Ancient texts state that Jesus of Nazareth, the center of Christian faith, did not die on the cross. The story is that he met with his disciples in Jerusalem and then traveled to other parts of the world, notably India. However, if Jesus survived crucifixion, the foundation of Christianity is missing and the hope of millions taken away.
One of the most important historical documents is the Bible, which contains early Jewish scripture and what is known as the New Testament. Although this book is a record of both spiritual and secular history and might be assumed to be biased, much supporting evidence for its validity has been discovered by scholars and archaeologists. In fact, no other writings, ancient or modern, have so much evidence of authenticity.
The Old Testament is supported by archaeology. When the Bible tells of an ancient civilization, monuments or other enduring evidence supports its existence. The New Testament, made up of four Gospels and writings of the apostles, has the distinction of being based on the earliest known documents, dating from around 100 AD. The life of Plato, in contrast, is revealed in writings 500 years after his death.
The Gospels serve as eyewitness accounts, consistent enough to be taken as evidence in a court of law. John and Matthew were among the twelve named as apostles by Jesus. Luke and Mark, a Greek and a Jew, were contemporaries who wrote their accounts after the crucifixion. Although no 'autographs' or personal writings of these men have been recovered, the accounts that did survive are too consistent to be denied.
The plan of salvation, which ushers a Christian believer into eternal relationship with God, is founded on the crucifixion. It has been said that the Messiah was born to die. Paul writes of this in his epistles, saying that if Christ had not died and risen, Paul's preaching is in vain. Under Jewish (God's) law, only a blood sacrifice can atone for sin; Jesus's death on the cross paid for the sins of the whole world as the final atonement for all.
After all, it's not earthly life that counts with God, but the eternal life that Jesus's sacrifice obtained for those who believe that he was the Son of God and accept his payment for their sins and free gift of salvation. Only a perfect life - an unblemished lamb - could pay this price, and only a man both divine and human could live without sin.
This man said he was the Son of God and that whoever had seen him had seen the Father. Hundreds of years of prophecy foretold the coming of such a one to restore the covenant God made with Abraham. Prophet after prophet revealed truths that could only have come from God. There are no prophecies about a ministry for the Son of God on other continents and shared with other teachers.
Suffering punishment on a Roman cross would indeed be horrific, but suffering is not enough to fulfill the requirements of the law. Only an authentic resurrection could explain the explosion of the Christian faith across the ancient world or the hope that lives in the heart of the believer.
One of the most important historical documents is the Bible, which contains early Jewish scripture and what is known as the New Testament. Although this book is a record of both spiritual and secular history and might be assumed to be biased, much supporting evidence for its validity has been discovered by scholars and archaeologists. In fact, no other writings, ancient or modern, have so much evidence of authenticity.
The Old Testament is supported by archaeology. When the Bible tells of an ancient civilization, monuments or other enduring evidence supports its existence. The New Testament, made up of four Gospels and writings of the apostles, has the distinction of being based on the earliest known documents, dating from around 100 AD. The life of Plato, in contrast, is revealed in writings 500 years after his death.
The Gospels serve as eyewitness accounts, consistent enough to be taken as evidence in a court of law. John and Matthew were among the twelve named as apostles by Jesus. Luke and Mark, a Greek and a Jew, were contemporaries who wrote their accounts after the crucifixion. Although no 'autographs' or personal writings of these men have been recovered, the accounts that did survive are too consistent to be denied.
The plan of salvation, which ushers a Christian believer into eternal relationship with God, is founded on the crucifixion. It has been said that the Messiah was born to die. Paul writes of this in his epistles, saying that if Christ had not died and risen, Paul's preaching is in vain. Under Jewish (God's) law, only a blood sacrifice can atone for sin; Jesus's death on the cross paid for the sins of the whole world as the final atonement for all.
After all, it's not earthly life that counts with God, but the eternal life that Jesus's sacrifice obtained for those who believe that he was the Son of God and accept his payment for their sins and free gift of salvation. Only a perfect life - an unblemished lamb - could pay this price, and only a man both divine and human could live without sin.
This man said he was the Son of God and that whoever had seen him had seen the Father. Hundreds of years of prophecy foretold the coming of such a one to restore the covenant God made with Abraham. Prophet after prophet revealed truths that could only have come from God. There are no prophecies about a ministry for the Son of God on other continents and shared with other teachers.
Suffering punishment on a Roman cross would indeed be horrific, but suffering is not enough to fulfill the requirements of the law. Only an authentic resurrection could explain the explosion of the Christian faith across the ancient world or the hope that lives in the heart of the believer.
About the Author:
You can visit www.truthaboutjesus.com/ for more helpful information about What Happens If Jesus Survived Crucifixion.
No comments:
Post a Comment