I can have eternal life (1 Timothy 1:10).
-4. Salvation is a gift that I do not have to earn. I am made right with God (Romans 3:23-25).
-5. All of this is by the grace of God through faith, believing in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).
You don't have to be a Bible Scholar or Theologian. You don't have to prove Jesus to people (occasionally perhaps for a very few, and then you work through a relationship). You share the Great News and ask if they believe!
• Don't try to be "spiritual" or preachy.
• Be you. Be normal.
• Don't try to be like someone else.
Keys to remember:
• Salvation, although a one-time experience, sometimes feels like a daily process of being transformed.
(i.e. Sanctification for the Born-Again Christian)
• People are spiritually hungry at different points in their lives. Think of your experience.
• Some people are resistant. This is ok!
• The work is done by God, the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).
CONCLUSION
The New Testament never underwent redactions to fit in with the needs of the early church. It is not conjecture, hearsay, selective truth, or full of lies. It can be trusted as both actual eyewitness testimony and historical evidence that is not an argument from silence nor a logical fallacy.
There was never any debate in the ancient world about whether Jesus of Nazareth was a historical figure. The evidence is overwhelming for the existence of Jesus and stands up under examination and can be trusted in both secular and biblical history. In the earliest literature of the Jewish Rabbis, Jesus was denounced as the illegitimate child of Mary and a sorcerer. Among pagans, Jesus was dismissed as a scoundrel, but we know of no one in the ancient world who questioned whether Jesus lived.No objective historian questions the existence of Jesus. In addition to the direct reference discussed, numerous archaeological discoveries affirm and illuminate details about Jesus' life as recorded in the Bible, such as the discovery in 1968 of a heel bone of a crucified man that affirmed the description of Jesus' Crucifixion in the Bible, the Tomb of Jesus, and the Nazareth Inscription that was a marble slab, acquired in 1878, which had inscribed on it a mandate in response to the story of the resurrection of Jesus as King of the Jews, from Claudius Caesar, and imposed a death penalty in Israel for anyone caught moving bodies from family tombs, and specifically "sepulcher-sealing tombs," such as the one Jesus was buried in.
The evidence for Jesus cannot be ignored or written off as fantasy. Jesus was not a literary construct or theological creation but an actual historical figure. He was so well-known in the first century that word of Him reached seven of the Roman emperors.
Each of the individual sources we discussed provides information for the historicity of Jesus of Nazareth that has been firmly established from non-biblical historical texts and early Christian writings that have never been amended or tainted by later authors.
Jesus is one of the most confirmed people in history and is authenticated by historical and physical evidence that provides a detailed summary of His life, as well as spiritual and supernatural evidence. However, the most extraordinary proof is that countless Christians, including the twelve Apostles, as well millions throughout history, were willing to give their lives as martyrs for Jesus. People will die for what they believe to be true, but no one will die for what they know to be a lie.
Anyone who denies the historical Jesus of Nazareth is not to be taken seriously. Despite the overwhelming evidence for a historical Christ, there is a theory today that posits that Jesus never existed and is a just myth. This theory is not based upon any archeological findings or scientific facts that are used as a buffer between a person's denial of the divinity of Jesus and their belief that there is no God.
The Myth theory is based on modern perceptions, not on archeology or historical Philology, which is the study of literary texts, as well as oral and written records, and the establishment of their authenticity, original form, and the determination of their meaning in context.
Remember this important truth; People can choose to disbelieve the historical evidence that Jesus existed, but they can't deny a changed life. Two thousand, one hundred+ years ago, a movement began that was built on a personal relationship with a man named Jesus of Nazareth, that started with just a dozen people and has grown to more than 2 Billion+- people living in the world today, who call themselves a follower of His – a Christian. The one who believes in Jesus has this testimony within them; that God has given us eternal life, and this life is found in Him alone (1 John 5:11-12).
"Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God." (2 Timothy 1:8 ESV)
"But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Galatians 6:14 ESV)
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV)
"Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long." (Psalm 35:26 ESV)
